If it also supports the ZigBee protocol then you will also have the ability to choose from that range of devices too. This is most certainly the path that we believe suits most customers, a system that focuses on one or more primary technologies (for example Z-Wave and ZigBee) and also has the ability to be integrated with other systems and devices from different technologies.Ī Smart Home Controller that supports the Z-Wave protocol as a minimum will give you the best starting point because it will work with thousands of devices from a wide range of manufacturers out of the box.
#Vera vs homeseer full
If you wish to control many aspects of your home (either now, or in the future), then a full / hybrid Controller is the better option. They often support more than one technology (such as Z-Wave or ZigBee), and can be expanded to control things like lights, heating and security. It should also be remembered that not all technologies need a Controller as they work directly on your home network system via their associated Cloud Services (such as Nest).īroadly speaking there are three groups of Controller: Full / Hybrid Controllersįull / Hybrid Controllers offer the widest range of features and will enable you to control many aspects of your Smart Home. You then choose a Controller that will work with that technology / platform - sounds obvious, and in some cases the choice is made for you as you have to use the technology vendor's Controller if it's not using a common, open standard of device communication.īut, in other, more flexible systems, you have a choice - which can be confusing when you're looking at lots of different systems and information. The first thing to consider when choosing a Controller is what technology or platform you plan to use for your Smart Home. Our "Choosing a Smart Home Controller" guide will first cover some of the basics (for example Controller types) and will then explain the various features and points to consider when choosing a Smart Home Controller - this is important as it means that you can carry out your own research and make your own decision - there are no right and wrong answers, and no "one size fits all" approach.Īfter that, your first hurdle is to choose a particular manufacturer to go for, so we'll help you to understand the differences between some of the more prominent and popular manufacturers - Aeotec, Athom, Fibaro and Hubitat. This means that it can be a very subjective decision because it depends on each individual user's needs and requirements.
#Vera vs homeseer install
In order to control the system from your smartphone or tablet you usually install an "App" for that Controller and this gives you control whether you're in the lounge or sitting on a beach on the other side of the world.Ĭhoosing a Smart Home Controller can be difficult as they all do similar things but in different ways. This allows you to control the system from a smartphone, tablet or computer and allows remote access even when you're away from home, via the Internet. The Controller is connected to your Internet router or modem using WiFi or by an Ethernet cable. These enable the system to do things automatically, such as turn on lights based on motion or raise the heating temperature just before your family arrives home so that your house is nice and warm when they open the front door. It enables you to add and configure devices and to create and run "logic", sometimes referred to as flows, scenes or moods. As its name implies, a Smart Home "Controller", sometimes called the hub, gateway or bridge, "controls" your Smart Home. You should start your Smart Home journey with the heart of the system - the Controller.