What still works without internet?
When the internet drops, or a maker shuts down its cloud, some smart homes keep running and others stop. Here is what to expect from each hub.
Updated November 2026
When the internet drops, or a maker shuts down its cloud, some smart homes keep running and others stop. Here is what to expect from each hub.
Updated November 2026
Whether automations keep running when the internet drops, and how exposed you are if the maker ever shuts down its cloud. Sorted from most to least local.
| Hub | Works offline | Automations without internet | Risk if the maker’s cloud closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibaro Home CenterHub | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Home AssistantSoftware (or own hardware) | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Homey ProHub | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Homey Pro MiniHub | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Homey Self-Hosted ServerSoftware | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Hubitat ElevationHub | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Loxone MiniserverController (DIN rail) | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Philips Hue Bridge ProLighting bridge | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| SONOFF iHostHub | Yes | Yes, automations run on the hub | Low |
| Apple Home (Apple TV or HomePod)Speaker or TV box | Mostly | Mostly local | Low |
| Bosch Smart Home Controller IIController | Mostly | Mostly local | Low |
| Aqara Hub M3Hub | Partly | Partly (hybrid cloud and local) | Medium |
| Homematic IP Access PointAccess point | Partly | Partly (hybrid cloud and local) | Medium |
| IKEA DirigeraHub | Partly | Partly (hybrid cloud and local) | Medium |
| Samsung SmartThingsHub | Partly | Partly (hybrid cloud and local) | Medium |
| Amazon Echo Hub (Alexa)Smart display | No | No, automations need the cloud | High |
| Google Home (Nest)Speaker or display | No | No, automations need the cloud | High |
| Homey CloudCloud service | No | No, automations need the cloud | High |
Wi-Fi devices usually talk to their maker’s cloud, even when they sit next to your hub. Some brands publish a local API that a hub can use without the internet; many do not. Check this per brand before you buy, or pick Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread or Matter devices, which a local hub controls directly.
“Works offline” is our own editorial rating, the same one the Hub Advisor and Compare use. Behaviour can change with firmware updates; check the maker’s documentation for your model. Risk if the cloud closes is our assessment: local hubs keep their core functions, cloud-first hubs may stop working.