Bonfire Terminal vs Gladys Assistant
Gladys Assistant is an open-source, on-device home assistant with 3.1k stars, free to self-host, fully private, offline-capable, and offering Telegram integration. Bonfire Terminal isn't a home hub; it's a sovereign AI agent and terminal that runs locally, bridges Telegram and WhatsApp, uses your own key at cost, and is licensed once.
Bonfire Terminal vs Gladys Assistant: the 16-factor comparison
| Rating factor | Gladys Assistant | Bonfire Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Other | AI Terminal / Local Agent |
| Popularity | GitHub 3.1k stars | Growing · indie |
| Hosting architecture | On-Device Local | On-Device Local |
| Licensing model | Open Source | One-Time Perpetual |
| Data / training policy | Local/private processing | Fully local — nothing leaves device |
| Offline capability | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing tier range | $0 self-host | One-time license |
| Execution unit cost | Unlimited Local Compute | Unlimited Local Compute |
| API-key markup | N/A | No — BYO key at cost |
| Supported LLM providers | Local | OpenAI; Anthropic; Google; Local; Any |
| Auth / permission types | Local/None | API Key; Local/None |
| Phone / messaging bridges | Telegram | Telegram; WhatsApp |
| Speech recognition engine | Not disclosed | Whisper (local) |
| Local media processing | No | Yes |
| Sovereign score | 81 / 100 | 93 / 100 |
The sovereignty gap
Where Gladys Assistant lands on each weighted pillar (its bar) — the red marker is Bonfire's score. Auto-derived from the 16 factors above.
Which should you choose?
Choose Gladys Assistant if…
Choose Gladys Assistant if you want a free, private, local home-automation assistant with device control and Telegram support.
Choose Bonfire Terminal if…
Choose Bonfire Terminal if you want a local AI agent and terminal rather than a home-automation assistant.
Bonfire Terminal vs Gladys Assistant: FAQ
Is Gladys Assistant private?
Yes. Gladys Assistant processes data locally and privately, keeping home-automation state on your own hardware. Bonfire Terminal is likewise local-first, but focused on AI-agent work, keeping prompts, transcripts, and files on-device rather than in any cloud.
Is Bonfire Terminal cheaper than Gladys Assistant?
Gladys Assistant is free to self-host. Bonfire Terminal is a one-time perpetual license running your own LLM key at cost, so Gladys is free upfront while Bonfire Terminal avoids subscriptions and adds no markup on AI usage.
Can Bonfire Terminal replace Gladys Assistant?
No. Gladys Assistant controls smart-home devices, a role Bonfire Terminal doesn't fill. They complement each other: Gladys manages your home hardware, and Bonfire Terminal serves as your private AI agent, potentially reacting to Telegram notifications you route.
What can Bonfire Terminal do that Gladys Assistant can't?
Bonfire Terminal runs a conversational AI agent, bridges Telegram and WhatsApp, transcribes speech with local Whisper, and processes media on-device. Gladys focuses on home automation and offers no LLM agent, WhatsApp bridge, or built-in speech recognition.
How do I switch from Gladys Assistant to Bonfire Terminal?
You wouldn't fully switch, given their different roles. Install Bonfire Terminal alongside Gladys, connect your own LLM key, and use its agent for AI tasks while Gladys continues managing your smart-home devices and Telegram alerts.
Does Bonfire Terminal work offline vs Gladys Assistant?
Both run offline. Gladys controls devices locally without a connection, and Bonfire Terminal runs its agent and local Whisper on-device; only optional cloud LLM calls require internet, so core functions work without it.