It’s no secret that Teslas come with many bells and whistles. In case you weren’t already made aware, it can automatically open or close your garage door without pushing a button! This feature makes coming home a breeze, and you’ll never have to worry about finding the garage door opener again.
This unique feature is called Homelink. Not only can it connect to your garage, but Homelink can tune into several different radio frequencies to control gates, lights, or even aspects of your security system.
However, while every Tesla is equipped with this miraculous ability, depending on your model, year, and local area, your vehicle might not have the Homelink module installed.
Let’s look at some of the options and see how they compare to Tesla’s Homelink.
EVEConnect With myQ®
First on our list is EVEConnect with myQ, a leading company in residential security and innovative home technology. With many partnerships, including Apple HomeKit, Ring, and even Amazon, myQ is an application that allows you to control your home from your smartphone or tablet.
You can open or close garage doors, turn lights on and off, change the temperature on your thermostat, and more. Now with myQ, you can enjoy these same features from your Tesla Model 3.
EVEConnect is a web-based dashboard application available for Teslas. Adding myQ to your EVEConnect application on your Tesla will mimic many of the same desirable features Homelink offers.
EVEConnect with myQ is an excellent alternative to Tesla’s Homelink because it allows you to open or close your garage door at a predetermined distance from your residence. myQ is also significantly cheaper compared to Homelink. Getting Homelink installed in your Tesla will cost you $325, while a myQ subscription for Tesla is under $40 per year.
EVEConnect with myQ Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Less expensive | Displays prompt before opening door |
| Open/close garage door capability | Third-party application/subscription |
| Smart home features (lights, thermostat) | Need smart-garage opener compatibility |
| Automatically close garage door | Fewer device connectivity |
EVEConnect with myQ Disadvantages
Like any product, myQ comes with its pros and cons. The most notable disadvantages are:
- Doesn’t automatically open the door upon arrival. One of the most attractive features of Tesla’s Homelink is that it can automatically open and close your garage door myQ can close the door when your Tesla departs. However, you’ll always have to answer a notification from your EVEConnect app on your dashboard confirming that you want to open the garage door.
- Requires a myQ compatible garage door opener. Depending on the age and manufacturer of your existing garage door opener, it may not be compatible with myQ.so You might need to make an additional purchase of an upgraded garage door opener. According to myQ, the most common issue is with openers made before 1993, as they do not include photoelectric sensors.
- Third-party application/subscription. While both EVEConnect and myQ are compatible with Tesla’s technology, they’re not affiliated with Tesla. If brand names are important to you, Homelink might be the preferred choice.
- Connectivity with fewer devices. Homelink can seamlessly connect to devices with different radio frequencies, like gates and security systems. The number of devices you can connect with depends on the myQ packages and subscriptions you have in your home.
Anyway, check out this related article that I wrote called: “Does the Tesla Model 3 Have an Anti-Theft Device?” This security overview will give you additional info on this topic.
Did you know:
One of Tesla’s more quirky features is its dog mode. This climate control feature allows drivers to set a temperature for their pup so that the cabin will remain comfortable should you need to step away from their vehicle for a short period.
You can monitor the temperature from your smartphone, and the touchscreen will show a message informing passersby that your dog is safe and you will be back shortly.
To see how Dog Mode works, check out this video:
Zegoal Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
With the Zegoal, you can use your Model 3’s Bluetooth connectivity to control your garage doors.
Their smartphone app makes it even easier to open and close your doors automatically and is compatible with other intelligent home systems, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.
You can program your garage controller to detect your smartphone through your Tesla’s WiFi connection to automatically open your garage door as you arrive home or close it as you disembark.
The service includes features such as receiving customized alerts, remotely checking and controlling door status, scheduled times to open or close, and even timed auto-close warnings.
The Zegoal garage opener offers many of the same perks as Homelink and costs significantly less. For half the cost of Homelink, you can (literally) open a world of automatic possibilities for your Model 3.
Zegoal Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Less expensive | May require additional vehicle sensors |
| Automatic open and close door | Only controls garage doors |
| The smartphone app allows remote control | Not designed explicitly for Tesla |
| Special features | Auto-close only as a safeguard |
Zegoal Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Disadvantages
The Zegoal Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener is a great and reliable product, but it’s not perfect.
- May require the installation of additional vehicle sensors. The Bluetooth/car detection feature of the Zegoal only works via a WiFi connection, so it won’t open your garage door before you get home. You’ll need to be within range of your WiFi or use Tesla’s WiFi to open the door.
