ESP vs ESP32 Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
ESP32 Control
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. ESP32 Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ESP asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | ESP | ESP32 Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.3 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ESPRESSIF SYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD. | TRAVIS KIMANI CHRISTOPHER |
In-app purchases
ESP
No in-app purchases
ESP32 Control
- Premium Unlock$4.99









