i am switching from wink. i need to be able to turn lights on and off when i am not home. can it be done with hubitat with paying the monthly fee
No monthly fee required.
Dashboards are able to be used anywhere you have a connection.
You will add devices to Hubitat, then add some devices to a dashboard, and you can have as many dashboards as you wish. Dashboards offer booth local links (URLs) and remote links. Bookmark them and click away where ever you are.
Hubitat segregates Admin functions from User functions. User functions can be done remotely, typically via a dashboard, while Admin functions cannot. Therefore you must somehow get yourself onto your home LAN to perform Admin functions. VPNs do that, and Hubitat offers a service to do that if VPNs are not your cup of tea.
3 Likes
Hello -
Just want to clarify @csteele's response by giving you some examples of User and Admin functions:
User functions: Controlling a device previously added to Hubitat (like turning a light on/off, or receiving a notification from a sensor)
Admin functions: Adding a new device. Or adding a new automation.
User functions can be accessed from home or away for free.
Admin functions can be accessed from home for free, or from away for free if you setup your own VPN (or equivalent). Hubitat offers an optional subscription for remote Admin functions if you don't want to setup your own VPN and feel the need to administer your hub while you are away.
4 Likes
I should just copy that explanation for the next time it comes up. 
Much better than mine, thanks.
3 Likes
Also, if you aren't fond of the native dashboards, there are alternatives to make more visually appealing dashboards. If you have an Android phone, I strongly recommend the Community App Hubitat Dashboard. It works through Maker API and can give you control both local, or via a could connection when you are not on your network.
3 Likes
