Side by side
Amazon Alexa vs OpenRemote
Both stand on home automation & smart home software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Amazon Alexa if you want voice control for compatible home devices, music, and tasks through an app or Alexa-enabled device. Alexa+ adds conversational assistance and broad service integrations; check regional availability and the $19.99 monthly subscription price for the full experience.
Visit Amazon AlexaOpenRemote brings asset management, automation, protocol connectivity, dashboards, and access controls together in a self-hostable platform. Its AGPLv3 licensing and container-first deployment are key considerations for organizations evaluating it.
Visit OpenRemoteThe facts
| Amazon Alexa | OpenRemote | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Alexa+ subscription: $19.99 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 6 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | amazon.com | openremote.io |
| On home automation & smart home software | #2 of 18 | #1 of 18 |
Amazon Alexa: what it does well
- Controls a range of compatible smart home devices.
- Voice-created Routines combine multiple actions.
- Alexa+ remembers context and offers four response styles.
- Works with listed services.
- Privacy settings allow review and deletion of requests.
What to know first
- Alexa+ feature availability varies by region.
- The Alexa+ chat plan is limited-use and text-based.
- Alexa+ subscription is $19.99 per month.
OpenRemote: what it does well
- Supports a broad range of built-in protocol agents
- Offers REST API and WebSockets
- Includes dashboard monitoring, trends, and threshold alerts
- Docker Compose deployment is provided
What to know first
- Commercial licenses are needed for the stated source-sharing exemption
- Community support is included in the free option
Alternatives to Amazon Alexa Alternatives to OpenRemote The whole list