Software · head to head
ESPHome vs Meross
Meross
Software
Affordable smart home devices with HomeKit support
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only ESPHome has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Meross covers Apple HomeKit.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Meross actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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
- MQTT
- API
- Native integration
- ESP8266 support
Only in Meross
- Apple HomeKit
- No hub required
- Energy monitoring
- Schedules
- Voice control
- Scene automation
- Apple HomeKit
- Amazon Alexa
Both cover
- Home Assistant
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 Meross
- Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based devices with locally controlled firmwarenot Meross
- Integrating DIY devices into Home Assistant over a native API or MQTTnot Meross
Meross
- Smart plugsnot ESPHome
- Lighting controlnot ESPHome
- Garage automationnot ESPHome
- Energy monitoringnot 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
Meross
Nothing recorded yet. See the Meross review.
Pricing, plan by plan
ESPHome
Free- CommunityFree
- Full firmware
- Home Assistant integration
- Custom sensors
Meross
On request- Smart Plug$15/month
- WiFi
- Energy monitoring
- Voice control
- Smart Switch$25/month
- In-wall
- No neutral required option
- HomeKit
- Garage Opener$40/month
- Remote control
- Status alerts
- HomeKit
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 Meross if
- You need apple homekit.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want no hub required.
Questions people ask
- Is ESPHome or Meross better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Meross at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Meross?
- ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and On request for Meross.
- Does ESPHome or Meross run on more platforms?
- ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Meross runs on IOS, Android.
- Can I use ESPHome for free?
- Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Meross 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 Meross is typically brought in for.
- What can ESPHome do that Meross cannot?
- ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Meross covers Apple HomeKit, No hub required, Energy monitoring, Schedules. Both handle Home Assistant.