Personalization is one of smart home automation’s strongest selling points. You can have your home make smart decisions based on your personal schedule and habits, so you can put your remote down, relax, and not worry about a thing.
Smart home tech is everywhere these days, and it’s expected to grow exponentially over the next few years. We’ve already seen dozens of developments, including connected light bulbs, smart plugs, smart thermostats, and even automated generator that could help with supply electricity during blackouts. But which smart home software is the best? The answer varies since each home automation software works differently and has different features. We’ll take a look at some of the best smart home software options and figure out which one might be right for you.
Smart home technology is changing nearly every aspect of our lives, including how we interact with our homes. But how do all these smart home devices talk to each other? And more importantly, how can we use them to control our homes more easily? The Smart Home Revolution.
Which Smart Home Automation Software Is the Best?
- AGO Control
AGO Control, for example, is an easy-to-use system that lets you control your home from your smartphone or tablet. When you’re not home, set your lock, shades, lights, and temperature to adjust themselves while you’re away. You can also customize light settings, such as dimming the lights while watching a movie. AGO Control works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home so that you can control your home with voice commands.
- Domoticz
It doesn’t get better than Domoticz, hands down when it comes to home automation. It’s the only open-source home automation system out there, meaning it is completely free to download and use. Not only that, but the software is also completely free. This means that Domoticz is available to anyone, regardless of their budget.
- FHEM
FHEM stands for Free Home Energy Monitor, and you can download it for free from its website. One of the top reasons people choose FHEM is because it’s open source. That means it’s constantly being updated and that it helps to ensure compatibility. FHEM is currently compatible with the Nest, SmartThings, and Vera smart home systems. With FHEM, you can schedule your thermostat, lights, and appliances. You can even use FHEM to monitor your power usage and find out if your home is energy efficient. This could even help you if there’s a necessity for your home to be prepared for inspections or approval and compliance – like getting a 6 star energy rating for a building. Monitoring your home’s energy usage can give you plenty of information even about structures and insulation so that you can take steps to reduce energy use further, if possible.
This data can also help you decide whether there is a need of switching to an alternative and cheaper source of energy, so as to reduce the electricity bill. Many homeowners consider propane heating systems or bioheat fuel oil from the likes of BlueOx Energy which could help reduce energy and emissions. You can probably also switch to solar energy from providers like Sunrun, Tesla, or Sunnova. But yes, you may need to research installation costs. This is because the installation costs of different companies may vary significantly. Apparently, companies that provide solar energy also wish to find ways to lower the overall costs involved, especially because the average cost of sunrun solar and others seem to be running high these days. By comparing the prices of various firms, you can shortlist one to avail affordable source of energy for your home needs.
- OpenMotics
Home automation software is the way these devices talk to each other, and your smart home-of-choice offers multiple software options, or platforms, that control various aspects of your home. Regardless of which platform you choose, all home automation platforms work using the same basic principles. They allow you to switch devices on and off, control them from a remote location, and automate the jobs you do regularly in your home. And it all works together so that you can control your home’s temperature, lighting, door locks, and of your appliances, all from one central system.
- Jeedom
There are many smart home automation software solutions on the market today, but one stands out to us as the clear winner. That winner? Jeedom. Jeedom is the smart home software service we use here at Smarter Home IQ. It’s intuitive, has tons of features, and is easy to set up and use. If you don’t have the time, energy, or skill to build your own smart home, Jeedom is the smart home automation software service you can trust.
- openHAB
The smart home is quickly evolving. Soon, we will no longer be tied to our smartphones to control things in our homes. Instead, there will be intelligent sensors all over the house, and one way for us to manage them will be through smart home automation software. One of the most popular platforms for home automation is OpenHab.
- Home Assistant
OpenHAB is a very popular piece of smart home software; it has been referenced more than 30,000 times in other open-source projects. It is also gaining traction in the commercial market, with more than 50 commercial partners. OpenHAB is an open-source, Java-based framework that makes it easy to build solutions that combine the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and service-oriented architectures.
- ioBroker
ioBroker is a home automation software service created by category-leading iControl Networks, which was the first company to introduce a home automation system. ioBroker provides access to thousands of devices from 40+ manufacturers, giving users the ability to control their Smart Home in an easy-to-use interface. Using ioBroker, users can control their home or business via a mobile app or online. With ioBroker’s brand new API, developers can integrate home automation apps with ioBroker, giving users even more control. Plus, one ioBroker account can control up to 30 devices.
Smart home technology has quickly infiltrated our lifestyles. And if not for you, then for a family member or friend. You’ve probably seen what smart home technology can do, from temperature control, home security, smart light bulbs, speaker systems, and more. If you’re thinking of investing in smart home technology, you’re probably searching for the best home automation software.