Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ioBroker VS Tuya Smart

Compare ioBroker VS Tuya Smart and see what are their differences

ioBroker logo ioBroker

flexible and modular application for the IoT and Smarthome

Tuya Smart logo Tuya Smart

Tuya Smart is a free to use Lifestyle Application by Tuya Inc.
  • ioBroker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-22

More than 500 different modules(adapters) that can be interconnected with each other. E.g. Homematic or KNX can control HUE or sonos and vice versa.

  • Tuya Smart Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-05

ioBroker

$ Details
free
Platforms
Linux Windows Mac OSX REST API JavaScript
Release Date
2015 October

ioBroker features and specs

  • Open Source
    ioBroker is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use and continuously improved by a community of developers. This allows for transparency and flexibility in the usage and modification of the software.
  • Modular Architecture
    The platform supports a modular approach through adapters, which makes it highly extensible and allows users to add functionality as needed without bloating the system.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    ioBroker can run on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and even on lightweight devices like Raspberry Pi, making it highly versatile.
  • Wide Range of Adapters
    It supports a wide variety of adapters for different devices and services, enabling users to integrate numerous smart home products and protocols seamlessly.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    ioBroker offers an intuitive and user-friendly web interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
  • Automation Flexibility
    The platform supports powerful automation capabilities, allowing users to create complex automation rules and scenarios tailored to their needs.

Tuya Smart features and specs

  • Compatibility
    Tuya Smart supports a wide range of devices and can integrate with many smart home ecosystems, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
  • Affordability
    Many Tuya-powered devices are priced competitively, making smart home automation more accessible to a broader audience.
  • Ease of Use
    The Tuya Smart app is user-friendly and offers a comprehensive suite of features, allowing easy setup and management of smart devices.
  • Scalability
    Tuya provides a robust platform that can accommodate a wide range of applications, from simple home automation to complex enterprise solutions, allowing users to scale their smart ecosystems as needed.
  • Cloud-Based Control
    The Tuya platform leverages cloud-based technology to enable remote control and monitoring of devices, providing users with convenience and flexibility.

Possible disadvantages of Tuya Smart

  • Privacy Concerns
    As a cloud-based platform, Tuya collects data from connected devices, raising potential privacy concerns among users wary of third-party data storage.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Since Tuya's functionalities heavily rely on cloud services, an active internet connection is necessary for optimal performance, which can be a drawback during network outages.
  • Limited Local Control
    Without an internet connection, the local control of Tuya devices can be limited, impacting the functionality and responsiveness of smart home setups.
  • Subscription Costs
    While many basic features are free, advanced functionalities and enterprise-level services may incur additional subscription costs.
  • Firmware and Update Issues
    Occasional firmware updates have caused issues with device functionality and compatibility, requiring users to troubleshoot or wait for patches.

Analysis of ioBroker

Overall verdict

  • Yes, ioBroker is a good choice for those looking to create a cohesive smart home environment with diverse device compatibility and flexibility. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, though it might require some technical know-how to set up and maintain.

Why this product is good

  • ioBroker is a popular open-source platform for integrating various smart home devices and systems. It supports a wide range of devices and services through adapters, making it highly versatile and customizable. Its web-based interface is user-friendly, and it allows developers to create custom scripts and dashboards. The community support is robust, offering numerous forums and resources for help and extension possibilities.

Recommended for

    ioBroker is recommended for tech-savvy users who are comfortable with DIY configurations and those looking for a cost-effective solution to integrate various smart home devices. It's also suitable for developers interested in extending its capabilities through custom scripts and adapters.

ioBroker videos

ioBroker: Rock64 Langzeit-Review - Bereue ich den Kauf?

More videos:

  • Review - iObroker Teil1 | Grundlagen/Übersicht | Review Smart Home Kombination 2019 [GERMAN/DEUTSCH]
  • Review - SMARTE ZENTRALE | ioBroker als kostenlose SmartHome-Automation

Tuya Smart videos

Tuya Smart: how does it feel and look like

More videos:

  • Review - Smart Life APP VS Tuya Smart APP! What is the differance?
  • Review - Tuya Smart Life Just Ruined My Smart Home | IFTTT Withdrawl

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ioBroker and Tuya Smart)
Data Dashboard
85 85%
15% 15
Home
52 52%
48% 48
Photo & Video
0 0%
100% 100
Smarthome
100 100%
0% 0

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing ioBroker and Tuya Smart.

