Domoticz vs Mozilla WebThings Gateway
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Domoticz | Mozilla WebThings Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 81 · Excellent |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,811 | ★ 2,646 |
| First released | 2012 | 2018 |
| Replaces | SmartThings | SmartThings, Google Home |
What are Domoticz and Mozilla WebThings Gateway?
Domoticz
Domoticz is a lightweight home automation system for monitoring and configuring various devices like sensors, switches, and meters. It targets users wanting an efficient automation hub on modest hardware. It is deployed via Docker or packages.
- Runs well on low-power hardware
- Supports many sensor protocols
- Scripting and events
- Mobile-friendly UI
Mozilla WebThings Gateway
WebThings Gateway is an open-source gateway for monitoring and controlling smart home devices over the web using open standards. Originating at Mozilla, it now continues as a community project.
- Web of Things standards
- Add-on device support
- Rules engine
- Local web interface
Domoticz vs Mozilla WebThings Gateway: key differences
Domoticz is written in C++, while Mozilla WebThings Gateway is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Domoticz versus MPL-2.0 for Mozilla WebThings Gateway. Domoticz is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Mozilla WebThings Gateway. Domoticz is the more established project (first released 2012), while Mozilla WebThings Gateway arrived in 2018.
Why pick each one
Choose Domoticz if…
- Very lightweight
- Good on Raspberry Pi
- Stable
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Smaller community than Home Assistant
Choose Mozilla WebThings Gateway if…
- Open standards-based
- Privacy-focused
Watch out for
- Smaller community after Mozilla
- Fewer integrations than HA
Frequently asked questions
Is Domoticz or Mozilla WebThings Gateway better?
Neither is universally better. Domoticz has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Domoticz and Mozilla WebThings Gateway free and open-source?
Yes. Domoticz is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Mozilla WebThings Gateway under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Domoticz and Mozilla WebThings Gateway with Docker?
Domoticz: yes. Mozilla WebThings Gateway: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Domoticz or Mozilla WebThings Gateway?
Domoticz has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Mozilla WebThings Gateway. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.