Are you trying to choose the best home automation platform for your needs? Then this page is for you. Today I want to compare three of the main platforms out there, OpenHab vs Home Assistant vs Domoticz.
At the end of the post, you will have a clear picture of thebest option for your particular requirements.
The post will cover the main aspects that you need to think about when choosing a Home Automation platform.
- Installation Process
- Configuration
- Flexibility
- Community of Users
- Pace of Development
- Automation Capabilities
- Conclusions
If you are new to the world of Home Automation you should probably checkFive Steps to Start your Smart Home Project, it will help you understand the basic concepts of a home automation system before we dive into the details.
Although there are a number of alternatives out there (HomeGenie,MyController.org,MyNodes.NET…), in this post we will focus on the three biggest communities. A big community translates into more ideas and more people sharing their knowledge with you.
OpenHab
OpenHab is an Open Source Home Automation Platform. It is vendor and technology agnostic. As a result of this, if a device is popular, it will likely be supported by the platform sooner or later. It is developed in Java, which gives you endless devices where you can run the system. The community is very well established and helpful. Its architecture is based on bindings that bring support for different smart home devices.
Domoticz
Domoticz is another big name among the Home Automation Systems. It is very lightweight compared to OpenHab and Home Assistant while still delivering a decent number of features. The configuration is mostly done through a web interfaceand you can use plugins to extend the functionality.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is the newer cool kid in the neighborhood. It is a growing community with a very user-friendly approach. The tagline of this Home Automation Software isSimplicity.It is developed in Python and in the same way as Domoticz, you can extend its functionality by using plugins.
Installation
I would recommend installing the software on a Raspberry Pi. It is a very cheap and scalable device. The best part is that you can have it running 24/7 without that much of an impact on the electricity bill.
OpenHab
Using OpenHabian the installation is a walk in the park. The installation process takes between 20 and 40 minutes and it is extremely hands off. Once it is finished you can enter into the web UI and start adding supported devices. It is that simple. If you have a Raspberry Pi 3, configuring the wireless connection is very simple as well.
Related:How to Install OpenHab in 30 Minutes
Home Assistant
The installation process for Home Assistant is very similar to OpenHab. You just need to download and burn the image of HassBian, officially supported by the Home Assitant project. Ten minutes after inserting it into the Raspberry Pi the system is up and running. The installation time might be a bit longer depending on your internet connection. The first thing that it does it to download the latest version of the software.
Domoticz
Domoticz is slightly less straightforward. There used to be an SD card image as for the other two alternatives but Domoticz stopped maintained this. To install Domoticz you first need to have a Raspberry Pi distribution like Raspbian installed and with Internet connectivity.
Configuration
OpenHab
OpenHab2 was released in 2017 with the idea of reaching a less technical audience. The new release includes Paper UI, a new web UI that allows you to do a lot of the configurations without having to edit files. In principle this is great, but there is a caveat. Paper UI still doesn´t support all the features in OpenHab so you still have to go and do some of the configurations editing the files. I think the initiative is still halfway there but once everything is supported, it will be able to reach a lot of users that don´t feel very comfortable in a Linux environment. The main downside of it is having to configure things in two different places, Paper UI and the files. It is not ideal to keep your configuration versioned and to create regular backups.
Home Assistant
The project has gone the route of making decisions on behalf of the user. The first time that it runs, the system tries to discover all the devices in your house and adds them to the UI. This is practical if you have very few things but for more complex implementations it is limited. If you want to do more customizations there is some file editing to be done. They have chosen YAML for configuration files. I guess this is about preference but I don´t find it very intuitive.
Domoticz
A big percentage of the configuration can be done using a Web UI. The interface itself is not extremely intuitive, but for those that don´t feel very comfortable with files, it might be something to consider.
Flexibility
OpenHab
OpenHab can be as flexible as you want it to be. It comes at a cost though, it is not the easiest system. The Web UI supports very basic things, the power is still in the configuration files. I personally don´t mind dealing with that but I don´t like having mixed up configurations.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant can definitely cover most people needs. The auto-discovery function works fairly well and the system makes a pretty decent job guessing your needs. I think it is definitely on the right path, but in my opinion, it still lacks flexibility.
Domoticz
Domoticz is very stable and will do the basics just fine, however, I think is quite limited in terms of supported devices and configurations.
