# How to Replace Alexa With a Private Local Voice Assistant

> Set up Home Assistant Voice as a local voice assistant for your smart home, so commands don't leave the house.

- Canonical URL: https://webofmike.com/ai-life/assistants/smart-speakers/replace-alexa-local-voice-assistant/
- Author: Mike Moore (https://webofmike.com/about/)
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Last modified: 2026-11-03
- Tags: AI Life
- Cite as: Mike Moore, "How to Replace Alexa With a Private Local Voice Assistant", Web of Mike (webofmike.com), 2026-11-03. https://webofmike.com/ai-life/assistants/smart-speakers/replace-alexa-local-voice-assistant/


[AI Life](/ai-life/) / [Voice & Assistants](/ai-life/assistants/) / [Smart Speakers](/ai-life/assistants/smart-speakers/)

If Alexa feels like too much of a microphone in your house, Home Assistant can run a voice assistant that stays local.

{{< owner echo >}}Alexa feels creepy to me. That's why this guide exists.{{< /owner >}}

## What you need

1. **A Home Assistant server.** A Home Assistant Green, a Raspberry Pi or a small PC. See [Home Assistant installation](https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/).
2. **A voice device.** The Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition is the official speaker. See [Home Assistant Voice](https://www.home-assistant.io/voice-pe/).
3. **Local speech engines.** Home Assistant's add-ons for local wake word, speech-to-text and text-to-speech. These run on your server.

## Steps

1. Install Home Assistant and add your lights, locks and sensors.
2. In Settings > Voice assistants, create an assistant that uses the local speech engines.
3. Pair the Voice device and pick that assistant.
4. Try simple commands first: "turn off the kitchen lights."

## Trade-offs

Local voice is good at device control and weaker at general questions. A faster server helps response time. Full details are in the [Home Assistant voice docs](https://www.home-assistant.io/voice_control/).

Compare the mainstream options in [best smart speaker for privacy](/ai-life/assistants/smart-speakers/best-smart-speaker-for-privacy/).

More guides on the [Smart Speakers hub](/ai-life/assistants/smart-speakers/).