AutomateMyPlace.com is a resource for homeowners who want to build smart homes that work for them — not bill them. We cover home automation hardware, software, and techniques that run locally, don't require cloud subscriptions, and don't become paperweights when a company changes its pricing or shuts down a server.
We focus specifically on the no-subscription angle because it's underserved. Most "smart home" coverage assumes you're fine paying $100–$300/year in ongoing fees. We think that's a bad deal, and we think there are better options for nearly every use case.
AutomateMyPlace.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
When you click a product link on this site and make a purchase on Amazon (or other partner retailers), we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This is how we fund the site and keep all guides free to read.
Our editorial policy: Affiliate relationships never influence our recommendations. We recommend products we believe are genuinely the best for a given use case, regardless of commission rate. If a product we recommend has a lower commission than an alternative, we recommend it anyway if it's the better product. We'd rather build a site people trust than optimize for short-term commissions.
We also participate in affiliate programs with SmartHome.com, Home Depot, and Lutron where applicable. These are noted on the relevant pages.
Questions, corrections, or product suggestions: use the email capture form on the homepage and mention "contact" in the subject when you confirm your subscription. We read everything.