Google Assistant vs Alexa: Battle Of Smart Voice Assistants

Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Google Assistant are the superlatives in the world of voice assistants. Even though they both share some similar features and functionalities, there are a few parameters that distinguish them from each other. The technology behind voice-based search came into view with the introduction of Siri in 2011. Admittedly the voice-search technology […]

Updated 29 January 2024

Ashish Chauhan
Ashish Chauhan

Global Delivery Head at Appventurez

Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Google Assistant are the superlatives in the world of voice assistants. Even though they both share some similar features and functionalities, there are a few parameters that distinguish them from each other. The technology behind voice-based search came into view with the introduction of Siri in 2011. Admittedly the voice-search technology was groundbreaking during its launch, the market leaders had no clue about it becoming the mainstream in approaching years and will make more than 90% of the smartphone users embrace voice assistant technology by 2023. 

As we know that voice assistant like Google Assistant and Alexa can help you get directions, search for your query, make you book appointments online, and whatnot but have you any idea what has caused the shift in rising demand for AI-powered voice assistants recently and making us write a wholesome comparison blog on Google Assistant vs Alexa? The answer is – User Demands. In this ever-evolving digital world where efficiency and convenience are incessantly being optimized, the user’s requirement towards embracing interactive technologies is outreaching as well. That makes me come to the latest Global Web Index report that states – 25% of individuals ages 16–24 use voice search on mobile.

Though there are many similarities between Google Assistant vs Amazon Alexa, they still are different at many levels which is what exactly we are going to discuss in this article. This Google Assistant vs Alexa guide will specifically be focused on understanding the bits of each of the voice assistants and their functionalities.

Latest Voice-Assistant Statistics

voice assistant stats

What Is A Voice Assistant?

Voice assistant is a technology that uses voice recognition, language processing, and many specific voice command algorithms in order to make things function as per the user’s requirements. In simple terms, voice-based assistants are software that communicates to the users and responds to their voice commands. Google Assistant and Alexa are common examples of such technologies. 

These assistants are becoming more and more popular as the technology grows in intelligence. Moreover, voice-based assistants are now commonly known as the linchpin of smart devices and home technology. Speaking to our personal home devices or digital assistants to make them operate based on our command might seem like a distant dream a decade ago but not anymore. The basics of the voice-assistant technology currently exist and it seemingly will grow even stronger in the next few years enabling voice-assistant powered software to have more complex capabilities.

Google Assistant: Advantages & Disadvantages

Launched by Google in the year 2016, Google Assistant is an AI-powered voice assistant that operates on “OK Google” voice control over smartphones and smart home devices. Along with following voice commands, Google Assistant is empowered to voice searching, device control, and many technological voice-command features. Let’s have a look at some Google Assistant features and moreover how to use Google Assistant fulfilling different requirements. 

Information you can get through Google Assistant

  • Weather
  • Business hours
  • Navigation
  • Food
  • Flights
  • Reminders
  • Traffic Update
  • Plan favorite shows

What can you ask Google Assistant?

  • Calculations
  • Web and image search
  • Translations
  • Game updates
  • Screen phone calls
  • Play songs, news, etc.

Since Google Assistant is gaining traction among people, every device has its advantages and disadvantages to offer. Let’s have a look at some pros and cons of Google Assistant.

Google Assistant vs Alexa

Google Assistant: Features & Functionalities

Schedule Actions For Later

One of the most essential features of Google Assistant is that you can schedule and control your actions for the time you want it to function. For instance, if you have a device compatible with Google Assistant, let’s say – a coffee maker, you can time your coffee maker to start at 7:00 PM in the evening. Isn’t it cool?

Allow Easier Usability

Google Assistant has come up with one of the major updates with new design and functionality. The new update incorporates bigger visuals to allow users for easier usability making the experience better for people of different ages and works as an accessibility feature as well.

Read Notification For You

The adoption of technologies has opened several doors of opportunities for users. While things have grown smarter, the user experience has also been improvised. Voice assistant tools like Google Assistant can read your device notifications for you on the go without making you move from your location.

Work As Your Personal Translator

Forming communication with people of different languages has always been a matter of challenge for many. But not anymore. With the introduction of voice assistant software like Google Assistant, language translation has become a piece of cake. Google Assistant currently supports three languages and also facilitates translation support.

