Until now, the HomeyOS smart home operating system was only available in combination with hardware. Control hubs such as the Homey Pro or Homey Mini run on it. That is now changing. With immediate effect, the Dutch developer Athom is also offering a software-only solution. The Homey Self-Hosted Server (link) is designed for installation on users’ own hardware. It targets power users and enthusiasts who want full control over their smart home – including local processing, Matter support, and integration of traditional building automation protocols.
Smart Home Server for the Local LAN
Homey Self-Hosted Server acts as a local smart home platform that connects Matter devices directly in the LAN and also links into existing Thread networks via available Thread Border Routers. In parallel, Modbus TCP, KNX IP and a variety of local IP APIs can also be integrated via LAN – interesting for users who want to combine classic building technology with the modern Matter world. The system thus positions itself as a commercial alternative to the open source platform Home Assistant, which Matter has also supported for some time.
Runs on Raspberry Pi, NAS, and More
The software runs on common standard hardware such as Raspberry Pi, Windows or macOS computers, Linux servers, as well as virtualization and NAS platforms including Docker, Synology, QNAP, Proxmox, and TrueNAS. In principle, any system capable of running Linux is sufficient – from a homelab server to an existing NAS installation in a network cabinet. This is another example of how Matter is not an exclusive feature of large corporations but can also be used quite independently of their platforms.
Adding Wireless Protocols via Homey Bridge
Wireless protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth LE, 433 MHz, and infrared can be added to Homey Self-Hosted Server by pairing it with the separately available Homey Bridge (link) . Multiple bridges can be used in “Satellite Mode” to extend wireless coverage throughout the home, making it possible to cover larger or more complex buildings.
Automation on Par with Homey Pro
Furthermore, the self-hosted server is intended to be equivalent to a Homey Pro: according to the manufacturer, it supports more than 50,000 devices from over 1,000 brands. Automation features such as Homey Flow and Advanced Flow are available, as are Homey Energy, Insights, Dashboards, and apps from the official and community app stores. Cloud services such as remote access, OTA updates, and voice assistant integration are also available, according to Athom’s announcement. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri can already be connected via Homey’s Matter Bridge.
Privacy, Backups, and Pricing
Data processing takes place locally on the user’s own hardware, without profiling or other intrusions into privacy. Backups can be created free of charge via the file system of the respective platform. Homey Self-Hosted Server is available worldwide with immediate effect. Each new installation starts with a one-month free trial; afterward, the service costs $4.99 per month or a one-time fee of $149 for a lifetime license, which can be transferred to a new system in the event of a hardware change.
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