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OpenHAB vs Google Home

OpenHAB logo

OpenHAB

Software

Open source automation software for your home

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenHAB requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenHAB and Google Home actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenHAB and Google Home differ
AttributeOpenHABGoogle Home
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsLinux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry PiiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded20102016

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 OpenHAB

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

Only in Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

What people use each for

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

OpenHAB

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

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot OpenHAB
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot OpenHAB
  • Creating automation routinesnot OpenHAB
  • Managing household device settingsnot OpenHAB
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot OpenHAB

Where each one falls short

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

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

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenHAB

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

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Questions people ask

Is OpenHAB or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenHAB starts at Free and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenHAB or Google Home?
OpenHAB starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
Does OpenHAB or Google Home run on more platforms?
OpenHAB runs on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use OpenHAB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OpenHAB best used for?
OpenHAB is most often used for self-hosted vendor neutral home automation hub, bridging smart home devices from different manufacturers under one set of rules. Of those, self-hosted vendor neutral home automation hub and bridging smart home devices from different manufacturers under one set of rules are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can OpenHAB do that Google Home cannot?
OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Rule Engine, 200+ Bindings, Local Processing. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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