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Remote Work · head to head

ConnectWise vs ESPHome

C

ConnectWise

Remote Work

Software built to power your business

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESPHome logo

ESPHome

IoT & Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESPHome has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ConnectWise rMM, backup and cybersecurity products require filling out a quote request form rather than showing a price; only ScreenConnect remote support pricing is shown directly on the site, per connectwise.com, August 2026; 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

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ConnectWise and ESPHome actually diverge.

Attributes where ConnectWise and ESPHome differ
AttributeConnectWiseESPHome
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi
CategoryRemote WorkIoT & Smart Home
FoundedUnknown2018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 ConnectWise

Nothing recorded that ESPHome does not also cover.

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.

ConnectWise

No use cases recorded yet. See the ConnectWise review.

ESPHome

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

Where each one falls short

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

ConnectWise

  • RMM, backup and cybersecurity products require filling out a quote request form rather than showing a price; only ScreenConnect remote support pricing is shown directly on the site, per connectwise.com, August 2026

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

ConnectWise

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ConnectWise review.

ESPHome

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

Which should you pick?

Choose ConnectWise if

Nothing in the data separates ConnectWise from ESPHome on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

ConnectWise 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 ConnectWise or ESPHome better?
Neither clearly leads. ConnectWise starts at On request and ESPHome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ConnectWise or ESPHome?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for ConnectWise and Free for ESPHome.
Does ConnectWise or ESPHome run on more platforms?
ConnectWise runs on Web. ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ConnectWise starts at On request.
What can ConnectWise do that ESPHome cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components.
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Related pages

More on ConnectWise

More on ESPHome

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