FHEM vs Loxone

FHEM is free, GPL version 2 software for automating household devices from a self-hosted Perl server. It can control lamps, shutters, heating, and other compatible equipment while recording temperature, humidity, and power events. Control is available through web or smartphone frontends, telnet, or TCP/IP. FHEM can create devices and logs when new device data arrives, write events to files or databases with regular-expression filters, notify external programs or scripts, and run timed commands. Its text, JSON, and XML interfaces work over plain TCP/IP, SSL, or HTTP. The modular system lists more than 430 modules and supports devices and services including HomeMatic, Z-Wave, EnOcean, Philips Hue, FRITZ!Dect, Alexa, HomeKit, HomeBridge, and MQTT. Media examples include major television brands, Bose, Sonos, Kodi, Plex, and Apple TV. It offers local control, energy monitoring, voice-assistant support, installation guidance, packages, containers, documentation, and a forum.

Loxone connects building systems through the LOXONE Miniserver, which links components such as lighting, heating, multiroom audio, and security. Its software is designed to plan, control, and operate a building in one coordinated system, while the free LOXONE App brings building functions and information together for control from supported devices. Listed interfaces and standards include KNX, DALI, Modbus RTU/TCP, EnOcean, RS485/RS232, and DMX; the software Library has more than 700 templates for third-party systems. Loxone says core building functions can operate without internet access, though email, online weather data, and push notifications are unavailable offline. It says smart-home data is stored and processed on the Miniserver and not collected or repurposed by the company. Config and App software is free to use with no license required. Exosphere Pro starts at $70.00 per Miniserver per year, and Enterprise starts at $140.00 per Miniserver per year. Registering a Miniserver provides a three-month Exosphere trial with Pro or Enterprise features.