esphome
ESPHome is a system to control your ESP8266/ESP32 by simple yet powerful configuration files and control them remotely through Home Automation systems.
Top Related Projects
:house_with_garden: Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first.
Alternative firmware for ESP8266 and ESP32 based devices with easy configuration using webUI, OTA updates, automation using timers or rules, expandability and entirely local control over MQTT, HTTP, Serial or KNX. Full documentation at
Arduino core for the ESP32
Your Gateway to Embedded Software Development Excellence :alien:
A client library for the Arduino Ethernet Shield that provides support for MQTT.
Quick Overview
ESPHome is an open-source firmware and ecosystem for ESP8266/ESP32 microcontrollers, designed to simplify the creation of custom home automation devices. It allows users to define their device configurations using YAML files, which are then compiled into custom firmware tailored to their specific needs.
Pros
- Easy to use with a simple YAML-based configuration system
- Integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant for home automation
- Supports a wide range of sensors, displays, and other components
- Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for easy maintenance and upgrades
Cons
- Limited to ESP8266 and ESP32 platforms
- Requires some technical knowledge to set up and configure
- May have a steeper learning curve for users new to embedded systems
- Some advanced features may require custom C++ code
Code Examples
- Basic configuration for an ESP8266 board with a DHT22 sensor:
esphome:
name: my_sensor
platform: ESP8266
board: nodemcuv2
sensor:
- platform: dht
pin: D2
temperature:
name: "Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Room Humidity"
update_interval: 60s
- Adding a simple switch to control an LED:
switch:
- platform: gpio
name: "LED"
pin: D5
light:
- platform: monochromatic
name: "LED Light"
output: led_output
output:
- platform: esp8266_pwm
id: led_output
pin: D5
- Implementing a custom sensor using C++ code:
esphome:
name: custom_sensor
includes:
- my_custom_sensor.h
sensor:
- platform: custom
lambda: |-
auto my_sensor = new MyCustomSensor();
App.register_component(my_sensor);
return {my_sensor};
sensors:
- name: "Custom Sensor Value"
Getting Started
-
Install ESPHome:
pip3 install esphome
-
Create a new configuration file (e.g.,
my_device.yaml
):esphome: name: my_device platform: ESP8266 board: nodemcuv2 wifi: ssid: "Your_WiFi_SSID" password: "Your_WiFi_Password" # Add your components here
-
Compile and upload the firmware:
esphome run my_device.yaml
-
Access the device through Home Assistant or the ESPHome dashboard.
Competitor Comparisons
:house_with_garden: Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first.
Pros of Home Assistant Core
- Comprehensive home automation platform with a wide range of integrations
- Large and active community, providing extensive support and custom components
- User-friendly web interface for configuration and control
Cons of Home Assistant Core
- Steeper learning curve for advanced configurations
- Higher resource requirements, especially for complex setups
- Can be overwhelming for users who only need simple device control
Code Comparison
ESPHome configuration (YAML):
esphome:
name: my_device
platform: ESP8266
board: nodemcuv2
sensor:
- platform: dht
pin: D2
temperature:
name: "Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Room Humidity"
Home Assistant Core configuration (YAML):
sensor:
- platform: mqtt
name: "Room Temperature"
state_topic: "home/temperature"
unit_of_measurement: "°C"
- platform: mqtt
name: "Room Humidity"
state_topic: "home/humidity"
unit_of_measurement: "%"
ESPHome focuses on firmware generation for ESP devices, while Home Assistant Core provides a broader home automation platform. ESPHome's code is more device-specific, whereas Home Assistant Core's configuration is typically integration-based.
Alternative firmware for ESP8266 and ESP32 based devices with easy configuration using webUI, OTA updates, automation using timers or rules, expandability and entirely local control over MQTT, HTTP, Serial or KNX. Full documentation at
Pros of Tasmota
- Larger community and more extensive device support
- Web-based configuration interface for easier setup
- More frequent updates and active development
Cons of Tasmota
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Less integration with Home Assistant compared to ESPHome
- Configuration can be more complex for multi-function devices
Code Comparison
Tasmota (configuration example):
# Sonoff Basic configuration
substitutions:
devicename: sonoff_basic
friendlyname: Sonoff Basic
topic: sonoff_basic
ESPHome (configuration example):
# Sonoff Basic configuration
esphome:
name: sonoff_basic
platform: ESP8266
board: esp01_1m
switch:
- platform: gpio
name: "Sonoff Basic Relay"
pin: GPIO12
Both projects aim to provide firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 devices, but they differ in their approach. Tasmota offers a more standalone solution with its web interface, while ESPHome integrates tightly with Home Assistant. Tasmota's configuration is often done through its web interface or MQTT commands, whereas ESPHome uses YAML files for configuration. ESPHome provides a more streamlined experience for Home Assistant users, but Tasmota offers greater flexibility and a wider range of supported devices.
