Embeddable IoT Framework stable

ESPHome

Configuration-based firmware for ESP devices and Home Assistant

8.7K stars 100 contributors Since 2018
Website → GitHub

Configuration-based firmware for ESP devices and Home Assistant

License
MIT
Min RAM
128 MB
Min CPUs
1 core
Scaling
single_node
Complexity
beginner
Performance
medium
Self-hostable
✓
K8s native
✕
Offline
✕
Pricing
fully free
Docs quality
good
Vendor lock-in
none

Use cases

  • ✓ Create smart home sensors and devices
  • ✓ Automate ESP32/ESP8266 with YAML config
  • ✓ Home Assistant device integration
  • ✓ OTA firmware updates for IoT fleet

Anti-patterns / when NOT to use

  • ✕ YAML-only — no custom code without C++ lambda
  • ✕ ESP-focused — limited MCU support
  • ✕ Home Assistant ecosystem dependency

Replaces / alternatives to

  • Custom ESP firmware
  • proprietary IoT firmware

Technical specs

Language
C++Python
API type
SDK
Protocols
HTTP
Deployment
pipdocker

Community

GitHub stars 8.7K
Contributors 100
Commit frequency weekly
Plugin ecosystem none
Backing ESPHome
Funding community

Release

Latest version —
Last release —
Since 2018

Best fit

Team size
solosmallmedium
Industries
smart-homeiot

Tags

  • iot
  • esp32
  • esp8266
  • yaml-config
  • home-assistant
  • sensors
  • actuators
  • ota-updates