HOOBS vs Homebridge – Which Is Better?

Smart home automation offers infinite opportunities. You can control how lights, thermostats, smart TVs, or locks work with a smartphone tap or voice command.

But not all your favorite devices will follow your commands or respond to your phone taps. That is where bridge software becomes crucial, and the most popular ones are HOOBS (Homebridge Out Of the Box) and Homebridge.

With these two platforms, you can integrate a non-HomeKit gadget with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem and use an iOS device to control the device.

Choosing between HOOBS and Homebridge can be challenging, particularly for those new to smart home devices.

But don’t worry. In this post, I will focus on HOOBS vs Homebridge, helping you pick the right tool for your needs.

Let’s dive in.

What is HOOBS?

HOOBS is a software platform that makes smart devices work with any ecosystem, such as Apple’s HomeKit.

It’s difficult to find compatible gadgets or services that all communicate with each other effectively. But bridge software like HOOBS makes this possible.

Whether an advanced user or a beginner, you will find HOOBS easy to use and simplify your home automation. HOOBS also enhances Homebridge setup and management.

Homebridge lets you integrate non-HomeKit gadgets into the HomeKit ecosystem. You can find plugins for different purposes, including smart cameras, curtains, lights, etc.

Setting up HOOBS is easy. You should install it on your Windows PC, Mac, or Raspberry Pi. After installation, you can add smart accessories to the interface and start configuration.

What is Homebridge?

Homebridge is a software framework that connects non-HomeKit smart gadgets to Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. It uses more than 2,000 plugins to ensure various home automation gadgets integrate with HomeKit.

You can use the plugins to integrate several devices, including smart doorbells, smart speakers, smart thermostats, and more, into the HomeKit setup.

You should start by installing Homebridge hardware that’s ever on and linked to your home network. The device could be a Synology NAS, Raspberry Pi, Mac, or Windows computer.

The next step is to configure Homebridge. You need to specify the devices you would like to connect to HomeKit. Configuration requires that you modify the JSON file and define particular devices, their features, and how you want them to behave in the HomeKit ecosystem.

You should add the necessary plugins for the devices you want to connect with HomeKit.

Homebridge depends on a variety of community-supported plugins that are device-specific. The plugins have a unique code communicating with non-HomeKit devices, making them resemble HomeKit devices.

After adding your smart devices to HomeKit, it’s time to start controlling them using Siri’s voice commands or using the Home app on an iOS device.

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HOOBS and Homebridge: Key Features

HOOBS

• Plugin Library – The built-in plugin collection allows for easy installation and management of Homebridge plugins. With these plugins, you can add support for new devices to Homebridge.
• Device discovery – This feature lets HOOBS automatically discover and configure any devices on your home network.
• Web interface – The interface helps you manage Homebridge. Simply, users with little technical knowledge can set it up manually.
• Device grouping – The feature lets you group devices into zones or rooms for easy control and automation of your smart home.
• Remote access – You can access the HomeKit setup wherever you are and check the devices’ status.
• Automation and schedules – You can create and automate tasks for your smart home devices. Examples of such tasks are turning off your thermostat when leaving home or turning on all lights during sunset.

Homebridge

• Plugin support – Use over 2,000 plugins to add support for a new smart device.
• Open-source – It’s free to use and modify.
• Siri integration – After adding your smart devices to HomeKit, use Siri commands to control them.
• HomeKit automation – You can set rules that automatically control the smart devices depending on triggers like time, location, and more.
• Local control – You can store HomeKit data locally on your Apple device, allowing you to control smart devices without an internet connection. This feature protects your privacy, too.
• Community support – A large community of developers and users provides useful information and support for Homebridge.

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Ease of Use

HOOBS

HOOBS has a web interface that allows you to install, configure, and manage Homebridge plugins without editing any configuration file. Anyone without technical expertise can use HOOBS, making it accessible to more people.

