Are you tired of typing or tapping through your day? Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri make performing daily tasks easier and faster, but which one to choose? Both of them have been around for a while and have improved over time with upgrades and new features. However, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will provide you with a fact-based comparison between Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri, to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
Accuracy and Speed
Alexa uses Amazon's proprietary Alexa Voice Service, while Siri is powered by Apple’s sophisticated natural language processing software. But which one is more accurate and faster? According to a ZDNet article that tested Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana, Siri had the highest accuracy rate, answering 78.5% of the 800 questions correctly, while Alexa’s accuracy rate stood at 61.4%. However, Amazon's Alexa was slightly faster in answering questions, clocking in at an average of 4.17 seconds per question, compared to Siri's 4.64 seconds per question.
Features
Alexa has over 100,000 skills that allow users to control their smart home devices, order food, get traffic updates, and more. Alexa can also read audiobooks, play music, and even make phone calls. On the other hand, Siri can perform many of the same functions as Alexa and can also integrate other Apple products such as HomeKit, CarPlay, and Apple Music. Siri can also read calendar events, send and receive messages, and make FaceTime calls.
Customization
Both assistants can be customized to recognize different voices and provide context-specific answers. However, Alexa has an edge when it comes to customization as it has the ability to create custom skills using Alexa Skill Blueprints. These blueprints allow users to create custom voice scripts without the need for coding knowledge. For example, one can create a custom skill that reminds kids to do their chores or create a trivia game for friends and family.
Privacy and Security
Having a voice assistant at your beck and call is great, but how much do they hear? Privacy and security are crucial drivers for users when choosing technology. Both Alexa and Siri are designed to only listen when it is triggered by a keyword. However, Alexa had been reported eavesdropping on users a couple of times. Siri also had its fair share of privacy issues, as it was reported by The Guardian that contractors could listen to private conversations. Apple has since enforced more security on Siri with end-to-end encryption and an option to delete Siri voice recordings.
Price and Availability
Alexa and Siri can be accessed on a wide range of devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, and headphones. Siri is pre-installed on Apple products and is therefore more affordable if you already own an Apple product. Alexa devices are often less expensive than Siri devices, such as the Apple HomePod mini versus the Amazon Echo Dot.
Overall, both Alexa and Siri are intelligent assistants that can make life more convenient. It ultimately boils down to personal preference, as both assistants have their unique features that appeal to different individuals. If you're an Apple loyalist with HomeKit integration, Siri might be the better option for you. If you're looking for a more affordable assistant with custom voice skills, Alexa is perfect for creating that perfect smart home environment.