1:46 installation 3:12 ease of use 7:14 supported devices. 8:04 apps

Those first 8 seconds sound like you're about to announce the end of the world.

My reason for full stop with OpenHAB was exactly as you described - confused from the UI selection, missing items, then VERY complicated adding of new devices... Ended up with NodeRed and happy ever since.

I use both. Where I find a weakness in one I allow the other to take over that function. All my Z-wave and Alexa control is run through OpenHAB and I use HA for my printer, Vizio TVs, weather and location information. I mostly use Node-Red for automating both systems (it is odd having 2 Node-Red systems). The HABpanel interface with the HABpanel viewer app makes great for all my wall mounted tablets. I actually run a lovelace dashboard in HABpanel as well.

thanks for your time on doing this! You certainly spared a lot of people ALOT of time :)

Thank you for your well structured and informative video.✌🏽 The conditions settings missing a "and" function on the UI of openHAB was the most relevant for my interests. Home assistant supporting such a feature was the deciding factor in top of everything else. Thanks again!

Recently setup Home Assistant (specifically for access to ESPHome) after having heard about it for quite a while now. Before this video I wasn't even aware there were other projects similar to home assistant

Thanks! You helped convince me... Home Assistant will go on my Pi tomorrow :-) Great and well structured video, very informative and helpful!

Interesting perspective! As a beginner, I agree with almost all of your points except the communities - I get better answers from the OpenHAB community. So, there may be more churn in posts in HA, but I feel the quality is better on the OpenHAB side. I had Openhab for 2 years, then switched to Home Assistant for 6 months and ended back on OpenHAB. What drove me away was 2 issues: 1. A weekly issue with Z-wave devices dropping out of the network where the community only offered "wait until the next release". 2. I prefer Java over YAML (and I deal with YAML often at work) For beginners, the OpenHAB interfaces may be confusing, but the result is a much more customizable system as you settle in. - In Habpanel I could have a strict tablet interface for my wall-mounted devices, each having their own layout depending on the room they're in. - In Paper UI I have a basic interface for setting up new devices and checking on various devices that I don't have a panel for (like battery voltages of Z-wave sensors). - In Habmin I have a powerful nuts-and-bolts interface that makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot issues. One last point - Unless I completely missed it, Home Assistant doesn't have a service like myopenhab.org. myopenhab.org is far more secure than opening up ports on my router to the world and is a big bonus many people miss.

Would love an update of this now that openHAB 3.4 is being released. It’s a complete different beast than 2.5

looking forward to getting more videos like this and more step by step videos tutorial really like this channel :) ;)

Another great video and a good explantion. Well done! Thanks

Great Video and good comparison. I learned a lot about home assistant and even as a over 2 year Poweruser of openhab I consider at lest trying out HA. But I feel like I am already at the point where I have committed myself to openhab

I think for a new user in 2020 this is a good comparison I started using openhab in 2017 and home assistant was Far and Away behind the capabilities of openhab at that time. it looks like home assistant has definitely caught up. There's definitely a learning curve to openhab not going to argue that it is definitely true. I will say I typically interact with openhab only through the cli and do not have the UI issues that you were experiencing. But again this goes back to the high learning curve that a new user may find difficult. I really liked the idea of having actionable push notifications in home assistant I hope openhab had this functionality soon. When I was evaluating these two platforms a few years ago home assistant didn't have any mobile apps now it seems like there's is a superior mobile app. The openhab cloud connector is also a big advantage in my opinion over openhab as far as remote connectivity to your home automation system. I do find the split between the UI and the CLI in openhab be a challenge for someone who is not used to how the system works.

Really good to see another channel about smart homes! I use Home Assistant but good to learn about OpenHAB

Good job on this video, thank you!

At 3:39 int the MQTT command topic, the topic must be "cmnd/sonoff/POWER1".

Interesting video. On Ease of Use, I found HomeAssistant (which I tried before switching over to OpenHab) to be very confusing. OpenHAB isn't super straighforward as you discussed. However, to me, what I didn't like about HomeAssistant was the lack of documentation. This was a couple of years ago though, so hopefully they've improved in that area.