Amazon Alexa: Advantages & Disadvantages

Alexa is Amazon’s digitally managed voice service platform that powers an entire smart device ecosystem through Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology. (Read about – Top Natural Language Processing (NLP) Examples That Wins Customers). If you are wondering how to use Alexa, there’s no rocket science in knowing its operation. The user just needs to switch on their Alexa and connect with the devices, in order to begin with the voice requests. Alexa was launched by Amazon in the year 2014. Some of the best Amazon Alexa enabled devices are ones that have Alexa built-in such as Amazon Fire TV Cube, Lifx Mini, Wemo Wifi Smart Plug, etc. I am sure you might be pondering to know Amazon Alexa features and how it operates on different commands, so let’s have a look.

What you can do with Alexa?

  • Control your smart home devices.
  • Play music, movies, etc.
  • Check weather, news, traffic updates.
  • Control your TV.
  • Train Alexa to do anything else.

A device that operates on modern or traditional technology cannot only propose advantages. Similarly, Alexa too has a few strengths and weaknesses. Here are some pros and cons of Alexa, have a look.

Google Assistant vs Alexa

Amazon Alexa: Features & Functionalities

Functions As A Personal Trainer

Are you struggling to get in shape? Why not make Alexa your bosom buddy and enjoy the journey of being fat to fit. All you have to say is – “Alexa start my routine exercise” and after exploring through multiple options, it will get you the set of best exercises that suit your health and help you get in shape. Alexa also has some best in-built fitness trackers to monitor your physical exertion.

Helps Clean Your House

This might come as a surprise to many that how a voice assistant can clean apartments and flats but when the voice assistant is Alexa, the possibility gets real. There are robot vacuums that operate on the command of Alexa and help automate trivial home chores. Now if you are experiencing back pain and not feeling well, let Alexa take over your house for cleaning.

Multiple Profile Option

There are various streaming platforms that provide separate profile options in order to appropriate the functionality to a particular user. Similarly, Alexa comes with multiple profile setting options where each person can be having their own profile and ensure their operations effectively whether it comes to get personal tips and advice or set-up multiple room music.

Connects External Devices

Alexa comes in three different variants – Echo, Echo Plus, and Echo Show. All of them are distinctive in features and functionalities due to price flexibility. However, one feature that is common in all of them is – connection with external devices. Whether it is a Bluetooth speaker or any other device, these avant-garde voice assistants can be connected and used for distinct purposes.

Google Assistant vs Alexa: Similarities

Google Assistant and Alexa both are proving to be great options for voice assistants among users. Since there are so many differences both of them pertain to, there are a few similarities between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa that we will be discussing in the next section. Either it comes to voice control, checking the weather, or knowing absolute perfection for people that want a specific item, they both are fulfilling the requirements at ease. Here are some common attributes they share and stand to each other at the same level.

Timers & Alarms

This might be one of the basic functions but the majority of people use voice assistants for trivial tasks like this. Both Alexa and Google Assistant work well in setting reminders and alarms.

Music & Video Services

Voice assistants nowadays have grown smarter and the companies who are selling such devices are integrating it keeping user requirements in mind. The one similarity both voice assistants share is providing entertainment to the people in terms of playing music, videos, or movies.

Access To Multiple Accounts

Alexa and Google Assistant each support up to six user accounts. However, Google is said to be handling accounts much better than Alexa. It is because, in Google Assistant, you can add as many adult accounts as you want for free but Amazon Alexa charges you additional money for adding children accounts.

Google Assistant vs Alexa: A Duel Between the Best Voice Assistants

Since Google Assistant and Alexa both are emerging as the market leaders to the voice operating systems, both of them share a huge difference in terms of compatibility with products and the way they function. That is why settling upon the decision of which is better Google Assistant or Alexa becomes challenging. However, if we have to conclude over a major difference, we can say that Alexa can be linked to more smart products while Google Assistant has its own cloud service that makes it function. 

On top of all, the difference between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa boils down to how each of the voice assistants works in sync with the smart home devices. Let’s pore over some pointers on Google Assistant vs Alexa to understand how they both are different from each other and on what terms. 

On Speaking Terms

Both Google Assistant and Alexa are hailed by the AI specifically the wake words as we term it. Google Assistant functions on the “Ok Google” command while Alexa operates on “Alexa.” (Read about – The Progressing Role Of AI In Business: Stats, Advantages & More). Although comparatively, Alexa has a preponderance over Google Assistant and can understand the context better comparatively.

Assistance

Google Assistance is a voice assistant tool powered by AI and so is Alexa. Google, being one of the leading search engines, carries immense knowledge graphs with it and thus uses the leverage in helping users provide the best assistance. On the other hand, Amazon has a bit of work to do in this category to reach as half close to Google in terms of knowledge.

Device Integration

Though there is a wide spectrum of devices supporting Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the best devices that can be enabled with this two software are yet to be unleashed. While Amazon has a range of devices to offer to its users, Google Assistant devices are limited in numbers making Alexa gain a victory in Google Assistant vs Alexa device integration battle.

