Anna said:
@Stephen
Z-Wave compatibility lets you add Z-Wave devices you already have, or ones with unique features. It gives you more flexibility.
Can you name a Z-Wave device without a Zigbee alternative?
@Stephen
Well, sometimes people just want more options.
@Stephen
I don’t use any Apple products. How is it better than Home Assistant for people in my position?
Kayden said:
@Stephen
I don’t use any Apple products. How is it better than Home Assistant for people in my position?
You missed the point and got confrontational about it.
@Stephen
I much prefer my Nvidia Shield setup. Apple’s system is too closed-off.
@Stephen
I use HA and still agree with you.
Vincent said:
@Stephen
I use HA and still agree with you.
I used Home Assistant for a while but found Apple Home simpler and quicker for most things I wanted. Sure, HA has its place, but it’s overkill for the average user.
Why are so many HA fans promoting it here?
Ivan said:
Why are so many HA fans promoting it here?
Many of us started with different setups and eventually switched to HA.
Exactly. Most of us started somewhere else and switched to HA after hitting compatibility or customization limits. HA usually becomes the go-to after trying a bunch of other setups.
@Roland
It’s like a support group!
Step 1: Use cloud-based home automation
Step 2: Regret it
Step 3: Bargain with it
Step 4: Accept it
Step 5: Switch to Home Assistant
Scarlett said:
@Roland
It’s like a support group!
Step 1: Use cloud-based home automation
Step 2: Regret it
Step 3: Bargain with it
Step 4: Accept it
Step 5: Switch to Home Assistant
True story!
@Roland
Unless you’re an Apple die-hard, judging from some of these comments 
Kayden said:
@Roland
Unless you’re an Apple die-hard, judging from some of these comments
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. I don’t use Apple devices or HomeKit, so it’s not an issue for me.
@Roland
I use Apple products but rely on HA for complex automations. I expose only what’s needed to HomeKit since it’s simpler for guests to use.
Rachel said:
@Roland
I use Apple products but rely on HA for complex automations. I expose only what’s needed to HomeKit since it’s simpler for guests to use.
I recently moved all my HomeKit/Zigbee devices to HA but kept Home as the front-end. If HA goes down, Matter devices still work directly in Home.
Rachel said:
@Roland
I use Apple products but rely on HA for complex automations. I expose only what’s needed to HomeKit since it’s simpler for guests to use.
I put up a tablet hub with a QR code that links guests to a custom HA page so they can control things without an app.
@Roland
Honestly, it’s like giving people the fast lane answer. Telling them to try out all the alternatives before HA is like saying, ‘Try a bunch of options that probably won’t work well, then switch to HA anyway.’
@Roland
That wasn’t my experience. I tried HA to fix issues I was having with Apple Home, but it only added unnecessary maintenance.
Stephen said:
@Roland
That wasn’t my experience. I tried HA to fix issues I was having with Apple Home, but it only added unnecessary maintenance.
If you’re focused on Apple Home, that makes sense. HA is often overkill for people deep in the Apple ecosystem.
@Roland
Exactly. HA has a few extra features, but none that would make me switch back.