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SmartThings VS openHAB

Compare SmartThings VS openHAB and see what are their differences

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SmartThings logo SmartThings

SmartThings makes it easy to turn your home into a smart home.

openHAB logo openHAB

"empowering the smart home" - vendor and technology agnostic open source home automation
  • SmartThings Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-21
  • openHAB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-26

SmartThings features and specs

  • Wide Compatibility
    SmartThings supports a wide range of devices from different manufacturers, allowing users to integrate and control various smart home devices in one platform.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The app provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible even for users who are new to smart home technology.
  • Automation Capabilities
    SmartThings offers robust automation features, enabling users to create custom routines and automate their devices based on triggers like time of day or device interactions.
  • Cloud Connectivity
    SmartThings leverages cloud connectivity to allow for control and monitoring of devices remotely from anywhere, as long as the user has an internet connection.
  • Developer-Friendly
    The platform provides tools and resources for developers to create custom integrations and expand the functionality of SmartThings through its API.

Possible disadvantages of SmartThings

  • Reliance on Cloud
    SmartThings' dependence on cloud services for certain functionalities can lead to potential issues like latency or outages if there's a problem with the internet connection.
  • Privacy Concerns
    With cloud-based operations, there's always a concern regarding data privacy and the potential for unauthorized access to personal information.
  • Limited Local Control
    Some users may find the limited options for local device control a drawback, especially if internet connectivity is unreliable in their area.
  • Complex Setup for Advanced Features
    While it is user-friendly, setting up advanced features and custom automations may require a learning curve or deeper technical understanding.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Devices
    The integration of third-party devices might lead to compatibility issues, varying performance, or less seamless experiences if updates or changes occur in those devices.

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.

SmartThings videos

SmartThings v3 Review & New Sensors - Comparing v3 vs v2

More videos:

  • Review - Samsung SmartThings Updates and New Features For April 26, 2020
  • Review - What I wish I knew when I started with SmartThings

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 SmartThings and openHAB)
Home
12 12%
88% 88
Smarthome
19 19%
81% 81
Data Dashboard
13 13%
87% 87
Home Intelligence
24 24%
76% 76

User comments

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Reviews

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

SmartThings Reviews

We have no reviews of SmartThings yet.
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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

openHAB might be a bit more popular than SmartThings. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to SmartThings. 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.

SmartThings mentions (1)

  • Senville (Midea?) Mini Split System Possible Problems/Questions - Southern New Mexico
    However, I've been doing a lot more reading and came across a forum on smartthings.com regarding a Carrier system. One member said he installed a Senville ducted system and what he did to make his ducted system wireless. He got rid of the very basic thermostat that came with the unit for an upgraded programmable thermostat and tied it in with the Wi-Fi kit. Source: over 2 years ago

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 SmartThings and openHAB, you can also consider the following products

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

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

ioBroker - flexible and modular application for the IoT and Smarthome

Home - Securely control all your HomeKit accessories from your favorite iOS device.

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!

Domoticz - Domoticz is a lightweight Home Automation System