head to head · open source
homebridge vs HomeSpan
homebridge has 25,497 GitHub stars, 2,011 forks, 21 open issues and last shipped 23 days ago. HomeSpan has 2,166 stars, 199 forks, 9 open issues and last shipped 7 days ago. homebridge leads on adoption by 1,077% (25,497 vs 2,166 stars). homebridge is written in TypeScript under Apache-2.0; HomeSpan is written in C++ under MIT. homebridge has attracted 8% as many forks as stars, HomeSpan 9%. HomeSpan 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 | HomeSpan | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 25K | ★ 2.2K |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Written in | TypeScript | C++ |
| Last push | 2026-08-30 | 2026-09-15 |
| Forks | ⑂ 2.0K | ⑂ 199 |
| 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 HomeSpan if
- You want the HomeSpan feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the MIT license terms
- Your stack matches C++
- You evaluated both and HomeSpan 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 HomeSpan
HomeSpan is an MIT licensed C++ Arduino library for the Arduino ESP32 ecosystem. It lets developers build HomeKit devices on Espressif ESP32 microcontrollers without external bridges or components. The project implements Apple's HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification Release R2, called HAP R2, and pairs directly to HomeKit through a home WiFi network.
read the full HomeSpan overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is homebridge or HomeSpan more popular?
homebridge has 25,497 GitHub stars and HomeSpan has 2,166. homebridge has the larger community by that measure.
Are homebridge and HomeSpan free?
Both are open source. homebridge is licensed under Apache-2.0 and HomeSpan under MIT. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between homebridge and HomeSpan?
homebridge is written in TypeScript and HomeSpan 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 HomeSpan?
Choose homebridge if you want the larger community (25,497 stars) or its Apache-2.0 licence terms. Choose HomeSpan if its feature set, stack or MIT licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.