Top Android Things Alternatives for Your IoT Projects
Android Things, formerly known as Project Brillo, was Google's ambitious IoT (Internet of Things) platform designed to help developers build connected devices for a wide range of consumer, retail, and industrial applications. While it offered a familiar Android development environment, the platform's evolution has led many to seek robust and flexible Android Things alternatives. This article explores some of the best options available today for your smart home and IoT initiatives.
Best Android Things Alternatives
Whether you're looking for open-source flexibility, comprehensive smart home integration, or specialized features, these alternatives offer compelling solutions for your IoT development.
openHAB
openHAB is an excellent open-source, vendor, and technology-agnostic home automation platform that empowers smart homes. It runs on a wide array of platforms including Free, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, Self-Hosted, and Kodi. As a strong Android Things alternative, openHAB offers extensive features like support for KNX, a modular system, support for multiple protocols and vendors, privacy-focused design, MQTT, Alexa and Google Home integration, Broadlink, HomeKit, IFTTT, Java, Philips Hue, Z-Wave, and support for Xiaomi MiHome and ZigBee, making it incredibly versatile for diverse IoT projects.
Google Home
Google Home is a free platform available on Windows, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, iPad, and Chrome, primarily used to set up, manage, and control Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, and Google Home devices. While more consumer-focused than Android Things, its robust ecosystem for smart home device integration, particularly with its Apps with Chromecast Support and support for IPTV, makes it a viable choice for projects centered around Google's smart home devices.
ioBroker
ioBroker is a free, open-source integration platform for the Internet of Things, with a strong focus on Smart Home, Building Automation, Smart Metering, Ambient Assisted Living, and Process Automation. It's compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, iPad, Self-Hosted, and Node.JS. As a powerful Android Things alternative, ioBroker offers features such as Alexa integration, high availability, visual programming with a Blockly Editor, support for KNX, a modular system, support for multiple vendors, support for NodeJS, and voice commands, providing a comprehensive toolkit for developers.
Domoticz
Domoticz is a free, open-source home automation system that allows users to monitor and configure various devices like lights, switches, and sensors for temperature, rain, wind, and UV. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a solid Android Things alternative for those seeking a self-hosted and highly customizable solution. Its key feature is extensive support for Xiaomi MiHome devices, catering to users within that ecosystem.
Nest Mobile
Nest Mobile is a free application for iPhone and iPad, primarily focused on controlling Nest devices such as thermostats. While less of a broad development platform than Android Things, its features like remote monitoring, hardware monitoring, and IFTTT integration make it a strong Android Things alternative for projects specifically involving Nest hardware or general remote control of smart home climate and security. It also surprisingly lists cryptocurrency as a feature.
Jeedom
Jeedom is a complete home-automation software that allows users to manage safety, automate heating, and much more. It's a free personal solution available on Linux, My Sensors, Raspbian, and Raspberry Pi, making it an excellent Android Things alternative for hardware-focused IoT projects, especially on single-board computers. Its key feature includes cryptocurrency integration, which might be appealing for certain niche applications.
Control-Freak
Control-Freak is a free, open-source, and self-hosted general-purpose tool designed to manage, program, and automate machines, services, and applications. Its portability, MQTT support, and PHP integration make it a flexible Android Things alternative for developers looking for a lightweight yet powerful automation solution. It also includes cryptocurrency as a feature, indicating potential for specific blockchain-related IoT applications.
DataGekko
DataGekko is a freemium enterprise-grade metrics-as-a-service solution available on the web, empowering data-driven businesses without the hassle of building and maintaining infrastructure. While not a direct IoT platform like Android Things, its focus on IOT Analytics makes it a crucial alternative for projects where data collection, analysis, and visualization are paramount, complementing other IoT platforms by providing a powerful backend for data insights.
Gideon Smart Home
Gideon Smart Home is a free connected home app available on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, offering full control of all smart devices, from entertainment systems to security, heating, and lighting. While it functions primarily as a control interface rather than a development platform like Android Things, its broad device compatibility and features like cryptocurrency integration make it a viable alternative for users seeking a unified smart home management solution.
The landscape of IoT development is rich with diverse platforms. Exploring these Android Things alternatives will help you find the best fit for your specific project requirements, whether you prioritize open-source flexibility, commercial support, or specialized smart home integration.