Softwr

Automation Integration · head to head

Automate.io vs OpenHAB

Automate.io logo

Automate.io

Automation Integration

Connect and automate your cloud applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenHAB logo

OpenHAB

Smart Home

Open source automation software for your home

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Automate.io no longer exists as a product. automate.io redirects to notion.com, which acquired the company and wound the integration service down; OpenHAB requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • They diverge on capability: Automate.io covers Multi-step automations, OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Automate.io and OpenHAB actually diverge.

Attributes where Automate.io and OpenHAB differ
AttributeAutomate.ioOpenHAB
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
PlatformsWeb, MobileLinux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi
CategoryAutomation IntegrationSmart Home
Founded20142010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Automate.io

  • Multi-step automations
  • Conditional logic
  • Data mapping
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • Webhooks
  • API integrations
  • 500+ apps

Only in OpenHAB

  • Vendor Agnostic
  • Rule Engine
  • 200+ Bindings
  • Local Processing
  • Z-Wave
  • Zigbee
  • MQTT
  • REST API

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Automate.io

  • Workflow Automationnot OpenHAB
  • Data Integrationnot OpenHAB
  • Process Automationnot OpenHAB
  • App Integrationnot OpenHAB
  • API Connectivitynot OpenHAB

OpenHAB

  • Self-hosted vendor neutral home automation hubnot Automate.io
  • Bridging smart home devices from different manufacturers under one set of rulesnot Automate.io

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Automate.io

  • No longer exists as a product. automate.io redirects to notion.com, which acquired the company and wound the integration service down
  • Existing automations were not portable to Notion, so users had to rebuild elsewhere

OpenHAB

  • Requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • Oracle Java is explicitly not recommended by the project because of potential licensing restrictions
  • The recommended hardware is a dedicated Raspberry Pi 4 or newer rather than shared hardware
  • Some version upgrades require additional manual steps run through a separate upgrade tool

Pricing, plan by plan

Automate.io

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 250 tasks/month
    • 2 automations
  • Starter$15/month
    • 5000 tasks/month
    • Unlimited automations
    • Email support
  • Professional$50/month
    • Unlimited tasks
    • Priority support
    • Advanced features

OpenHAB

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • 200+ bindings
    • Local control

Which should you pick?

Choose Automate.io if

  • You need multi-step automations.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want conditional logic.
Automate.io review

Choose OpenHAB if

  • You need vendor agnostic.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want rule engine.
OpenHAB review

Questions people ask

Is Automate.io or OpenHAB better?
Neither clearly leads. Automate.io starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Automate.io or OpenHAB?
Automate.io starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free.
Does Automate.io or OpenHAB run on more platforms?
Automate.io runs on Web, Mobile. OpenHAB runs on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use Automate.io for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Automate.io best used for?
Automate.io is most often used for workflow automation, data integration, process automation, app integration. Of those, workflow automation and data integration are not what OpenHAB is typically brought in for.
What can Automate.io do that OpenHAB cannot?
Automate.io covers Multi-step automations, Conditional logic, Data mapping, Error handling. OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Rule Engine, 200+ Bindings, Local Processing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenHAB: How much does openHAB cost?

openHAB is 100% open source and completely free to download, install, and use across all supported platforms.

Source
OpenHAB: Are there any subscription fees for openHAB?

No, openHAB has no subscription fees. The software is free and released under an open source license for unlimited use.

Source
OpenHAB: How can I support openHAB?

While openHAB is free to use, the project accepts voluntary donations through the openHAB Foundation to support development and maintenance.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Automate.io

More on OpenHAB

Keep looking

Other head to heads