head to head · open source
homebridge vs tagreader
homebridge has 25,541 GitHub stars, 2,012 forks, 21 open issues and last shipped 6 days ago. tagreader has 1,623 stars, 219 forks, 48 open issues and last shipped 6 months ago. homebridge leads on adoption by 1,474% (25,541 vs 1,623 stars). homebridge is written in TypeScript under Apache-2.0; tagreader is written in Shell under GPL-3.0. homebridge has attracted 8% as many forks as stars, tagreader 13%. homebridge 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
| homebridge | tagreader | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 26K | ★ 1.6K |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Written in | TypeScript | Shell |
| Last push | 2026-11-01 | 2026-04-27 |
| Forks | ⑂ 2.0K | ⑂ 219 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick homebridge if
- You weight community size — 26K 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 tagreader if
- You want the tagreader feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the GPL-3.0 license terms
- Your stack matches Shell
- You evaluated both and tagreader fits your workflow better
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 →
About tagreader
Tag Reader for Home Assistant The tag reader is a simple to build/use NFC tag reader, specially created for Home Assistant. It is using a D1 mini ESP 8266 and the PN532 NFC module. The firmware is built using ESPhome. I am selling a pre built version, a DIY version (assembly required), or just the case (use with own components). Check it out on my website. Building the tag reader To build your own tag reader, you need the following components: ESP8266 D1 Mini PN532 NFC Reader WS2812 Buzzer The 3D models for the case are here. WARNING regarding AZdelivery D1. We have had several users contacting us with different…
read the full tagreader overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is homebridge or tagreader more popular?
homebridge has 25,541 GitHub stars and tagreader has 1,623. homebridge has the larger community by that measure.
Are homebridge and tagreader free?
Both are open source. homebridge is licensed under Apache-2.0 and tagreader under GPL-3.0. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between homebridge and tagreader?
homebridge is written in TypeScript and tagreader in Shell. 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 tagreader?
Choose homebridge if you want the larger community (25,541 stars) or its Apache-2.0 licence terms. Choose tagreader if its feature set, stack or GPL-3.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.