Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ESPHome VS Tasmota

Compare ESPHome VS Tasmota and see what are their differences

ESPHome logo ESPHome

ESPHome is a system to control your ESP8266/ESP32 by simple yet powerful configuration files and control them remotely through Home Automation systems.

Tasmota logo Tasmota

Alternative firmware for ESP8266 with easy configuration using webUI, OTA updates, automation using timers or rules, expandability and entirely local control over MQTT, HTTP, Serial or KNX.
  • ESPHome Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12
  • Tasmota Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12

ESPHome features and specs

  • Customizable
    ESPHome allows users to create custom firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 devices with YAML-based configuration, enabling extensive personalization to suit individual needs.
  • Integration with Home Assistant
    ESPHome natively integrates with Home Assistant, making it straightforward to control and monitor ESP-based devices within this popular smart home platform.
  • Wireless Updates
    ESPHome supports OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, allowing for convenient and remote firmware upgrades without the need to physically access the device.
  • Wide Device Support
    ESPHome offers support for a broad range of sensors and actuators, making it adaptable for various home automation projects.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source platform, ESPHome benefits from community contributions and transparency, which fosters innovation and trust.

Possible disadvantages of ESPHome

  • Complexity
    For beginners, the YAML configuration system and initial setup might be daunting, requiring a learning curve to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Limited Standalone Functionality
    While powerful when used with Home Assistant, ESPHome might not be as effective or feature-rich as a standalone solution without another smart home hub.
  • Hardware Limitations
    The compatible ESP devices (ESP8266/ESP32) have hardware limitations, such as limited RAM and processing power, which can restrict complex automations.
  • Dependent on Wi-Fi Connectivity
    ESPHome devices rely on Wi-Fi for operation and updates, so poor Wi-Fi coverage can lead to performance issues or disconnections.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with many open-source and DIY projects, users might encounter stability issues or bugs that require troubleshooting and maintenance.

Tasmota features and specs

  • Open Source
    Tasmota is open-source, meaning users can view, modify, and improve the code. This enhances transparency and allows for customization tailored to individual needs.
  • Community Support
    Tasmota has a large and active community that provides support, shares ideas, and offers solutions to common issues, making it easier for new users to get help.
  • Platform Independence
    Compatible with various platforms and works independently of any specific cloud service, ensuring users have flexibility in selecting their ecosystem.
  • Increased Security
    By enabling offline operation and local control of devices, Tasmota reduces dependency on cloud services, which can be potential security vulnerabilities.
  • Customizable Features
    Users have control over a wide range of settings and features that can be tailored to specific needs, enhancing overall utility and user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Tasmota

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of Tasmota can be complex and intimidating for inexperienced users who are not familiar with flashing firmware onto devices.
  • Limited Manufacturer Support
    Since Tasmota is a third-party firmware, using it typically voids warranties and can result in a lack of official support from device manufacturers.
  • Firmware Compatibility
    Not all devices are compatible with Tasmota, which may limit its adoption for users who have a wide range of IoT devices from different manufacturers.
  • Potential for Bricking
    Incorrectly flashing the firmware can potentially 'brick' a device, rendering it non-functional and possibly creating additional costs for the user.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    The need to understand networking, MQTT, and custom configurations can present a steep learning curve for some individuals just getting started with smart home technology.

ESPHome videos

Getting Started with ESPHome and Home Assistant

More videos:

  • Review - ESPHome vs Tasmota - Speedtests and Features | Which one should I choose?
  • Review - Home Automation With Home Assistant and ESPHome - First Steps

Tasmota videos

The COMPLETE Guide to Tasmota 2019

More videos:

  • Review - ESPHome vs Tasmota - Speedtests and Features | Which one should I choose?
  • Review - sonoff tasmota review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ESPHome and Tasmota)
Automation
60 60%
40% 40
Home
58 58%
42% 42
Data Dashboard
50 50%
50% 50
Home Intelligence
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ESPHome should be more popular than Tasmota. It has been mentiond 132 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ESPHome mentions (132)

