Comparison · Home automation platforms

ioBroker vs openHAB: which is better in 2026?

openHAB ranks higher in our list of home automation platforms (#4 against #5, score 89.0 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

  • 87.5
    Editorial score
    89.0
  • 4
    Platforms
    7
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • Yes
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose ioBroker if you want

Open-source automation with many adapters.

More than 800 adapters, rules built by clicking, in Blockly or in TypeScript, and local automations that keep running offline. Matter comes through an adapter, and the community is strongly German-speaking.

Choose openHAB if you want

Vendor-neutral open-source server for tinkerers.

Vendor-neutral and fully open source, running on Linux, Windows, macOS, Docker or a Pi with no cloud required. Its rules and setup take longer to learn than consumer apps, and its site does not state Matter support.

The main differences

  • Only openHAB runs on macOS.
  • Only openHAB runs on iOS.
  • Only openHAB runs on Android.

Side by side

ioBrokeropenHAB
Score87.589.0
Rank in list#5 of 11#4 of 11
PriceFree and open sourceFree; donations welcome to support developmentFree and open sourceFree; the myopenHAB cloud connector is a free service
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceYesYes
PlatformsSelf-hostedLinuxWindowsWebSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows, WebSelf-hostedLinuxmacOSWindowsWebiOSAndroidSelf-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows, Web, iOS, Android
Made byioBroker GmbHopenHAB Foundation
Where automations runLocally in your networkYour own server, Pi or Docker
Hub hardwareNone, you supply the serverNone, any supported computer or Pi
Matter supportYes, through the Matter adapterNot stated on vendor site
Best forOpen-source automation with many adaptersVendor-neutral open-source server for tinkerers
Strengths
  • MIT-licensed core with more than 800 adapters
  • Rules by click, Blockly, JavaScript or TypeScript
  • Automations keep running during an internet outage
  • Runs on your own hardware with no cloud required
  • More than 3,000 supported things through add-ons
  • Vendor-neutral and run by a non-profit foundation
Limits
  • Setup and adapter configuration take time to learn
  • Community support is mostly German-speaking
  • Setup and rules take more effort than consumer hub apps
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about ioBroker vs openHAB

Is openHAB better than ioBroker?
openHAB ranks higher in our list of home automation platforms (#4 against #5, score 89.0 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. ioBroker is best for: open-source automation with many adapters. openHAB is best for: vendor-neutral open-source server for tinkerers.
Which is cheaper, ioBroker or openHAB?
ioBroker: Free; donations welcome to support development. openHAB: Free; the myopenHAB cloud connector is a free service.
Do ioBroker and openHAB run on the same platforms?
ioBroker supports Self-hosted, Linux, Windows, Web. openHAB supports Self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows, Web, iOS, Android.