OpenRemote

Overview

OpenRemote is a self-hosted IoT platform for professional integrators and organizations that need to bring varied devices and data sources together. It is a strong fit for teams that want control over integration and deployment; organizations seeking a ready-managed service or avoiding open-source licensing obligations should weigh other options.

Key features

Teams can define their own asset types and tracked attributes, then connect systems through agents for HTTP, SNMP, ModBus, MQTT, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, Serial, TCP, UDP, KNX, Velbus and openWeather. That breadth is useful in mixed environments, where a single platform can handle many connection types. The tradeoff is that the flexible setup is aimed at professional integrators rather than buyers looking for a narrowly packaged device tool.

Automation ranges from When-Then rules and a visual Flow Editor to Groovy scripting. This gives teams room to start with visual workflows and use code when they need more control, though Groovy is not a fit for teams that want to avoid scripting altogether. Dashboards support live monitoring, historical trends and threshold alerts; real-time stream processing and machine-learning tools extend the analytical scope.

A unified REST API and WebSockets expose assets and attributes to other systems. Keycloak provides OAuth2/OpenID Connect and role-based access control, while Realms logically separate users and data. Hawkbit integration supports edge-device firmware updates and security patch rollouts, bringing device maintenance into the same platform.

OpenRemote is container-first, with a Docker Compose deployment covering its manager, database, identity service and map server. Self-hosting gives organizations deployment control, but also means they must be prepared to operate the platform. The code is under AGPLv3; organizations that need an exemption from its source-sharing obligation for closely interacting additional software can seek a commercial license.

Pricing

OpenRemote offers a free Professional Community option with the full-featured platform, self-hosting, AWS Marketplace access and community support. It suits technically capable teams that can manage their own deployment and rely on community help.

The Support Voucher adds email support for issues, training and consultancy, with 40 hours of support valid for eight months. It is a better fit for teams that want expert assistance without moving to managed hosting. The Managed Service plan includes managed hosting, company CI/CD, a custom mobile app, an SLA, concept and platform-feature development, training and consultancy; an optional commercial license is also available. This is the more suitable route for organizations wanting provider involvement in operations and development. Both paid plans use custom pricing.

All three options include the full-featured platform, so the choice is chiefly about support and hosting rather than a reduced feature tier. The Community option leaves support to the community; the voucher is time-limited, while Managed Service adds hosted operation and an SLA. Teams should account for the AGPLv3 terms or consider the optional commercial license where applicable.

Platforms

OpenRemote supports Android, iOS, Linux, web, API access and self-hosted deployment. Its container-first approach makes self-hosting central to the deployment model, while the mobile platforms and APIs support access beyond the server environment.

Who it's for

Manufacturers, system integrators and governments are among the intended audiences, and the platform is explicitly designed for professional integrators. It is particularly suited to organizations managing varied assets, protocols and automation in one system. A team without deployment capacity may prefer the Managed Service; those unwilling to accept the AGPLv3 terms should examine licensing before adopting it.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad built-in protocol coverage can reduce separate integration work across heterogeneous systems.
• Flexible asset definitions, visual and scripted automation, dashboards and APIs serve both operational monitoring and system integration needs.
• Firmware-update support, identity controls and logical data separation cover important management and access requirements.

Cons

• Container-first self-hosting places deployment and operation demands on the customer unless they choose Managed Service.
• Groovy scripting may be a barrier for teams seeking strictly no-code automation.
• AGPLv3 source-sharing terms require attention, and the commercial-license route may be necessary for some organizations.

Alternatives

ThingsBoard is worth considering for buyers who prefer a freemium alternative with a free tier capped at five devices, five assets and one million data points per month, plus a free trial.

Thinger.io may suit teams comparing cloud-oriented device capacities: its Cloud Small plan covers 100 devices and 40 GB of storage, while Cloud Medium covers 1,000 devices.

Datacake is a more defined small-deployment option, with a free five-device plan and a Hobby plan at €25 a month for up to 25 devices and one year of data retention.

Ubidots may be preferable for non-commercial projects, with a free STEM plan for three devices and a free trial.

Arduino IDE is a different kind of choice for developers who want an open-source coding environment rather than an IoT management platform.

Kaa IoT Platform offers a freemium route with a five-device free plan and a $9.99 a month cloud option for up to five devices.

Losant Enterprise IoT Platform is another freemium alternative, with a Launch plan at $250 a month covering 100,000 payloads monthly and 90 days of data retention.

Mender is the more focused alternative when over-the-air device updates are the priority; its free tier includes core update features, and its Basic plan covers up to 50 devices for $34 a month.

For broader category comparisons, see IoT Device Management Platforms and IoT Analytics Software.

Verdict

OpenRemote is best for professional integrators and organizations that need a flexible, self-hosted IoT platform spanning protocols, automation, monitoring and device upkeep. Its strongest reason to choose it is the breadth of those capabilities within one system; the main reasons to look elsewhere are the operational burden of self-hosting and the need to assess AGPLv3 licensing carefully.