ioBroker 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.
ioBroker
Integration platform for the Internet of Things
VS
Zwave-JS Server
Small server wrapping the Z-Wave JS driver over WebSocket
| Feature | ioBroker | Zwave-JS Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 74 · Good |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,377 | ★ 164 |
| First released | 2014 | 2021 |
| Replaces | SmartThings, Hubitat | SmartThings |
What are ioBroker and Zwave-JS Server?
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
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
ioBroker vs Zwave-JS Server: key differences
IoBroker is written in Shell, while Zwave-JS Server is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — MIT for ioBroker versus Apache-2.0 for Zwave-JS Server. Zwave-JS Server is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for ioBroker. IoBroker is the more established project (first released 2014), while Zwave-JS Server arrived in 2021. IoBroker has the considerably larger community, at 1,377 GitHub stars versus 164.
Why pick each one
Choose ioBroker if…
- Extremely flexible
- Huge adapter ecosystem
Watch out for
- Steep learning curve
- Setup can be complex
Choose Zwave-JS Server if…
- Decouples driver from clients
- Reliable
Watch out for
- Headless, no UI
- Z-Wave only
Frequently asked questions
Is ioBroker or Zwave-JS Server 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 Zwave-JS Server free and open-source?
Yes. ioBroker is licensed under MIT and Zwave-JS Server under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ioBroker and Zwave-JS Server with Docker?
ioBroker: yes. Zwave-JS Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, ioBroker or Zwave-JS Server?
Zwave-JS Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for ioBroker. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.