HomeSeer HS4 vs ioBroker
HomeSeer HS4
homeseer.comioBroker
iobroker.comSide by side
| Figure | HomeSeer HS4 | ioBroker |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.33/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Spec score · Smart Home Apps | 8.9 (#4) | 8.6 (#7) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.8 (#4) | 8.4 (#9) |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.9 (#5) | 8.8 (#6) |
| Automation | HS4 processes automations locally and continues controlling the home during internet outages or a MyHS web service outage. | Automations can be created with graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node-RED. |
| Camera integration | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | The product page lists free integrations including Z-Wave, Zigbee, Philips Hue, Harmony Hub, Ecobee, Tuya, Wemo, Rachio, LIFX and Chromecast. | The documentation names Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, Modbus, MQTT, manufacturer clouds, and voice assistants as integration examples. |
| Intended users | HomeSeer describes HS4 as suitable for DIY hub builders, from hobbyists setting up a first system to experienced developers building complex automation workflows. | The site describes ioBroker as beginner-friendly through graphical tools and Blockly, while also supporting advanced scripting and custom logic. |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Matter support | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | HS4 is smart home automation software for building a Windows or Linux controller to remotely and automatically control home devices. | ioBroker connects devices and services from different manufacturers in one system for monitoring, control, and home automation. |
| Support | HomeSeer offers product documentation, contact support, user forums and developer help for creating plugins. | The project points users to its community forum, Discord, Facebook groups, documentation, and tutorials; it says community support is not contractually guaranteed. |
| Voice assistant support | Yes | Yes |
| Zigbee support | Yes | Yes |
| Z-Wave support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
HomeSeer HS4
- HS4 Smart Home Software$149.95 a month
- MyHS LiteFree
- MyHS Plus$39.95 a year
- MyHS PRO$59.95 a year
- MyHS Business$99.95 a year
- HS4 Smart Home Software$149.95, paid once
In their own words
HomeSeer HS4
HomeSeer HS4 is smart home automation software for building a Windows or Linux controller that manages devices remotely and runs automations locally. HomeSeer says local processing lets home control continue through internet or MyHS web service outages, and that sensitive information is stored at home rather than in the cloud. HS4 supports Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. Its product page lists free integrations such as Philips Hue, Harmony Hub, Ecobee, Tuya, Wemo, Rachio, LIFX, and Chromecast. The responsive web interface includes live camera viewing, camera recording, automatic local backup, and device categories; alerts can be spoken or sent by customizable email and text. The software is downloadable for Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, though HomeSeer says only Ubuntu Linux and Raspberry Pi have been tested. The software license is listed at $149.95 a month. MyHS Lite is free for one system and one user with remote access; Alexa, Google smart speaker, and IFTTT support require a MyHS subscription. HomeSeer offers a 30-day trial and a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
ioBroker
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.