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Blynk vs OpenHAB

Blynk logo

Blynk

Software

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenHAB logo

OpenHAB

Software

Open source automation software for your home

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; OpenHAB requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and OpenHAB actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and OpenHAB differ
AttributeBlynkOpenHAB
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceLinux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi
Founded20122010

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

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 Blynk

  • Mobile App Builder
  • No-Code Interface
  • Real-Time Control
  • Cloud Storage
  • WebHooks
  • Mobile app
  • Cloud platform
  • IOS support

Only in OpenHAB

  • Vendor Agnostic
  • Rule Engine
  • 200+ Bindings
  • Local Processing
  • Z-Wave
  • Zigbee
  • MQTT
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • REST API

What people use each for

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

Blynk

  • Connecting IoT hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile appnot OpenHAB
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot OpenHAB
  • Automations triggered by device datanot OpenHAB
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot OpenHAB
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot OpenHAB

OpenHAB

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

Where each one falls short

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

Blynk

  • The free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered all the way up, reaching 12 months only on Enterprise
  • Automations and webhooks are rationed, from 5 scenarios and 1 webhook on free to 100 or more on Production
  • Over-the-air update campaigns are capped by tier, at 2 shipments on free and Starter
  • Production plans run from $199 to $1,099 a month depending on device count

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

Blynk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 devices
    • Basic widgets
    • Cloud sync
  • Premium$5/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced widgets
    • Priority support

OpenHAB

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Blynk if

  • You need mobile app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device.
  • You also want no-code interface.
Blynk 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 Blynk or OpenHAB better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk 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, Blynk or OpenHAB?
Blynk starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free.
Does Blynk or OpenHAB run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. OpenHAB runs on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blynk best used for?
Blynk is most often used for connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app, over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices, automations triggered by device data, white-label device apps for a hardware product. Of those, connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app and over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices are not what OpenHAB is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that OpenHAB cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Rule Engine, 200+ Bindings, Local Processing. Both handle REST API.
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