Different Versions of Home Assistant: Which One to Choose?

Home Assistant is one of the most popular platforms for home automation, allowing integration with various smart devices. However, there are different versions of the software, each with distinct specifications and requirements. In this article, we explain the main differences between the versions of Home Assistant and the minimum recommended hardware for each.

1. Home Assistant OS

The Home Assistant OS version is the most complete option and recommended for most users. It includes an operating system optimized to run exclusively Home Assistant, offering automatic updates and full support for add-ons.

Main Features:

• Proprietary Linux-based operating system.

• Full support for add-ons.

• Complete graphical interface and easy to configure.

Minimum Recommended Hardware:

• Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB or more recommended)

• Intel NUC

• Mini PCs or servers with x86-64 support

• Storage: 32GB SSD or microSD

• Reliable power supply

2. Home Assistant Container

Home Assistant Container is the version of Home Assistant that runs inside a Docker container. This option is recommended for advanced users who already have a configured server and want to run Home Assistant without a dedicated operating system.

Main Features:

• Runs on any operating system that supports Docker.

• Does not have native support for add-ons.

• Manual updates required.

Minimum Recommended Hardware:

• Server with Docker support (Linux, Windows, or macOS)

• CPU: Intel/AMD (x86-64) or ARM64

• RAM: 2GB or more

• Storage: 16GB SSD or more

3. Home Assistant Core

Home Assistant Core is the most basic version, being only the main Home Assistant software without any system management or add-on interface.

Main Features:

• Requires manual installation and dependency configuration.

• Ideal for advanced users who want full control over the environment.

• Can be installed on systems like Debian, Ubuntu, or Windows (via WSL).

Minimum Recommended Hardware:

• CPU: Intel/AMD (x86-64) or ARM64

• RAM: 1GB or more

• Storage: 10GB SSD

4. Home Assistant Supervised

Home Assistant Supervised is an intermediate option that allows installing Home Assistant with add-on support but without a dedicated operating system. It runs on specific Linux distributions, such as Debian.

Main Features:

• Support for add-ons, as in the OS version.

• Requires a compatible Linux distribution.

• Automatic updates but may require manual adjustments.

Minimum Recommended Hardware:

• CPU: Intel/AMD (x86-64) or ARM64

• RAM: 2GB or more

• Storage: 16GB SSD or more

Which Version to Choose?

The choice of Home Assistant version depends on your level of experience and needs:

• Beginner users: Home Assistant OS.

• Users with their own servers: Home Assistant Container.

• Advanced users seeking flexibility: Home Assistant Core.

• Users who want add-ons but already have Linux installed: Home Assistant Supervised.

Regardless of the choice, Home Assistant is an excellent solution to make your home smarter and more automated!