Thanks for sweating through that. Loooking at HA vs OHAB coming from Homeseer,

This came up on my Recommended list so I thought I would have a quick look. I have to say, not detracting from this video, you have come a long way in 2 years. Seriously, keep up the amazing work. Would it be worth doing another HA vs OpenHab now?

I started on Home Assistant but ended up dropping it for openHAB after a few hours when I started trying to group light bulbs together but immediately had to drop into YAML files to do that. I'm no stranger to YAML, but so many devices in my home (like ceiling lights) have multiple bulbs that it was just shocking that there wasn't a user interface option to group them onto the same control. It gave me the impression that a lot of my fundamental configuration was going to end up spread across modifications to files, and that a year from now I wouldn't remember what I modified and where. I would say the initial learning curve to openHAB was steeper with bindings, things, channels, items, and item types like group or dimmer, and it was missing unusual things like being able to set a group item to the "color" type, but it felt more complete once I understood the vocabulary and how grouping worked (mirroring commands to all child items--so like, don't have two unlike points that both can accept the same command under the same group if you don't want both points to do something when you send a command to the group... or, in English, don't stick your light dimmer points in the same group as your color temperature points because sending "35" to the group is going to dim your lights to 35 and also adjust their color temperature at the same time). It really sold it to me that the idea of groups was just part of the system, and not something you had to manually tack on in a YAML file every time you needed one. I'm curious what all I could have done if I went deeper into Home Assistant, because my openHAB card setup was also quite the experience and I ended up programming my own custom control cards for most of my devices. I love the result, but it took a lot of reading and tinkering to get right, and I'm not sure I could have made things like cards controlling entire rooms' color, color temp, dimming, etc. for different devices if I wasn't a programmer to begin with. Maybe that's easier in HA, or maybe not.

Excellent video. Thank you

Great stuff, thanks for the contrast!

Home Assistant now supports NFC tags natively. It supported it before, but now it's fully baked in with the mobile app reading / writing.

It is great that the system you have kept on running over a long period. I had several times issues with breaking changes while upgrading and if you skip a few versions than it is a pain to find out how to solve it. So I miss in your review how this upgrade process is going, what the impact is on all breaking changes on Home assistant and on Openhab side.

Installing HomeAssistant on Armbian is a pain in the ass

Hi, I was a Openhab for several years and found it to be very clunky for new users, trying to run a security camera long term was impossible to do in habpanel or paper ui, it would quit after about 2 hrs and had to restart openhab to get it to work again, also presence detection was hard to implement and spotty at best making it hard to do automations based on who was home, I have moved to Homeassistant about a week ago and have set up my system better and faster then Openhab, so all in all an very accurate assessment of the 2 systems!

Just wanna mention that you give very detailed guides and everything but one thing is missing, your smile! Smile, dude, every now and then. You look so serious. Anyway, great videos!

Just watched this and it looks to be a good comparison. I've been thinking about trying out home assistant and this video was helpful in that I feel as though I've done my homework. Thanks for putting this together.

Home Assistant all the way. Tried open hab and had the exact same frustrations... I found about HA from a hive heating forum and was up and running on an old Pi in minutes with little to no doc reading. So far I've found nothing that HA can't do so sticking with that for now.

Just a note.... As of version 2020.5 of the Home Assistant iOS app (released on August 11th) NFC tags are now supported. That being said, since the Android app is developed separately, I can’t speak to the features it supports.

A nice overview. But I found it very strange when you say "well I can not judge that on the OpenHAB side, so I give the point to HA" that kind of ruined the comparison for me.

I skipped over this video when I saw it before and regret that now. Struggled with openHAB for hours (the new v3) and got nowhere with it before giving up. But before going with HA, watched this excellent review. Thanks!🙏

Shame you did not wait until after Openhab V3.0 is released in one months time. Most of your complaints on the user interfaces is solved in the massive update soon to be released. Thanks for creating the video, always love seeing more content produced on home automation so keep them coming.

What happened at 11:15 seconds? Audio was cut off and he was referencing the Lovelace interface while showing the UI for openhab.

