Hello readers welcome to the new post. In this post, we will learn ESP32 vs ESP8266 – Which One To Choose? ESP32 and ESP8266 have become well-liked options in the field of microcontrollers for both developers and hobbyists. They are the best option for differnt IoT applications since they are smaller but powerful and provide differnt features and capabilities. In this post, we will compare ESP32 and ESP8266 which will help you to choose the right one for your projects. Let’s get started with ESP32 vs ESP8266
Introduction to ESP32
- The ESP32 microcontroller, designed by Espressif Systems, is a versatile and highly capable component. It is based on the Xtensa LX6 CPU architecture and comes with dual-core processing power. It has clock speeds up to 240 MHz, the so it can handle demanding tasks and complicated operations efficiently. With that, it also provides already-built Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it best for IoT projects that need wireless communication.
- It comes with a different set of peripherals, like SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface GPIO pins, ), UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter), I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), and more. These different interfaces allow for seamless integration with, actuators, sensors, actuators, and external devices.
- The main benefit of this module is its extensive support and active community. Developers can advantage of a larger collection of libraries, and documentation, which simplifies the development process and accelerates project completion.
What is ESP8266
- Another well-known microcontroller employed in IoT applications is the ESP8266, designed by Espressif Systems as well. It comes with a Tensilica L106 single-core CPU with a clock speed of 160 MHz.
- Despite having less processing capability than the ESP32, it is also effective for different applications.
- The ESP8266like the ESP32, and has built-in Wi-Fi connection, that is used for smooth wireless communication. But it doesn’t support Bluetooth, it’s not a fine option for applications that need Bluetooth features
- ESP8266 has SPI I2C, GPIO pins, , and UART interfaces, that make it easy to integrate with other electronic parts. It has more limitations for performance and capability than the ESP32, but it has significance for different projects.
ESP32 vs ESP8266
| Feature | ESP32 | ESP8266 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core Xtensa LX6 | Single-core Tensilica Xtensa LX1 |
| Clock speed | Up to 240 MHz | Up to 160 MHz |
| RAM | 520 KB | 96 KB |
| Flash | 4 MB, 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB | 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB |
| Wireless connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, | Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, |
| GPIOs | 34 | 16 |
| ADCs | 12-bit, 16 channels | 10-bit, 1 channel |
| DACs | 12-bit, 2 channels | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| I²C | 2 | 1 |
| SPI | 2 | 1 |
| UARTs | 2 | 1 |
| PWMs | 16 | 10 |
| RTC | Yes | Yes |
| USB OTG | Yes | No |
| Development tools | Arduino, Espressif IDF, PlatformIO | Arduino, Espressif SDK |
| Price | Starting at $10 | Starting at $5 |
ESP8266 vs Arduino
| Feature | ESP8266 | Arduino |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ESP8266EX | Various models |
| Processor | Tensilica L106 32-bit RISC microcontroller | Various (ATmega328P, ATmega2560, etc.) |
| Clock Speed | Up to 160 MHz | Varies depending on the model |
| Memory | 32 KB instruction RAM, 80 KB data RAM | Varies depending on the model |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB | Varies depending on the model |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) | None (can be added with additional modules) |
| Communication | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, etc. |
| Analog Inputs | 1 (ESP-01), up to 10 (ESP-12E/ESP-12F) | Multiple analog inputs (varies by Arduino model) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 11 (ESP-01), up to 17 (ESP-12E/ESP-12F) | Varies depending on the model |
| PWM Pins | 1 (ESP-01), up to 6 (ESP-12E/ESP-12F) | Varies depending on the model |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V | Varies depending on the model (usually 5V) |
| Development Tools | Arduino IDE, NodeMCU firmware, ESP8266 core for Arduino | Arduino IDE, PlatformIO, etc. |
| Community Support | Active community with a large number of resources and libraries | Extensive community support and resources |
| Cost | Relatively low cost compared to Arduino boards | Varies depending on the Arduino model |
esp 12 vs esp 12e
| Feature | ESP-12 | ESP-12E |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ESP8266EX | ESP8266EX |
| Processor | Tensilica L106 32-bit RISC microcontroller | Tensilica L106 32-bit RISC microcontroller |