  • ESPHome
    Solid state relay is probably a bad idea with all the extra heat-sinking, extra cost, and chance of getting counterfeits. I do this with ESPHome & a J115F21C12VDCS.9 relay (note only the NO side is rated for 40A resistive): https://i.imgur.com/MqqOkoY.png Choose any of the temperature sensors here for air temperature sensing: https://esphome.io/ Configuration is so easy. For the sensor, just copy the config... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • A Custom Zigbee Doorbell
    You might want to take a look at https://esphome.io/ for an easy integration of an ESP32/8266 into home Assistant. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Thoughts, learnings and regrets after three years on Home Assistant
    You can do this with a $30 Sonoff S31 running ESPHome [0]. Since the Sonoff wall switch can run a ping sensor against your server you could create a watchdog automation right on the S31 to shut off the mains power to the S31 switch and turn back on after X seconds. There are other ways you could have the S31 do operational checks but ultimately ESPHome is probably an interesting consideration and supported by tons... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Fixing a broken smart cat feeder with ESP32
    They're pretty great and compatible with most things. ESPHome [1] is a great resource for getting ESP32's working nicely with HA and you can find lots of projects using it to learn from. You'll likely need to do soldering if you want to connect sensors, batteries and the like. Personally I really like what SEEED Studio [2] does with their ESP32 boards and they have nice docs. 1. https://esphome.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • How to connect a SwiftUI app to NodeMCU ESP32
    Maybe you could set up ESPHome on the ESP32. It might make connecting those components easier, plus a decent web server built in. Then your app can be set up to access data provided by the ESPHome web server. Source: about 1 year ago
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Tasmota mentions (82)

  • Replace Philips Hue Automation with Home Assistant's
    Everything works pretty flawlessly with it. Conbee 2 ist still my current stick because I am experimenting with the Matter/Thread Support on the Home Assistant Yellow, sadly without success though. My best recommendation if you want to tinker with smart devices is get anything that you can flash Tasmota on. (List of Devices https://templates.blakadder.com/ ) Tasmota is an amazing piece of software that runs on... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Printing emails based on Message Filters, does not seem possible
    All of my office devices are connected to Sonoff S31 smart plugs, flashed with Tasmota on their own locked-down VLAN, and can be controlled via voice, Alexa, Tasker automation on my Android, NFC tags at my office door and various scripts triggered via my StreamDeck (on Linux). This all works fantastic, and I can turn on or off my devices, including my printer, when I start or end my day at work. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: I’m an FCC Commissioner proposing regulation of IoT security updates
    The best alternative firmware example for true IOT devices is Tasmota [1]. Erase manufacturer firmware for every ESP devices the day after purchase to avoid those careless manufacturer firmwares. [1] https://tasmota.github.io/docs/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Sonoff smart plugs
    The ESP8266 based Sonoff S31 and ESP32 based Switchbot plugs, both flashed with either Tasmota or ESPHome, are my go-to options for US WiFi smart plugs with power monitoring. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Add $4 WiFi Logging to IKEA’s $12 Air Quality Sensor (Wemos and Vindriktning)
    And if you want to turn your ESP8266 into a standalone appliance, with a web interface and directly editable config that doesn't need a build step, Tasmota is another great option. https://tasmota.github.io/docs/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ESPHome and Tasmota, you can also consider the following products

Home-Assistant.io - Home Assistant is an open-source home automation platform running on Python 3.

ESPEasy - The ESP Easy firmware can be used to turn the ESP module into an easy multifunction sensor device for Home Automation solutions like Domoticz.

Homeway.io - Free, private, and secure Home Assistant remote access, Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and official Home Assistant iOS and Android remote access. Get started now!

OpenMQTTGateway - OpenMQTTGateway project goal is to concentrate in one firmware different technologies and protocols, hiding the different technologies singularity behind a simple & wide spread communication protocol

Google Home - Set up, manage, and control your Chromecast, Chromecast Audio and Google Home devices.

Node-RED - Node-RED is a programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services in new and interesting ways.