head to head · open source
HAP-NodeJS vs HomeKey-ESP32
HAP-NodeJS has 2,722 GitHub stars, 619 forks, 6 open issues and last shipped 1 months ago. HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,079 stars, 93 forks, 47 open issues and last shipped yesterday. HAP-NodeJS leads on adoption by 152% (2,722 vs 1,079 stars). HAP-NodeJS is written in TypeScript under Apache-2.0; HomeKey-ESP32 is written in C++ under MIT. HAP-NodeJS has attracted 23% as many forks as stars, HomeKey-ESP32 9%. HomeKey-ESP32 was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee. The two share 1 topic tag (homekit), so they are genuine substitutes rather than adjacent tools.
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
| HAP-NodeJS | HomeKey-ESP32 | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 2.7K | ★ 1.1K |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Written in | TypeScript | C++ |
| Last push | 2026-08-22 | 2026-09-21 |
| Forks | ⑂ 619 | ⑂ 93 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick HAP-NodeJS if
- You weight community size — 2.7K stars and counting
- You want the Apache-2.0 license terms
- Your stack matches TypeScript
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick HomeKey-ESP32 if
- You want the HomeKey-ESP32 feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the MIT license terms
- Your stack matches C++
- You evaluated both and HomeKey-ESP32 fits your workflow better
About HAP-NodeJS
HAP NodeJS is a TypeScript implementation of the server side of Apple's HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP), published under the Apache 2.0 licence as a library for developers who want to build their own HomeKit accessories on Raspberry Pi, Intel Edison, or any other platform that can run Node.js.
read the full HAP-NodeJS overview →
About HomeKey-ESP32
HomeKey ESP32 is a reverse engineered, MIT licensed C++ firmware project that adds Apple Home Key — Apple's secure NFC based unlocking — to an ordinary ESP32 development board, so a door can be opened with a tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch instead of a certified commercial smart lock.
read the full HomeKey-ESP32 overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is HAP-NodeJS or HomeKey-ESP32 more popular?
HAP-NodeJS has 2,722 GitHub stars and HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,079. HAP-NodeJS has the larger community by that measure.
Are HAP-NodeJS and HomeKey-ESP32 free?
Both are open source. HAP-NodeJS is licensed under Apache-2.0 and HomeKey-ESP32 under MIT. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between HAP-NodeJS and HomeKey-ESP32?
HAP-NodeJS is written in TypeScript and HomeKey-ESP32 in C++. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, HAP-NodeJS or HomeKey-ESP32?
Choose HAP-NodeJS if you want the larger community (2,722 stars) or its Apache-2.0 licence terms. Choose HomeKey-ESP32 if its feature set, stack or MIT licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.