OpenMQTTGateway vs Theengs Gateway
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted home automation options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | OpenMQTTGateway | Theengs Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 73 · Good | 73 · Good |
| Category | Home Automation | Home Automation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,096 | ★ 177 |
| First released | 2016 | 2022 |
| Replaces | SmartThings Hub | SmartThings Hub |
What are OpenMQTTGateway and Theengs Gateway?
OpenMQTTGateway
OpenMQTTGateway is firmware that turns inexpensive microcontrollers into bridges between MQTT and protocols like 433MHz RF, infrared, BLE, and LoRa. It integrates a wide range of cheap sensors into home automation.
- RF, IR, BLE bridging
- MQTT integration
- Cheap sensor support
- Home Assistant ready
Theengs Gateway
Theengs Gateway is a Bluetooth Low Energy to MQTT gateway that decodes data from hundreds of BLE sensors and beacons. It brings cheap BLE devices into home automation hubs.
- BLE sensor decoding
- MQTT publishing
- Hundreds of devices
- Home Assistant discovery
OpenMQTTGateway vs Theengs Gateway: key differences
OpenMQTTGateway is written in C++, while Theengs Gateway is built with Python. OpenMQTTGateway is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Theengs Gateway. OpenMQTTGateway is the more established project (first released 2016), while Theengs Gateway arrived in 2022. OpenMQTTGateway has the considerably larger community, at 4,096 GitHub stars versus 177. Theengs Gateway lists first-class Docker deployment; OpenMQTTGateway does not.
Why pick each one
Choose OpenMQTTGateway if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Active community (4.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Choose Theengs Gateway if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Python
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenMQTTGateway or Theengs Gateway better?
Neither is universally better. OpenMQTTGateway has the larger community, while Theengs Gateway is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are OpenMQTTGateway and Theengs Gateway free and open-source?
Yes. OpenMQTTGateway is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Theengs Gateway under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenMQTTGateway and Theengs Gateway with Docker?
OpenMQTTGateway: check the project docs for container support. Theengs Gateway: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, OpenMQTTGateway or Theengs Gateway?
OpenMQTTGateway has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Theengs Gateway. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.