How Home Assistant evolved from a script to a full smart home OS
Home Assistant, an open-source smart home platform, has grown from a simple Python script into a full operating system. It now unifies devices from different brands under one local hub. Users can control everything through a single interface, but some features require a paid subscription.
The project started in 2013 as a basic automation tool. By 2017, it had expanded into hass.io, a dedicated operating system for smart homes. The platform allows complex automations beyond simple scheduling, all managed from one place.
In 2018, Nabu Casa GmbH was founded to support Home Assistant's development. Co-founder Pascal Vizeli, serving as CFO, focused the company on open-source cloud services. Their main offering, Home Assistant Cloud, provides remote access, cloud backups, and easier voice assistant integration.
The subscription costs €7.50 per month or €75 per year. Paid users get seamless Alexa and Google Assistant support, text-to-speech features, and help fund ongoing improvements. Without a subscription, connecting voice assistants requires manual technical setup.
Home Assistant organises devices into areas, zones, integrations, and apps. While powerful, this structure can overwhelm new users. To help, the project provides detailed documentation and an active community forum.
Home Assistant remains free for basic use, but cloud services and voice assistant integrations come at a cost. The platform continues to evolve, balancing open-source flexibility with paid convenience. Users can choose between self-managed setups or subscription-based features for a smoother experience.
