Softwr

Software · head to head

ESPHome vs Make

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Software

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Make logo

Make

Software

The platform for the new way of working

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Make free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Make covers Visual workflow builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Make actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Make differ
AttributeESPHomeMake
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiWeb
Founded20182013

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 Make

  • Visual workflow builder
  • Webhooks
  • API connectors
  • Conditional logic
  • Data transformation
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • Team collaboration

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

Make

  • Automating integrations between 3,000+ pre-built applicationsnot ESPHome
  • Building AI agents and workflow automation without extensive codingnot ESPHome
  • Enterprise automation with GDPR, SOC 2 Type II compliancenot ESPHome
  • Rapid deployment of automations from concept to livenot 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

Make

  • Free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • Free tier restricted to 2 active scenarios maximum
  • Free tier enforces 15-minute minimum scheduling interval
  • Credit-based model means costs scale with usage volume, not just features

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Make

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Make review.

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 Make if

  • You need visual workflow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want webhooks.
Make review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Make better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Make at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Make?
ESPHome starts at Free and Make at Free.
Does ESPHome or Make run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Make runs on Web.
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 Make is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Make cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Make covers Visual workflow builder, Webhooks, API connectors, Conditional logic.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ESPHome

More on Make

Keep looking

Other head to heads