Home Assistant
Open-source smart home hub that controls your devices locally and automates them.
Our verdict
What it does well
- Free with no subscription and no features behind a paywall
- Runs on your own hardware and can keep working when the internet is down
- 1,500+ integrations plus iOS and Android companion apps
Where it falls short
- You supply and maintain the hardware; custom installs usually take 1 to 2 hours
- Dashboards typically take another 30 to 60 minutes to build
- Easy remote access and Alexa/Google linking use the paid Cloud (Link) service
Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. It runs on your own hardware, such as Home Assistant Green, a Raspberry Pi, a mini PC or a virtual machine, and connects to more than 1,500 integrations. The project is run by the non-profit Open Home Foundation, and companion apps exist for iOS and Android.
The software is free. Its FAQ says there is no subscription to use it and no features locked behind a paywall. Nabu Casa, the Foundation's commercial partner, sells an optional subscription called Home Assistant Cloud, which is being renamed Home Assistant Link on December 2. It costs $6.50 per month or $65.00 per year (USD, tax not included) with a 31-day free trial, and covers remote access, offsite backups, Alexa and Google Home linking and voice processing.
Home Assistant Operating System is the recommended install and powers the official Green hardware. Home Assistant Container is available for people who already run Docker on their own Linux system. The core software is licensed under Apache-2.0.
What users say
Write a reviewNo user reviews yet. If you’ve used Home Assistant, share what you used it for and how it went.
Last updated 17 October 2026. Facts checked against the official site on 16 October 2026. How we make money