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Alexa vs Google Assistant vs Siri: Which Smart Assistant Is Best for You?

Alexa vs Google Assistant vs Siri: Which Smart Assistant Is Best for You?
Photo file: mechomotive.com

Voice bots are becoming more and more popular, and it's hard to think of a time when we didn't have them. In the past few years, a type of device called an "assistant AI" or "virtual assistant" has spread all over the world. So, I'll compare Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant in this post.

Google Assistant, made by Google, Alexa, made by Amazon, and Siri, made by Apple, are the three big players in this market, which is thought to be worth about $15 billion. Who knows, maybe in the future, many other companies will also come out with their own.

Apple Siri

Apple Siri

Apple Siri

Siri was invented at Stanford Research Institute and acquired two months later for $1 million. That's not all! Scott Forstall introduced Siri on iPhone 4S alongside Steve Jobs in 2011. It's currently unique to Apple. Siri was initially an IOS app. Siri's initial functionalities included file searching and calling. Apple extended its integration into third-party apps, which now employ NLP to provide voice instructions.

Siri has the most experience. She's ancient and knows how people live. In addition to controlling smart home devices, opening apps on your phone with one command (like calling someone), and setting reminders/alarms easily through voice commands or text messaging, Siri can find information online if you want her to; make recommendations based off what type of person she thinks we're looking at right now; and jokes galore await within this ancient system's knowledge base because remember: “Siri has thousands and thousands of jokes.”

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa

Amazon's voicebot is Alexa. It was debuted in 2014 along with its Echo smart speaker, which can perform web searches and play music via voice commands. This amazing technology will let you request news updates or services without too many phone disruptions (which also makes life more comfortable).

Alexa's compatibility still beats the competition. It can operate smart home gadgets and audio playback from sources like Spotify or Hue with voice commands. It can also acquire online information easily because to its extensive list of supported apps, which presently numbers over 200.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant

Google Assistant

Voice-enabled virtual bot that makes appointments and answers weather questions is google assistant. Google's new Assistant isn't merely voice-controlled. Its ability to handle your home remotely makes it ideal for anyone who wishes to enter their home without keys or codes.

This amazing tool does all those things we mentioned and interfaces seamlessly with other devices, so you're never left wondering what happened when something went wrong or needed fixing. If I could give this thing six syllables out of five, I would because nothing else compares as far as convenience goes.

Like purchasing flights without visiting several sites? Try out these voice-activated features.

Who is Smarter?

Choosing between Alexa and Siri is no easy task. Is there a preference you can name? Well, they both have a lot going for them, such as various features and perks.

First, though, let's take a break from our hectic schedules to learn more about the history of how speech bots came to be a part of such a crowded and competitive industry.

Alexa vs Google vs Siri: Answering Questions

Since Google has experience answering inquiries via its search engine, the Google Assistant gives more extensive replies. In a recent test, researchers asked each smart assistant 800 questions; Google Assistant answered 93% accurately.

Siri answered 83% of test questions correctly. Siri beat Google Assistant for requests including sending a text message, playing music, and scheduling a meeting.

Alexa finished last on the test, answering 80% correctly. Amazon increased Alexa's question-answering by 18% in 2019. Alexa recently answered more questions accurately than Siri. Google Assistant still won that test easily.

Alexa vs Google vs Siri: Communication

Alexa lets you call and text Alexa users in your contacts. You can utilize the Drop In feature on an Echo smart speaker to initiate a chat with another Echo user. You can visit relatives in another state or put-up Echo speakers as an intercom. So, you can announce dinner without shouting.

Google Assistant allows phone calls, but not text or voice messaging without IFFT (If This Then That). Google Assistant, unlike Alexa, lets you make international calls with Google Fi or Google Voice.

Siri allows you to phone, text, and email contacts. Siri can read your messages and emails so you don't need to touch your iPhone. Siri is the only smart assistant that can dial 911.

Alexa vs Google vs Siri: Playing Music 

Alexa supports Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify, TuneIn, and Tidal. Alexa defaults to Amazon Music, which offers thousands of free ad-supported channels. Amazon Prime members can stream 2 million songs ad-free. Amazon Unlimited has over 60 million songs ad-free and in UHD.

Deezer, Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube Music are supported by Google Assistant. By default, Google Assistant will play YouTube music, which gives you millions of free songs but also tons of advertising. Upgrade to YouTube Music Premium for 70 million ad-free tracks. Google Assistant can play music from your cloud-based library. YouTube Music allows you post up to 100,000 music files for free streaming.

Siri plays Apple Music's 70 million songs. Apple Music is required. You can only play iTunes purchases and music already on your Apple device. Airplay lets you stream music from your iPhone to Home Pod smart speakers. Siri can't alter the song or turn up the level.


Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: Supported Music Services

Music Service

Alexa

Google Assistant

Siri

Amazon Music

Yes

No

No

Apple Music

Yes

Only on iOS devices

Yes

Deezer

Yes

Yes

No

Google Play Music

No

Yes

No

iHeartRadio

Yes

No

No

Pandora

Yes

Yes

No

SiriusXM

Yes

No

No

Spotify

Yes

Yes

No

TuneIn

Yes

No

No

Tidal

Yes

No

No

YouTube Music

No

Yes

No

Alexa vs Google vs Siri: Compatibility

Amazon Echo is the most popular smart speaker. 70% of US smart speakers are Echo, according to research. Since Echo devices (which include Alexa) are so popular, Amazon says over 140,000 smart devices work with Alexa.

