openHAB vs Pimatic
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
openHAB
Vendor-neutral open-source home automation
VS
Pimatic
Node.js home automation framework for the Raspberry Pi
| Feature | openHAB | Pimatic |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 79 · Good | 11 · At risk |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | EPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Java | CoffeeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,142 | ★ 598 |
| First released | 2010 | 2013 |
| Replaces | SmartThings, Google Home | SmartThings |
What are openHAB and Pimatic?
openHAB
openHAB is a vendor-neutral, open-source home automation platform that integrates many devices and technologies behind one system. It targets smart home enthusiasts wanting deep configurability. It is deployed via Docker or native packages.
- Hundreds of device bindings
- Powerful rule engine
- Runs fully offline
- Cross-platform
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
openHAB vs Pimatic: key differences
OpenHAB is written in Java, while Pimatic is built with CoffeeScript. Licensing differs — EPL-2.0 for openHAB versus GPL-2.0 for Pimatic. Pimatic is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for openHAB. OpenHAB is the more established project (first released 2010), while Pimatic arrived in 2013. OpenHAB lists first-class Docker deployment; Pimatic does not.
Why pick each one
Choose openHAB if…
- Very flexible
- Vendor neutral
- Mature project
Watch out for
- Steep learning curve
- Heavier Java runtime
Choose Pimatic if…
- Lightweight
- Simple rule system
Watch out for
- Development has slowed
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is openHAB or Pimatic better?
Neither is universally better. openHAB has the larger community, while Pimatic is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are openHAB and Pimatic free and open-source?
Yes. openHAB is licensed under EPL-2.0 and Pimatic under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run openHAB and Pimatic with Docker?
openHAB: yes. Pimatic: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, openHAB or Pimatic?
Pimatic has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for openHAB. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.