ioBroker
iobroker.com
What it is
ioBroker brings devices and services from different makers into one local system for monitoring, control, and home automation. It runs on a home network and stores values, history, and rules on the user's computer, without requiring cloud storage for its own operation. Users install adapters for the devices, protocols, and online services they need; more than 800 are available. Integration examples include Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, Modbus, MQTT, manufacturer clouds, and voice assistants. Automations can use graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node-RED. The platform supports local control, cameras, energy monitoring, and Matter, and is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted use. Its open-source platform and basic functions are free. Free ioBroker.net remote access is limited to browser visualization without editing and has data-volume and functionality limits. The free vis-2 license requires an internet connection each time ioBroker restarts. Without a license, the Matter bridge can expose up to five devices to Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- ioBroker connects devices and services from different manufacturers in one system for monitoring, control, and home automation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Intended users
- The site describes ioBroker as beginner-friendly through graphical tools and Blockly, while also supporting advanced scripting and custom logic.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Platforms
- The documentation says ioBroker can run on Linux, macOS, Windows, or Docker, while the installation page requires a system that supports Node.js.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Integrations
- The documentation names Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, Modbus, MQTT, manufacturer clouds, and voice assistants as integration examples.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Security
- For remote access, ioBroker initiates an outbound connection, so the user does not need to open a router port or use DynDNS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Support
- The project points users to its community forum, Discord, Facebook groups, documentation, and tutorials; it says community support is not contractually guaranteed.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Founded
- 2013Read 23 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Adapters
- Adapters connect ioBroker to devices, protocols, and online services, and users install only the ones they need.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Automation
- Automations can be created with graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node-RED.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Camera integration
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Energy monitoring
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Local control
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Local operation
- ioBroker runs locally on the home network, stores values, history, and rules on the user's computer, and does not itself require cloud storage.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Matter limit
- Without a license, the Matter bridge can expose up to five ioBroker devices to Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Matter support
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Remote access
- Free ioBroker.net remote access is limited to browser visualization without editing and has limits on data volume and functionality.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Scale
- The homepage says more than 800 adapters are available for devices, protocols, and online services.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Visualization limit
- The free vis-2 license is checked at every ioBroker restart and requires an internet connection for the adapter to start.Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
- Voice assistant support
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Z-Wave support
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
- Zigbee support
- YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · iobroker.com
Plans and prices
ioBroker platform Free Open-source platform and basic functions Read 4 Oct 2026 · iobroker.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- More than 800 adapters are available.
- Runs locally without requiring cloud storage.
- Automations support graphical rules, Blockly, and code.
- Open-source platform and basic functions are free.
Limits
- Free remote access does not allow editing.
- Free remote access has data-volume and functionality limits.
- Free vis-2 requires internet at every restart.
- Unlicensed Matter bridge exposes up to five devices.
Who it suits
It suits home-automation users who want local control and can choose adapters for their devices and services. Graphical tools and Blockly are presented for beginners, while scripting and Node-RED support more advanced automation.
Verdict
ioBroker offers a broad adapter-based approach to local home automation, with both visual and code-based ways to build rules. Its free remote and visualization options have specific limits to consider.
Where Specifiction places it
- Smart Home Apps#7 of 398.6
- Home automation platforms#6 of 258.8
- Home Automation#9 of 258.4