ioBroker vs Tuya Smart
ioBroker
iobroker.comTuya Smart
tuya.comSide by side
| Figure | ioBroker | Tuya Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Smart Home Apps | 8.6 (#7) | 8.1 (#13) |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.8 (#6) | 8.5 (#8) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.4 (#9) | 8.1 (#15) |
| Automation | Automations can be created with graphical rules, Blockly, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node-RED. | The app supports one-click execution and automated scenes that link smart devices. |
| Energy monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2013 | 2014 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Intended users | The site describes ioBroker as beginner-friendly through graphical tools and Blockly, while also supporting advanced scripting and custom logic. | Tuya describes the free all-in-one app as suitable for customers who need a basic smart home app or have not completed branded app development. |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Matter support | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | ioBroker connects devices and services from different manufacturers in one system for monitoring, control, and home automation. | Smart Life is a mobile app for connecting and controlling smart devices across brands and categories as a smart home control hub. |
| Security | For remote access, ioBroker initiates an outbound connection, so the user does not need to open a router port or use DynDNS. | Tuya says its smart hardware uses end-to-end security authentication and encryption, including secure communication, firmware protection, and OTA security. |
| Support | The project points users to its community forum, Discord, Facebook groups, documentation, and tutorials; it says community support is not contractually guaranteed. | Tuya's all-in-one app page says its R&D team provides regular maintenance and updates and 24/7 technical support. |
| Voice assistant support | Yes | Yes |
| Zigbee support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
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.
Tuya Smart
Tuya Smart provides a smart home solution organized around a control panel, with the free Tuya Smart app serving as a mobile hub for devices across brands and categories. The app is available for Android and iOS and supports manual and voice control, device sharing, and one-click pairing when it detects a new device. Tuya lists systems for lighting, indoor environments, healthcare, access control, media, fire alarms, property management, and home security. Its solution also describes touch, voice, gesture, and facial-expression control, plus automations and scenes that link devices for one-tap activation. The edge gateway lists Zigbee 3.0, BLE and BLE mesh, Sub-1 GHz, Wi-Fi, NB-IoT, 5G, and 4G LTE. Tuya’s Works With program names Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Smart Life. Developer capabilities include device management, AI scenes, analytics, and industry APIs. The maker describes end-to-end security protections and lists privacy and security certifications and reports. The app is free to use; the listed plan is free.