HomeSeer HS4 vs openHAB

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.

openHAB is free, open-source home automation software that runs on the user's hardware and can operate without a cloud service. It supports more than 400 technologies and systems, with over 3,000 supported things available through add-ons. Its automation engine includes rules, time and event triggers, scripts, actions, notifications and voice control. Servers can run on Linux, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Docker and Synology; access is available through web, iOS, Android and other apps. Integrations include Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The project says data stays privately at home and that local devices are contacted directly when possible. The myopenhab.org service is free when used with the openHAB Cloud connector. The project describes itself as vendor-neutral and says it avoids lock-in. For Raspberry Pi, openHABian provides an image with preconfigured settings and software. The project has no company behind it; the openHAB Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation, supports openHAB and its development. The community shares examples and tutorials and provides help.