Pilot app icon Pilot Home Automation for iPhone

Pilot vs HA Companion

A focused alternative to the Home Assistant Companion for daily control

The Home Assistant Companion app is powerful but complex. It exposes the full HA dashboard in a webview, which is great for configuration but can feel heavy for daily use. Pilot takes a different approach: a native iOS interface designed specifically for fast, everyday device control with deep Apple ecosystem integration.

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How Pilot compares

Native iOS feel vs webview

The HA Companion wraps your Home Assistant dashboard in a webview, inheriting its layout and performance characteristics. Pilot is built natively with SwiftUI and UIKit, delivering smooth 60fps scrolling, native transitions, haptic feedback, and the responsive feel iOS users expect from a first-class app.

Simplicity for daily control

Pilot is designed for the moment you walk through the door and want to flip a light or check a sensor. No dashboard setup required. Devices are auto-discovered and organized by room with a clean, minimal interface. The HA Companion shines for users who want full access to dashboards, automations, and YAML configuration from their phone.

Apple Watch companion

Pilot includes a dedicated, purpose-built Apple Watch app with glanceable device status and one-tap controls. While the HA Companion offers basic Watch support, Pilot's Watch experience is designed as a first-class citizen with optimized layouts for the small screen and complication support.

Widgets built with WidgetKit

Pilot uses Apple's native WidgetKit framework for home screen and lock screen widgets, plus iOS 18 Control Center toggles. This means widgets load faster, update more reliably, and integrate seamlessly with the iOS widget system. The HA Companion also offers widgets, but Pilot's native implementation provides tighter system integration.

Privacy with local-first architecture

Pilot connects directly to your home automation server on your local network with no mandatory cloud component. The HA Companion can also work locally, but many users rely on Nabu Casa cloud for remote access. Pilot gives you the option to stay fully local while still supporting remote connections when you choose to configure them.

When to use which

Use the HA Companion for

Full dashboard access, editing automations, YAML configuration, device setup, add-on management, location tracking, and deep Home Assistant administration. The Companion is the right tool when you need the full power of Home Assistant on your phone.

Use Pilot for

Fast daily device control, Apple Watch access, home screen widgets, Siri Shortcuts, quick sensor checks, and a native iOS experience that requires zero dashboard configuration. Pilot is the right tool when you want the fastest path to toggling a light or checking a temperature.

FAQ

Does Pilot replace Home Assistant Companion?

No. Pilot focuses on fast daily control while the Companion handles full configuration, automations, and location tracking. They serve different purposes and work best when used together, each for its strengths.

When will Pilot support Home Assistant?

Home Assistant integration is under active development. Sign up on our contact page for launch notifications. We are building a dedicated Home Assistant integration that brings Pilot's native iOS experience to the HA ecosystem.

Can I use both apps?

Yes. Many users pair the Companion for setup and configuration with Pilot for everyday control. Both apps can connect to the same Home Assistant instance, and using one does not affect the other.