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Tasmota vs Home Assistant

T

Tasmota

Software

Open-source firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 based devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Home Assistant logo

Home Assistant

Software

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Tasmota tasmota only runs on Espressif ESP8266, ESP8285, ESP32, ESP32-S and ESP32-C3 chipsets, so devices built on other silicon cannot use it; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • They diverge on capability: Tasmota covers MQTT Support, Home Assistant covers Privacy First.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tasmota and Home Assistant actually diverge.

Attributes where Tasmota and Home Assistant differ
AttributeTasmotaHome Assistant
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devicesLinux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows
Founded20172013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), 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 Tasmota

  • MQTT Support
  • Web Interface
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant
  • Domoticz
  • OpenHAB
  • Node-RED
  • ESP8266 support

Only in Home Assistant

  • Privacy First
  • Automation Engine
  • Custom Integrations
  • 150+ integrations
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile App
  • REST API
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • Local Control

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Tasmota

  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based smart plugs and switchesnot Home Assistant
  • Controlling smart home devices locally over MQTT or HTTPnot Home Assistant
  • Integrating off the shelf Wi-Fi devices with Home Assistant without a cloud accountnot Home Assistant

Home Assistant

  • Home automationnot Tasmota
  • Energy monitoringnot Tasmota
  • Security systemsnot Tasmota
  • Device integrationnot Tasmota

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Tasmota

  • Tasmota only runs on Espressif ESP8266, ESP8285, ESP32, ESP32-S and ESP32-C3 chipsets, so devices built on other silicon cannot use it
  • Initial installation requires opening the device, bridging GPIO0 to ground during boot and using a 3.3V serial programmer; a 5V programmer damages the chip
  • The ESP chip needs at least 150mA at 3.3V, so an underpowered supply causes flashing and stability failures
  • The Wi-Fi setup access point stays active for only 3 minutes, after which the device must be power cycled to try again
  • The Power Cycle Recovery feature can reset a device to firmware defaults where mains power fluctuates, and the docs advise disabling it in that case

Home Assistant

  • Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
  • A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
  • The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
  • Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection

Pricing, plan by plan

Tasmota

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • MQTT
    • Web UI

Home Assistant

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • Full automation
    • Local control

Which should you pick?

Choose Tasmota if

  • You need mqtt support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devices.
  • You also want web interface.
Tasmota review

Choose Home Assistant if

  • You need privacy first.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want automation engine.
Home Assistant review

Questions people ask

Is Tasmota or Home Assistant better?
Neither clearly leads. Tasmota starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tasmota or Home Assistant?
Tasmota starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free.
Does Tasmota or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
Tasmota runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devices. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Tasmota for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Tasmota best used for?
Tasmota is most often used for replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based smart plugs and switches, controlling smart home devices locally over mqtt or http, integrating off the shelf wi-fi devices with home assistant without a cloud account. Of those, replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based smart plugs and switches and controlling smart home devices locally over mqtt or http are not what Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
What can Tasmota do that Home Assistant cannot?
Tasmota covers MQTT Support, Web Interface, OTA Updates, Home Assistant. Home Assistant covers Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations, 150+ integrations. Both handle Local Control.
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