head to head · open source
homebridge vs HomeKey-ESP32
homebridge has 25,497 GitHub stars, 2,011 forks, 21 open issues and last shipped 23 days ago. HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,079 stars, 94 forks, 47 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. homebridge leads on adoption by 2,263% (25,497 vs 1,079 stars). homebridge is written in TypeScript under Apache-2.0; HomeKey-ESP32 is written in C++ under MIT. homebridge has attracted 8% 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
| homebridge | HomeKey-ESP32 | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 25K | ★ 1.1K |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Written in | TypeScript | C++ |
| Last push | 2026-08-30 | 2026-09-20 |
| Forks | ⑂ 2.0K | ⑂ 94 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick homebridge if
- You weight community size — 25K 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 homebridge
Homebridge is a lightweight, free and open source Node.js server that emulates the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) on a home network, so that smart home devices without native HomeKit support can be controlled through Apple's Home app and Siri.
read the full homebridge 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 homebridge or HomeKey-ESP32 more popular?
homebridge has 25,497 GitHub stars and HomeKey-ESP32 has 1,079. homebridge has the larger community by that measure.
Are homebridge and HomeKey-ESP32 free?
Both are open source. homebridge is licensed under Apache-2.0 and HomeKey-ESP32 under MIT. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between homebridge and HomeKey-ESP32?
homebridge 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, homebridge or HomeKey-ESP32?
Choose homebridge if you want the larger community (25,497 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.