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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

ESPHome vs Homey

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

IoT & Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Homey logo

Homey

IoT & Smart Home

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESPHome has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Homey covers Multi-protocol support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Homey actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Homey differ
AttributeESPHomeHomey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiIOS, Android, Web
Founded20182014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

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 Homey

  • Multi-protocol support
  • Advanced flows
  • Voice control
  • Energy insights
  • Timeline
  • Zones
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa

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 Homey
  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot Homey
  • Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot Homey

Homey

  • Bringing Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from different brands into one appnot ESPHome
  • Building home automations visually with Flownot ESPHome
  • Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot 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

Homey

  • Homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • Unlimited devices require the Homey Premium subscription at $2.99 per month
  • Advanced Flow, Insights, and Logic and Variables are locked behind Homey Premium
  • The free month of Premium is only offered to new subscribers signing up through iOS or Android

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Homey

On request
  • Homey Pro$399/month
    • Local processing
    • 1000+ apps
    • Advanced flows
  • Homey Bridge$69/month
    • Cloud processing
    • 500+ apps
    • Basic flows

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.
ESPHome review

Choose Homey if

  • You need multi-protocol support.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want advanced flows.
Homey review

Questions people ask

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