Protocol comparison
Somfy RTS vs io-homecontrol
Key differences
| Somfy RTS | io-homecontrol | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio band | 433.42 MHz | 868 MHz band | somfy.co.uk |
| Direction | One-way: commands only, no acknowledgement | Two-way: receiver acknowledges each command | somfy.co.uk |
| Position or status feedback | Not available over the radio link | Available on devices and controls that support it | somfy.co.uk |
| Steward | Somfy (proprietary) | io-homecontrol association of manufacturers | io-homecontrol.com |
| Multi-brand use | Somfy products and licensed partner products | Products from member manufacturers carrying the io-homecontrol label | io-homecontrol.com |
| Hub needed for remote control | No; remotes are taught directly to motors | No; remotes are paired directly to motors | somfy.co.uk |
| Hub needed for app or smart-home control | A gateway that supports RTS | A gateway that supports io-homecontrol | somfy.co.uk |
| Security model (public description) | One-way link without acknowledgement; Somfy documents the coding it uses | Encrypted, authenticated two-way messages, as described by the association | io-homecontrol.com |
Radio band
- Somfy RTS
- 433.42 MHz
- io-homecontrol
- 868 MHz band
- Source
- somfy.co.uk
Direction
- Somfy RTS
- One-way: commands only, no acknowledgement
- io-homecontrol
- Two-way: receiver acknowledges each command
- Source
- somfy.co.uk
Position or status feedback
- Somfy RTS
- Not available over the radio link
- io-homecontrol
- Available on devices and controls that support it
- Source
- somfy.co.uk
Steward
- Somfy RTS
- Somfy (proprietary)
- io-homecontrol
- io-homecontrol association of manufacturers
- Source
- io-homecontrol.com
Multi-brand use
- Somfy RTS
- Somfy products and licensed partner products
- io-homecontrol
- Products from member manufacturers carrying the io-homecontrol label
- Source
- io-homecontrol.com
Hub needed for remote control
- Somfy RTS
- No; remotes are taught directly to motors
- io-homecontrol
- No; remotes are paired directly to motors
- Source
- somfy.co.uk
Hub needed for app or smart-home control
- Somfy RTS
- A gateway that supports RTS
- io-homecontrol
- A gateway that supports io-homecontrol
- Source
- somfy.co.uk
Security model (public description)
- Somfy RTS
- One-way link without acknowledgement; Somfy documents the coding it uses
- io-homecontrol
- Encrypted, authenticated two-way messages, as described by the association
- Source
- io-homecontrol.com
In our catalogue
- 105 products list Somfy RTS in our catalogue. See them →
- io-homecontrol: we are still collecting data for this protocol.
When to choose which
Extending an existing site. If the building already has RTS motors and remotes, staying with RTS lets new motors share the existing remotes and timers. The same applies to io-homecontrol sites.
Need for confirmation or position. If occupants or a building system need to see whether a shutter actually closed, or its current position, io-homecontrol provides a return channel; RTS does not.
Range of controllers. Check which handheld remotes, wall switches, sensors and gateways the project needs, and whether each is offered in RTS, io-homecontrol or both. Products from other io-homecontrol member brands, such as roof windows, may share one control.
Mixed installations. Where both systems exist, a gateway listed by the manufacturer as supporting both can bring them into one app; the radio links themselves remain separate.
Neither system is required by regulation; both are sold for new builds and renovations.
Protocol pages
Sources
No brand or lab has paid to appear on this page. Neutrality policy