What makes your product unique?

ioBroker's answer

  • Multi-Host support for Scalability and better connectivity (you can connect many ioBroker hosts together),
  • Comprehensive visualization(Vis, iQontrol, ...),
  • Flexibility (jsonl for simplisity as DB or Redis as high performance DB),
  • ioBroker is highly flexible and customizable...

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

ioBroker's answer

  • Compatibility: ioBroker supports a vast range of devices and protocols, making it one of the most versatile smart home automation systems available. It is compatible with many popular brands and can integrate with virtually any smart device, offering a level of flexibility that might not be available with other platforms.

  • Open Source: As an open-source platform, ioBroker is free to use and continuously updated and improved by a community of developers. This allows for greater customization, transparency, and control over your home automation setup.

  • Scalability: ioBroker is designed to handle complex smart home setups. No matter how many devices you have or plan to add in the future, the platform is designed to scale and manage a large and diverse range of devices efficiently.

  • JavaScript and Blockly support: For those comfortable with programming, ioBroker offers the option to write scripts in JavaScript. For users who prefer a graphical interface, Blockly is available. This versatility can be appealing for both beginners and experienced users.

  • Data Logging: ioBroker has extensive data logging capabilities, allowing users to store, analyze, and visualize data from their smart devices over long periods of time. This can be incredibly valuable for monitoring energy usage, tracking trends, and optimizing your smart home setup.

  • Community and Support: ioBroker has a strong and active community of users and developers who can provide assistance, share ideas, and help troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.

How would you describe your primary audience?

ioBroker's answer

Mostly users are german speaking, but all documentation is primary in english.

What's the story behind your product?

ioBroker's answer

ioBroker is an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) platform that was developed with the aim to provide a unified and flexible solution for smart home automation. It's primarily driven by a community of enthusiasts and developers contributing to its ongoing development and expansion.

The project was initiated to overcome the limitations of existing smart home platforms, particularly the inability of many platforms to integrate with a wide variety of devices and brands. ioBroker was designed with a focus on compatibility, scalability, and flexibility, aiming to provide a solution that can integrate a vast array of smart devices, regardless of manufacturer or protocol, and handle complex home automation setups.

While the platform was initially more popular among the tech-savvy due to its need for more technical involvement, over time, efforts have been made to make it more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.

As an open-source project, the ongoing development of ioBroker is dependent on the contributions of its community, including software developers and end-users, who continually work on refining the software, expanding its compatibility with different devices, and improving its features.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

ioBroker's answer

JavaScript, Redis, Mqtt, MUI-UI.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ioBroker and Tuya Smart

ioBroker Reviews

16 Open Source Home Automation Platforms To Use In 2020
ioBroker appeared on the open source home automation spectrum at the beginning of 2017, but it went on to become one of the fastest growing communities in the game. With more than 21,000 users happy to chime in, ioBroker is a strong proposition that offers a total of around 300 integrations. That's great considering that the software is completely free to use. Why not give...
Source: ubidots.com

Tuya Smart Reviews

14 of the Best IoT Platforms to Watch in 2021
Tuya Smart is known for its huge marketplace of smart home devices. These include home security, smart sensors, smart lighting, AIoT offerings, and industrial applications. On the developer front, its superb platform supports iOS and Android native development, modular features, quick start integration with SDKs, and edge gateway device support. All the devices are connected...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Tuya Smart seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. 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.

ioBroker mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ioBroker yet. Tracking of ioBroker recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Tuya Smart mentions (2)

  • Inkbird ITC-308-wifi uses servers in China
    I would rethink the Smart Life app as well, if it is the one equivalent to tuya.com or ismartlife.me. Those companies are based in Shenzhen. If it is the app from Volcano Technology, they are based in Hong Kong. Of course, if the app works even with a firewall block to China, that is a win. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Does tuya-homebridge plugin only work free as a one month trial?
    I noticed that in order to use the tuya-homebridge plugin, one needs to setup the Tuya IoT core service on tuya.com. That service seems to have one month free trial and then a whooping $25K price for flagship edition for one year!! Is this for real? How do people use this plugin? Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ioBroker and Tuya Smart, you can also consider the following products

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

Swann Security - Swann Security is a fully integrated app for monitoring and controlling every aspect of Swann security cameras and surveillance systems.

openHAB - "empowering the smart home" - vendor and technology agnostic open source home automation

EseeCloud - EseeCloud is a powerful mobile video surveillance app that lets you keep an eye on your property from anywhere in the world.

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

Domoticz - Domoticz is a lightweight Home Automation System