Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OPC Router VS openHAB

Compare OPC Router VS openHAB and see what are their differences

OPC Router logo OPC Router

The OPC Router is one of the leading data hubs and OPC gateways in the Industry 4.0.

openHAB logo openHAB

"empowering the smart home" - vendor and technology agnostic open source home automation
  • OPC Router Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-24

The OPC Router is the data hub for Industry 4.0. Its numerous Plug-ins enable communication with a variety of systems. Its intuitive graphical user interface makes it possible to configure data streams in the simplest way possible. Connections which exchange data between systems and perform actions in defined events are configured via drag & drop. The OPC Router operates in the background and ensures uninterrupted, reliable and controlled processing of the connections.

  • openHAB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-26

OPC Router features and specs

  • Interoperability
    OPC Router facilitates seamless communication between various industrial devices and systems, supporting multiple protocols and standards. This interoperability allows for integration across different equipment and software platforms, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers a graphical interface that simplifies the setup and configuration process, making it accessible for users without extensive programming skills. This ease of use accelerates deployment and reduces the learning curve.
  • Scalability
    OPC Router is scalable and can be adapted to a wide range of operations, from small-scale implementations to large industrial projects. This scalability ensures that businesses can grow their operations without needing to switch to different integration tools.
  • Real-Time Data Processing
    The software supports real-time data processing, which is critical for maintaining timely and accurate data flow in industrial environments. This capability helps businesses make informed decisions based on current data.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    OPC Router offers a variety of plugins that extend its functionality, allowing users to customize their integration solutions and meet specific operational needs. This modularity maximizes flexibility and ensures tailor-fit integrations.

Possible disadvantages of OPC Router

  • Cost
    The initial licensing and setup costs for OPC Router can be high, which may be prohibitive for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Ongoing maintenance and support fees can add to the overall expense.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic functions are user-friendly, mastering advanced features and customizations can be complex and may require specialized training or expertise, potentially causing delays in implementation.
  • Dependency on External Systems
    OPC Router's functionality is reliant on the compatibility of third-party systems and devices. If these external systems are outdated or do not adhere to modern standards, integration challenges and data inconsistencies may arise.
  • Potential for Over-Integration
    In scenarios where businesses integrate too many systems or data streams, there can be an overload of information, leading to inefficiencies and possible system slowdowns as the router has to handle large amounts of data.
  • Reliance on IT Infrastructure
    The performance of OPC Router is dependent on the underlying IT infrastructure. Poor network conditions, server issues, or inadequate hardware can affect the software's efficiency and reliability.

openHAB features and specs

  • Flexibility
    openHAB supports a wide range of devices and technologies, making it highly flexible for various smart home configurations.
  • Customization
    The platform allows for extensive customization, enabling users to tailor their smart home automation rules and settings as per their specific needs.
  • Community Support
    Backed by a strong community, users can benefit from shared knowledge, tutorials, and community-contributed add-ons.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    openHAB runs on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, offering versatility in deployment.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, it provides transparency and freedom, allowing users to inspect, modify, and enhance the code base.
  • Security
    Focus on privacy and security, where data can be stored locally without necessarily depending on cloud services, providing more control over personal data.

Possible disadvantages of openHAB

  • Steep Learning Curve
    openHAB can be complex to set up and configure, especially for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Documentation
    Although improving, the official documentation can sometimes be lacking or hard to navigate, requiring users to invest time to find the information they need.
  • Maintenance
    Since openHAB is highly customizable, it may require regular maintenance and troubleshooting, particularly after updates or when integrating new devices.
  • Hardware Dependency
    Effectiveness can depend on the hardware used; certain devices may require additional gateways or controllers to function properly with openHAB.
  • User Interface
    While functional, openHAB’s out-of-the-box user interface may not be as polished or intuitive as some commercial alternatives.

Analysis of openHAB

Overall verdict

  • openHAB is generally considered a good choice for tech-savvy users who are comfortable with a bit of a learning curve to achieve a highly customized and integrated smart home system. However, it might not be the best fit for users seeking a more straightforward or plug-and-play solution.

