BEMServer vs KMC Commander
BEMServer
bemserver.orgKMC Commander
kmccontrols.comSide by side
| Figure | BEMServer | KMC Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Building Management Software | 8.2 (#4) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Founded | 2015 | 1969 |
| Purpose | BEMServer is an open-source platform for deploying a modular building energy management system. | KMC Commander is a cloud based IoT platform for monitoring and controlling buildings and connecting with existing systems. |
| Security | The maker describes BEMServer as a secure system but does not specify a security certification or compliance standard on the pages reviewed. | KMC says communication is outbound only on common ports and that security includes a secure gateway and OS, encrypted communication, and user permissions. |
Plans
In their own words
BEMServer
BEMServer is an open-source platform for deploying a modular building energy management system. It gathers information from building management systems and sensors alongside weather, occupant feedback, building descriptions, and contextual data. The platform connects building hardware with data-oriented services, storing building models, time series, and events for access through documented REST APIs. Its data model follows IFC and Haystack standards. Processing modules interpret collected information to identify issues or inefficient operation and support recommendations and decisions. Listed modules cover fault detection and diagnosis, renewable energy simulation, energy management, load forecasting, indoor environmental quality, and visualization. The software is licensed under AGPL-3.0, and sellers using a modified version must publish their modifications under that license. There is no software license fee, although installation, configuration, maintenance, and selected modules may be paid services. The maker recommends help from someone with Python and Docker knowledge and says installation was tested on Debian 9. BEMServer currently supports building monitoring; other uses require extending its functionality.
KMC Commander
KMC Commander is a hybrid cloud IoT platform for monitoring and controlling buildings through existing systems. An on-premises gateway gathers data from meters, sensors, devices, and systems, then sends it to the cloud for remote tracking, trend analysis, and control. A dashboard can cover multiple locations and an entire property portfolio. Listed functions include energy monitoring, CO2e calculation, custom dashboards, schedules, and text and email alarms. KMC says Commander harmonizes more than 130 equipment brands and provides an open, fully supported API. It lists unlimited users and customizable permissions. The interface is described as responsive and mobile-first, while trend and history storage is long term with unlimited data. Security details include outbound-only communication on common ports, a secure gateway and operating system, encrypted communications, and user permissions. Point licensing covers 100–10,000 points; each device data point used for alarms, schedules, trends, or control logic consumes one point. Annual renewal follows the included first year of cloud storage, software, and security updates.