I started off two years ago on Openhab and just couldn’t get on with it. I have been on HA and love it.

Any automation system should be chosen based on a set of requirements. My requirements are not extensive nor complex. I played with both openHAB and HomeAssistant on a Raspberry PI. I was able to learn the basics of both and your video did a good job explaining some differences between the two. After those trials I chose Hubitat. I've been completely satisfied. I won't say it's better than openHAB or HomeAssistant. I just feel it suits my requirements better. An investment in home automation is way more about the devices than the hub. I can always switch hubs and retain my device investment. Of course I would lose the time I invested in learning and implementing my hub but in my case that hasn't been significant and I doubt it ever will be. Thank you for your comparison.

Hi, found this great comparison because I am looking for home automation software. So I do not have any sw yet, but a lot of devices of Shelly and Smartlink (Tuya). One thing I do not completely understand for Tuya devices. I have both wifi and zigbee devices, (using a zigbee hub). Are zigbee devices via an hub supported by both platforms? Or is there a limitation on the type of devices?

Home Assistant absolutely supports NFC Tags. I have two configured currently with plans to add more

Idk if i did something wronge with Home Assistant, but i cant control the Color light of my Tuya Smart Lights. Can someone help?

A really useful overview of both, thanks very much! Just a note though that there is a bad cut here at around 11:10

Nfc tags are official available in home assistant too

That looks like a really nice shirt 🤣 thanks for the video 🤘

Thanks for the video =)

It would be nice to hear some comments on user profile handling. My son would like to control things in his room, without us interweening. Which platform supports this? Also my son would like to do some DIY stuff with Arduino and connect it to the plattform. Which one of the two gives better support?

11:15 has a time skip causing loss of footage, you drop just after going into something.

Nice review. I'm curious how you run Home Assistant - on a dedicated computer or Raspberry? And which is easier for someone new to HA (and no real programming skills)?

anyway you can redo this comparison nowadays?

I'm going to use HA. I Only do have a few things to work out. Like, if I want to use, say a Pi or a tablet as both a monitor and the server, I will have to do the server as a VM and install the remote app on the Pi/tablet. I can't do things on the server itself unless your cmd skills are pro. And I'm curious to find out how I can build RGB lights to connect to a switch using a cat-5 cable and control them in HA. Same goes for a thermostat. I don't really like wireless connections (unless there IR connections) in my bedroom so that's why I'm curious to find out how I can achieve this using Cat-5 cables and a switch.

Wasn't NFC added to the Home Assistant app recently? Or is that only in the beta version perhaps?

Hi I’m new to area and looking for the best platform. You didn’t mention UI in detail . Having a development background although it years ago I’m confident I can deal with the quirks of either. My question is which one has the best UI. While it’s a long term goal I would ultimately like something comparable to Control4 UI something pretty and intuitive for my mom and daughter to use . Thoughts?

Perhaps I am bit on the late side - but speaking of integration - what is the general feel for "migrating home" the cloud connection parts? Both Openhab and Home Assistant offers Cloud functionality for integration with Google Assistant and Alexa - however, I could not on my brief searching find that (correct me if I am stating the wrong one here) Home assistant had any documented procedure for creating this at home instead of utilizing their cloud services.

Many years on OH 1.x, no problem with using text-based configuration, but struggled on upgrade to OH 2.x - it appears that I need to spend significant time on such an upgrade, which I do not want to ... one more issue I've once with OH - it is not possible to run it on weak hardware (I've tried to run on OrangePI)

Also hat 3d printer do you have? It looks like an ender with dual extruders....

Great video. I went for openHab at first but have switched to Home Assistant. Here are a few reasons aside from what you mentioned in the video: 1. There are more available add-ons on the internet that I could use directly without modifying a single line of code. With openHab I tried to integrate my Gree, Tuya and Ewelink devices into it, but only managed to find a Gree add-on in the official repository. I installed it but it didn’t work, and I had to take the code from github and change something to fit my model and then take some trouble configuring the dev environment to compile the add-on (which I find also inconvenient for newbies). With HA I found add-ons for all of my devices and they worked perfectly. 2. Home Assistant has user management function and you can let people use it as guest without messing it up. It’s not something complex but openHab team just doesn’t bother adding such a useful function, perhaps because habpanel and basic UI are designed specifically for non-admin users, but personally I still prefer a login before using the system.