Why this product is good

  • openHAB is an open-source home automation platform that integrates a wide range of smart home devices and technologies. It is highly flexible and customizable, thanks to its modular architecture and the active community that supports and develops various add-ons. openHAB works on multiple operating systems, providing a consistent experience across different environments. It also emphasizes privacy and security, allowing users to self-host their setups.

Recommended for

  • Tech enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with and custom-building home automation systems
  • Users who prioritize a high degree of privacy and control over their smart home setup by self-hosting
  • Individuals looking to integrate a wide range of devices and services from different manufacturers into one platform

OPC Router videos

OPC Router OPC UA zu SQL

More videos:

  • Demo - OPC Router – Industry 4.0 Software
  • Tutorial - OPC Router: Easy transfer of CSV file to Database (EN)
  • Tutorial - Video tutorial for the OPC UA Server Plug-in
  • Review - OPC Router Webinar Series 2020 by Inray - OPC Router Scripting
  • Review - OPC Router Webinar Series 2020 by Inray - End-to-end communication between shop floor and ERP
  • Review - OPC Router - The Industry 4.0 software

openHAB videos

Home Automation and Security with openHAB / Home Assistant / Smartthings

More videos:

  • Review - Live with BK-Hobby - Comparing Home Assistant and OpenHAB
  • Demo - openHAB 2 HABpanel UI Demo | Quick How to get started guide

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OPC Router and openHAB)
Data Dashboard
12 12%
88% 88
Home
0 0%
100% 100
Automation
100 100%
0% 0
Business Intelligence
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using OPC Router and openHAB. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OPC Router and openHAB

OPC Router Reviews

We have no reviews of OPC Router yet.
Be the first one to post

openHAB Reviews

10 n8n.io Alternatives
openHAB is a technology and vendor agnostic open-source automation software for your home that brings various efficient features. This home automation software is written entirely in Java and deployed on-premises and connects to services and devices from more than one vendor. Actions including switching on lights, turning appliances on and off, and more are triggered by...
9 Best home assistant apps for Android & iOS
The openHAB application supports devices from different brands and manufacturers, such as Amazon or Sonos, Chromecast, and Philips. In total, there are more than 2 hundred settings that are designed to support communication between devices.
List of Open Source Home Automation Software
But it also supports cloud in case the user wishes to avail of their services, giving the user more choice and freedom. OpenHAB supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. OpenHAB is your getaway ticket from manufacturer-specific apps that cause a lot of frustration. It comes with plugin-ready architecture, which helps the developers add new services...
Source: linuxhint.com
16 Open Source Home Automation Platforms To Use In 2020
We can't start this list without mentioning openHAB, one of the strongest players in the open source community. With almost half a million posts on their forums and 33,000 members, openHAB is constantly improving upon its initial offering. The platform can integrate with over 1500 devices from the likes of Sony, Pioneer, LG, Samsung, and much more. openHAB is free-to-use...
Source: ubidots.com
OpenHab vs Home Assistant vs Domoticz – Let’s get down to Business
OpenHab2 was released in 2017 with the idea of reaching a less technical audience. The new release includes Paper UI, a new web UI that allows you to do a lot of the configurations without having to edit files. In principle this is great, but there is a caveat. Paper UI still doesn´t support all the features in OpenHab so you still have to go and do some of the...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, openHAB seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

OPC Router mentions (0)

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

openHAB mentions (1)

  • Welcome to the 21st century, us. Don’t know how we did it before this 😂
    You can start on a general home automation like openhab.org. Source: almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OPC Router and openHAB, you can also consider the following products

Node-RED - Node-RED is a programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services in new and interesting ways.

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

NoFlo - NoFlo is a JavaScript implementation of Flow-Based Programming (FBP).

ioBroker - flexible and modular application for the IoT and Smarthome

Thingsboard - Thingsboard is an open-source IoT platform for data collection, processing, visualization, and device management.

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