Homebridge

You will need technical knowledge to set up Homebridge, configure it, and manage the plugins. To configure Homebridge, you need to edit a JSON configuration file, which involves defining specific devices, their features, and how you want them to behave in a HomeKit ecosystem.

Verdict

HOOBS has a simple web interface, making it easier to set up and configure than Homebridge, which requires knowledge of JSON and the command-line interface.

Plugin Management

HOOBS

HOOBS features a dedicated plugin store that you can access from the web interface. You can search the store to find a plugin you want. You can also install, remove, or update plugins easily.

Homebridge

Homebridge has thousands of plugins for different purposes, with a large community of developers creating more plugins to connect to various devices. After searching for your desired plugin, you need to install it using a command-line tool.

Each Homebridge plugin has a JSON configuration section; users not versed with the JSON syntax can find installing or updating these plugins challenging.

You will be required to manually update a plugin by installing its latest version. This process requires command-line tools, as well.

Verdict

While both HOOBS and Homebridge have a plugin repository, installing and updating plugins on HOOBS is easier than on Homebridge.

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Configuration

HOOBS

You need to use the graphical interface to interact with the HOOBS, meaning there’s no manual editing of JSON configuration files.

You can also configure accessories, such as smart home devices, using the web interface. The configuration process includes naming, defining device characteristics, stating device identifiers, and specifying device behavior.

HOOBS also lets you configure the Homebridge bridge by setting up pairing PINs, providing the bridge name, and more bridge-based settings via the platform’s web interface.

Besides, HOOBS gives you options to back up the configuration. The backup can be useful when recovering or transferring the setup to another device. Most importantly, you can access the backup via the web interface.

Homebridge

Homebridge requires creating a configuration file containing relevant details about the plugins and devices you intend to use.

Homebridge configuration entails a manual edit of the JSON files. You will need to create a JSON file or modify an existing one, defining the devices you would like to add or configure.

Each plugin and device has a unique JSON configuration section whose formatting must align with Homebridge’s specifications. Editing or creating these configuration files requires the knowledge of JSON syntax.

The Homebridge bridge comes configured with the JSON configuration file, including settings such as PIN, name, and other bridge-specific information.

Additionally, Homebridge requires users to back up their configuration files manually. The backup helps to safeguard the setup or migrate it to another system.

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Verdict

HOOBS has a pre-configured system and a web user interface for effortless configuration. On the other hand, Homebridge requires manually creating and managing a configuration file through a JSON syntax.

Customization

HOOBS

HOOBS provides limited customization. It features pre-designed plugins, making it difficult for users to customize them.

Homebridge

Homebridge offers more customization, allowing you to conduct plugin installation and configuration. Thousands of plugins exist, making it possible to connect a wide variety of non-HomeKit devices to HomeKit.

For example, you can connect devices from renowned brands like Sonoff, Philips, Aqara, and Hue.

Moreover, Homebridge allows you to build custom plugins, giving you total control over the HomeKit setup. The customization suits users with specific needs or those interested in connecting devices unsupported by the available plugins.

For instance, you can create a plugin that allows a specific switch to control your Philips thermostat.

The other level of customization lets you set custom automation rules on how a device should interact with another device. For example, you can create a rule that turns on all lights when you arrive home.

Verdict

Homebridge provides more room for customization than HOOBS.

Community Support

HOOBS

HOOBS has a community with active members who help each other and create new plugins. However, the community is small, but users still find it supportive.

You can find the HOOBS community on different platforms, such as the community on the HOOBS website, Facebook group (4.9k members), Reddit (7.1k members), Discord (2228 members), and GitHub.

Homebridge

Homebridge has a massive community of active developers and users providing support and creating helpful plugins. The community offers incredible resources and knowledge to Homebridge users.

This community is active on various platforms, including Reddit, GitHub, and Discord. Reddit has a community of at least 68,900 users. On GitHub, the community consists of over 1,000 contributors and at least 2,000 plugins.

Users in these communities can ask questions and have other users respond. For example, if someone has problems using one of the Homebridge plugins, they often describe the issue in the community. The plugin developers and other people conversant with the plugin can help the user debug the issue.

