Software · head to head
Meross vs ESPHome
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: Meross covers Apple HomeKit, ESPHome covers YAML Configuration.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Meross and ESPHome 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 Meross
- Apple HomeKit
- No hub required
- Energy monitoring
- Schedules
- Voice control
- Scene automation
- Apple HomeKit
- Amazon Alexa
Only in ESPHome
- YAML Configuration
- OTA Updates
- Home Assistant Native
- Custom Components
- MQTT
- API
- Native integration
- ESP8266 support
Both cover
- Home Assistant
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Meross
- Smart plugsnot ESPHome
- Lighting controlnot ESPHome
- Garage automationnot ESPHome
- Energy monitoringnot ESPHome
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Meross
Nothing recorded yet. See the Meross review.
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
Pricing, plan by plan
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
ESPHome
Free- CommunityFree
- Full firmware
- Home Assistant integration
- Custom sensors
Which should you pick?
Choose Meross if
- You need apple homekit.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want no hub required.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Meross or ESPHome better?
- Neither clearly leads. Meross starts at On request and ESPHome at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Meross or ESPHome?
- ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Meross and Free for ESPHome.
- Does Meross or ESPHome run on more platforms?
- Meross runs on IOS, Android. ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
- 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 Meross best used for?
- Meross is most often used for smart plugs, lighting control, garage automation, energy monitoring. Of those, smart plugs and lighting control are not what ESPHome is typically brought in for.
- What can Meross do that ESPHome cannot?
- Meross covers Apple HomeKit, No hub required, Energy monitoring, Schedules. ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Both handle Home Assistant.