IKEA Home smart vs openHAB

IKEA Home smart is a free Android and iOS app for controlling IKEA smart-home products through the app, DIRIGERA hub, remotes, voice assistants or motion sensors. With DIRIGERA, users can manage lighting, blinds, sound, air purifiers, outlets, sensors and accessories. The app places devices in rooms, groups lights, creates scenes and routines, and schedules actions with timers. IKEA says it works with Google Home, Apple Home and Alexa. Matter-enabled IKEA devices can be added through compatible smart-home apps and controlled across platforms. DIRIGERA is recommended for connecting new and older IKEA devices, although Matter devices do not require it; the hub needs Wi-Fi and a router cable. IKEA says basic functions such as switching lights on and off are designed to work without internet or a remote server. Gateway software receives security updates for three years after purchase, while connected smart products receive support for five years.

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.