Calaos
What Calaos is
Calaos is a free home automation system that connects household hardware to interfaces for control. It can automate connected devices according to time, ambience, or mood, and lets users share music across the home and play it in different rooms. Interfaces include touchscreen control, Android and iOS apps, and a web app reached through the server’s IP address. The software stack also includes a server and configuration tool. Its hardware list includes Wago PLC, KNX, MQTT, Zigbee via zigbee2mqtt, DMX via OLA, 1-Wire, Web API devices, receivers, cameras, Squeezebox, GPIO, Enphase, and Philips Hue via MQTT. Calaos supports local control, cameras, and energy monitoring. Calaos OS is a ready-to-use option for a dedicated 64-bit PC; it is based on Debian and runs application components in separate Podman containers. It records system state before software installations to support recovery if an update fails. The maker says the codebase was released under GPL after the original company closed in 2013.
Who it suits
Calaos suits people who want to control and automate connected home hardware through touchscreen, mobile, or web interfaces. Its self-hosted OS is intended for a dedicated computer that stays powered on and connected to the network.
What it does well
- Free across Android, iOS, Linux, web, and self-hosted.
- Supports local control, Zigbee, cameras, and energy monitoring.
- Automates connected items by time, ambience, or mood.
- System-state records support recovery after problematic updates.
What to know first
- A dedicated computer, USB stick, and network are required for Calaos OS.
- Not every input or output is controllable in every interface.
- Donated hardware support is not guaranteed.
Getting started
- Open the Calaos website
- Choose Android, iOS, Linux, web, or self-hosted access
- For Calaos OS, prepare a 64-bit PC that stays powered on, a USB stick, and a network connection
- Use Live mode to boot from USB without installing or changing the computer’s disk
- Install Calaos OS on a dedicated computer, then access the server through Calaos Home, mobile apps, or its web interface
- Use Calaos Installer, documented as compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, for configuration
Verdict
Calaos combines home automation, multiple control interfaces, and a wide listed set of hardware integrations. Check that the needed controls appear in your chosen interface and that your hardware is supported.
Questions
How much does Calaos cost?
Calaos uses a free pricing model and has a free plan.
Which platforms does Calaos support?
The listed platforms are Android, iOS, Linux, self-hosted, and web.
Is Calaos open source?
The maker says its codebase was released under the GPL after the original company closed in 2013.
What hardware can Calaos connect to?
The current list includes Wago PLC, KNX, MQTT, Zigbee through zigbee2mqtt, DMX through OLA, 1-Wire, Web API devices, receivers, cameras, Squeezebox, GPIO, Enphase, and Philips Hue through MQTT.
What does Calaos OS require?
It installs on a 64-bit PC; documentation recommends a permanently powered computer connected to the network by cable. A USB stick and network connection are also required, while a touchscreen is optional.
How can users get help?
The maker points users to a community wiki, forum, Discord server, and team email.
Facts from Calaos's own pages
- Automation
- Calaos can automate connected items by time, ambience, or mood. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Camera integration
- Yes · calaos.fr, 24 Sept 2026
- Data backup
- Calaos OS stores Calaos and service settings in one folder, which its documentation says makes backups simple. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Energy monitoring
- Yes · calaos.fr, 24 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · calaos.fr, 24 Sept 2026
- Hardware caveat
- The maker says donated hardware may help add support but does not guarantee that the hardware will work. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirement
- Calaos OS installs on a 64-bit PC, and its documentation recommends a permanently powered computer connected to the network by cable. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Installer
- Calaos Installer is a configuration tool, and its installer is documented as compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The current hardware list includes Wago PLC, KNX, MQTT, Zigbee via zigbee2mqtt, DMX via OLA, 1-Wire, Web API devices, receivers, cameras, Squeezebox, GPIO, Enphase, and Philips Hue via MQTT. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Interface limitation
- Not all types of input/output are displayed or controllable in every Calaos user interface. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- Its interfaces include Calaos Home for touchscreens, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and a web app reached through the server’s IP address. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Local control
- Yes · calaos.fr, 24 Sept 2026
- Music
- Calaos lets users share music across the house and play it in different rooms. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker says the codebase was released under the GPL after the original company closed in 2013. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Project history
- The Calaos site says the original French company closed in 2013 and its codebase was released as GPL, after which a community continued development. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Calaos is a home automation system that connects hardware to user interfaces for controlling a home. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Recovery
- Calaos OS records system state before software installations so users can roll back if an update goes wrong. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Calaos OS requires a computer that stays powered on, a USB stick, and a network connection; a touchscreen is optional. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- Calaos Remote UI panels communicate with the server using HMAC-SHA256 authentication. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Self-hosted
- Calaos OS is a preconfigured operating system installed on a dedicated computer that runs the Calaos server. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Self-hosted OS
- Calaos OS is a ready-to-use operating system installed on a dedicated home automation computer and includes the Calaos server and additional services. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Software
- Its software stack includes a server, touchscreen interface, HTML5 web app, configuration tool, and iOS and Android apps. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker points users to its community wiki, forum, Discord server, and team email for help. · calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
- System architecture
- Calaos OS is built on Debian, and its application components run in separate Podman containers. · doc.calaos.fr, 8 Oct 2026
Where Calaos stands on Freedom251
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