Side by side
BEMServer vs FTW
Both stand on energy management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
BEMServer offers a modular, open-source foundation for building monitoring, with data collection, processing, and a REST API. Plan for deployment expertise and possible service costs, and note that uses beyond building monitoring require extensions.
Visit BEMServer Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Choose FTW if you want to coordinate supported home energy equipment on a Raspberry Pi or Linux host, with planning based on tariffs, solar and household needs. Look elsewhere if you need a mature release, guided migration, or official support commitments.
Visit FTWThe facts
| BEMServer | FTW | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | bemserver.org | ftw.sourceful.energy |
| On energy management software | #1 of 25 | #3 of 25 |
BEMServer: what it does well
- Open-source software with no license fee
- Stores building models, time series, and events
- Provides a documented REST API
- Includes forecasting and fault-detection modules
What to know first
- Currently supports building monitoring only
- Deployment may require Python and Docker knowledge
- Installation was tested on Debian 9
- Services and selected modules may incur charges
FTW: what it does well
- Plans energy use around prices, tariffs, solar and household forecasts.
- Checks plans and commands against site and equipment limits.
- Keeps a local fallback if the planner is unavailable.
- Supports OCPP 1.6J and 2.0.1 chargers through its built-in server.
- Offers advanced energy monitoring, forecasting and automated utility data import.
What to know first
- The current release is an early 0.x beta.
- Guided transfer of older settings and history is not ready.
- Community support has no official warranty or response commitments.
- Energyplan use beyond a private household requires a separate written license.
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