No cloud. No monthly fees. No lock-in.
We test and compare home automation gear that runs locally, lasts indefinitely, and never requires a subscription to keep working.
Tested, ranked, and updated — with affiliate links to everything we recommend.
Older home? No neutral wire in the switch box? We compare every no-neutral option so you don't fry anything.
Read Comparison →USB dongles vs. standalone hubs. Which coordinator actually works reliably with ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT?
Read Comparison →The two most-debated hardware choices. We break down who should buy each — no hype, no filler.
Read Comparison →Ring and Nest keep raising prices. Here's every camera that stores locally and costs $0/month to operate.
Read Comparison →In 2025, Nest Aware raised prices 25%. Ring Protect Plus is $100/year. Wyze jumped 50%. The hardware is cheap; the recurring fee is the product.
Every category — cameras, doorbells, thermostats, locks, sensors, alarm systems — now has at least one excellent local-control alternative that works completely without monthly fees. You own the hardware. You own the data. Nothing turns into a paperweight when the company gets bored.
That's what this site is about.
Start with Cameras →A short, practical email guide: the exact hardware stack to start a local smart home for under $150 — no cloud required, no monthly fees, works indefinitely.