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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

ESPHome vs Shelly

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

IoT & Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

IoT & Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

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; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Shelly covers Local Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Shelly differ
AttributeESPHomeShelly
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network
Founded20182016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration
  • ESP8266 support

Only in Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IOS support

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

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot ESPHome
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot ESPHome
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot 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

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly 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 Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Shelly?
ESPHome starts at Free and Shelly at Free.
Does ESPHome or Shelly run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
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 Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Shelly cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle Home Assistant.
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