Amazon Alexa vs Google Assistant: Which voice-based digital assistant is more intelligent? Let’s find out.
Voice is being predicted as the next big thing in the computer interaction and perhaps why both Amazon and Google are fighting to take control over our lives with their AI-driven virtual assistants — Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. These voice-based assistants can do a lot of things with just one command: play music, crack jokes; give the weather forecasts; send text messages; set up alarms and reminders; read out the latest news; and control “smart” devices in the home such as thermostats, door locks and bulbs. Interestingly, these virtual assistants become better over time and get to know your habits as you use them more often. I decided to ask Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant 12 questions on the Echo Dot and Home Mini, to determine their intelligence level. These are their responses.
What are the best Hindi songs of 2018?
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Google Assistant was the clear winner here. It listed out the top ‘Hindi’ songs trending on the web: Bom Diggy, Dil Chori, and O Saathi. “Good question, I’m looking into that as we speak,” Alexa said. Well, I repeated my question twice, but Alexa gave me the same answer again.
Who wrote The Satanic Verses?
Salman Rushdie is the author of The Satanic Verses. Both Alexa and Google Assistant got it right in the first attempt.
Where can I buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro nearby?
Google Assistant was spot on. The Assistant suggested me to buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro in the area of 6.9km, plus it gave me the name of the shops with exact details. Alexa couldn’t understand the question properly. “Sorry, I don’t know that, I’m still learning about local businesses,” Alexa responded.
Google Assistant quoted the price of the iPhone X from Time.com. Alexa, on the other hand, found many matching options on Amazon India. It gave me the price of the Silver colour variant of the iPhone X with 256GB storage.
What is the best Chinese restaurant near my location?
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Google recommended two Chinese restaurants — Bercos and China Fort in the area of 11km. I got it. But I wasn’t satisfied with the answer. Google neither asked me to reserve the table in any of the restaurants nor it took an action by getting me directions. Alexa just couldn’t understand me.
Who is the CEO of Alphabet?
Larry Page is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. Well, this question was understood by both assistants.
Both Google and Amazon are fighting to take control over our lives with their AI-driven virtual assistants — Assistant and Alexa.
How do I make Aloo Poori?
Alexa couldn’t get the answer. Google got the recipe from veg recipes of India and asked if it ‘sounds good’. It then walked me through how to prepare all the ingredients, giving me the option to skip straight to the recipe. I chose the latter option, then it guided me through the entire 18 steps one by one.
Who is the director of The Shape of Water?
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Both got the answer correctly: Guillermo del Toro. However, I thought Alexa was more precise. It provided me some addition details about the movie, including the number of Oscars it won at the 90th annual Academy Awards. Not bad.
Neither Google Assistant nor Alexa could answer the question.
How do I get to Connaught Place?
Alexa couldn’t answer it. Google Assistant on the Home Mini seemed accurate, as it asked to me to take DTC bus no 838, which was a 5-minute walk from my current location. It also gave an overview of traffic; the time to reach the location; and even send those directions to Google Maps on my phone.
What is Dharma?
Both answered, but Alexa’s answer was deep and philosophical. The Assistant, on the other hand, read out the part from the Wikipedia.
What is the procedure to do MBA from IIM?
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Google Assistant nailed it. The Assistant referenced Careerlauncher.com to provide a detailed info about the admission procedure followed by IIMs. Alexa wasn’t able to help.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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