head to head · open source
HAP-NodeJS vs HomeKey-ESP32
HAP-NodeJS has 2,720 GitHub stars, 620 forks, 6 open issues and last shipped 5 days ago. HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,117 stars, 104 forks, 47 open issues and last shipped 20 days ago. HAP-NodeJS leads on adoption by 144% (2,720 vs 1,117 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%. HAP-NodeJS 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 | 2026-11-01 | 2026-10-17 |
| Forks | ⑂ 620 | ⑂ 104 |
| 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 HAP NodeJS is an implementation of the HomeKit Accessory Server as specified in the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP), which is defined by Apple as part of the HomeKit Framework. HAP NodeJS is intended to be used as a library to easily create your own HomeKit Accessory on a Raspberry Pi, Intel Edison, or any other platform that can run Node.js :) If you are searching for a pluggable HomeKit bridge with over a thousand community driven plugins to bring HomeKit support to devices which do not support HomeKit out of the box, you may want to look at the [homebridge][project homebridge] project (which also…
read the full HAP-NodeJS overview →
About HomeKey-ESP32
HomeKey ESP32 Apple HomeKey functionality for the rest of us Documentation What is HomeKey ESP32? The project aims to be the easy DIY solution for using Apple's HomeKey feature without the need to purchase a compatible smart lock that you probably don't want. HomeKey ESP32 brings Apple's secure NFC based unlocking to an ESP32 module near you, enabling you to unlock doors and whatnot with a simple tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch. No proprietary hardware required – just an ESP32 and one of the supported NFC modules [!WARNING] The flash memory is not encrypted as this kinda started as a pet project of mine but a…
read the full HomeKey-ESP32 overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is HAP-NodeJS or HomeKey-ESP32 more popular?
HAP-NodeJS has 2,720 GitHub stars and HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,117. 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 (2,720 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.