Hubitat, HomeAssistant, or none for a simple smart home setup?

Smart Home Forum
1

I currently have a basic setup with several Hue lights and am considering expanding. I’m debating whether to continue with Hue because of the simplicity and reliability of their switches, dimmers, and sensors, even though it’s quite expensive. Alternatively, I could mix different smart switches, lights, and sensors from various brands. Would HomeKit suffice for this, or should I consider Hubitat or HomeAssistant, despite their steep learning curves? Any insights or factors I should consider would be greatly appreciated.

Edit
I’m familiar with general concepts like ZigBee, Z-Wave, and setting up logical controls.

2

@RodahHarries
Thanks! I recall considering Inovelli and Zooz before. It’s reassuring to know they are still highly recommended. I’ll revisit them.

3

Your choice depends on how much you enjoy tinkering. Home Assistant is great if you’re tech-savvy and enjoy managing your system. Hubitat offers ease of use and is quite intuitive without needing much programming. Both have vibrant communities for support and are compatible with numerous devices.

4

@Brooklyn
I do enjoy tinkering, but also want something that reliably works most of the time. Seems like Hubitat could be a good balance. Thanks for the insight!

5

@Model
Agreed. I find I spend less time maintaining Home Assistant and more time exploring new automations or devices.

6

@Model
The only adjustments I’ve made were due to updates that deprecated old configurations, but the system is stable.

7

@Model
I opted for Hubitat due to a recent sale but am still open to experimenting with Home Assistant in the future.

8

Brent said:
@Brooklyn
I do enjoy tinkering, but also want something that reliably works most of the time. Seems like Hubitat could be a good balance. Thanks for the insight!

Home Assistant has been very stable for me, even on the latest updates. Just ensure not to overload it with too many custom components.

9

@Brooklyn
Home Assistant isn’t as complex as it seems. It has become more user-friendly over time, especially with the addition of GUI-based configuration tools.

10

I’ve successfully integrated my Hue devices with Home Assistant and found it offers more flexibility compared to other systems.

11

I started with Hubitat but moved to Home Assistant as I expanded my smart home due to its superior flexibility and support for a wider range of devices.

12

Expanding your smart home setup with a mix of devices and brands doesn’t have to be expensive. With careful selection, you can achieve a robust setup without breaking the bank.

13

If you have a technical background or enjoy DIY projects, Home Assistant offers more customization and integration possibilities. Hubitat is simpler and may suffice if you prefer a more straightforward setup.

14

@Esther
Comparing the cost and capabilities, a Raspberry Pi setup with Home Assistant could be more economical than Hubitat, especially when considering the need for extensive customization.

15

Chance said:
@Esther
Comparing the cost and capabilities, a Raspberry Pi setup with Home Assistant could be more economical than Hubitat, especially when considering the need for extensive customization.

Exactly, the initial cost might be lower, and the flexibility with Home Assistant is certainly greater.

16

Having started with Hubitat and moved to Home Assistant, I can say that Home Assistant’s development and community support make it a superior choice for a growing smart home.

17

Many users start with Hubitat but eventually switch to Home Assistant for its broad support and vibrant community. It’s a powerful platform once you get past the initial learning curve.

18

Reynaldo said:
Many users start with Hubitat but eventually switch to Home Assistant for its broad support and vibrant community. It’s a powerful platform once you get past the initial learning curve.

For a more updated experience, the new Hubitat models offer features that might be compelling enough to consider staying with or switching to Hubitat.

19

If you’re already comfortable with Hue’s quality and don’t mind the price, sticking with it for reliability is a solid choice. HomeKit can handle it well, too. But if you’re up for mixing brands and adding complexity, HomeAssistant or Hubitat opens a lot more control and customization. Just know, they’ll take some setup effort, especially if you plan to mix ZigBee and Z-Wave devices. For maximum flexibility and future-proofing, Hubitat or HomeAssistant is your best bet, but they’re not as plug-and-play as Hue with HomeKit.