ioBroker vs Pimatic
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ioBroker
Integration platform for the Internet of Things
VS
Pimatic
Node.js home automation framework for the Raspberry Pi
| Feature | ioBroker | Pimatic |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 11 · At risk |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | CoffeeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,377 | ★ 598 |
| First released | 2014 | 2013 |
| Replaces | SmartThings, Hubitat | SmartThings |
What are ioBroker and Pimatic?
ioBroker
ioBroker is an open-source IoT integration platform that connects and automates devices across many protocols and vendors. It uses adapters to bring smart home systems together under one logic engine.
- Hundreds of adapters
- JavaScript automation engine
- Multi-protocol device support
- Flexible visualization
Pimatic
Pimatic is an open-source home automation framework built on Node.js that runs on low-power devices such as the Raspberry Pi. Plugins add device support, and a rule engine plus a mobile-friendly web UI handle control and automation.
- Plugin-based device support
- Rule engine
- Mobile-friendly web UI
- Runs on Raspberry Pi
ioBroker vs Pimatic: key differences
IoBroker is written in Shell, while Pimatic is built with CoffeeScript. Licensing differs — MIT for ioBroker versus GPL-2.0 for Pimatic. Pimatic is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for ioBroker. IoBroker has the considerably larger community, at 1,377 GitHub stars versus 598. IoBroker lists first-class Docker deployment; Pimatic does not.
Why pick each one
Choose ioBroker if…
- Extremely flexible
- Huge adapter ecosystem
Watch out for
- Steep learning curve
- Setup can be complex
Choose Pimatic if…
- Lightweight
- Simple rule system
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is ioBroker or Pimatic better?
Neither is universally better. ioBroker has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are ioBroker and Pimatic free and open-source?
Yes. ioBroker is licensed under MIT and Pimatic under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ioBroker and Pimatic with Docker?
ioBroker: yes. Pimatic: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, ioBroker or Pimatic?
Pimatic has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for ioBroker. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.