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openHAB

Open-source alternative to Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home automation workflows

openHAB is an open-source alternative to Samsung SmartThings and Apple Home workflows for running a smart home without depending on one vendor. It connects devices from many brands, runs automation rules locally, and keeps your home working even if the internet goes down. It suits homeowners who want privacy and vendor-neutral control of their gadgets.

Best for: Smart-home owners who want vendor-neutral, local automation.

Key features

  • Vendor-neutral smart home platform
  • Device bindings for many brands
  • Local rules engine

Before you switch

Networking and home-server software rewards patience. Read the hardware compatibility list before you buy or repurpose a device, and start with a spare machine or virtual machine. The communities around these projects are famously helpful — when something doesn’t work, someone has usually documented the fix.

Like every project on OpenShelf, openHAB is developed in the open — you can read the code, follow development, and even contribute. Check the system requirements and the project’s own documentation linked on this page before installing.