Comparison

ESP vs ESP32 Control

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ESP

This utility app allows users to build and configure ESP-MESH networks, leveraging the ESP32 chip. It explores the capabilities of a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hybrid protocol for innovative wireless networking solutions. The app supports various ESP32-based hardware devices for smart home applications.

Highlights
  • Build and configure ESP-MESH networks
  • Explore ESP-MESH protocol capabilities
  • Utilize ESP32 chip for networking
  • Support for ESP32-MeshKit devices
  • Smart home lighting solutions
Features
Read full description

ESP-Mesh App is a tool for building and configuring ESP-MESH networks. The tool helps explore the potential of the ESP-MESH protocol developed by Espressif. ESP-MESH can be thought of as an extension of the Wi-Fi protocol. It combines the advantages of both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies to provide innovative solutions that make you re-think how wireless networks can be built using the same networking equipment. Since ESP-MESH has been designed for the ESP32 chip, you can use this protocol to network any hardware devices that incorporate ESP32, either available for purchase or created by you. Espressif offers a line of ESP-MESH hardware devices, called ESP32-MeshKit, to help you get started. This line is specifically designed with the goal to demonstrate the features of the ESP-MESH protocol. The number of available devices is steadily growing. Currently, ESP32-MeshKit includes: ESP32-MeshKit-Light - smart light bulbs. ESP32-MeshKit-Button - remote control with ultra-low power consumption for MeshKit-Light devices. ESP32-MeshKit-Sense - development board for controlling MeshKit peripherals based on the data from its multiple onboard sensors. When built into an ESP-MESH network, these devices present a ready-made solution for smart home lighting. For more details, please see https://github.com/espressif/esp-mdf The source code for the ESP-Mesh App can be found https://github.com/EspressifApp/EspMeshForiOS. It might be helpful in development of your own ESP-MESH applications.

About

ESP32 Control

Features
Read full description

Take full control of your ESP32 LED setups. ESP32 Control is a powerful, intuitive app designed specifically for WS2812B LED strips running on ESP32 over Bluetooth (BLE). Whether you're building ambient lighting, custom installations, or just experimenting — this app gives you precise, real-time control. KEY FEATURES • Real-time LED painting Design your own lighting layouts by controlling each LED individually. • Built-in effects Choose from smooth, dynamic effects like rainbow, fire, aurora, and more. • Custom sequences Create timed animations step-by-step with full control over colour, speed, and brightness. • Save and reuse designs Build your own library of presets and instantly apply them anytime. • Multi-device control Connect and sync multiple ESP32 setups at once. • Simple BLE connection Fast and reliable connection with no complicated setup. • Demo mode Try features on your own setup before unlocking. DESIGNED FOR BUILDERS This app is built for makers, hobbyists, and developers working with: • ESP32 • WS2812B (NeoPixel) LED strips • Custom lighting setups More device support coming soon. --- If you’ve ever felt limited by generic LED apps — this gives you full creative control. Build it your way.

Screenshots

ESP4 screens
ESP32 Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ESP at none against ESP32 Control's 1. ESP also leads on iOS requirement (12.3 vs 17.6). ESP32 Control's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ESP32 Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ESP asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ESP ships an update every 2 months, ESP32 Control every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
ESP versus ESP32 Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterESPESP32 Control
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.3 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperESPRESSIF SYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.TRAVIS KIMANI CHRISTOPHER

In-app purchases

None

ESP

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ESP32 Control

One-time1
  • Premium Unlock$4.99

Questions

Is ESP free?
ESP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ESP32 Control free?
ESP32 Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ESP or ESP32 Control have ads?
Neither ESP nor ESP32 Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ESP or ESP32 Control?
ESP ships an update every 2 months, and ESP32 Control every 4 days. Most recently, ESP was updated on October 13, 2026 and ESP32 Control on October 10, 2026.

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