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Smart Home · head to head

ESPHome vs Savant

ESPHome logo

ESPHome

Smart Home

Custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Savant logo

Savant

Smart Home

Premium customizable automation and control system

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; Savant no pricing published on website or pricing page
  • They diverge on capability: ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, Savant covers Customizable.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPHome and Savant actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPHome and Savant differ
AttributeESPHomeSavant
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry PiWeb, Mobile
Founded20182005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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
  • Home Assistant
  • MQTT
  • API
  • Native integration

Only in Savant

  • Customizable
  • Multi-Room Control
  • Beautiful Interface
  • Premium Build
  • 1500+ devices
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile app
  • Touchscreens

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

Savant

  • Smart home automationnot ESPHome
  • Climate controlnot ESPHome
  • Lighting and audio-visual managementnot ESPHome
  • Energy management and monitoringnot 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

Savant

  • No pricing published on website or pricing page
  • Requires contacting sales or using dealer locator for quotes
  • Business model not clearly specified (appears to be premium consumer product)

Pricing, plan by plan

ESPHome

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

Savant

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Savant 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 Savant if

  • You need customizable.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want multi-room control.
Savant review

Questions people ask

Is ESPHome or Savant better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPHome starts at Free and Savant at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPHome or Savant?
ESPHome has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESPHome and On request for Savant.
Does ESPHome or Savant run on more platforms?
ESPHome runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Docker, Raspberry Pi. Savant runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use ESPHome for free?
Yes. ESPHome has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Savant 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 Savant is typically brought in for.
What can ESPHome do that Savant cannot?
ESPHome covers YAML Configuration, OTA Updates, Home Assistant Native, Custom Components. Savant covers Customizable, Multi-Room Control, Beautiful Interface, Premium Build.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ESPHome: Is ESPHome free to use?

Yes. ESPHome is free and open-source software. The Desktop App, Device Builder, components, and recipe tools are all available at no cost.

Source
Savant: How much does Savant cost?

Savant does not publish pricing on its website. Customers must contact the sales team or use the dealer locator to request quotes.

Source
ESPHome: What is the cost to run ESPHome?

ESPHome software itself is completely free. Hardware devices and components used with ESPHome vary in cost depending on which microcontrollers and IoT devices you choose.

Source
Savant: How does Savant pricing work?

Savant appears to use a custom quote model. Interested customers are directed to a 'Get Smart Consultation' or dealer locator rather than self-serve purchasing.

Source
ESPHome: Does ESPHome require a subscription or license fee?

No. ESPHome is open-source software with no subscription fees, license costs, or commercial restrictions associated with its use.

Source
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