Joining the Homebridge community on GitHub gives you access to verified plugins that the Homebridge project has reviewed to ensure they meet specific requirements for improved user experience.

The GitHub community offers GitHub workflows to reuse for hassle-free setup and management of Homebridge installation.

The other benefit of joining the GitHub community is to receive maintenance and updates for your Homebridge installation. The community works hard to maintain the platform and posts all the latest improvements and developments.

Verdict

Homebridge has a bigger forum with more plugins and resources than HOOBS.

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Compatibility

HOOBS

HOOBS allows you to introduce various non-HomeKit devices to your preferred ecosystem, such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home.

In other words, managing and controlling devices not originally intended for the Apple HomeKit, like smart cameras and doorbells, is possible.

HOOBS’ plug-and-play hub can integrate more than 2,000 accessories into any ecosystem, making it highly compatible.

Homebridge

Homebridge supports many smart devices, including those that don’t work with HomeKit natively.

Homebridge uses several community-contributed plugins to achieve compatibility. Each plugin supports a specific smart device, like a doorbell, thermostat, smart TV, and more.

After installing a plugin, Homebridge automatically scans your network for the smart devices that the plugin supports. The platform then integrates the devices with HomeKit.

Thus, using one app, the Home app, you can control several smart devices, despite their brand type. You also don’t need to wait until the manufacturer releases a device version compatible with HomeKit.

For instance, if you wish to include a new thermostat in HomeKit, simply find the thermostat’s Homebridge plugin and install it. It will automatically be added to the HomeKit ecosystem.

Besides, you can control the devices using Siri commands.

Verdict

Both platforms are compatible with many devices and can integrate with other ecosystems using plugins.

Cost

HOOBS

HOOBS isn’t free; it comes at a one-time cost. The cost depends on which hardware you select. For example, a HOOBS Box compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home costs $249.99.

Other HOOBS devices include the HOOBS Pro, which costs $399.99, and the HOOBS microSD, which costs $29.

Homebridge

Homebridge is a free and open-source platform, so you don’t need to pay anything to download or use it. But remember, you will need hardware to make it work. The hardware could be a Synology NAS, Raspberry Pi, or a Windows or Mac computer.

HOOBS vs Homebridge: Pros and Cons

HOOBS

Pros

• Easy to configure and use
• Supports a wide range of devices
• Available resources and support from the community
• Receives regular updates to make it better
• Offers a plug-and-play hub able to connect at least 2,000 accessories to different ecosystems
• Makes smart accessories compatible with several ecosystems, including Google Home, Apple’s HomeKit, and Amazon Alexa

Cons

• Limited customization
• It’s not free

Homebridge

Pros

• Free and open-source
• Provides more flexibility and customization
• Works with a broad variety of plugins (over 2,000)
• There’s a huge community of users to offer help
• Offers compatibility with more devices

Cons

• Setup and configuration require technical knowledge
• Lacks a native user interface, making it less user-friendly
• Has limited automation functionalities.

Homebridge vs HOOBS: Similarities and Differences

Similarities

• Both platforms bridge the gap between smart devices and an ecosystem like Apple’s HomeKit
• Both have numerous plugins to make the integration between devices and ecosystems easy.
• Both allow you to create rules and automate how smart devices work

Differences

• HOOBS comes with a pre-configured system, while Homebridge requires manual configuration.
• HOOBS is easy to set up and use, but Homebridge requires technical knowledge.
• HOOBS is paid, whereas Homebridge is free.
• Homebridge offers more customization than HOOBS.
• Homebridge has a bigger community than HOOBS.

Conclusion

The HOOBS vs Homebridge comparison is a tough one. However, I would choose Homebridge.

This is because it’s free and open-source, highly customizable, and even though it requires technical skills, there is a large community with helpful resources to check and ask for help.

Also, its GitHub repository has over 2,000 plugins, allowing you to add any device to Apple’s HomeKit.