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ESPHome vs Mmhmm

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Software

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mmhmm logo

Mmhmm

Software

Presentation platform for video calls

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; Mmhmm renamed to Airtime and split into four separate tools, Camera, Recorder, Creator and Stacks, rather than the single app the mmhmm name refers to
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Mmhmm covers Custom layouts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Mmhmm actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Mmhmm differ
AttributeESPHomeMmhmm
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiDesktop Mac, Desktop Windows
Founded20182020

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
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

Only in Mmhmm

  • Custom layouts
  • Screen sharing
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Picture-in-picture
  • Recording
  • Zoom
  • Google Meet
  • Microsoft Teams

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

Mmhmm

  • Putting a presenter on screen over slides during a video callnot ESPHome
  • Recording a screen walkthrough up to an hournot ESPHome
  • Adding effects and reactions to a webcam feednot ESPHome
  • Collecting materials for a meeting in a shared stacknot 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

Mmhmm

  • Renamed to Airtime and split into four separate tools, Camera, Recorder, Creator and Stacks, rather than the single app the mmhmm name refers to
  • Screen recordings are capped at one hour
  • Windows support requires Windows 10 or 11
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Mmhmm

On request
  • Standard$9.99/month
    • Unlimited presentations
    • Custom layouts
    • Recording

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 Mmhmm if

  • You need custom layouts.
  • You work on Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows.
  • You also want screen sharing.
Mmhmm review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Mmhmm better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Mmhmm at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Mmhmm?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and On request for Mmhmm.
Does ESPHome or Mmhmm run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Mmhmm runs on Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mmhmm 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 Mmhmm is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Mmhmm cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Mmhmm covers Custom layouts, Screen sharing, Virtual backgrounds, Picture-in-picture.
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