Free, open-source alternatives to Apple Home
Apple's smart home app built on HomeKit. 3 apps you can run yourself instead of Apple Home, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
openHAB
Vendor and technology agnostic open source software for home automation.
Domoticz
Home Automation System that lets you monitor and configure various devices like: Lights, Switches, various sensors/meters like Temperature, Rain, Wind, UV, Electra, Gas, Water and much more.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant | 91,419 | Apache-2.0 | Python, Docker | |
| openHAB | 1,155 | EPL-2.0 | Java | |
| Domoticz | 3,821 | GPL-3.0 | C, C++, Docker |
Why replace Apple Home?
Apple Home works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Apple Home?
Home Assistant is the closest open-source replacement for Apple Home in our list. openHAB and Domoticz are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Apple Home?
Yes. All 3 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.