Home Assistant vs Tom AI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Home Assistant
Control your entire smart home from one app, locally and privately. Automate devices, receive notifications, and manage your home's data securely. Integrates with thousands of smart devices and open standards.
- Control entire home from one app
- Discover and configure new devices
- Automate device actions
- Local data privacy
- Connect to open standards (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter)
- Remote access via Home Assistant Cloud
- Location-based automation
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Home Assistant Companion app allows you to access your Home Assistant instance on the go. Home Assistant is the smart home solution focused on privacy, choice, and sustainability. It runs locally in your home via a device like the Home Assistant Green or Raspberry Pi. This app connects to all the most powerful features of Home Assistant, - One app to control the whole home - Home Assistant is compatible with the biggest brands in the smart home, connecting to thousands of smart devices and services. - Discover automatically and quickly configure new devices - such as Philips Hue, Sonos, and IKEA Tradfri. - Automate everything - Make all the devices in your home work in harmony - have your lights dim when you start watching a movie, or turn off your heat when you’re away from home. - Keep your home’s data in the home - use it privately to see past trends and averages. - Connect to open standards with hardware add-ons - including Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and Bluetooth. - Connect anywhere - If you would like to access this app while away from home, the most secure and simple way to get started is Home Assistant Cloud. The app unlocks your smartphone or tablet as a home automation tool. - Securely share your location, using it to automate heating, security, and so much more. - Get notifications on what's happening in your home, from detecting leaks to doors left open, you have full control over what it tells you. - Carplay functionality lets you open a garage or disable the security system from the dash of your car. - Build your own widgets to control any device in your home with a tap. - Integrate Home Assistant's functionality into Shortcuts, for example have your phone’s morning alarm turn on the coffee machine. - Apple Watch compatibility can show your home's temperature on a watch face or quickly activate devices. - Text or talk to your local voice assistant on your device. - Mac compatibility allows you to control your home from your desktop, but also to share data to build automation, like having your streaming lights turn on when your camera is active. Join the over 1 million users and empower your home with better privacy, choice and sustainability. Compatible with: Airthings, Amazon Alexa, Amcrest, Apple HomeKit, Apple TV, ASUSWRT, August, Belink WeMo, Bluetooth, Bose SoundTouch, Broadlink, BTHome, deCONZ, Denon, Devolo, DLNA, Ecobee, Ecovacs, Ecowitt, Elgato, EZVIZ, Fritz, Fully Kiosk, GoodWe, Govee, Growatt, Hikvision, Hive, Home Connect, Homematic, HomeWizard, Honeywell, iCloud, IFTTT, IKEA Tradfri, Insteon, Jellyfin, LG Smart TVs, LIFX, Logitech Harmony, Lutron Caseta, Magic Home, Matter, MotionEye, MQTT, MusicCast, Nanoleaf, Netatmo, Nuki, OctoPrint, ONVIF, Opower, Overkiz, OwnTracks, Panasonic Viera, Philips Hue, Pi-hole, Plex, Reolink, Ring, Roborock, Roku, Samsung TVs, Sense, Sensiba, Shelly, SmartThings, SolarEdge, Sonarr, Sonos, Sony Bravia, Spotify, Steam, SwitchBot, Synology, Tado, Tasmota, Tesla Wall, Thread, Tile, TP-Link Smart Home, Tuya, UniFi, UPnP, Verisure, Vizio, Wallbox, WebRTC, WiZ, WLED, Xbox, Xiaomi BLE, Yale, Yeelight, YoLink, Z-Wave, Zigbe
Tom AI
This voice-driven AI assistant offers specialized modes for chatting, brainstorming, note-taking, translation, definitions, and hands-free video recording. It features CarPlay integration and local data storage for enhanced privacy and organization.
- Intuitive wheel interface for mode selection
- Specialized modes: Chat, Brainstorm, Notes, Interpret, Dictionary, Reel
- Dual AI (Tom & Max) for idea generation and challenges
- Voice-driven interactions
- CarPlay integration
- Local data storage
- Hands-free video recording
Read full descriptionHide full description
Tom AI: Your Intelligent Voice AI Experience the power of tailored AI interactions with Tom, your voice-driven assistant powered by cutting-edge GPT technology. Whether you're driving, chatting, brainstorming, or exploring the world, Tom offers specialized modes to suit your needs. Core Modes & Features Intuitive Mode Selection: Use our unique wheel interface, featuring Tom's friendly animated face, to choose your activity: 1. Chat Mode: Open AI conversations and general assistance. 2. Brainstorm Mode: Refine ideas with Tom as host and Max as devil's advocate for dynamic idea generation. 3. Notes Mode: Distraction-free voice-to-text without AI interference. 4. Interpret Mode: Break language barriers with on-the-fly translations. 5. Dictionary Mode: Get precise, pre-prompted definitions for expressions and terms. 6. Reel Mode: Record and stream videos hands-free. Additional Features: - Voice-driven interactions within each mode - Flexible AI support: Summon Max in Chat and Reel modes when you need a reality check - CarPlay integration for safe, hands-free use while driving - Local data storage with advanced search capabilities - Customizable assistance: Tom helps you track and organize personal information How It Works 1. Spin the wheel to select your desired mode 2. Use voice commands to interact within the chosen mode 3. To switch modes, return to the wheel interface 4. In Brainstorm mode, engage with both Tom and Max for comprehensive idea development 5. In Chat and Reel modes, call on Max when you want your ideas challenged 6. Ask for help with your daily tasks or tracking needs (e.g., "Can you help me track my daily steps?") 7. Access and update your information anytime in Chat mode Privacy & Data - All conversations and data stored locally on your device - HTTPS data transmission for enhanced security - AI assistance in organizing and exporting your personal data (Chat mode only) Pricing - 60-minute free trial (AI thinking/speaking time only) - Flexible subscription plans: weekly, monthly, or yearly - "Bring Your Own Key" option for potential discounts and upgraded GPT models Get Started Today Download Tom AI and experience specialized AI assistance modes, including our unique dual-AI Brainstorm feature. Perfect for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and CarPlay users seeking enhanced productivity, creativity, and seamless technology integration. Choose your mode, engage with your voice, and let Tom (and Max, when you need a fresh perspective) help you revolutionize your daily interactions and personal tracking! Terms of use: https://selfrelaychat.com/website_self/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://selfrelaychat.com/website_self/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Home Assistant at none against Tom AI's 4. Home Assistant also leads on ratings volume (4K vs 27) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). Tom AI's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 54%). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Tom AI sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Home Assistant asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Home Assistant against 4.7 for Tom AI. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Home Assistant has 4K ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of Home Assistant's written reviews are positive against 83% of Tom AI's.
Home Assistant ships an update every 10 days, Tom AI every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Home Assistant | Tom AI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (4K ratings) — better | 4.7 (27 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 54.3% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4K — better | 27 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 229 MB | 205 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Nabu Casa, Inc | christophe chaland |
Customer experience
Home Assistant
Tom AI
In-app purchases
Home Assistant
No in-app purchases
Tom AI
- Weekly Unlimited Access$3.997 Days
- Bring your own key$4.991 Month
- Monthly Unlimited Access$9.991 Month
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Yearly Access$249.001 Year









