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ESPHome vs Noom

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Software

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Noom logo

Noom

Software

Psychology-based weight loss

From
$17/month
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; Noom coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Noom actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Noom differ
AttributeESPHomeNoom
Starting priceFree$17/month
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20182008

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 Noom

  • Psychology-based curriculum
  • Personal coaching
  • Food color system
  • Progress tracking
  • Community groups
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit
  • Fitbit

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

Noom

  • 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

Noom

  • Coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
  • App crashes and freezes frequently with issues saving data, and barcode feature for food tracking malfunctions
  • Food database requires tedious manual data entry even for common items, discouraging consistent logging
  • Difficult cancellation process requiring navigating multiple steps to opt out of auto-renewal
  • FTC settlement in 2022 for $62 million over misleading auto-renewal and refund practices

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Noom

$17/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Noom 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 Noom if

  • You need psychology-based curriculum.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want personal coaching.
Noom review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Noom better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Noom at $17/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Noom?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and $17/month for Noom.
Does ESPHome or Noom run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Noom runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Noom starts at $17/month.
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 Noom is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Noom cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum, Personal coaching, Food color system, Progress tracking.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Noom: What are Noom's pricing plans?

Noom Weight app costs approximately $70 per month on a monthly plan, $42 per month on a 4-month plan, or $209 upfront for an annual plan (roughly $17 per month). A 14-day free trial is offered but auto-converts to paid subscription if not canceled.

Source
Noom: What does Noom's coaching include?

Noom provides access to human coaches for weekly check-ins, daily psychology-based lessons, interactive challenges, and food and weight tracking. Coaching is included in all paid tiers.

Source
Noom: How does Noom's food color system work?

Noom categorizes foods using a color system based on caloric density: green (low calorie density), yellow (moderate), and red (high calorie density). This encourages behavioral changes in eating habits rather than strict dieting.

Source
Noom: What other programs does Noom offer?

Beyond Noom Weight, Noom offers five additional programs including Noom Med, a telehealth service with pricing ranging from $17/month for coaching to $279/month for GLP-1 medication plans with licensed clinicians.

Source
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