Head-to-head · Home Automation
ioBroker vs Aqara Home
ioBroker leads on 0 checks, Aqara Home on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreioBroker · 8.9/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresioBroker · 7 of 7
ioBroker scores higher on our rubric for home automation: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.
ioBroker is the better fit for technical users wanting extensible local automation. Aqara Home is the better fit for aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations.
- ioBroker fits best
Technical users wanting extensible local automation
- Aqara Home fits best
Aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations
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Side by side
| Feature | ioBroker 8.9/10 Visit ↗ | Aqara Home 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.9 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #4 in Home Automation | #8 in Home Automation |
| Best for | Technical users wanting extensible local automation | Aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Linux, Windows, macOS | iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 800+ integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features ioBroker 7/7 · Aqara Home 5/7 | ||
| Local control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Matter support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zigbee support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Z-Wave support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Voice assistant support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Camera integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Energy monitoring | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | ioBroker is an open-source home and building automation platform for people who want to bring devices, protocols and online services from different manufacturers into one locally run system. It suits technically confident homeowners and… Read the review → |
Aqara Home is Aqara’s free mobile companion app for setting up, controlling and automating the company’s smart-home devices. It suits Aqara owners who want to organize devices by room and home, create scenes and schedules, receive security… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
ioBroker — where it wins
- Connects devices and services through more than 800 adapters
- Offers graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript and TypeScript automation
- Runs locally and supports Matter, Zigbee and Z-Wave integrations
Where it doesn't
- Requires users to provide and manage local hardware
- Some optional services and adapters require licenses
- Voice control depends on adapters and the relevant service account
Aqara Home — where it wins
- Create scenes, automations and schedules in one mobile app
- Compatible hubs enable local automations and connect Zigbee and Thread devices
- Manage Aqara cameras, notifications and firmware from the app
Where it doesn't
- Its feature set centers on Aqara devices
- Local control and Matter depend on compatible hubs and firmware
- Hardware and feature availability vary by device and region
- ioBroker8.9/10 · Free plan
A locally run automation hub with adapters, visual tools and code-based control.
Visit ioBrokerFull verdict → - Aqara Home8.5/10 · Free plan
A free companion app for Aqara devices, with scenes, schedules and hub-dependent local automations.
Visit Aqara HomeFull verdict →
ioBroker vs Aqara Home: questions
Which is better for home automation, ioBroker or Aqara Home?
ioBroker scores higher on our rubric for home automation: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.
How do ioBroker and Aqara Home compare?
All 8 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do ioBroker and Aqara Home have a free plan?
ioBroker: Yes. Aqara Home: Yes.
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All home automation comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update