Side By Side Comparison

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This is meant to be an informative, objective comparison of Vera and the other Z-Wave gateways, not a 1-sided sales pitch. If other Z-Wave gateways have features we have not listed, you can add those features. You can also add other gateways that are not on the list, and correct any mistakes and add notes. This document is a wiki, editable by the public.

Note that this document, being a wiki, contains data provided by the public and our customers as well as those of our competitors. The list of features supported by the Schlage and Hawking products comes from customers who use those products and Mi Casa Verde has not independently verified all the features of our competitors products. If there are any inaccuracies, anybody is able to correct them.

Vera Hawking HRPG1 Schlage LiNK Bridge Notes
Price
Retail Price $299 $179 Not sold separately The Schlage Bridge appears to be available only as part of a bundled kit. The Schlage locks are available without the Schlage Bridge for $100 less.
Monthly charge Optional $9.99 $12.99 Schlage requires a monthly subscription or else they block remote access to the lock. Hawking requires a monthly subscription of $9.99 for cell phone access. Vera's monthly service is optional for hosted certain services with all in-home features, including cell phone access, being free.
Not dependent on manufacturer Check.png partial X.png Meaning if the manufacturer stopped supporting the product, would it still function. With Vera, only the optional hosted online services depend on Mi Casa Verde, all local functions are independent. In Hawking's case, cell phone access would stop but other functions would continue. In Schlage's case, the product will not function at all if you don't pay the monthly bill or if Schlage discontinues support for the product.However the Lock itself will still function as a keypad lock. The remote capabilities will be disabled.
Device Compatibility
Guaranteed compatible with all Z-Wave devices Check.png X.png X.png Vera is free if it doesn't work with all your Z-Wave devices as explained here. Note: Z-Wave devices must be certified by Zensys/the Z-Wave alliance to be called Z-Wave and to qualify.
Light Switches/Appliance Modules Check.png Check.png Check.png
Thermostats Check.png Check.png Check.png Schlage has said their LiNK now controls thermostats. However we have heard reports that it only controls Trane thermostats (Schlage's sister company). We are uncertain if it controls the other thermostats, like Wayne Dalton.
Door/Window/Motion Sensor Check.png Check.png X.png
Combo-sensors Check.png X.png X.png Such as the 3-in-1 light, temperature, motion sensor
Handheld remotes Check.png X.png X.png Meaning handheld remotes can activate scenes in the gateway and be programed within the gateway
Door locks Check.png X.png Check.png
Scene controllers Check.png X.png X.png Same as handheld remotes
Supports European Z-Wave Check.png X.png X.png You must order the Euro version of Vera to support European Z-Wave
IP Cameras Check.png proprietary X.png Hawking works with their own camera, but not other brands. Schlage will introduce their own camera. Vera works with any IP camera that can return a JPEG file, such as Panasonic and most IP cameras.
Z-Wave features
Works as a primary controller Check.png Check.png Check.png
Works as a secondary controller Check.png Check.png X.png
Can be added to an existing Z-Wave network Check.png Check.png X.png
Supports controller shift Check.png Check.png X.png
Door lock specific
Secure remote locking/unlocking of doors Check.png X.png Check.png
Secure remote setting of user codes Check.png X.png Check.png
Control of doors from handheld remotes and scene controllers Check.png X.png X.png Meaning a button on a Z-Wave handheld remote or scene controller can be programmed, for example, to turn off the lights and lock the doors. Schlage only allows controller through the Schlage interface.
Door locks trigger events Check.png X.png X.png For example, when you unlock the door the porch light comes on automatically.
PIN codes trigger events Check.png X.png Check.png For example, you give the pool cleaner a PIN code and are notified by SMS when he unlocks the door with his PIN code
Support all door locks Check.png X.png X.png Vera will also support the Black & Decker door locks when they are on the market. Schlage has indicated their bridge will only work with Schlage locks
Automation
Scenes Check.png Check.png Check.png
Timers Check.png Check.png Check.png
Events Check.png Check.png Check.png For example, turn on a light when a motion sensor is tripped.
Remote access
Direct access over IP Check.png X.png X.png Meaning you can directly control the device over the internet or local network
Works when your internet is down Check.png X.png X.png Meaning you can still control and configure the system from within the home if your internet connection is down
Secure remote access through a gateway Check.png Check.png Check.png Both Vera and Schlage use a secure server similar to that for online banking. Vera offers this with the Find_Vera_Service service
Energy monitoring
Tracks energy usage Check.png X.png X.png
Reports historical energy usage Check.png X.png X.png Vera shows past energy usage by room, type of device, etc.
Responds to energy alerts Check.png X.png X.png Vera allows automatic energy reduction when the utility company reports the power grid is overloaded. See Energy
Networking
Built-in router/gateway Check.png X.png X.png Hawking and Schlage require you to purchase these separately
Built-in wi-fi Check.png X.png X.png Hawking and Schlage require you to purchase these separately
Remote Control
Web interface on local home network Check.png X.png X.png
Web interface for secure remote access over the internet Check.png Check.png Check.png
Cell phone access Check.png Check.png Check.png
Wi-fi access (iPod Touch, PDA's, etc.) Check.png X.png X.png
Handheld remotes Check.png X.png X.png You can add handheld remotes to any Z-Wave network, including Schlage and Hawking, but neither Schlage nor Hawking allow you to control their gateway with the remote
Scene controllers Check.png X.png X.png Same as handheld remotes above
Online services
Archive of surveillance camera images Check.png X.png X.png All these online services are part of the Find_Vera_Service service
Archive of energy usage Check.png X.png X.png
Archive of events Check.png X.png X.png
Open-ness / geek-friendly
Direct login allowed Check.png X.png X.png
Allows custom scripts Check.png X.png X.png
Published API's for custom add-ons and UI's Check.png X.png X.png See: Data_Provider_Catalog_Plugin ZWave_Status UI_Notes
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