Vera vs Homeseer

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

My wife and I will soon be in possession of our “forever” house and now I can finally begin tinkering and implementing a home automation system. I am looking for a system that is very configurable and has a lot of available plugins and is of really good value. The two systems I see out there are the Vera and Homeseer.

I have been browsing youtube videos and see how intricate the Homeseer programming can be:

From what I seen on youtube the Vera system seems to be a bit more simpler and less in depth? However there are some cool videos of basic stuff being done, like this:

The one big red flag with Vera is the fact that I have to log into a micasaverde account, what if micasaverde goes down? What if they charge $5/mo to access your account? Homeseer has you log into the controller itself, not an online account. Is this assumption true? I don’t want to buy something and get stuck with a paperweight if the manufacturer changes the terms and conditions on me.

Also I want a true stand alone system where I have full control over it. Is that why there is a premium with the Homeseer system? The Vera3 is $200 and the Homeseer start at $200 but climb quickly in price for every model up.

2

The online account and internet connectivity are not required fro full control of your Vera. However, the online account and internet access makes several features much more convenient.

Remote access to Vera via a browser or smartphone app would require that Vera be connected to the internet. An online account is still not a requirement, but it will make life much simpler and easier.

These subjects are discussed ad nauseam on this forum.

3

Two threads for you, one from here And the second on the Homeseer forum:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=14672.0

4

Depends if you have (or want) a computer running 24/7.

If yes… Homeseer is a viable option.

If no… Vera is a better choice.

Start there, then move forward based on your answer.

5

Vera is a computer running 24/7.

6

[quote=“RHINESEL, post:4, topic:182539”]Depends if you have (or want) a computer running 24/7.

If yes… Homeseer is a viable option.

If no… Vera is a better choice.

Start there, then move forward based on your answer.[/quote]

This makes no sense. HomeSeer software runs on many different hardware platforms now, similar in power consumption to a Vera unit.

7

Vera is a computer running 24/7.[/quote]

A cell phone is a “computer” running 24/7 in your pocket. Not the same though. Different hardware for different needs.

8

[quote=“TC1, post:6, topic:182539”][quote=“RHINESEL, post:4, topic:182539”]Depends if you have (or want) a computer running 24/7.

If yes… Homeseer is a viable option.

If no… Vera is a better choice.

Start there, then move forward based on your answer.[/quote]

This makes no sense. HomeSeer software runs on many different hardware platforms now, similar in power consumption to a Vera unit.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll amend then. Most passive, run of the mill, Joe Bag 'O Donuts, general public will throw Homeseer on some sort of Windows computer they have laying around when they got a new one.

If you are technically adapt and can build a box (or know where and what to get outside of a chain retail store) and can manage platforms other than Windows and have the time to devote to the project… then Homeseer and Vera are equivalent.

9

[quote=“RHINESEL, post:8, topic:182539”][quote=“TC1, post:6, topic:182539”][quote=“RHINESEL, post:4, topic:182539”]Depends if you have (or want) a computer running 24/7.

If yes… Homeseer is a viable option.

If no… Vera is a better choice.

Start there, then move forward based on your answer.[/quote]

This makes no sense. HomeSeer software runs on many different hardware platforms now, similar in power consumption to a Vera unit.[/quote]

Ok, I’ll amend then. Most passive, run of the mill, Joe Bag 'O Donuts, general public will throw Homeseer on some sort of Windows computer they have laying around when they got a new one.

If you are technically adapt and can build a box (or know where and what to get outside of a chain retail store) and can manage platforms other than Windows and have the time to devote to the project… then Homeseer and Vera are equivalent.[/quote]

Again, not true. Besides the software, they offer ready to go controllers.

The product/brand has greatly evolved from what people are use to years ago. Runs on Windows or Linux, your own hardware or buy pre-made from them (just like a Vera, the difference being Vera doesn’t give you a choice). While each controller does have some limitations at different price points, the main thing is you DO have a choice.

Unlike Vera, which still offers outdated, locked-in hardware which can hardly keep up once you heavily load the system.

I’m not saying that one is better than the other (that’s based on each individual’s particular use case and needs), what I am saying is that many folks need to do some present day research before passing judgement on product suitability to task.

10

Maybe for another thread, but since the HomeTroller Zee is the only one in the price range of the Vera, how do they equate? I see it runs a special version of the software, what is missing from the regular software?

11

[quote=“Z-Waver, post:2, topic:182539”]The online account and internet connectivity are not required fro full control of your Vera. However, the online account and internet access makes several features much more convenient.

Remote access to Vera via a browser or smartphone app would require that Vera be connected to the internet. An online account is still not a requirement, but it will make life much simpler and easier.

These subjects are discussed ad nauseam on this forum.[/quote]

How does the remote account make things easier? Sorry for the newb question. I am looking for rock solid software that is easily configurable to do many different things. If it’s got a steep learning curve then that means it’ll have more options to do what I need. I’m not afraid of the learning curve, I’m more afraid of software that might be too limited and basic.

