SEPIA
SEPIA is an open-source framework and cross-platform app for building a private, customizable digital voice assistant.
What SEPIA is
SEPIA is an open-source framework and cross-platform app for building a private, customizable digital voice assistant. Its self-hosted server handles the database, accounts, natural-language understanding, and chat. The assistant accepts spoken or typed requests and can ask follow-up questions when a service needs more information. Documented services include news, radio, timers, alarms, reminders, to-do and shopping lists, smart home, navigation, weather, Wikipedia, and web search. Users can create commands in the app, build voice services with the Java SDK, or replace framework modules. Integrations include openHAB and, according to SEPIA-Home release notes, Home Assistant. Speech recognition and text-to-speech can use native platform APIs or compatible server tools. Clients run in browsers, Android, and iOS, while server guidance covers Windows, Mac, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. Self-hosting keeps users in control of data. SEPIA does not currently host public servers, so users need their own server or one provided by another party.
Good
- Open-source and cross-platform
- Self-hosted control of assistant data
- Supports spoken and typed requests
- Extensive documented smart services
- Java SDK for custom voice services
Watch out
- No public hosting from SEPIA
- Users need access to a server
- Setup includes self-hosted server components
- iOS use is documented through Safari PWA
Who it suits
SEPIA suits users who want a customizable voice assistant with self-hosted data control. It also fits developers creating commands, services, or replacement modules.
Verdict
SEPIA offers broad assistant features with deep customization and self-hosting. Its lack of public hosting means users must arrange and maintain access to a suitable server.
The facts
Each one read from SEPIA's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Client platforms
- The client documentation describes browser use on desktop, Android, and iOS; on iOS it instructs users to open the app in Safari and add it as a PWA.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Server platforms
- The installation documentation describes SEPIA-Home for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and provides Raspberry Pi installation instructions.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
- Customization
- Users can create commands in the app, build voice-controlled services with the Java SDK, or replace framework modules.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Dialog
- SEPIA handles spoken or typed natural-language requests and can ask follow-up questions when a service needs more information.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Hosting limit
- The documentation says SEPIA is not currently hosting public servers, so users need access to their own server or one hosted by a friend or company.checked 4 Oct 2026
- How it works
- Its self-hosted server runs core modules including the database, user-account management, natural-language understanding, and chat.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation names openHAB as an example smart-home integration, and the SEPIA-Home v2.7.0 release notes state that it adds Home Assistant support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Mesh Nodes
- SEPIA Mesh Nodes can connect to the assistant and execute programs on their device; users can create voice commands or upload programs through the Control HUB.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The homepage says users control their data in a self-hosted environment and describes the server as the backbone of the framework.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- SEPIA is an open-source framework and cross-platform app for building a private, customizable digital voice assistant.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security setup
- The installation documentation describes self-signed SSL for private networks and Let's Encrypt SSL for servers reachable from outside the network.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Smart services
- The documentation lists services including news, radio, timers, alarms, reminders, to-do and shopping lists, smart home, navigation, weather, Wikipedia, and web search.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Speech
- The client supports speech recognition through native platform APIs or a custom open-source STT server, and text-to-speech through native APIs or compatible server tools.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users with questions or bug reports to GitHub issues or discussions.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to SEPIA
- 1
SmythOS
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.5From $39 a month - 2
Workato Agent Studio
Free planiOSWebAPILinux8.3Free plan - 3
Microsoft Copilot
Free planAndroidiOSWebWindows8.2From $99.99 a year - 4
Falcon Builder
Free planWebAPISelf-hosted7.4From $29 a month - 5
Relevance AI
Free planWeb7.4From $19 a month - 6
Wordware
Free planiOSWeb7.2From $29 a month