Head-to-head · Home Automation
openHAB vs Aqara Home
openHAB 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 scoreopenHAB · 9.0/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresopenHAB · 7 of 7
openHAB scores higher on our rubric for home automation: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.
openHAB is the better fit for self-hosters seeking open, cross-platform device integration. Aqara Home is the better fit for aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations.
- openHAB fits best
Self-hosters seeking open, cross-platform device integration
- Aqara Home fits best
Aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations
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Side by side
| Feature | openHAB 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Aqara Home 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #3 in Home Automation | #8 in Home Automation |
| Best for | Self-hosters seeking open, cross-platform device integration | Aqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 400+ integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features openHAB 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 | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | openHAB is open-source home automation software for connecting supported devices, services and smart-home platforms. It suits people who want to run automation on their own hardware and are willing to select bindings and manage… 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
openHAB — where it wins
- Runs on user hardware without requiring a cloud service
- Bindings connect Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, cameras and energy monitors
- Rules support time- and event-based triggers, scripts and notifications
Where it doesn't
- Requires user hardware and self-hosting
- Device compatibility and setup depend on bindings and hardware
- Google Assistant and Alexa voice integrations use myopenHAB cloud
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
- openHAB9.0/10 · Free plan
Flexible, local-first device integration for people comfortable self-hosting.
Visit openHABFull 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 →
openHAB vs Aqara Home: questions
Which is better for home automation, openHAB or Aqara Home?
openHAB scores higher on our rubric for home automation: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.
How do openHAB and Aqara Home compare?
All 8 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do openHAB and Aqara Home have a free plan?
openHAB: 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






