ESPHome vs evcc
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ESPHome
Configure ESP devices with simple YAML
VS
evcc
Solar-aware electric vehicle charging controller
| Feature | ESPHome | evcc |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 93 · Excellent | 91 · Excellent |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | C++ | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,722 | ★ 7,283 |
| First released | 2018 | 2019 |
| Replaces | SmartThings | SmartThings |
What are ESPHome and evcc?
ESPHome
ESPHome is a system to create custom firmware for ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers using simple YAML configuration. It targets makers building DIY smart home sensors and devices. It is deployed via Docker or as a Home Assistant add-on.
- YAML-defined device firmware
- Tight Home Assistant integration
- Over-the-air updates
- Huge component library
evcc
evcc is an open-source EV charging controller that optimizes charging around solar production and electricity prices. It targets EV owners with solar or dynamic tariffs. It is deployed via Docker or a binary.
- Solar-optimized EV charging
- Dynamic tariff support
- Many wallbox integrations
- Home Assistant integration
ESPHome vs evcc: key differences
ESPHome is written in C++, while evcc is built with Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for ESPHome versus MIT for evcc. Evcc is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for ESPHome.
Why pick each one
Choose ESPHome if…
- No coding needed for devices
- Great with Home Assistant
- OTA updates
Watch out for
- Hardware-focused
- Requires ESP microcontrollers
Choose evcc if…
- Maximizes solar self-use
- Wide hardware support
- Lightweight
Watch out for
- Niche use case
- Requires compatible hardware
Frequently asked questions
Is ESPHome or evcc better?
Neither is universally better. ESPHome has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are ESPHome and evcc free and open-source?
Yes. ESPHome is licensed under GPL-3.0 and evcc under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ESPHome and evcc with Docker?
ESPHome: yes. evcc: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, ESPHome or evcc?
evcc has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for ESPHome. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.