At about 11:14, it looks like there was an unintended cut. It skips over your analysis of the openhab automation.

I use OpenHAB and have done for 5 years so am used to it and know the niggly issues it has and how it works, but good to see HomeAssistant in comparison. I'm waiting for OpenHAB3 bugs to get ironed out then will upgrade too it, as I understand it it will nullify a lot of the features and options you say are lacking with OH.

Home Assistant does have nfc tags (Well now it does)

Openhab user here. Liked the comparison, although using mqtt autodiscover was a worst case scenario to openhab, that apart I agree with your points of view when it comes to the UI problems and deficient rule engine in openhab I've paired mine with node red to expand on that area. One thing I would like to have seen mentioned is the cloud aspect of both platforms and the connection to voice assistants (Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa) . AFAIK home assistant only has a paid cloud platform and in the voice assistant part home assistant is quite laborious (or needs the paid cloud to make it easier).

I tried Home Assistant about a year ago and could never get it to work. I flashed one of my switches, but have no idea if that worked or not. It is currently a fancy desk weight, since I could no longer use it with the default software (since it was flashed). Maybe I'll try it again and see if it's easier now. Of course that means I'll need to find that paper weight first.

My problem with Home Assistant is the installation with docker. The docker supplied is gimped. It has no ui add on support from what I can see. I've also tried the vm but had networking issues. I got openhab installed via the supplied docker in like 5mins.Managed to get my Sonoff devices working with scheduling in the next hour or so. In my opinion Home Assistant is too focused on the raspberry pie, but it might just be me.This is my first foray in home automation, in a few months I might end up preferring Home Assistant but I've got a lot further with openhab in a much shorter time.

I found Home Assistant incredibly frustrating as a new user. The UI was non-obvious, there was no official documentation on how to use it, and instructions on the web described a wide variety of versions of the user interface, none of which looked like what I installed. Entities are poorly documented, the UI is confusing, I couldn’t remove devices that were added as I was trying to figure things out.

I can't find any videos on using Modbus with Home Assistant. Could you shed some light on this?

Hi, will you please let me know if the ( Mi Box S) tv box can be used to turn on and off smart tv by using Google assistant. Thanks

Maybe you want to do a new video about the current versions, which changed a lot in both platforms.

Hang on, what was that you said after 0:15?

I am new to the self hosted smart home topic. I first tried open hab, but it felt so complicated to setup, that I switched to home assistant and never look back..open hab may be very powerful and a good solution for power users, but if you look for something that is easy to setup I think you should choose home assistant

Using home assistant currently. It was not easy to setup, huge learning curve. Been running for about 6 months and still I am no where near fluent in much. Python is strange, more comfortable in C type language. With all that said, I enjoy learning and a challenge. I use ESPhome for a batch of sensors on a 8266 chip and tasmota on many commercial devices, as I lose internet at least once every two days. I wish there was a good resource to get info, but everything changes so fast that it's probably just a dream.

Home assistant tags are introduced

Can you do a compare using Openhab 3?

The biggest issue I have with HA is that it requires a subscription to use it with Alexa.

I still only use node-red. Only shortcoming I found is no native app.

Great video, could you compare with Jeedom (free, clear interface, release 4 = stable )?

hi there, I'm new to these two platform and I 've been using Google Home for sometimes now. Well, can anyone please tell me if these platforms really support local LAN without internet connection to perform the automations thru voice. Thanks

11:13 why did you skip the explanation?

I installed openhab about 20min ago. It could not detect my Gosund wifi plug. It seems like you have to know which binding/add-on is required, install it and then OpenHab will detect your device. If your device is not a brand name item then you are out of luck (so far this is what 'googling' has showed me). There are a lot of good cheaper 'made in china' (aren't they all anyway?) items out there that wont be able to connect. On Home Assistant I just had to use Tuya and that was all. Am I missing something with OpenHab? I will keep looking in the forums.

the deal breaker for me is openhab as the api is easy to integrate into custom programs using php or c# allowing me to create a facebook bot to let me send a message with livingroom light on facebook messenger the other thing I like about openhab is the binding echo controller which allows you to pull all my unsupported devices through amazons api I am not used to finding a fellow scottish smart home enthusiast

What happened at 11:14-11:15???

