Important: two are home servers
CasaOS and YunoHost are home server systems that run apps such as file storage and email. They do not control smart devices, so use them next to a real automation platform.
Alternatives / HomeKit
4 open-source alternatives
4 Best Open Source HomeKit Alternatives in 2026
Looking for an open source HomeKit alternative? We compared 4 open source platforms by license, device support, remote access, and scope. Home Assistant and Gladys Assistant control smart devices, while CasaOS and YunoHost are home server systems rather than automation platforms.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Best HomeKit alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant | Most capable device platform | Apache-2.0 |
| CasaOS | Docker-based home server (not a controller) | Apache-2.0 |
| Gladys Assistant | Simpler, privacy-first controller | Apache-2.0 |
| YunoHost | Self-hosting server platform (not a controller) | AGPL-3.0 |
How we chose these HomeKit alternatives
We looked for open-source tools that control a smart home like HomeKit or host the services around it. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository, and note which are not device controllers. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Closest to HomeKit
Home Assistant supports over 1,000 device types with local control, automations, dashboards, a voice assistant, and mobile apps. Gladys Assistant is simpler: it runs locally via Docker, supports Zigbee, Matter, and MQTT, and its free local experience needs no terminal.
Home server platforms
CasaOS is a personal cloud system built on Docker with an app store of over 50 verified apps and one-click setup. YunoHost is a platform for hosting email, storage, and websites designed for users with minimal technical knowledge.
Important: remote access
Gladys Assistant's secure remote access needs the paid Gladys Plus subscription or your own VPN.
License details
Home Assistant, Gladys Assistant, and CasaOS are Apache-2.0. YunoHost is AGPL-3.0.
Maintenance status
All four had commits within days or weeks of this update.
Why look for a HomeKit alternative?
HomeKit works well only inside Apple's ecosystem and needs an Apple home hub for remote access. Open-source platforms support devices from many vendors, run locally on your hardware, and are not tied to one phone brand, at the cost of more setup.
home-assistant.io
Home Assistant is an Apache-2.0 open-source home automation platform that supports over 1,000 device types, with local control, automations, custom dashboards, and a built-in voice assistant. It is best suited to technically comfortable users and does not provide general question answering.
91.6K38.9KApache-2.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source; Home Assistant Cloud is an optional paid subscription.
- Huge device support and community
- Local control and powerful automations
- Built-in voice assistant
- Steeper learning curve
- Not a general-knowledge assistant
casaos.zimaspace.com
CasaOS is an Apache-2.0 personal cloud system that simplifies home server management with a Docker-based architecture and a friendly interface. It offers an app store with dozens of verified apps, file management, remote access, and a customizable dashboard. Its latest release was v0.4.15 in December 2024 and its last commit in August 2025, and its team now focuses on the separate ZimaOS product.
37.3K2.2KApache-2.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source; hardware and the ZimaOS product are separate.
- Easy to install with a friendly dashboard and app store
- Apache-2.0 license
- Large community
- Development has slowed since late 2024
- Fewer security features than Cosmos Server
gladysassistant.com
Gladys Assistant is an Apache-2.0, privacy-first, self-hosted home automation platform that runs locally, supports Zigbee, Matter, and MQTT, and allows automation without coding. It installs with Docker on Linux hardware. Secure remote access needs the optional paid Gladys Plus subscription or your own VPN.
3.2K328Apache-2.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free for local use; Gladys Plus adds paid remote access.
- Simple and privacy-first
- Zigbee, Matter, and MQTT support
- No-code automations
- Remote access is a paid add-on
- Fewer devices and options than Home Assistant
yunohost.org
YunoHost is an AGPL-3.0 server distribution based on Debian that makes installing and maintaining a personal server accessible, supporting websites, email hosting, cloud storage with Nextcloud, calendar and contact sync, password management, social networks, and automated backups, with single sign-on across apps.
3K350AGPL-3.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source.
- Single sign-on, email hosting, and automated backups
- Large catalog of apps
- Standard AGPL-3.0 license and an active community
- Takes over the whole server, so it is less flexible than Docker platforms
- Debian knowledge helps for troubleshooting
Compare HomeKit alternatives
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant | Smart home platform | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Closest replacement |
| CasaOS | Home server OS | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Self-hosted apps |
| Gladys Assistant | Smart home platform | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Easy setups |
| YunoHost | Server platform | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Email, storage, websites |
Which one should you choose?
Want the broadest device support
Home Assistant supports 1,000+ device types with local control and mobile apps.
Want a simpler privacy-first controller
Gladys runs locally with Zigbee, Matter, and MQTT support.
Want to host apps at home
CasaOS offers one-click app installs on a Docker-based home server.