Home Assistant vs openHAB
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Home Assistant
Open-source home automation that puts privacy first
VS
openHAB
Vendor-neutral open-source home automation
| Feature | Home Assistant | openHAB |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | Apache-2.0 | EPL-2.0 |
| Language | Python | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, one-click | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 89,795 | ★ 1,134 |
| First released | 2013 | 2010 |
| Replaces | SmartThings, Google Home | SmartThings, Google Home |
Why pick each one
Choose Home Assistant if…
- Huge device support
- Local control and privacy
- Very active community
Frequently asked questions
Is Home Assistant or openHAB better?
Home Assistant is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider openHAB if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Home Assistant and openHAB free and open-source?
Yes. Home Assistant is licensed under Apache-2.0 and openHAB under EPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Home Assistant and openHAB with Docker?
Home Assistant: yes. openHAB: yes.
Related comparisons
- Home Assistant vs ApexCharts Card
- Home Assistant vs Frigate NVR Companion go2rtc
- openHAB vs Frigate NVR Companion go2rtc
- Home Assistant vs Button Card
- Home Assistant vs Calaos
- Home Assistant vs Zigbee2MQTT Frontend
- Home Assistant vs diyHue
- Home Assistant vs Domoticz
- openHAB vs Domoticz
- Home Assistant vs OpenMQTTGateway