- Only controls garage doors. Unlike EVEConnect with myQ or Tesla Homelink, the Zegoal Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener can only control your garage doors. It does not offer the additional features of controlling other smart home devices such as security gates, lights, or your thermostat.
- Not explicitly designed for Tesla. The Zegoal is a universal automatic garage door opener compatible with all vehicles and smartphones. However, this technology is not explicitly designed for Tesla and may not operate as smoothly or dependably.
- Auto-close is only meant to be a safeguard. While this device contains an automatic garage door closing capability, a small disclaimer at the bottom of their product page warns users to close their garage doors themselves. It is a cushion for “peace of mind,” but homeowners must remember that internet communications between technology can be interrupted or flawed.
Random Fun Stat:
Have you ever considered how often you open or close your garage door? Surprisingly, the average homeowner’s garage door opens and closes about three to five times per day. This number accumulates to approximately 1,500 times in a single year!
ismartgate Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Last on our list of worthy opponents to Tesla Homelink is the ismartgate Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener.
Like Homelink, ismartgate is compatible with various devices and smart home subscriptions.
ismartgate Security and Pairings
Security is one of the main priorities for ismartgate. Unlike other garage door openers, ismartgate is transparent about its data storage. It ensures its users that its products run on their local server outside of their home, meaning none of your private information is viewable by the company or potential hackers.
ismartgate is a strong alternative for Tesla’s Homelink precisely because of its ability to be paired with the mobile app. The app, called If This Then That (IFTTT), will give you the feature of automatic opening and closing of your garage door using GPS technology as you approach or depart your home within a set range that you determine.
You can pair ismartgate with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. It has the capability of opening garage doors as well as opening motor-powered gates. One of the benefits of this system is that it is not cloud-based or internet dependent, meaning while it does connect to your home Wi-Fi, it is still accessible when the internet is out.
ismartgate Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Automatic open/close with IFTTT | Features work best with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant |
| Reminder alerts if doors are left open | Requires home Wi-Fi connection |
| Runs on a secure local network | Need additional units to control multiple doors or gates |
| Integration with security cameras, smart doorbells, and gates. | More expensive |
ismartgate Advantages
There are also many additional perks of ismartgate, including integrating security cameras so you can monitor your garage and other home entrances with a live video feed. You can also receive alerts when your doors are opening and closing. It will also notify you if any doors or gates are left open for an extended period.
Their prices also beat Homelink’s by a landslide. Their model that includes all of the bells and whistles comparable to Homelink will cost you only around $200.
ismartgate Disadvantages
The ismartgate Pro is undoubtedly a suitable replacement for Tesla’s Homelink, but there are a few cons to consider.
- Features work best with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. If you want to enjoy the luxurious features outlined above, you will need one of the smart home services listed above. That way, you’ll be able to obtain all of the automated features, including remote control or real-time alerts to your smartphone. Specifically, the automatic open and close feature is not attainable unless you have a smartphone and its corresponding smart home system.
- Requires home Wi-Fi connection. While Tesla’s Homelink relies on radio waves and other garage door openers using Bluetooth technology, the ismartgate needs a link to your home’s wireless network to be functional.
- Need additional units to control multiple doors or gates. Some ismartgate lower-level packages can only control one entry at a time. So, if you have a three-car garage and want all three doors open automatically as your Tesla Model 3 rolls into the driveway, you will need to purchase three units total.
- More expensive. The major inconvenience of the ismartgate is that while it is still cheaper than Homelink, it is more than double the price of the other alternatives listed above.
Random Fun Fact:
Tesla is one of only six companies worldwide to reach the $1 trillion market cap! (Yes, that’s a trillion, with a t.) No surprise, it’s among good companies (pun intended), as Apple, Facebook, Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft are the other five superpowers in the business world.
And, in case you were wondering (because I was,) as of today, Elon Musk’s net worth has reached just a measly $206.9 billion, making him only the literal richest man on Earth. Chump change, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do I Need an Alternative to Homelink?
Why Did Tesla Remove Homelink?
EV Speedy’s Take
Homelink is not included with purchases for recent models at all. So, checking out the competition and opting for a cheaper garage door opener might make sense if you have a more recent Tesla Model.
Tesla wants its vehicles to be more affordable and make them available to people from all walks of life. However, some features have to go to make these super-smart vehicles more affordable, and Homelink was one of the first features to get cut.
Check out these 20 great gift ideas for yourself or a Tesla fanboy.
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