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Blynk vs ESPHome

Blynk logo

Blynk

Software

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Software

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; ESPHome eSPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, ESPHome covers YAML Configuration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and ESPHome actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and ESPHome differ
AttributeBlynkESPHome
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi
Founded20122018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blynk

  • Mobile App Builder
  • No-Code Interface
  • Real-Time Control
  • Cloud Storage
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Mobile app
  • Cloud platform

Only in ESPHome

  • YAML Configuration
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant Native
  • Custom Components
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blynk

  • Connecting IoT hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile appnot ESPHome
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot ESPHome
  • Automations triggered by device datanot ESPHome
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot ESPHome
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot ESPHome

ESPHome

  • Building custom smart home sensors and switches on ESP32 hardwarenot Blynk
  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot Blynk
  • Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot Blynk

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blynk

  • The free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered all the way up, reaching 12 months only on Enterprise
  • Automations and webhooks are rationed, from 5 scenarios and 1 webhook on free to 100 or more on Production
  • Over-the-air update campaigns are capped by tier, at 2 shipments on free and Starter
  • Production plans run from $199 to $1,099 a month depending on device count

ESPHome

  • ESPHome runs only on supported microcontrollers; the project recommends ESP32, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 and ESP32-C6 and advises against ESP8266 for new projects
  • Support for ESP32-H2, RP2040 and other newer chips is documented as less mature
  • Large displays and some sensors do not work well on ESP8266 because of its limited RAM, which is roughly a fifth of an ESP32

Pricing, plan by plan

Blynk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 devices
    • Basic widgets
    • Cloud sync
  • Premium$5/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced widgets
    • Priority support

ESPHome

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • Home Assistant integration
    • Custom sensors

Which should you pick?

Choose Blynk if

  • You need mobile app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device.
  • You also want no-code interface.
Blynk review

Choose ESPHome if

  • You need yaml configuration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want ota updates.
ESPHome review

Questions people ask

Is Blynk or ESPHome better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk starts at Free and ESPHome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blynk or ESPHome?
Blynk starts at Free and ESPHome at Free.
Does Blynk or ESPHome run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blynk best used for?
Blynk is most often used for connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app, over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices, automations triggered by device data, white-label device apps for a hardware product. Of those, connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app and over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices are not what ESPHome is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that ESPHome cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components.
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