ESPHome vs openHAB
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
ESPHome
Configure ESP devices with simple YAML
VS
openHAB
Vendor-neutral open-source home automation
| Feature | ESPHome | openHAB |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | EPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,505 | ★ 1,134 |
| First released | 2018 | 2010 |
| Replaces | SmartThings | SmartThings, Google Home |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is ESPHome or openHAB better?
ESPHome is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider openHAB if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are ESPHome and openHAB free and open-source?
Yes. ESPHome is licensed under GPL-3.0 and openHAB under EPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ESPHome and openHAB with Docker?
ESPHome: yes. openHAB: yes.