Location Triggers

Location trigger is one of the considerate features in both Alexa as well as Google Assistant. This characteristic of the tool helps in controlling all kinds of devices and services across the ranges. Whether you want to set your reminders or schedule a task such as playing music, you can carry out them with ease. Between both, the location trigger facility works well in Alexa comparatively.

Multitasking

In the multitasking category, Google Assistant takes the cake for sure. Google Assistant can handle up to three actions in a single voice command while Alexa is limited to one separate request. So how does Google Assistant outjuggle various tasks? All you have to do is to say “and” while instructing the assistant. For instance, “Hey Google turn off the light and play some music.”

 

Since now we have differentiated Google Assistant vs Alexa based on several terms, who is smarter Google Assistant or Alexa is still not as easy as winking to determine. Nevertheless, the one between the two will definitely be pulling ahead on different stages and attributes. For that, we need to understand both the voice assistant to the core. 

Google Assistant vs Alexa: Best Enabled Devices

Ever since the technology swears to grow exponentially, the tools and software seem to be getting everything in between whether it is about hailing the use of technology in multiple devices or easing down the efforts of users. Gone are the days when voice assistants were being used in smart speakers and smart TVs. The voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa are becoming irresistible with other home devices. Let’s compare Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices.

Best Google Assistant-Enabled Devices

Nest Audio

As the name describes the device, Nest Audio is a speaker that supports Google Assistant and widely known as Google Assistant compatible speakers among the users. It operates on “Google Assistant’s command” and streams music, radio, and more. This is commonly being popular among users as the successor of Google Home. 

Google Nest Mini

Very much identical to Google Home Mini, Google Nest Mini is affordable, small, and carries good-high frequency response. It is one of the most popular Google Home smart speakers. Google claims it has more powerful bass and works equally well with Google Assistant as well as Alexa.

Google Home Max

Google Home Max is one of the great products from Google in the market adorning the presence of your living room. Though Google Home Max resembles many of Google Home and Google Home Mini features, its real pitch is sound quality. The device manages to play music on the “Google Assistant” command and give you a one-of-its-kind music experience.

Google Chromecast

Ever thought of turning your TV into a smart one? Google Chromecast is the device from Google that fulfills your such demand. Google Chromecast is hardware and system you can use to send content from one device to view on another. For instance, you can broadcast YouTube videos on your TV via Chromecast.

Best Amazon Alexa Enabled Devices

Amazon Echo Series

There are plenty of devices in the echo series such as Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen), Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen), and Amazon Echo Studio. Each of them is thriving in a smart speaker series powered by Amazon Alexa. Alexa seems to be very comfortable when it comes to operating speakers.

Amazon Smart Plug

Emerging as a widely popular device among smart enthusiasts, Smart plugs are one of the most compatible Alexa devices. The best thing about them is they are inexpensive and give you instant control over your gadgets working on the command of Alexa to turn on or off the switches.

Fire TV Stick 4K

Ever since smart devices have come into play, the demand for traditional devices such as general TV has contracted. However, with the help of the Amazon Alexa smart display initiative, even your normal TV can act like a smart one. All you need to do is to configure Fire Stick and experience watching your favorite movies and shows with one Alexa command.

Fitbit Versa 3

Never would I have imagined that my watch can be operated on my command? Could you have? The market is now swamped with many smartwatches and fitness trackers, however, Fitbit Versa 3 is one of few smart wearables that gets controlled via Alexa. 

Google Assistant vs Alexa: Final Verdict

Choosing the best between the ordinary is an easy task to pull off. However, picking up the best between the finest devices is herculean. The demand for digital assistants is on a rising spree and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant have already gained traction over others during the course. While Alexa is compatible with devices beyond speakers, Google Assistant’s coherence is limited to very few devices in which most of which are home speakers. 

Apart from this, there are a dozen reviews eulogizing highly of Alexa as compared to Google Assistant. The only two areas in which Google Assistant can take the cake are AI integration and knowledge base. Except for that, Alexa is better in all aspects. Nonetheless, there are many who will find Google Assistant compatible with the device they are using and easier to function. So each of the assistants has its set of advantages and disadvantages, the decision of which one being the best between Google Assistant vs Alexa holds up to the users.

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    Ashish Chauhan
    Ashish Chauhan

    Global Delivery Head at Appventurez

    Ashish governs the process of software delivery operations. He ensures the end product attains the highest remarks in qualitative analysis and is streamlined to the clientele’s objectives. He has over a decade of experience as an iOS developer and teams mentorship.