OpenRemote

Overview

OpenRemote is a self-hostable IoT management platform for professional integrators and organizations such as manufacturers and governments. Its broad protocol support and flexible automation make it a strong fit for complex deployments; teams seeking a hosted service without deployment or licensing decisions should look elsewhere.

Key features

Teams can define asset types and the attributes they need to monitor, then connect devices and data sources through agents for HTTP, SNMP, ModBus, MQTT, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, Serial, TCP, UDP, KNX, Velbus and openWeather. That range can simplify integration across varied systems, although operating the platform still calls for deployment capability.

Automation spans When-Then rules, a visual Flow Editor and Groovy scripting. The choice accommodates both visual workflows and code-driven control, but scripting is less suited to teams that want to avoid code altogether. Dashboards combine live monitoring, historical trends and threshold alerts, while real-time stream processing and machine learning tools support further analysis.

A unified REST API and WebSockets expose assets and attributes. Keycloak provides OAuth2/OpenID Connect and role-based access control, and Realms isolate users and data logically. Hawkbit integration supports edge-device firmware updates and security patch rollouts, making device upkeep part of the platform's scope.

OpenRemote is container-first, with a Docker Compose setup for its manager, database, identity service and map server. That offers a defined self-hosting route, but it is not the same as turnkey managed deployment. The AGPLv3 license also matters: organizations seeking an exemption from its stated source-sharing obligation for closely interacting additional software can consider a commercial license.

Pricing

The Professional Community plan is free and includes the full-featured IoT platform, self-hosting, AWS Marketplace access and community support. It suits teams able to run the platform themselves and rely on community help.

Support Voucher has custom pricing and adds email support, training and consultancy, with 40 support hours valid for eight months. It retains self-hosting and the full platform, so it fits teams wanting bounded assistance without managed hosting.

Managed Service has custom pricing and includes managed hosting, company CI/CD, a custom mobile app, an SLA, concept and platform feature development, training and consultancy; a commercial license is optional. It is the more appropriate choice for organizations that want operational and development support, but the price is request-based rather than a published subscription.

Platforms

OpenRemote supports Android, iOS, Linux, web, API access and self-hosted deployment. The container-first setup makes self-hosting central to the deployment model.

Who it's for

Professional integrators, manufacturers, system integrators and governments are the clearest fit, particularly where deployments need multiple protocols, configurable asset models, access controls and device updates. It is less suitable for buyers who prioritize a ready-managed service at a published price or who cannot accommodate AGPLv3 obligations.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad built-in protocol coverage and configurable assets can bring diverse systems into one management platform.
• Pros: Visual and scripted automation, dashboards, alerts, APIs and device-update support cover a wide range of operational needs.
• Pros: Free self-hosting includes the full platform, with paid support and managed-service options for organizations needing more help.
• Cons: The container-first deployment puts hosting responsibility on self-hosting users.
• Cons: AGPLv3 terms may require a commercial license for organizations seeking an exemption for closely interacting additional software.
• Cons: Support Voucher and Managed Service use custom pricing, making their costs harder to compare upfront.

Alternatives

ThingsBoard is worth comparing for buyers seeking a freemium platform with a free tier capped at five devices, five assets and one million data points per month, plus a listed paid Prototype plan.

Arduino IDE is a different option for users focused on an open-source development environment with autocompletion, code navigation and live debugging.

Datacake may suit smaller deployments that can work within its free plan's five-device cap, or users who want a listed Hobby plan priced at €25 a month for up to 25 devices.

Ubidots offers a free STEM plan for non-commercial projects with three devices, making it a relevant alternative for small non-commercial uses.

Losant Enterprise IoT Platform has a freemium model and a Launch plan priced at $250 a month, with 100,000 monthly payloads and 90 days of data retention.

Kaa IoT Platform offers a free five-device plan and a Kaa Cloud 5 plan at $9.99 a month, which may appeal to teams starting with a small device count.

Mender is a more focused alternative for teams prioritizing open-source over-the-air update features; its free plan includes core update features, with a Basic plan at $34 a month for up to 50 devices.

Tuya IoT Development Platform is another option for buyers comparing paid IoT platforms.

The IoT Device Management Platforms and IoT Analytics Software lists offer broader comparisons by category.

Verdict

Choose OpenRemote if you need a flexible, full-featured IoT platform that you can self-host and tailor across protocols, assets and automation. Its breadth and free Community option are compelling; the principal reasons to look elsewhere are the operational burden of self-hosting and the licensing implications of AGPLv3.