| Clock Speed | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 160 MHz |
| Memory | 32 KB instruction RAM, 80 KB data RAM | 32 KB instruction RAM, 80 KB data RAM |
| Flash Memory | 4 MB | 4 MB |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) | Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) |
| Antenna | External or PCB antenna | External or PCB antenna |
| Communication | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C |
| Analog Inputs | 1 | 1 |
| Digital I/O Pins | 11 | 17 |
| PWM Pins | 6 | 6 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V | 3.3V |
| Development Tools | Arduino IDE, NodeMCU firmware, ESP8266 core for Arduino | Arduino IDE, NodeMCU firmware, ESP8266 core for Arduino |
| Community Support | Active community with a large number of resources | Active community with a large number of resources |
| Cost | Relatively low cost compared to other microcontrollers | Relatively low cost compared to other microcontrollers |
comparing the ESP12 and ESP12E WiFi modules:
| Feature | ESP12 | ESP12E |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V | 3.3V |
| Clock Speed | 80MHz | 80MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16MB | 8MB |
| RAM | 512KB | 256KB |
| Number of Digital I/O Pins | 14 | 14 |
| Analog Input Pins | 1 | 1 |
| UARTs | 2 | 2 |
| I²C | Yes | Yes |
| SPI | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Power Consumption | Very low (15µA – 400mA) | Very low (15µA – 400mA) |
| Price | Very affordable | Very affordable |
| Community Support | Large and active | Large and active |
The ESP12 and ESP12E are like as we can above features. The ESP12 has 16MB of flash memory, but the ESP12E flash memory is 8MB is the main difference. If you want to store larger data on the module, such as pictures, firmware,or sensor data, this difference in flash memory capacity will have an importance
Other than the difference in flash memory size, both modules are the same.. They have the same operating voltage, RAM, clock speed, number of digital I/O pins, analog input pins, SPI UARTs, I²C,, WiFi, Bluetooth, power consumption,cost, and community support.
Pros and Cons- ESP8266 vs ESP32
ESP8266: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cost-effective: The ESP8266 is famous for its affordability features, which makes it a good option for projects on a limited costs
- Established community: it has a large and active community of developers, offering extensive support, resources, and libraries.
- Wi-Fi connectivity: The built-in Wi-Fi capability of this module helps to easy integration with internet-configured devices and IoT applications.
- Low power consumption: The ESP8266 provides power-saving modes and features, that make it the best for battery-powered projects or applications with energy efficiency needs
- Adequate memory: With 32 KB instruction RAM and 80 KB data RAM, and 4 MB of flash memory, the ESP8266 has sufficient storage space for different programs’ codes and data.
Cons:
- Processing power limitations: it has a single-core processor and faces difficulty operating with complex tasks or applications that need extensive processing features
- Limited GPIO pins: The GPIO pins on the ESP8266 are more limited than other microcontrollers, which can restrict the external components to connect
- Lack of additional features: It does not have built-in support for Bluetooth or other advanced features, restricting its connectivity options in certain projects
- Lower community support for ESP32-specific features: As ESP8266 has a large community, support for ESP32-specific parameters and capabilities can be relatively limited.
- Debugging challenges: The debugging features of this module are not as robust than some other microcontrollers, which causes troubleshooting more difficult.
ESP32: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful processor: The ESP32 features a dual-core processor and functions at high clock speeds, offering increased processing power and the feature to handle complicated tasks.
- Enhanced capabilities: it offers additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, that make it suitable for applications that need wireless communication or compatibility with Bluetooth devices.
- More GPIO pins: it comes with a larger number of GPIO pins, so provides flexibility for connecting external devices and components.
- Rich peripheral set: it has many peripherals, for example, I2C SPI, UART, and some others, allowing for seamless integration with different sensors and devices.
- Extensive community support: While not as established as the ESP8266 community, the ESP32 community is fastly growing, with an increasing number of tutorials, resources, and libraries available.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Compared to the ESP8266, the ESP32 is costly, which can impact budget-conscious projects.