Community of Users
OpenHab
The community of users is probably one of the best things about OpenHab. The best practices are very well established and very knowledgeable people in the forums are always happy to answer your questions. Browsing through the forum you will very likely find everything you need to solve your issue. If you post questions you usually get a response pretty quickly, it is a very active community. The documentation is very helpful and adapted to all kind of audiences.
Home Assistant
HASS is generating a lot of chatting on the internet lately, which is great, the community is growing very quickly. On the flip side, most of the people in the forums are asking for help. I guess this will change over time once the platform reaches maturity. The documentation can definitely use more structure.
Domoticz
I think Domoticz has substantially fewer users than Hass and OpenHab. I find the documentation slightly outdated and finding answers when you are facing issues is not always easy.
Pace of Development
OpenHab
The pace of development in the OpenHab community is quite slow. The main reason for this is the rigorous approval process, which at the end of the day, is what makes this platform very stable. On the flip side, there are new IoT devices every day and OpenHab might not be the first one adding a binding to the stable release.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is a thrill in this sense. There are new releases every week with the latest gadgets. If you are a very early adapter this is great for you, however, you have to trade some stability in exchange for this.
Domoticz
Domoticz is definitely lagging behind when it comes to supporting the latest devices. Especially those that come from very proprietary brands and don’t use very well known protocols.
Automation
OpenHab
It will handle anything you throw at it. Having said that, the Xbase syntax is not the easiest one to deal with. When you want to create complex behaviorsit can become painful. Luckily you can install the pluginJSR223. This plugin allows you to write the rules in JavaScript of Jython.Over time I got used to the XBase syntax and I don’t find it that bad now. JSR223 is a nice option for people that feel more comfortable in those languages.
Home Assistant
If XBase is painful, Yaml is by far worse to define automation rules. It is also very inflexible. Same as OpenHab with JSR223, in Home Assistant you can use AppDaemon to write the rules in Python. Python is very easy to learn for non-developers, you can do fairly complex things with just a few lines of code.
Domoticz
Domoticz uses LUA Scripting, which I find very clean and powerful. It definitely can handle anything you set your mind to. The only disadvantage that I could find is that learning Python is probably a lot more practical than learning LUA.
Domoticz
I haven´t really found any significant advantage of Domoticz over Home Assistant or OpenHab. I think it was a great platform at some point, however, the community is not as strong as it used to be. The is an exodus of users moving to OpenHab or Home Assistant. Compared to the other two it lacks flexibility and supported devices. At this point, I don´t think Domoticz is the best option unless of course, you already have an installation.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is killing it lately. I think they are taking steps in the right direction. It is a great alternative if you want to have support right away for the latest gadgets and don´t mind to lose some stability over that. I like especially the support for media devices like Roku or Chromecast. The UI, although has some limitations, is very attractive to the eye. This will increase the approval ratio of the rest of the members of your family when you start messing out with the lighting…
OpenHab
OpenHab is probably the most noteworthy out there. It is amazingly flexible. The User interface is not as beautiful as the one in Home Assistant but it is very decent and customizable. I am not going to deny that the development pace sometimes feels too slow, but if you want to live on the edge you can still use the non-stable snapshots. Paper UI still feels raw, but I think it is moving in the right direction. The other thing that I find fantastic is the script to do the configurations automatically on the command line. It allows you to do lots of tasks semi-automatically. If you like flexibility and don’t mind a slightly steeper learning curve, OpenHab is the way to go.
And the winner is…
OPENHAB!
Related:First Steps with OpenHab and Home Automation
OpenHab Vs Home Assistant vs Domoticz, Which Home Automation Platform are you going to Use? Let me know in the comments!
FAQs
The best alternative is IFTTT, which is free. Other great apps like Domoticz are Home-Assistant.io, openHAB, Google Home and ioBroker. Domoticz alternatives are mainly Home Automation Tools but may also be Task Automation Apps or Workflow Automation Tools.
What platform is best for Home Assistant? ›
By far the most popular way that people run Home Assistant is on a Raspberry Pi 4.
Is there anything better than Home Assistant? ›
There are more than 25 alternatives to Home-Assistant.io for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Android and Self-Hosted solutions. The best alternative is IFTTT, which is free. Other great apps like Home-Assistant.io are openHAB, Google Home, ioBroker and Gladys Assistant.
Is Home Assistant easier than openHAB? ›
The user interface is the most intriguing feature of the Home Assistant as it is user-friendly for even beginners and fairly less complex than the OpenHab UI.
