Free, open-source alternatives to Google Home
Google's smart home app and hub. 4 apps you can run yourself instead of Google 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.
ioBroker
Integration platform for the Internet of Things, focused on building automation, smart metering, ambient assisted living, process automation, visualization and data logging.
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 | |
| ioBroker | 1,379 | MIT | Node.js | |
| Domoticz | 3,821 | GPL-3.0 | C, C++, Docker |
Why replace Google Home?
Google 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 Google Home?
Home Assistant is the closest open-source replacement for Google Home in our list. openHAB and ioBroker are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Google Home?
Yes. All 4 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.