Home dashboard
View temperature, security cameras and presence information from a single web dashboard, with light and dark appearance options.
Gladys Assistant
Gladys Assistant is free, open-source smart-home software that runs on local hardware and supports dashboards, scenes, energy monitoring, voice control and a broad range of device integrations. It is designed for users who want self-hosted home automation with no required cloud service, with optional paid services for remote access and advanced features.
Local smart-home automation with Gladys Assistant
Gladys Assistant is free, open-source home-automation software for people who want to run their smart home on hardware they control. It operates locally on a home hub, allowing users to connect devices, organize them by room and manage the installation through a web interface.
The system combines dashboards, scenes, device integrations, energy monitoring and voice or message-based control. It supports open protocols such as Zigbee, Matter, MQTT and Z-Wave, plus integrations for selected consumer devices and community extensions. Gladys can be installed with Docker on Linux-compatible hardware, while an official 64-bit image supports Raspberry Pi 3, 4 and 5.
The core software does not require a subscription. Gladys Plus is an optional service for features including encrypted remote access, daily encrypted backups, voice assistants, camera streaming and AI, depending on the plan. Users who prefer to manage remote connectivity themselves can instead configure a VPN or reverse proxy.
Core capabilities
Scenes and automation
Build routines for actions such as turning on lights, starting music or brewing coffee without writing code.
Energy monitoring
Track electricity use, solar production and home-battery information in real time when supported by the connected integrations.
Voice and message control
Control devices with the built-in voice assistant or by sending messages from a phone.
Device integrations
Connect devices through Zigbee, Matter, MQTT and other supported protocols, with native and community-built integrations for additional brands and services.
Self-hosted operation
Run the core system on local hardware with no mandatory cloud service or tracking; automatic upgrades install new features and bug fixes.
Practical ways to use Gladys
Daily household routines
Combine lights, motion sensors, temperature readings and scenes to automate recurring routines such as morning lighting, evening controls or appliance actions.
Home monitoring and alerts
Use supported sensors and cameras to receive alerts for events such as excessive heat, an open refrigerator, water leaks or suspected intrusion.
Energy management
Bring electricity consumption, solar production and battery data into the home interface to observe usage and identify opportunities to reduce consumption.
Mixed-device installations
Connect lights, shutters, gates, appliances and other equipment from different ecosystems through supported protocols and integrations instead of managing each vendor separately.
Privacy-focused self-hosting
Run the system on a mini-PC, NAS, Raspberry Pi or existing Linux computer when local control and ownership of smart-home data are more important than a cloud-managed setup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source core software with no required subscription.
- Local operation keeps smart-home data on the user’s own machine and supports offline use.
- Supports widely used protocols and a range of native and community integrations.
- Visual scenes and dashboards let users manage automations without writing code.
- Can run on several hardware types, including mini-PCs, compatible NAS devices, Linux servers and Raspberry Pi models.
Cons
- The initial installation requires a compatible Linux or Docker environment and some technical setup, even though everyday control is designed to avoid terminal use.
- Remote access through Gladys Plus is optional paid functionality; self-managed VPN or reverse-proxy access requires additional technical work.
- Device compatibility is broad but integration availability and capabilities still need to be checked for each specific device.
FAQ
Is Gladys Assistant free?
Gladys Assistant is free and open-source, with no subscription required for the core self-hosted software. Optional Gladys Plus services add features such as encrypted remote access, backups, voice assistants and AI.
What hardware and software are needed?
Gladys runs locally on a home automation hub. The documented setup uses a Linux machine with Docker, such as a mini-PC, compatible NAS, server or older computer. A simplified official 64-bit image is also available for Raspberry Pi 3, 4 and 5.
How is Gladys installed?
The initial setup involves choosing compatible hardware, installing Linux where needed, running Gladys with Docker, then creating an administrator account and naming the home in the web interface. The documentation provides installation guides for mini-PCs, Synology NAS, Unraid NAS and Raspberry Pi.
Can Gladys work privately and be accessed remotely?
Yes. Gladys is designed to keep smart-home data on the local machine and does not require a cloud connection for its core operation. Access from outside the home can use Gladys Plus, which provides encrypted remote access, or a self-managed VPN or reverse proxy for more technical users.
Will Gladys work with existing smart-home devices?
Gladys supports open protocols including Zigbee, Matter, MQTT and Z-Wave, along with integrations for services and brands such as Philips Hue, SmartThings, TP-Link Kasa and Tapo, Shelly, Sonos, Reolink cameras and LG ThinQ. Availability and setup can vary by device, so the integration directory should be checked before purchase.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Smart home and home automation
- Deployment
- Self-hosted on local hardware
- Primary platform
- Linux with Docker; official 64-bit Raspberry Pi image also available
- Protocols
- Zigbee, Matter, MQTT and Z-Wave
- Core pricing
- Free and open-source; no subscription required
- Optional service
- Gladys Plus adds services such as encrypted remote access, backups, voice assistants and AI
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