Software · head to head
ESPHome vs Hevy
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; Hevy free tier severely limited to 4 routines and 7 custom exercises, requiring Pro subscription for most users
- They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Hevy covers Workout tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Hevy actually diverge.
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 ESPHome
- YAML Configuration
- OTA Updates
- Home Assistant Native
- Custom Components
- Home Assistant
- MQTT
- API
- Native integration
Only in Hevy
- Workout tracking
- Social feed
- Progress photos
- Personal records
- Exercise library
- Apple Health
- Google Fit
- Apple Watch
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ESPHome
- Building custom smart home sensors and switches on ESP32 hardwarenot Hevy
- Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot Hevy
- Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot Hevy
Hevy
- Workout trackingnot ESPHome
- Nutrition managementnot ESPHome
- Health monitoringnot ESPHome
- Fitness coachingnot ESPHome
- Wellness improvementnot ESPHome
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Hevy
- Free tier severely limited to 4 routines and 7 custom exercises, requiring Pro subscription for most users
- Strava integration is one-way only, preventing synchronization of Strava activities back into Hevy
- Social features are basic compared to dedicated social fitness communities, limited to workout feeds and comments
- No built-in nutrition or diet tracking, complementary to but separate from full fitness platforms
- Limited coaching and AI programming features compared to alternatives like Fitbod or Boostcamp
Pricing, plan by plan
ESPHome
Free- CommunityFree
- Full firmware
- Home Assistant integration
- Custom sensors
Hevy
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited workout logging
- Full exercise library (200+ videos)
- Progress charts and personal records
- Pro$2.99/month
- All Free features
- Unlimited routines
- Unlimited custom exercises
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Hevy if
- You need workout tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch, WearOS.
- You also want social feed.
Questions people ask
- Is ESPHome or Hevy better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Hevy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Hevy?
- ESPHome starts at Free and Hevy at Free.
- Does ESPHome or Hevy run on more platforms?
- ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Hevy runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch, WearOS.
- Can I use ESPHome for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is ESPHome best used for?
- ESPHome is most often used for building custom smart home sensors and switches on esp32 hardware, replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based devices with locally controlled firmware, integrating diy devices into home assistant over a native api or mqtt. Of those, building custom smart home sensors and switches on esp32 hardware and replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based devices with locally controlled firmware are not what Hevy is typically brought in for.
- What can ESPHome do that Hevy cannot?
- ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Hevy covers Workout tracking, Social feed, Progress photos, Personal records.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Hevy: Is Hevy completely free or does it have a paid tier?
Hevy has a free tier and a paid Pro tier. The free version includes unlimited workout logging and access to the full exercise library but is limited to 4 routines, 7 custom exercises, and 3 months of data history. Hevy Pro costs $2.99 per month, $23.99 per year, or $74.99 lifetime and removes these limits while adding advanced analytics and custom routine sharing.
SourceHevy: What features does Hevy include for workout logging and progress tracking?
Hevy provides automatic rest timers, RPE tracking, one-rep max calculations, exercise performance charts, body measurement tracking, progress photos, and an exercise library with over 200 exercise videos. The app supports warmup calculators, drop sets, failure tracking, and note-taking on workouts.
SourceHevy: Does Hevy work on Apple Watch and other devices?
Yes, Hevy is available on iOS and Android phones and tablets. It also supports Apple Watch and WearOS for basic workout logging and tracking. Additionally, Hevy has a web/desktop version for managing routines and viewing progress data.
SourceHevy: What integrations does Hevy support?
Hevy integrates with Apple Health to sync your workouts and fitness data. It also supports Strava integration, though the sync is one-way only: Hevy can send workouts to Strava, but Strava workouts will not be reflected back in Hevy.
SourceHevy: Can I share workouts and interact with other users in Hevy?
Yes, Hevy has social features including the ability to follow other athletes, view their workouts, like and comment on workouts, and save routines created by other users. The app maintains a social feed and leaderboard features, though these are more limited compared to dedicated social fitness platforms.
SourceHevy: Does Hevy have an offline mode for gym workouts?
While Hevy is primarily a cloud-based app, the search results do not provide explicit documentation about offline logging capabilities. The app requires syncing to log workouts and access progress data.
SourceRelated pages
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