So Vera now requires a subscription or most features stop working?

Vera Controllers, Services & Devices General Vera Discussions
1

So I received an email saying Vera features will now be locked behind a paywall?

So much for buying Vera for the touted feature of not requiring a monthly fee.

I guess it is right up there with the promise ( lie ) to release 7.32 firmware and continued new device support.

From the FAQ: How long will the Vera platform continue to receive support? Will you continue to release firmware upgrades?

The next firmware upgrade (7.32) is already planned, and we will be maintaining support for the platform. After 7.32 we’ll be making maintenance upgrades on an as-needed basis to ensure full functionality.

I take it Alexa integration, text alerts and using the app to connect will stop working?

We rebuilt Vera on a modernized cloud, with new features included. To keep these upgrades, activate a cloud service plan before July 31, 2026.

Why I purchased a Vera 1, 2, 3 and plus:

Vera Smart Home Controllers — No Monthly Fees

Vera home controllers, including the VeraEdge, VeraPlus, and VeraSecure, require no monthly fees for self‑monitoring and can be used with hundreds of compatible devices from major brands

No Monthly Fees — How It Works

Vera’s self‑monitoring model means you receive instant text, email, or app alerts when a security event occurs, without paying a recurring service fee Home Controls. This eliminates the ongoing cost of many traditional alarm companies.
Optional 24/7 Central Monitoring Service is available for a lower price than typical alarm providers, but it’s not required.

Key Features

  • Self‑monitoring with instant alerts via the Vera mobile app (iOS/Android)

  • No contracts or hidden fees — one‑time purchase, lifetime use

  • Compatibility: Works with 1,200+ Z‑Wave devices plus many Wi‑Fi brands like Nest, Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, First Alert, Philips Hue, and more

  • Control: Manage lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, sprinklers, and alarms from one app

  • Automation: Custom scenes, geofencing, schedules, and energy monitoring

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2

Hi @DLR, the frustration is understandable, and we want to address it directly.

Vera hardware was sold without a monthly fee, and that holds true: your controller, your Z-Wave devices, and local control aren’t going anywhere. What’s changing is the cloud layer, the services that enable remote app access, voice assistants, and push notifications. After 10+ years of keeping the platform running, this plan is how we ensure that layer stays active and supported.

To answer your question directly: yes, Alexa, push alerts, and remote app access will require an active plan after July 31. The entry option is $2.50/month billed annually. On firmware, our focus right now is on cloud stability and ensuring the platform stays fully functional for existing users.

If you want to talk through what specifically changes for your setup, reply here or reach us at support@ezlo.com.

3

So does this mean you are going to fix all of the current issues that exist in the platform because issues still remain. The most noticeable is the Device is unresponsive message.

Also, please let anyone know who was involved that a months notice for this type of change to users is extremely unprofessional. You have an outlet with this forum that this could have easily been posted for the users to see well in advance so they weren’t blind sided.

Also, how badly is the Vera going to perform when it gets hung on calls if you don’t subscribe?

I personally have a huge problem with subscription services but I understand that this is where the world has gone for better or worse. With that said if I am paying for something (now basically forced) it had better work reliably and be issue free. I would also expect if there is a disruption in services being reimbursed for the failure in service delivery.

4

Well, I for one, resent being used in this way. I bought in to a non-fee system.There is a good old British saying - we have been shafted!.

I will be taking this opportunity to ditch Vera and buy into a more modern IOT-type system.

5

Hello @MyHouse and @Tim88

Thank you for writing in, and for being a long-time Vera owner.

The new subscription covers the cloud platform that powers remote access, secure relay, and the ongoing services delivered over our infrastructure. Operating, securing, and maintaining that platform carries real and recurring costs, and the subscription is what allows us to keep it reliable, updated, and available for the long term.

Your controller continues to operate locally, and your hardware remains yours. The subscription pertains specifically to the cloud-delivered services going forward.

We understand this is a change, and we don’t take that lightly. The decision reflects what is required to keep the platform running properly for everyone, and it is the path we are committed to.

Thank you again for being part of the Vera-Ezlo community.

6

Jonathan,

You did not directly answer my questions. I’m guessing that was deliberate.

It still doesn’t excuse the little to no notice.

Are you saying that Ezlo as a company does not have enough revenue from its hardware sales to maintain its infrastructure? Or you need to leverage remaining Vera users to support the struggling Ezlo platform.

I assume that Ezlo users will be paying for this service as well.

This may be the point at which I start investigating another home automation solution as the Ezlo controller can still not do what the Vera controller can do.

7

I just logged in on the ezlogic.mios.com site and I have so many questions and am trying not to be negative.
Question is why is my Vera controller now connected to this interface. I did not add it nor did I authorize its addition. As it was mentioned it’s my hardware.