Arduino core for the ESP32
Pros of arduino-esp32
- More low-level control and flexibility for advanced users
- Wider range of supported ESP32 boards and modules
- Extensive library ecosystem within the Arduino framework
Cons of arduino-esp32
- Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners
- Requires more manual configuration and setup
- Less integrated with smart home systems out-of-the-box
Code Comparison
ESPHome example:
esphome:
name: my_device
platform: ESP32
sensor:
- platform: dht
pin: GPIO22
temperature:
name: "Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Room Humidity"
arduino-esp32 example:
#include <DHT.h>
#define DHTPIN 22
#define DHTTYPE DHT22
DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);
void setup() {
dht.begin();
}
void loop() {
float temperature = dht.readTemperature();
float humidity = dht.readHumidity();
// Use temperature and humidity values
}
ESPHome uses a declarative YAML configuration, making it easier for beginners to set up sensors and devices. arduino-esp32 requires more traditional programming, offering greater flexibility but with increased complexity. ESPHome integrates seamlessly with home automation systems, while arduino-esp32 provides a foundation for more diverse projects beyond smart home applications.
Your Gateway to Embedded Software Development Excellence :alien:
Pros of PlatformIO Core
- Broader ecosystem support, compatible with multiple frameworks and platforms
- More flexible and customizable for advanced users
- Extensive library management system
Cons of PlatformIO Core
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires more manual configuration for specific projects
- Less integrated with smart home systems out-of-the-box
Code Comparison
ESPHome configuration example:
esphome:
name: my_device
platform: ESP8266
board: nodemcuv2
sensor:
- platform: dht
pin: D2
temperature:
name: "Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Room Humidity"
PlatformIO Core configuration example:
[env:nodemcuv2]
platform = espressif8266
board = nodemcuv2
framework = arduino
lib_deps =
adafruit/DHT sensor library
Both ESPHome and PlatformIO Core are powerful tools for embedded development, but they cater to different user needs. ESPHome is more focused on smart home integration and offers a simpler configuration process, while PlatformIO Core provides a more versatile development environment suitable for a wider range of projects and platforms.
A client library for the Arduino Ethernet Shield that provides support for MQTT.
Pros of PubSubClient
- Lightweight and simple MQTT client library for Arduino and ESP8266
- Easy to integrate into existing Arduino projects
- Supports QoS 0 and 1 for MQTT messaging
Cons of PubSubClient
- Limited to MQTT protocol only, while ESPHome supports multiple protocols
- Requires manual coding for device configuration and behavior
- Less extensive feature set compared to ESPHome's comprehensive smart home integration
Code Comparison
PubSubClient:
#include <PubSubClient.h>
PubSubClient client(espClient);
client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
client.setCallback(callback);
client.publish("outTopic", "hello world");
ESPHome:
mqtt:
broker: mqtt_server
username: username
password: password
sensor:
- platform: dht
temperature:
name: "Living Room Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Living Room Humidity"
ESPHome uses a declarative YAML configuration, while PubSubClient requires manual C++ coding. ESPHome provides a higher-level abstraction for smart home devices, whereas PubSubClient offers more flexibility for custom MQTT implementations in Arduino projects.
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Top Related Projects
:house_with_garden: Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first.
Alternative firmware for ESP8266 and ESP32 based devices with easy configuration using webUI, OTA updates, automation using timers or rules, expandability and entirely local control over MQTT, HTTP, Serial or KNX. Full documentation at
Arduino core for the ESP32
Your Gateway to Embedded Software Development Excellence :alien:
A client library for the Arduino Ethernet Shield that provides support for MQTT.
Convert
designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot