Home Assistant Docker Vs. OS: Which One Is Better?

There are two popular ways to run Home Assistant: put it in a Docker container or use the Home Assistant OS. 

Docker is a software platform that develops, shares, and runs popular applications, like Home Assistant. The isolated user space where it operates Home Assistant is called a “Container.” Contrarily, OS stands for the robust and maintenance-free Operating System particularly designed to run Home Assistant on single-board computers and x86-64 systems. So, which one of them will be better for you?

If you’re a beginner, choosing between these two might be overwhelming. Don’t worry; today’s article will provide an in-depth comparison of Home Assistant Docker and OS to help you with that.

Key Takeaway

A Quick Comparison Table: Home Assistant Docker Vs. OS

Features	Home Assistant Docker	OS
Ease of installation	Quick and straightforward(Especially easy if you are familiar with Docker style)	More involved process (But won’t be difficult if you already have the Home Assistant setup)
Flexibility and ability to Customize	Easy to switch between versions, devices, and configurations. More Customizability	Limited to OS-specific versions. Limited customizability too.
Resource Usage	Can be more memory and CPU efficient	May require more system resources
System compatibility	Can run on any OS with Docker support	Limited to compatible OS versions
Security and Stability	Containerization offers isolation	More secure and stable
Community Support	Active Docker user community	Dedicated Home Assistant OS user community

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What’s the Difference between Home Assistant Docker and OS?

Check out the Key differences between these two before choosing one of them for your smart home automation with Home Assistant-

Feature 1: Device Compatibility and Integration Range

When you are running Home Assistant on Docker, it offers more flexibility in terms of hardware. Because this Container-based platform is packed with all the necessary dependencies and configurations required you will need to run Home Assistant. 

Docker provides a lightweight and isolated (consistent and reproducible environment) environment. It also allows device-specific libraries and drivers to be included within the container to ensure a broader range of hardware compatibility. 

This means devices not natively supported by the main Home Assistant OS can still work effortlessly with Home Assistant when you are running as a Docker container. Docker also ensures that you can set up, deploy, and update Home Assistant with more ease. 

On the other hand, the Home Assistant OS, also formerly known as Hass.io (HassOS) comes with an operating system and also contains HA Supervisor. It ensures easier management of add-ons and updating the system. 

Running Home Assistant on its own OS directly can offer you more comprehensive device compatibility out of the box. 

This action also ensures direct control and integration with the underlying hardware, which can be useful for devices that require low-level access or custom drivers. 

Based on several user reviews, they found passing through devices and resources from other VMs easier with Proxmox while running Home Assistant on Docker.

However, Home Assistant on Docker may lag a bit in development compared to Home Assistant OS.

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Feature 2: Flexibility, Control and Customizability

Docker is a highly flexible and customizable option than the OS. It allows users to run multiple containers simultaneously on the same host operating system.

It means that you can customize and configure the containers as you prefer or need, including:

• installing additional software,
• utilizing more resources, and 
• even moving the HA setup between different operating systems or machines.

However, Docker requires a bit more setup and configuration than the OS.

On the other hand, Home Assistant Operating System is more like a plug-and-play solution that requires minimal setup and configuration. However, users will most likely have_

• restricted customizing options, 
• limited control over the underlying operating system, and 
• even the installation of the OS may require more effort to transfer or modify. 

With Docker, users have the freedom to choose different versions of Home Assistant or integrate various software components within the Docker container.  Conversely, an OS installation often comes bundled with specific software packages or configurations. This may limit the control you have over the system.

In short, if you put Home Assistant on the Docker Container, it will allow you to have a higher degree of customization and experimentation. So that you can tailor the system to meet the specific desired requirements. But with OS, you will get restricted flexibility, control, and customization options.

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Feature 3: Update Mechanism and Resource Consumption

Another great difference between Home Assistant Docker and the OS is how they manage updates and resource usage. 

Home Assistant OS features a separate container to manage the main one, which takes care of updates. 

Conversely, Docker container updates have to be manually handled. Even this containerized version requires more work to manage than Home Assistant OS.

Moreover, version 10 of Home Assistant OS confirmed that it has superior memory management. It implies that users will be getting better memory management and Hardkernel ODROID-M1 board support with this direct option. 

When running HA directly on the OS, it can access all the resources and libraries available on that specific platform. This eliminates the need to install additional packages or modules within a container. 

Also, note that some functionalities and processes that rely on the “/usr/share/hassio/homeassistant” path are only available in the HA Operating System.

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Feature 4: Overall Privacy and Security

Regarding overall privacy and security, both Home Assistant OS and Docker offer good security features. Home Assistant OS uses containers that ensure isolation and protect the system from any malicious applications Giga Secure. 

Similarly, Docker containers allow Home Assistant users to control the system’s security profile with access to specific services only.

Overall, both offer good security. Since the OS is specifically designed to run Home Assistant, it is more stable and secure than Docker for using Home Assistant.

Home Assistant Docker or OS: Which One Is Better?

Home Assistant Docker and OS both are great options, and both have their own set of advantages and limitations. However, the ultimate choice mainly depends on the individual user’s setup needs and preferences.

• The key advantage of utilizing Docker is that you have more freedom and can run a greater range of applications than the OS. But keep in mind that Docker will require more management as you need to manage the containers yourself.
• On the other hand, Home Assistant Operating System (OS) is not only easier to install and manage but it even comes with additional features such as plugins.
• You should also note that Home Assistant OS is more rigid in its setup, but installing Home Assistant OS on bare metal requires the least amount of care.
• Docker might be more appealing to those who are familiar with the platform and want more flexibility as well as customization. But for beginners or non-tech-savvy users, Home Assistant OS will be more appealing due to its stability and simplicity.

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