ioBroker vs Loxone
ioBroker
iobroker.comLoxone
loxone.comSide by side
| Figure | ioBroker | Loxone |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5.83/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.8 (#6) | 8.5 (#9) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.4 (#9) | 8.4 (#10) |
| Automation | Automations can be created with graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node-RED. | LOXONE describes its software as tools to plan, control, and operate a building in one coordinated system. |
| Energy monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2013 | 2009 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Integrations | The documentation names Zigbee, Z-Wave, KNX, Modbus, MQTT, manufacturer clouds, and voice assistants as integration examples. | The system supports interfaces and standards including KNX, DALI, Modbus RTU/TCP, EnOcean, RS485/RS232, and DMX. |
| Intended users | The site describes ioBroker as beginner-friendly through graphical tools and Blockly, while also supporting advanced scripting and custom logic. | LOXONE describes Exosphere as suitable for homeowners as well as system integrators, facility managers, and installers managing installations. |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Local operation | ioBroker runs locally on the home network, stores values, history, and rules on the user's computer, and does not itself require cloud storage. | LOXONE says core building functions can operate without an internet connection, while some functions such as email, online weather data, and push notifications are unavailable offline. |
| Matter support | Yes | Yes |
| Security | For remote access, ioBroker initiates an outbound connection, so the user does not need to open a router port or use DynDNS. | LOXONE says Trust transfers of users, credentials, and access permissions between Miniservers are TLS encrypted. |
| Support | The project points users to its community forum, Discord, Facebook groups, documentation, and tutorials; it says community support is not contractually guaranteed. | The support center offers technical assistance through support requests, contact points, and live chat, along with documentation and downloads. |
Plans
Loxone
- LOXONE software (Config and App)Free
- Exosphere Pro$70 a year
- Exosphere Enterprise$140 a year
In their own words
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.
Loxone
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.