head to head · open source
n8n vs EMS-ESP32
n8n has 205,086 GitHub stars, 60,753 forks, 1,143 open issues and last shipped today. EMS-ESP32 has 1,009 stars, 152 forks, 15 open issues and last shipped 4 days ago. n8n leads on adoption by 20,226% (205,086 vs 1,009 stars). n8n is written in TypeScript under a custom or non-standard licence; EMS-ESP32 is written in C++ under LGPL-3.0. n8n has attracted 30% as many forks as stars, EMS-ESP32 15%. n8n 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
| n8n | EMS-ESP32 | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 205K | ★ 1.0K |
| License | Custom / other | LGPL-3.0 |
| Written in | TypeScript | C++ |
| Last push | 2026-09-18 | 2026-09-14 |
| Forks | ⑂ 61K | ⑂ 152 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick n8n if
- You weight community size — 205K stars and counting
- You want the Custom / other license terms
- Your stack matches TypeScript
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick EMS-ESP32 if
- You want the EMS-ESP32 feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the LGPL-3.0 license terms
- Your stack matches C++
- You evaluated both and EMS-ESP32 fits your workflow better
About n8n
n8n is a visual workflow automation platform built in TypeScript that combines a drag and drop editor with custom code execution. It lives in the integration and automation ecosystem, positioned as an open alternative to proprietary services like Zapier. Users design multi step workflows—called “n8n flows”—that connect apps, services, and custom logic to automate repetitive tasks.
About EMS-ESP32
EMS ESP EMS ESP is an open source firmware for the Espressif ESP32 microcontroller to communicate with EMS (Energy Management System) compatible equipment from manufacturers such as Bosch, Buderus, Nefit, Junkers, Worcester, Sieger, elm.leblanc and iVT. It requires a small circuit to interface with the EMS bus which can be purchased from . These gateways are tested thoroughly and certified to work with EMS ESP. 📦 Key Features Compatible with EMS, EMS+, EMS2, EMS Plus, Logamatic EMS, Junkers 2 wire, Heatronic 3 and 4 Supporting over 120 different EMS compatible devices such as thermostats, boilers, heat pumps, mi…
read the full EMS-ESP32 overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is n8n or EMS-ESP32 more popular?
n8n has 205,086 GitHub stars and EMS-ESP32 has 1,009. n8n has the larger community by that measure.
Are n8n and EMS-ESP32 free?
Both are open source. n8n has no licence declared in this registry, and EMS-ESP32 is licensed under LGPL-3.0. Both are free to self-host.
What is the difference between n8n and EMS-ESP32?
n8n is written in TypeScript and EMS-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, n8n or EMS-ESP32?
Choose n8n if you want the larger community (205,086 stars) or its Custom / other licence terms. Choose EMS-ESP32 if its feature set, stack or LGPL-3.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.