openHAB 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.
openHAB
Vendor-neutral open-source home automation
VS
Zwave-JS Server
Small server wrapping the Z-Wave JS driver over WebSocket
| Feature | openHAB | Zwave-JS Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 79 · Good | 74 · Good |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | EPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Java | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,142 | ★ 164 |
| First released | 2010 | 2021 |
| Replaces | SmartThings, Google Home | SmartThings |
What are openHAB and Zwave-JS Server?
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
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
openHAB vs Zwave-JS Server: key differences
OpenHAB is written in Java, while Zwave-JS Server is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — EPL-2.0 for openHAB 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 openHAB. OpenHAB is the more established project (first released 2010), while Zwave-JS Server arrived in 2021. OpenHAB has the considerably larger community, at 1,142 GitHub stars versus 164.
Why pick each one
Choose openHAB if…
- Very flexible
- Vendor neutral
- Mature project
Watch out for
- Steep learning curve
- Heavier Java runtime
Choose Zwave-JS Server if…
- Decouples driver from clients
- Reliable
Watch out for
- Headless, no UI
- Z-Wave only
Frequently asked questions
Is openHAB or Zwave-JS Server better?
Neither is universally better. openHAB has the larger community, while Zwave-JS Server is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are openHAB and Zwave-JS Server free and open-source?
Yes. openHAB is licensed under EPL-2.0 and Zwave-JS Server under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run openHAB and Zwave-JS Server with Docker?
openHAB: yes. Zwave-JS Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, openHAB or Zwave-JS Server?
Zwave-JS Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for openHAB. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.