★ 90k
September 2026
Apache-2.0
Everyday life
What we checked ourselves
Not copied from the project's own blurb. These are things we opened and verified, with the date.
- 23 Aug 2026We checked that the link to the project still resolves.
- 30 Aug 2026We read the project's own documentation and found no sign that development has stopped.
Where this sits among the 43 tools we list in Everyday life
- No API key required39 of 43
- Keeps your data on your own machine20 of 43
- Commercial use confirmed as allowed28 of 43
- Requires terminal commands25 that do not →
Only 16 of the 43 meet all of the conditions above.
Counted from our own checks: every tool we list is examined against the same criteria.
What it does
Connects thousands of devices locally, with AI assistants on top. Your smart home, no cloud required.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultyEasy to start
- Command lineRequired
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
Home Assistant FAQ
- Is Home Assistant free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use Home Assistant?
- It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.
- Does Home Assistant work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use Home Assistant commercially?
- The licence is Apache-2.0, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant (this page) | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| Immich | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| Stirling-PDF | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| PhotoPrism | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.