head to head · open source
frigate vs homebridge
frigate has 37,248 GitHub stars, 3,794 forks, 95 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. homebridge has 25,541 stars, 2,012 forks, 21 open issues and last shipped 5 days ago. frigate leads on adoption by 46% (37,248 vs 25,541 stars). frigate is written in Python under MIT; homebridge is written in TypeScript under Apache-2.0. frigate has attracted 10% as many forks as stars, homebridge 8%. frigate was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee.
Two open source projects, one decision. Both are free and self-hostable — the differences are community size, license terms, language stack and release pace.
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Side by side
| frigate | homebridge | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 37K | ★ 26K |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Written in | Python | TypeScript |
| Last push | 2026-11-04 | 2026-11-01 |
| Forks | ⑂ 3.8K | ⑂ 2.0K |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick frigate if
- You weight community size — 37K stars and counting
- You want the MIT license terms
- Your stack matches Python
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick homebridge if
- You want the homebridge feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the Apache-2.0 license terms
- Your stack matches TypeScript
- You evaluated both and homebridge fits your workflow better
About frigate
Frigate NVR™ Realtime Object Detection for IP Cameras \[English\] 简体中文 A complete and local NVR designed for Home Assistant with AI object detection. Uses OpenCV and Tensorflow to perform realtime object detection locally for IP cameras. Use of a GPU or AI accelerator is highly recommended. AI accelerators will outperform even the best CPUs with very little overhead. See Frigate's supported object detectors. Tight integration with Home Assistant via a custom component Designed to minimize resource use and maximize performance by only looking for objects when and where it is necessary Leverages multiprocessing…
read the full frigate overview →
About homebridge
Homebridge Homebridge is a lightweight Node.js server you can run on your home network to emulate the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP). It supports plugins, which are community contributed modules that provide a basic bridge from HomeKit to various 3rd party APIs provided by manufacturers of "smart home" devices. From v2, plugins can also expose accessories over Matter for use with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings and other Matter capable controllers. Homebridge is a free, non commercial, community driven open source project. It is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Amazon, or the Connectivity…
read the full homebridge overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is frigate or homebridge more popular?
frigate has 37,248 GitHub stars and homebridge has 25,541. frigate has the larger community by that measure.
Are frigate and homebridge free?
Both are open source. frigate is licensed under MIT and homebridge under Apache-2.0. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between frigate and homebridge?
frigate is written in Python and homebridge in TypeScript. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, frigate or homebridge?
Choose frigate if you want the larger community (37,248 stars) or its MIT licence terms. Choose homebridge if its feature set, stack or Apache-2.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.