Home Assistant hands down for me.

I think the only thing that make me use openhab is the integration with google home and alexa, that is free, i dont know a way to do this in HA as free. I'm a beginner here with this things, and im havin a lot of problems with my server, so i think i would need to change hardware since openhab in docker (and other services) are crashing a lot

openhab got a major upgrade in UIs and features with Openhab 3 so we want a "rematch" :)

You have a weird cut at 11:15, as you switch mid-sentence it seems, to a different cut/topic.

hey, maybe you should do comparispn again now that openhab 3 is out...

update with the new OpenHAB 3?

More posts on a forum can simply mean more people need help because the documentation is no longer accurate due to the project moving forward and the documentation is not kept up to date. I find the information on intergrations lacking the essential detail on HASS. Openhab forum you find you get a reply on, often in home assistant forum you get no reply except other people posting that they have the same issue. I am on both forums every day because information on X hardware is valid for both platforms.

Team Blue!

So do these apps replace ifttt?

I'm running iobroker for about one year now...

Am I the only one that noticed the jump in the automation part?!

IObroker is the best!

I started out with OpenHAB, but I ditched it after a couple of months as I found it a bit too confusing with all those interfaces. I tried Home Assistant and I’ve not looked back. Granted, some things are a pain, but I’ve been able to get things working as I want. Well, except for my AllPlay speakers, which still have no integration, one that OpenHAB does have. I might look into running both and use NodeRED to link them somehow. The box I’m running HA on should be able to handle it.

Not a fan of Java, so it's Home Assistant / Python for me!

Gives every round to home assistant even when the information provided means a clear win for OpenHAB. What's that, OpenHAB has a 1000 more manufacturer integrations than Home Assist does? Gosh, that must be a tie...lol Yep, totally an unbiased review 🙄

As embedded electronics engineer, my preferences are always Manjaro for os, O-WRT for routers n supported stuff, home assistant for setup, blynk for management as app then microcontroller & other devices.

I am using ioBroker. But of course I have OH and HA installed too, to keep my fingers on pulse.

Python kind of guy, home assistant.

You forgott iobroker, which is by far better than both...

I have been a longtime user of openhab but obviously due to the popularity of homeassistant i keep tabs on it as well. I have done some stuff with HA but most of my stuff on openhab. I see ALOT of talk on alot of comparison things around the UI. But if you have to use the UI that much, in my opinion, you have taken the automation out of home automation and have just created a super elaborate remote. Which is 100% ok!! I almost NEVER see the UI for my system because I prefer true automations. I have openhab monitoring light levels in the rooms, motion sensors, time of day, ect to determine if someone walks in the room and it's dark. Turn on the light. If someone is home and it's 15 minutes before sunset, turn on the living room lights. Presence detection, light level, motion sensors will give you ALOT of fully automated scenarios. I don't even turn down my lights to watch a movie. I use kodi, run the movie theater experience app, when the movie starts it turns down my lights. When the movie is done, turns them back up. Now, having said that, the big reason that I have stuck with openhab for so long even given that HA has gotten quite popular is the automation engine. Being a programmer for my entire adult life, being able to open up a text file and write VERY elaborate automations has been fantastic. That is also not for everyone. Alot of my HA experience has been helping a buddy of mine who doesn't WANT to do that level of automation and wants to run something that is easier to setup (HA wins here) and easier to get from opened new thing from store to integrated (HA wins here again) I think both are going to have their audience and honestly, i hope that both see whats better in the other and implement. If i could get them both as one, it would be amazing!

*announces he will try not to show his bias towards one platform* and then *immediately begins trashing one of the platforms he's reviewing*. Lol!

If you want to use Google / alexa with Home Assistant it isn't free :/