- Increased power consumption: Due to its dual-core architecture and higher clock speeds, it consumes larger power than the ESP8266, making it a less choose able module for low-power applications.
- Complexity for simple projects: The advanced capabilities and extensive features of the ESP32 can add unnecessary complications for simple projects that do not need their full potential.
- Availability limitations: While the availability of ESP32 and development boards has improved, it can not be as widespread as the ESP8266, which causes potential sourcing challenges in some regions.
- Learning curve: it can have a steeper learning curve for beginners or those transitioning from simpler microcontrollers, due to its additional features and advanced parameters.
| Feature | ESP8266 | ESP32 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Affordable | Costly |
| Availability | Widely available | Not as widely available |
| Community | A large community of support | The smaller community of support |
| Ease of use | Easy to use | difficult to use |
| Performance | Single-core processor, limited memory, slow clock speed, | Dual-core processor, , more memory faster clock speed |
| Features | No Bluetooth support | Supports Bluetooth |
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Which is better, the ESP32 vs ESP8266?
The ESP32 and ESP8266 are both popular microcontrollers and are part of (IoT) projects. They both come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, but the ESP32 has differnt advantages than the ESP8266, such as
- More powerful processor: The ESP32 has a dual-core processor operating at 240 MHz, while the ESP8266 has a single-core processor running at 160 MHz. it shows that the ESP32 can handle more complicated operations and can handle more demanding applications.
- More memory: The ESP32 offers 520 KB of SRAM and 4 MB of flash memory, but the ESP8266 has 160 KB of SRAM and 32 MB of flash memory. This extra memory provides the ESP32 more room to store data and code, which can be significant for large or complicated projects.
- More features: The ESP32 has differnt features that the ESP8266 does not, such
- Bluetooth: The ESP32 module has built-in Bluetooth Low Energy support, which helps it to connect to other devices through Bluetooth. The ESP8266 not has Bluetooth support.
- Touch sensors: The ESP32 has ten touch sensors built into the chip, which can be used for the detection of touch input. The ESP8266 does not come with touch sensors.
- Hardware crypto engine: The ESP32 has a hardware crypto engine, that is employed to do cryptographic functions like encryption and decryption. The ESP8266 does not come with a hardware crypto engine.
Differences between ESP32 and ESP8266
| Feature | ESP32 | ESP8266 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Dual-core Xtensa LX6 | Single-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 |
| Clock speed | Up to 240 MHz | Up to 160 MHz |
| Memory | 520 KB SRAM, 4 MB flash | 160 KB SRAM, 32 MB flash |
| Features | Bluetooth, touch sensors, hardware crypto engine | Wi-Fi |
| Price | More expensive | less costly
|
ESP32 Pinout
| Pin | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3V3 | Power | The 3V3 pin is used to deliver power to the ESP32. |
| GND | Ground | The GND pin is the ground connection for the ESP32. |
| EN | Enable | The EN pin is employed to enable the ESP32. |
| RST | Reset | The RST pin works to reset the ESP32. |
| TXD | Serial transmit | The TXD pin transmits data from the ESP32 to another device. |
| RXD | Serial receive | The RXD pin is employed to receive data from another device to the ESP32. |
| GPIO0 | Boot mode select | The GPIO0 pin is used to choose the boot mode for the ESP32. |
| GPIO2 | Boot mode select | The GPIO2 pin is employed to choose the boot mode for the ESP32. |