What can you do with Domoticz? ›
Domoticz is a very light weight home automation system that lets you monitor and configure miscellaneous devices, including lights, switches, various sensors/meters like temperature, rainfall, wind, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, electricity usage/production, gas consumption, water consumption and many more.
How do I add Tuya to Domoticz? ›
In the web UI, navigate to the Hardware page. In the hardware dropdown there will be an entry called "TUYA" -- configure and add the hardware there. Devices detected are created in the 'Devices' tab, to use them you need to click the green arrow icon and 'Add' them to Domoticz.
Does Home Assistant have MQTT? ›
Broker configuration. MQTT broker settings are configured when the MQTT integration is first set up and can be changed later if needed. Add the MQTT integration, then provide your broker's hostname (or IP address) and port and (if required) the username and password that Home Assistant should use.
What is the safest Home Assistant? ›
If you want secure remote access, the easiest option is to use Home Assistant cloud by which you also support the founders of Home Assistant. Another option is to use TLS/SSL via the add-on Duck DNS integrating Let's Encrypt. To expose your instance to the internet, use a VPN, or an SSH tunnel.
Is a Raspberry Pi enough for Home Assistant? ›
The Raspberry Pi (RPi) is the perfect host device for Home Assistant. With the launch of the powerful Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, this goes for both beginners and experienced users.
Why use OpenHAB? ›
openHAB includes other home automation systems, (smart) devices and other technologies into a single solution. To provide a uniform user interface and a common approach to automation rules across the entire system, regardless of the number of manufacturers and sub-systems involved.
For basic use, yes, 2GB should be fine. If you have a lot of add-ons or are trying to run something like frigate, then you may benefit from more.
What programming language does Home Assistant use? ›
Home Assistant uses the YAML syntax for configuration. YAML might take a while to get used to but is really powerful in allowing you to express complex configurations.
Which protocol is best for home automation? ›
The primary operating standards for home automation technology are Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Thread. Older home automation standards, or protocols, include X10, Insteon, and Universal Powerline Bus (UPB).
What is better ZigBee or Z-Wave? ›
ZigBee is significantly faster than Z-Wave. ZigBee transmits data at 250 kbps compared to Z-Wave's transmission rate of 100 kbps.
How many cores does Home Assistant need? ›
2 cores is more than enough to run HA in a VM. Also 2GB RAM should be enough, unless you install a lot of add-ons, especially the ones that require more RAM. Just start with 2 cores and 2GB ram and monitor how it is used over time.
What is the number one product that uses which to control with home automation? ›
What is the #1 product that users wish to control with home automation? Central Heating – Above all else, people want to be able to cut costs on their heating and air conditioning every year. Smart home products are making this easier than ever.
How do I add a script to Domoticz? ›
Domoticz allows you to write scripts in the Web-Interface just go to the Event system: Setup -> More Options -> Events in this view you see a "+" sign in a tab to choose what script you want to write. You have a choice of Blockly, Python, LUA or dzVents. Blockly is the easiest way to start.
What does openHAB run on? ›
openHAB can be run on different versions of macOS and Windows and many different variants of Linux (Ubuntu, Raspbian, etc.). Please be aware of the fact that openHAB is continuously updated and improved.
Can I use Tuya instead of Smart Life? ›
The range of functions and the compatibility of both apps are largely identical. The devices that can be controlled with the “Tuya” app are also compatible with the Smart Life app. In Europe, the Smart Life app is more familiar to users than the “Tuya” app.
Does Tuya need a gateway? ›
Tuya's gateway must be used to develop Zigbee products. Tuya can also directly offer the gateway for your OEM. If you need it, you can contact Tuya's business. The Zigbee 3.0 is a unified standard for the application layer launched by the Zigbee Alliance.
Dear user, we are sorry for your inconvenience. If you cannot use the Internet, you need two smartphones that can provide a network hotspot. One phone turns on the hotspot as the network provider and the other can connect to the device.
What are the disadvantages of MQTT? ›
Disadvantages
- The number of times devices can be put to sleep is limited. For such cases where the device sleeps more, MQTT-S, which works with UDP instead of TCP needs to be used.
- There is no encryption in the base protocol.
- Any custom security at the application level is difficult and will require significant work.
If the MQTT server used is unsecure, a hacker can easily access the user's dashboard, which allows them to easily hack the smart home. Avast found that MQTT can, in certain instances, allow hackers to track users' location, as MQTT servers typically concentrate on real time data.