As for hardware, I’m fine with running a PC 24hrs a day, I do already and it’s rock solid reliable. However a sole controller for home automation (provided it’s rock solid) would be ideal, however the Homeseer Hometroller units are very expensive. I’m not sure what they’d do more than PC with a Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Stick and the same Homeseer HS3 software.

Vera seems really intuitive, is the hardware rock solid? Is there software limitations? I was recall reading something about it cannot do “OR” statements? Has that been since resolved? I plan on probably 100-150 different inputs and outputs over three buildings on the property (all within somewhat close proximity) to do home automation and security. All which I’d like to control over my phone, but mostly just have it run in the background and assign multiple tasks when events happen based on motion, doors being unlocked, switches being turned on/off etc…

12

It allows for a simple email and password setup and secure access for remotely controlling your Vera via a browser or a smart phone. The same level of remote access without the Micasaverde account would require that you use a VPN connection back to your LAN.

I am looking for rock solid software that is easily configurable to do many different things. If it's got a steep learning curve then that means it'll have more options to do what I need. I'm not afraid of the learning curve, I'm more afraid of software that might be too limited and basic.
Stock Vera is "limited". Howvere, there are many plugins that increase its functionality and you can write your own LUA code to do almost anything you want, if you are so inclined.
As for hardware, I'm fine with running a PC 24hrs a day, I do already and it's rock solid reliable. However a sole controller for home automation (provided it's rock solid) would be ideal, however the Homeseer Hometroller units are very expensive. I'm not sure what they'd do more than PC with a Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Stick and the same Homeseer HS3 software.
In my opinion Vera is very reliable. However, if you review this forum, you will find thousands of reports of issues. Vera will require work, at least until you have it completely configured to your liking.

I will say that if you think that the Homeseer controller is too expensive then you have chosen the wrong hobby. Home automation is expensive. Even cheap DIY home automation will eventually/quickly cost thousands of dollars. Light switches can cost from $50 to $200. If you think saving a couple hundred on the controller is important, your making a big and common mistake. The cost of the controller is a non-issue at $1,000.

Vera seems really intuitive, is the hardware rock solid? Is there software limitations? I was recall reading something about it cannot do "OR" statements? Has that been since resolved?
Some people find it intuitive, most find it rather difficult to wrap their heads around the concepts in the beginning. The hardware is plastic solid, for sure.

Vera can do “OR” conditions out of the box, but it requires apps/plugins to enable “AND” conditions.

I plan on probably 100-150 different inputs and outputs over three buildings on the property (all within somewhat close proximity) to do home automation and security. All which I'd like to control over my phone, but mostly just have it run in the background and assign multiple tasks when events happen based on motion, doors being unlocked, switches being turned on/off etc...
This is pretty vague. Be aware that your idea of close proximity may not be realistic. Plan on Z-Wave signal distances between devices of less than 50 feet, in some cases FAR less than 50 feet.

If you look at this forum, you’ll see that the consensus is not to use Vera for security. Instead, use a dedicated alarm system and integrate it with Vera for the home automation.

13

As I stated before Homeseer is a brand and offers multiple solutions from basic software to more expensive solutions.

Vera is a single solution on two hardware platforms…

Homeseer, external control requires additional configuration that use to cost if you went through their service but I received something recently stating this was now being offered for free.

The are other key differences especially around iDevice or Andriod app which are readily available for Vera.

You can download HS3 or pro and have a play.

14

I am personally a HUGE fan of Z-Wave! It lets you do so much…

I’ve written a review of the Vera and some cool Z-Wave devices here…

I also figured out a few really cool tricks you can do with Z-Wave and wrote guides to help other people do them too…

I hope this helps! ;D

15

[quote=“RHINESEL, post:10, topic:182539”]Maybe for another thread, but since the HomeTroller Zee is the only one in the price range of the Vera, how do they equate? I see it runs a special version of the software, what is missing from the regular software?[/quote]HomeTroller Zee includes the Z-Wave, Insteon and X10 plug-ins only (at this time). It also includes the full HSTouch Server version which can be used to customize the mobile app with HSTouch Designer. The other HomeTrollers support the full plug-in API. All HomeTrollers include the same event engine with support for IF, OR, AND logic.

16

I would you take a look at the homeseer forum or their website to get an accurate description of their products

17

Are there any good youtube videos showing programming logic with the Vera? How to install plugins and how they work?

I must say I was quite surprised with how many plugins are available for Vera. However I just want to make sure that the programming nature is intuitive and easy to setup up. Is there any way to do a trail version of Vera without buying the hardware?

18

[quote=“ConradTurbo, post:17, topic:182539”]Are there any good youtube videos showing programming logic with the Vera? How to install plugins and how they work?

I must say I was quite surprised with how many plugins are available for Vera. However I just want to make sure that the programming nature is intuitive and easy to setup up. Is there any way to do a trail version of Vera without buying the hardware?[/quote]

Trial version? Nope, you buy it.

IMO (and experience) there’s a lot of plugins because of the lack of functionality in the unit that should have been there all along. This statement excludes any plugins needed for non-Zwave devices, ie, like a Nest, where plugins are a welcomed feature.