Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Homebridge.io VS OpenELEC

Compare Homebridge.io VS OpenELEC and see what are their differences

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Homebridge.io logo Homebridge.io

Homebridge is a lightweight NodeJS server you can run on your network that emulates the iOS HomeKit...

OpenELEC logo OpenELEC

OpenELEC, which stands for Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center, is a Linux operating system that makes the host computer a Kodi media center. The software was the winner of the Swiss Opensource Award in 2014.
  • Homebridge.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17
  • OpenELEC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-01-29

Homebridge.io features and specs

  • Compatibility
    Homebridge acts as a bridge between Apple's HomeKit and various smart home devices, allowing for integration with non-HomeKit compatible devices.
  • Customization
    Homebridge has a wide range of plugins developed by the community, enabling users to customize and extend functionality according to their needs.
  • Open-source
    Being an open-source platform, Homebridge is free to use and benefits from contributions by a global community of developers.
  • Ease of Installation
    Homebridge can be installed on multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, and Docker, making it accessible for a variety of users.
  • Automation
    Homebridge integrates seamlessly with Apple's Home app, allowing users to set up complex automations and controls for their smart home devices.
  • Community Support
    A large community of users and developers provides extensive documentation, forums, and support, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.

Possible disadvantages of Homebridge.io

  • Complexity
    Setting up and maintaining Homebridge can be technically challenging, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces or coding.
  • Reliability
    Since Homebridge relies on community-developed plugins, there can sometimes be issues with reliability and compatibility after updates.
  • Security
    Being an open-source platform, users need to be cautious about the plugins and configurations they use, as improper setup can lead to security vulnerabilities.
  • Unsupported Devices
    Not all smart home devices may be supported by available plugins, which means some devices might not be integrable with Homebridge.
  • Maintenance
    Regular updates and maintenance are required to keep Homebridge and its plugins functioning properly, which can be time-consuming for users.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Running Homebridge continuously may require dedicated hardware like a Raspberry Pi, which entails additional cost and setup.

OpenELEC features and specs

  • Lightweight
    OpenELEC is a lightweight operating system that is designed to run Kodi on minimal hardware, making it ideal for older devices.
  • Ease of Use
    OpenELEC provides a simple user interface and straightforward installation process, which is appealing to users looking for an out-of-the-box media center solution.
  • Dedicated Media Center OS
    Being dedicated solely to running Kodi, OpenELEC offers optimized performance and a streamlined system for media playback.
  • Cost-Effective
    OpenELEC is open-source and free to use, which is beneficial for users looking for a cost-effective media center setup.
  • Strong Community Support
    OpenELEC has a robust community of users and developers who provide support, share knowledge, and contribute to its development.

Possible disadvantages of OpenELEC

  • Limited Functionality
    As a minimalistic operating system, OpenELEC may not support additional services or applications beyond its primary function as a media center.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    OpenELEC may have limited compatibility with certain hardware components or peripherals, which could require users to ensure compatibility beforehand.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to some other media center solutions or operating systems, OpenELEC may receive updates less frequently, potentially affecting access to new features or security patches.
  • Limited Customization
    Due to its focus on simplicity and ease of use, OpenELEC offers fewer customization options compared to other more flexible operating systems.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Some users have reported stability issues, particularly when using newer versions or hardware, which may impact overall user experience.

Analysis of Homebridge.io

Overall verdict

  • Homebridge.io is considered a reliable and versatile platform for enhancing smart home setups, particularly for users invested in the Apple ecosystem. Its flexibility and extensive compatibility through plugins make it a go-to solution for expanding HomeKit's capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Homebridge.io is popular because it offers an easy way to integrate various smart home devices that do not natively support Apple HomeKit into the Apple ecosystem. It is particularly favored for its extensive plugin library, which allows users to add support for a wide range of devices and customize their smart home system. Additionally, it is open-source and has a strong community backing, providing regular updates and technical support.

Recommended for

    Homebridge.io is recommended for tech-savvy individuals who are interested in integrating non-HomeKit smart devices with Apple's HomeKit. It is also ideal for users who enjoy customizing their smart home setup and those who do not mind engaging with community-driven support and open-source projects.

Homebridge.io videos

HOMEBRIDGE INSTALLATION GUIDE

OpenELEC videos

My HTPC Is Now Running OpenELEC

More videos:

  • Review - OpenELEC Installation Guide 2019

Category Popularity

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Home
100 100%
0% 0
Video
0 0%
100% 100
Smarthome
100 100%
0% 0
Media Player
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Homebridge.io and OpenELEC

Homebridge.io Reviews

16 Open Source Home Automation Platforms To Use In 2020
Homebridge is a modern and lightweight NodeJS server that emulates the iOS HomeKit API. This means that, once installed on your low-power machine (including the Raspberry Pi), it can service the same requests you are used to on your iOS device via Siri. The original contributors to this project thought of this because of the countless devices that couldn't connect to the...
Source: ubidots.com

OpenELEC Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenELEC yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Homebridge.io seems to be a lot more popular than OpenELEC. While we know about 165 links to Homebridge.io, we've tracked only 2 mentions of OpenELEC. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Homebridge.io mentions (165)

  • Setting Up Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
    Homebridge is designed primarily for use with HomeKit. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Is HomeBridge the right solution for me?
    Search on the main page (https://homebridge.io/) for plugins that work with the devices you can't add directly to homekit. If you find what you need then you're probably good to go ahead with it, though not all the plugins are completely reliable. Sometimes there's more than one for a given device though. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help: POST in, pick a line and POST it out.
    I'm new to Node-Red and programming in general. I'm trying to pass humidity and temp reading from my Pimoroni Enviro Indoor to my HomeBridge setup. The Enviro Indoor will POST every 5 minutes a JSON that looks like this. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • HyperHDR (Webos Hyperion) + Hue Lights + Forza Horizon 5 = So damn good! Immersion is next level.
    Maybe Homebridge is the way to go? I'm an android user so I don't know anything about homekit sorry! Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I can't seem to find decent info on Google and ring integration
    Do you have iOS? This seems like a solution that homebridge can help with maybe. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

OpenELEC mentions (2)

  • Does Kodi support HDR passthrough using an x86 processor or an nvidia/AMD dGPU on Linux now?
    Its all good. I use to run Kodi on a HTPC that I built with openelec and it was pretty stable. I am not sure if it is available anymore (openelec.tv) it was a linux distro. I switched to NVidia shield due to the accessibility to Netflix and Amazon and I have not looked back. Oh an its cheaper than a HTPC I think... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Got Jellyfin a few days ago and LOVE the web version, but bad Roku app is a dealbreaker. Before I can it, are there any work arounds you guys have found?
    I know there are various customized distros for the RasPi, such as OpenElec, but as a staunch Linux and FLOSS advocate I still don't think that's what most people are searching for when they look for a streaming device these days. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Homebridge.io and OpenELEC, you can also consider the following products

Home-Assistant.io - Home Assistant is an open-source home automation platform running on Python 3.

LibreELEC - LibreELEC is ‘Just enough OS’ for Kodi, a Linux distribution built to run Kodi on current and...

Google Home - Set up, manage, and control your Chromecast, Chromecast Audio and Google Home devices.

GeeXboX - Dec 3, 2017 - . Author: Tomtom 1 Comment. Hi,.

Homeway.io - Free, private, and secure Home Assistant remote access, Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and official Home Assistant iOS and Android remote access. Get started now! Now with Sage AI - ChatGPT powered Home Assistant AI!

OSMC - OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.