Does Facebook still use MQTT? ›
Facebook uses MQTT for Messenger Chats. Each "Chat" has a generated Topic, and all members in the Chat subscribe and Publish to that generated Topic. The MQTT Messenger Broker infrastructure is made up of "many" different Brokers, and a "Topic Director" steers the Chat MQTT packets to the Broker handling that chat.
Can Home Assistant call 911? ›
Yes, you can, Twilio supports 911 and E911.
Is Home Assistant safe to expose to internet? ›
If I expose my HA to internet byy opening port how risky it will be? There's always some risk. Having said that the last known exploit was patched very quickly by home assistant. So the risk is pretty small if you keep Home Assistant up to date and keep up to date with Home Assistant news.
Does Home Assistant act as a hub? ›
Home Assistant acts as a central smart home controller hub by combining different devices and services in a single place and integrating them as entities.
Should I get 4GB or 8GB RAM Raspberry Pi? ›
As such, you won't notice a difference between the 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB models. Raspberry Pi uses such as retro gaming and media consumption won't see much of a performance gain with the additional RAM. Overall, the Pi 4 8GB can perform the same functions as its 4GB and 2GB siblings, albeit with more overhead.
Why are Raspberry Pis so hard to get? ›
The great Raspberry Pi shortage started at the beginning of 2021, due to a mismatch of supply and demand. Since then, eager makers have been forced to turn to the second-hand market, or exorbitantly overpriced examples from resellers on Amazon.
Can I leave my Raspberry Pi on 24 7? ›
Yes, Raspberry Pi can handle 24/7 run time when used with proper linear power supply which must be regulated through DC adapter or any good quality battery supply. Components or other electronics parts won't get fried until and unless you provide wrong power supply or more voltage than recommended.
Domoticz is a Home Automation System that lets you monitor and configure various devices like: Lights, Switches, various sensors/meters like Temperature, Rain, Wind, UV, Electra, Gas, Water and much more. Notifications/Alerts can be sent to any mobile device.
Does openHAB work with Google Home? ›
You can use the officially certified openHAB Action for Google Assistant to easily manage and control your smart home by conversational experiences between you and your openHAB smart home powered by voiced commands. This guide describes step by step how to use the openHAB Google Assistant Smart Home Action .
Who owns openHAB? ›
@Kai owns the OpenHAB name. He has fielded similar questions previously. Companies that used ESH did not want to contribute but it is still there if your company wishes to.
How much RAM do you realistically need? ›
How much RAM do you need? Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators. How you use your computer influences how much RAM you need, so use this as a guideline.
Is 16GB RAM enough for home use? ›
16 GB RAM. To meet the demands of modern software, 16 GB of RAM is what most people will need. This amount will help strike a good balance between running standing and resource-hungry apps on your computer. So if you're prone to opening lots of tabs in Google Chrome, you find that your computer will barely complain.
Which PI is best for Home Assistant? ›
The model with the highest potential specification is the Raspberry Pi 4 , so for many general purpose projects this is your best bet. It's the most powerful Pi, with a fast clock speed, the most RAM available on a Pi yet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the ability to run two screens at 4k resolution.
What programming language do Apple employees use? ›
Swift is a robust and intuitive programming language created by Apple for building apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. It's designed to give developers more freedom than ever.
How do I code automation in Home Assistant? ›
In the user interface, click Settings in the sidebar, then click Automations & Scenes. You will now see the automation screen from which you can manage all the automations in Home Assistant. The automation editor. Click the blue button at the bottom right to create a new automation.
Does Home Assistant use Docker? ›
Your Home Assistant within Docker should now run and will serve the web interface from port 8123 on your Docker host (this will be your Synology NAS IP address - for example http://192.168.1.10:8123 ) If you are using the built-in firewall, you must also add the port 8123 to allowed list.
How do I add a device to Domoticz? ›
Basic steps to add devices:
- Go to Setup - Settings to set your location (important for day/night timing).
- Go to Setup - Hardware and add an hardware gateway. Follow the instructions for that particular hardware gateway.
- Go to Setup - Devices to enable (if disabled) the devices created by the hardware gateway.
Basic steps to add devices:
- Go to Setup - Settings to set your location (important for day/night timing).
- Go to Setup - Hardware and add an hardware gateway. Follow the instructions for that particular hardware gateway.
- Go to Setup - Devices to enable (if disabled) the devices created by the hardware gateway.
A Domoticz device block normally has a height of 85 pixels (small devices: 75 pixels).
What is the default username password for Domoticz? ›
By default Domoticz is protected by a username (admin) and password (domoticz).
