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ESPHome vs ThingWorx

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Software

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ThingWorx logo

ThingWorx

Software

Enterprise IoT platform by PTC for industrial and smart solutions

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; ThingWorx thingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and ThingWorx actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and ThingWorx differ
AttributeESPHomeThingWorx
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiCloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing
Founded20181985

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 ThingWorx

  • Rapid App Development
  • Real-Time Analytics
  • Device Connectivity
  • Scalable
  • Industrial protocols
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Third-party systems

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

ThingWorx

  • Connecting industrial equipment and machines to an IIoT platformnot ESPHome
  • Building operator dashboards and digital work instructions for manufacturingnot ESPHome
  • Remote monitoring and service of connected productsnot 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

ThingWorx

  • ThingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • No pricing is published; the product page routes to Contact Us with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
  • The platform is sold as an industrial IIoT suite to enterprises rather than being self-serve

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

ThingWorx

On request
  • Professional$5000/month
    • App development
    • Analytics
    • Connectivity
  • Enterprise$25000/month
    • Advanced features
    • 24/7 support
    • Custom solutions

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 ThingWorx if

  • You need rapid app development.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
  • You also want real-time analytics.
ThingWorx review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or ThingWorx better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and ThingWorx at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or ThingWorx?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and On request for ThingWorx.
Does ESPHome or ThingWorx run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. ThingWorx runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ThingWorx 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 ThingWorx is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that ThingWorx cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development, Real-Time Analytics, Device Connectivity, Scalable.
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