The primary distribution method for Home Assistant is via a docker container, which should run just fine on most Linux platforms. There is a Home Assistant OS which is free to use and mostly exists as a lightweight docker host. It is the preferred installation method and is simple to deploy and keep updated.
No thanks. I wrote "distribution" and users should expect a home automation tool to be easily installed and updated without dedicated VMs, containers or other kludges.
Docker is pretty darn easy to install my man! Linux doesn’t make it easy to package applications that work cross platform, so docker makes that possible and it works on a wide range of platforms, including systems like the Raspberry Pi.
Currently, the Home Assistant OS offers the following:
* Regular update checks and notification in the UI
* Single-click update of the base OS and the docker images
* Automated checks of your configuration versus the new version to alert if any breaking changes might impact you
So, it's easy to install and it's easy to update. What doesn't it do that you feel it should offer?
Maybe they might want to have their own OS only. Maybe charge money for it in future.