Google Assistant and Siri are incorporated into most new Android and Apple devices. Nest and Home Pod smart speakers aren't as compatible as Alexa. Google Assistant works with 50,000 smart home devices. Google Assistant works with one-third as many smart devices as Alexa, but that figure is expanding fast.

Siri is compatible with the fewest smart home gadgets because Apple is new. Apple doesn't reveal how many smart devices operate with Siri, although its website lists 600 for HomeKit, its smart home system. Using Siri will limit your smart home device options. Apple's website only lists three HomeKit-compatible video doorbells, and only one is available in the US.

Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: Availability

Unreliable voice assistants are useless. Amazon has the most third-party Alexa partners, from the Dot to the Echo Plus, since Anker makes cheaper speakers. If you want greater sound quality, buy the One with Alexa and Google Assistant. Moto X, LG V35, and Moto G7 have Alexa. Amazon's Echo Show smart display can show timers, videos, and video calls.

Google has released smaller versions of the Home, including a cheaper and better-sounding Mini (the Max). Google Assistant will be available on Android and iOS, albeit iOS functions are limited. Google is also working with third parties. Google offers a smart display, the Home Hub, and will add a second model, the Nest Hub Max, later this year with a larger screen and a camera for video-calling. Google Assistant works with third-party smart displays like Lenovo's.

Apple's virtual assistant is on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. Apple has only one smart speaker, the Home Pod, which sounds fantastic but is Siri-limited, and no smart display. Siri on iOS has a screen. Siri wins in country availability. Apple's voice assistant is accessible in more than 30 countries, 20 languages, and some dialects. Siri's features vary by region.

Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: Smart home

Each of the three platforms has dedicated resources to facilitating virtual assistant integration with smart home devices. Numerous third-party devices are compatible with not one, but two or even all three assistants, expanding the range of possible uses for each.

The Nest Learning Thermostat and the Logitech Harmony Hub stand out as two of the most popular smart home products that aren't yet compatible with Apple's HomeKit. (An optional piece of software called home bridge can assist, but it's not for novices.)

Integrating a smart home system may appear like it's going to end up about even: The vast majority of the time, an alternative product exists that is compatible with the platform in question. If you want to make sure your device is compatible with a certain platform, you should check Apple's, Amazon's, or Google's entire lists of supported devices. Siri is currently pretty competent despite lacking a few large partners, and is currently on par with Alexa and Google.

Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: Directions

iPhone's Siri is great at instructions. It can estimate travel time, offer instructions, and initiate GPS navigation. Siri can obtain transportation instructions, but it's lousy at traffic questions because it redirects you to iOS Maps. Siri on the Home Pod can offer you a time estimate and a suggested route (through a specific highway), but it can't automatically or manually send directions to your phone. It can't handle transit directions. Siri told me about typical traffic conditions when I asked about the local interstate.

Google Assistant won. It's the only one that could handle public transit and gives solid time estimates in most circumstances (and its suggestions were reasonable). It gave me the finest overview of traffic conditions in the region and sent directions to the Google Assistant app on my phone, where I may start navigation via Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze.

Alexa ranks last. The AI's local directions were fine, but it couldn't manage public transit. Alexa sent me to a route in British Columbia when I asked about local interstate traffic.

Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. Siri: Online shopping

Buying using your voice looks like a fantastic idea, but it's cumbersome. Alexa should win thanks to Amazon integration. By default, Alexa searches the Amazon catalog for a match and adds it to your cart, which can have unforeseen implications.

Alexa handled "purchase more paper towels" OK, but when I requested for Destiny 2, she added an art book and an irrelevant book. Alexa added the limited version of Destiny when I requested an Xbox game. I had to finish my Amazon order on my phone.

Google Assistant performed similarly to Alexa in my test, although it offered to explain online ordering before I started. My order included paper towels, Destiny 2, and free shipping. It stuck me in a loop of approving terms of service, and I could only complete the order using Google Assistant.

Siri ranked lowest; asking for paper towels on the Home Pod didn't work, and Siri couldn't look up Destiny 2 novels. iPhone wasn't any better.

Alexa vs Google vs Siri: Other Features

Google Assistant is great for directions. Siri and Alexa can give directions and drive times. Google Assistant will give you traffic updates and public transit instructions. Google Assistant will "cook alongside you" by walking you through a recipe. Alexa can suggest recipes and list ingredients. Siri still needs work before it can help with cooking.

Alexa includes Amazon integration for online purchasing. Online buying via smart assistant, regardless of platform, requires development. To avoid errors and internet safety issues, do this manually.

Choosing a smart assistant depends on its purpose. Plus, examine your regular items. If you have an iPhone, a Home Pod smart speaker may be better. If you use YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Calendar, choose Google Assistant. Alexa is the best smart assistant for controlling smart home devices.

You may be looking for ways to simplify your daily routine. We've got the solution for that, by the way. Don't worry, Alexa has already called IT to let them know the game was won last night and that voice bots can now help with everything from making dinner reservations to keeping up with current events and politics.