Why are so many of the devices showing as plug icons and how do I change them?

How do I change the dashboard or how do I group or organize devices.

Is this part of the new controller agnostic service?

Why does it feel like this is not ready for public use?

I think users are going to have a hard time paying for a service that feels that unfinished.

8

How can you guys think this is not a breach of contract? You are now looking to charge fees for abilities promised to be free for life.

Everything that was mentioned above was the reason for purchasing 4 different Vera models.

The promise was No contracts or hidden fees, receive unlimited SMS text messaging, email and app alerts for life.

Primarily I rely on text/app/email notifications to be alerted to low battery, water leaks, intrusions due to motion sensor activation, doors being opened or left open, locked or unlocked and even unlocking a door remotely. Without these notifications and abilities the system becomes near useless. Just being able to activate devices locally or run scenes is not what I purchased these devices for.

Possibly you guys forgot about this promise. Are you are now reneging on the features that were stated to be free for life?

Find Vera Service Cost

The new pricing explained here is effective July 24, 2009. Users who received one of the lifetime FindVera subscriptions as part of a promotion will continue to receive all the features at no charge for life, and will continue to receive unlimited SMS text messaging for life, as per the original agreement.

Users who previously prepaid for an annual or lifetime subscription will receive an email for instructions on receiving a refund on any unused portion if they wish to change to the free, basic service, or the $29 enhanced service. Or they may stay with their current prepaid plan which includes unlimited text messaging.

Or these statements: Where it says Vera uses a self‑monitoring model, no mention of cloud to receive instant text, email, or app alerts.

No Monthly Fees — How It Works

Vera’s self‑monitoring model means you receive instant text, email, or app alerts when a security event occurs, without paying a recurring service fee.

Key Features

  • Self‑monitoring with instant alerts via the Vera mobile app (iOS/Android)

  • No contracts or hidden fees — one‑time purchase, lifetime use

  • Control: Manage lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, sprinklers, and alarms from one app

Using Vera Control with Alexa for Free

You can control your Vera‑paired devices with Alexa for free by enabling the Vera Control skill in the Alexa app. This is a built‑in Alexa Smart Home Skill that works with Amazon‑enabled devices and doesn’t require extra payment

Notes

  • The Vera Control skill is free to use; there is no subscription required for basic Alexa integration.

  • In summary, Vera provides free Alexa control for compatible devices, making it easy to manage your smart home with voice commands without additional fees.

9

No mention of cloud in your own documentation. It states self monitoring. But yet all these abilities now cost money to use.

Vera’s self‑monitoring model means you receive instant text, email, or app alerts when a security event occurs, without paying a recurring service fee.

10

So many empty promises. Look at what was promised of the Ezlo controller. It’s been over 5 years and it still doesn’t do what the Vera controller can do for me. In my experience in trying to do anything with the Ezlo controller it’s been an epic failure. You shouldn’t need to contact support to get basic functionalities to work.

Companies only care about how much revenue they can generate and just don’t care about the end user.

11

I would imagine with the US favoring companies over consumers that they pretty much reserve the right to do whatever they want and will be supported and defended.

If you are Europe based you may stand a better chance.

12

Push notifications/alerts suddenly are not arriving to my VERA Mobile app in Android… Is the EZLO cloud that will soon have to be subscribed already having troubles?

13

The push alerts has been solved. Don’t know what the problem was, but it works again.

14

The worst thing I have noticed, is not emailing the devices Administrator, but a user (my wife) with an invoice for services that aren’t required for a year. This is terrible, and more of a reason to vacate the platform immediately. My last device will be moved off the platform to my Hubitat, so I can get rid of this now useless platform.
I didn’t sign up for Ezlo Cloud (at 29.95 USD)
I didn’t sign up for Ezlo Sense (at 29.95 USD)
I didn’t sign up for Ezlo Cloud Video Storage (at 45.00 USD)
I didn’t sign up for Ezlo Connection (at 29.95 USD)
So why am I invoiced for it? Disgusting behaviour!

15

I also received a total of three invoices (presumably for all the users that were set up?) without having ordered anything.

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16

It’s like they’re depending on the nervousness of people to pay an “invoice” they are unsure on!

17

I’m inclined to think it was a system error. You wouldn’t send something like that out as a promotional tactic. At first, I thought it might be a scam, but the sender looks legitimate.
There were certainly plenty of reminder emails.

18

I have also received multiple invoices for services that I did not sign up for… :face_with_spiral_eyes: I do not use any of the cloud features, as my Vera retired a year ago, and my Ezlo Plus only has the function of Z-wave bridge for Home Assistant with ser2net.

19

Same here I received an invoice today for a cloud service which I never subscribed.

20

Same here. Ezlo should at minimum send an e-mail apologizing for the error.