Gladys Assistant

Gladys Assistant is a self-hosted smart home platform built around one principle: your data stays on your machine. No mandatory cloud, no tracking, no subscription required to run the core product. It installs via Docker on any Linux hardware, from a Raspberry Pi to a NAS to an old PC.

The interface is designed to be usable without a terminal. Day-to-day control happens through a clean dashboard showing temperatures, cameras, and presence. Scenes let you chain automations together without writing a single line of code: lights on at sunrise, coffee brewing when you wake up, alerts if the fridge stays open.

Key capabilities:

• Voice control built in, so you can issue commands directly or via your phone
• Zigbee, Matter, and MQTT support through open protocols, covering a wide range of devices out of the box
• Native integrations for Sonos, RTSP cameras, and more
• Community integrations installable in one click, with a growing catalog for devices not covered natively
• Automatic updates that apply new features and fixes without manual intervention
• Remote access via an optional paid service (end-to-end encrypted) or your own VPN setup

Compared to Home Assistant, Gladys positions itself as the simpler option. Fewer knobs, a more opinionated UI, and a focus on stability over configurability. Community members consistently cite ease of setup and a responsive maintainer as reasons they stuck with it.

The optional Gladys Plus subscription adds secure remote access from iOS and Android without exposing your local network, but the local-only experience is fully functional and free.