Domoticz vs Zwave-JS Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Domoticz | Zwave-JS Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 74 · Good |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,811 | ★ 164 |
| First released | 2012 | 2021 |
| Replaces | SmartThings | SmartThings |
What are Domoticz and Zwave-JS Server?
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
Zwave-JS Server
Z-Wave JS Server is a small server that exposes the Z-Wave JS driver over a WebSocket API. It allows multiple clients, such as Home Assistant, to control a Z-Wave network simultaneously.
- WebSocket Z-Wave API
- Multi-client support
- Built on Z-Wave JS
- Lightweight server
Domoticz vs Zwave-JS Server: key differences
Domoticz is written in C++, while Zwave-JS Server is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Domoticz versus Apache-2.0 for Zwave-JS Server. Zwave-JS Server is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Domoticz. Domoticz is the more established project (first released 2012), while Zwave-JS Server arrived in 2021. Domoticz has the considerably larger community, at 3,811 GitHub stars versus 164.
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 Zwave-JS Server if…
- Decouples driver from clients
- Reliable
Watch out for
- Headless, no UI
- Z-Wave only
Frequently asked questions
Is Domoticz or Zwave-JS Server 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 Zwave-JS Server free and open-source?
Yes. Domoticz is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Zwave-JS Server under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Domoticz and Zwave-JS Server with Docker?
Domoticz: yes. Zwave-JS Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Domoticz or Zwave-JS Server?
Zwave-JS Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Domoticz. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.