Best WebThings Gateway Alternatives in 2026
The top WebThings Gateway alternatives are Google Home, Homey and openHAB: 15 home automation our editors would look at instead of WebThings Gateway, in our ranking order.
WebThings Gateway: A free, open-source gateway with local controls and a visual rules interface. Where it falls short: requires self-hosting and installation on your own hardware..
Switching from WebThings Gateway? For most home automation buyers the best WebThings Gateway alternative is Google Home, built for google households wanting broad, simple smart-home control. On a budget, Homey starts at $2.99/mo.
Why People Look for a WebThings Gateway Alternative
- Requires self-hosting and installation on your own hardware
- Adapter add-ons are needed to extend device and protocol compatibility
- The Raspberry Pi OS image is deprecated; Snap is experimental
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGoogle Home9.2
Google households wanting broad, simple smart-home control
Visit Google Home - Lowest priceHomey9.1
Paid plans from $2.99/mo
Visit Homey - Best free optionGoogle Home9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Google Home
All 15 WebThings Gateway Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forGoogle households wanting broad, simple smart-home control
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.9
Free smart-home control with device organization, routines, Matter and Nest viewing.
- Matter support
- Camera integration
- Energy monitoring
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Google Home -
Best forUsers seeking advanced flows and flexible hub options
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.9
Flexible cloud and hub options pair smart-home control with advanced automations.
- Z-Wave support
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Homey -
Best forSelf-hosters seeking open, cross-platform device integration
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.9
Flexible, local-first device integration for people comfortable self-hosting.
- Z-Wave support
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit openHAB -
Best forTechnical users wanting extensible local automation
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.9
A locally run automation hub with adapters, visual tools and code-based control.
- Z-Wave support
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ioBroker -
Best forApple households using HomeKit and Matter accessories
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.9
A free HomeKit and Matter controller for Apple households, with remote access requiring a home hub.
- Matter support
- Camera integration
- Energy monitoring
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Apple Home -
Best forUsers wanting local automation with broad radio support
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.9
A multi-radio hub for local automations, with a $184.95 one-time price.
- Z-Wave support
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Hubitat -
Best forSelf-hosters who want local automation and camera recording
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.9
A self-hosted hub for local automations, broad device integrations, and camera recording.
- Z-Wave support
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit HomeSeer -
Best forAqara device owners wanting local scenes and automations
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.9
A free companion app for Aqara devices, with scenes, schedules and hub-dependent local automations.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Camera integration
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Aqara Home -
Best forSwitchBot owners automating locks, blinds and plugs
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.9
A free companion app for automating SwitchBot devices across locks, blinds and plugs.
- Matter support
- Camera integration
- Energy monitoring
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit SwitchBot -
Best forTuya-compatible device users wanting free mobile control
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.9
A free iOS and Android app for controlling compatible devices and setting up scenarios.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Energy monitoring
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tuya Smart -
Best forXiaomi device owners wanting app-based scenes and monitoring
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.9
A free mobile control and automation app focused on compatible Xiaomi devices.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Camera integration
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Xiaomi Home -
Best forBosch users seeking heating-focused home automation
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.9
A heating-focused home system with local control, automations and broad device connections.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Camera integration
8.1/10★★★★☆Try Bosch Smart Home -
Best forBudget users wanting local control and Matter support
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.9
A flexible smart-home app with local control and Matter support, plus a free Basic plan.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Camera integration
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit eWeLink -
Best forIKEA smart-home users wanting free basic automation
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.9
A free mobile control center for IKEA devices, scenes, routines and Matter bridging.
- Matter support
- Zigbee support
- Energy monitoring
7.9/10★★★★☆Try IKEA Home smart -
Best forBuyers seeking professionally integrated whole-home control
- Better than WebThings Gateway:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.9
Whole-home automation with deep device coordination, local control, and integrator-led setup.
- Z-Wave support
- Zigbee support
- Camera integration
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Control4
WebThings Gateway Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to WebThings Gateway?
Google Home: #1 in our Home Automation ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. Free smart-home control with device organization, routines, Matter and Nest viewing.
Is there a free alternative to WebThings Gateway?
Yes. Google Home, Homey, openHAB, ioBroker and Apple Home have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for WebThings Gateway alternatives?
Requires self-hosting and installation on your own hardware; Adapter add-ons are needed to extend device and protocol compatibility; The Raspberry Pi OS image is deprecated; Snap is experimental.
How do I switch from WebThings Gateway?
Export your data from WebThings Gateway (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel WebThings Gateway.
How to Switch from WebThings Gateway
- Export your data from WebThings Gateway (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel WebThings Gateway.
WebThings Gateway vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Local control | Matter support | Zigbee support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | WebThings Gateway | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 1 | Google Home | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Homey | Yes | $2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | openHAB | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | ioBroker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Apple Home | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Hubitat Elevation | No | $184.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | HomeSeer HS4 | No | $149.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | Aqara Home | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | SwitchBot | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 10 | Tuya Smart | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | Xiaomi Home | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Bosch Smart Home | Yes | €49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 13 | eWeLink | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 14 | IKEA Home smart | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Control4 | No | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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