| GPIO4 | Touch sensor 0 | The GPIO4 pin is configured to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO5 | Touch sensor 1 | The GPIO5 pin is linked to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO12 | Touch sensor 2 | The GPIO12 pin is attached to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO13 | Touch sensor 3 | The GPIO13 pin is connected to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO14 | Touch sensor 4 | The GPIO14 pin is connected to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO15 | Touch sensor 5 | The GPIO15 pin is connected to a touch sensor. |
| GPIO16 | ADC1 channel 0 | The GPIO16 pin is connected to the first channel of the ADC. |
| GPIO17 | ADC1 channel 1 | The GPIO17 pin is connected to the second channel of the ADC. |
| GPIO18 | ADC1 channel 2 | The GPIO18 pin is connected to the third channel of the ADC. |
| GPIO19 | ADC1 channel 3 | The GPIO19 pin is connected to the fourth channel of the ADC. |
| GPIO20 | ADC1 channel 4 | The GPIO20 pin is connected to the fifth channel of the ADC. |
| GPIO21 | I2C1 SDA | The GPIO21 pin is connected to the SDA (Serial Data) line of the I2C1 bus. |
| GPIO22 | I2C1 SCL | The GPIO22 pin is connected to the SCL (Serial Clock) line of the I2C1 bus. |
| GPIO23 | SPI1 SCK | The GPIO23 pin is connected to the SCK (Serial Clock) line of the SPI1 bus. |
| GPIO24 | SPI1 MOSI | The GPIO24 pin is connected to the MOSI (Master Out Slave In) line of the SPI1 bus. |
| GPIO25 | SPI1 MISO | The GPIO25 pin is connected to the MISO (Master In Slave Out) line of the SPI1 bus. |
| GPIO26 | I2S0 RXD | The GPIO26 pin is connected to the RXD (Receive Data) line of the I2S0 bus. |
| GPIO27 | I2S0 TXD | The GPIO27 pin is connected to the TXD (Transmit Data) line of the I2S0 bus. |
| GPIO28 | I2S0 BCLK | The GPIO28 pin is connected to the BCLK (Bit Clock) line of the I2S0 bus. |
| GPIO29 | I2S0 LRCLK | The GPIO29 pin is connected to the LRCLK (Left Right Clock) line of the I2S0 bus. |
| GPIO30 | DAC1 output | The GPIO30 pin is connected to the output of the DAC1. |
| GPIO31 | DAC2 output | The GPIO31 pin is connected to the output of the DAC2. |
| GPIO32 | External wake up | The GPIO32 pin can be used to wake the ESP32 from a low-power state. |
| GPIO33 | External wake up | The GPIO33 pin can be used to wake the ESP32 from a low-power state. |
ESP8266 Pinout
| Pin | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3V3 | Power | The 3V3 pin provides power to the ESP8266. |
| GND | Ground | The GND pin is the ground connection for the ESP8266. |
| EN | Enable | The EN pin is used to enable the ESP8266. |
| RST | Reset | The RST pin is used to reset the ESP8266. |
| TXD | Serial transmit | The TXD pin is used to transmit data from the ESP8266 to another device. |
| RXD | Serial receive | The RXD pin is used to receive data from another device to the ESP8266. |
| CH_PD | Chip Power Down | The CH_PD pin is used to power down the ESP8266. |
| GPIO0 | GPIO 0 | The GPIO0 pin can be used as a general-purpose input/output pin. |
| GPIO2 | GPIO 2 | The GPIO2 pin can be used as a general-purpose input/output pin. |
| ADC | Analog-to-Digital Converter | The ADC pin can be used to read analog signals. |
| VCC | Power | The VCC pin provides power to the ESP-12E module. |
| GND | Ground | The GND pin is the ground connection for the ESP-12E module. |
| TXD | Serial transmit | The TXD pin is used to transmit data from the ESP-12E module to another device. |
| RXD | Serial receive | The RXD pin is used to receive data from another device to the ESP-12E module. |
| CH_PD | Chip Power Down | The CH_PD pin is used to power down the ESP-12E module. |
| RST | Reset | The RST pin is used to reset the ESP-12E module. |
| LED | On-board LED | The LED pin is connected to the onboard LED. |
ESP32 VS ESP8266- Specifications
| Feature | ESP32 | ESP8266 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Dual-core Xtensa LX6 | Single-core Tensilica Xtensa LX106 |
| Clock speed | Up to 240 MHz | 80 MHz |
| Flash memory | Up to 16 MB | Up to 4 MB |
| RAM | Up to 64 MB | Up to 1 MB |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| GPIO pins | 34 | 16 |
| ADC channels | 18 | 1 |
| DAC channels | 2 | N/A |
| Touch sensors | 10 | N/A |
| Temperature sensor | Yes | No |
| Security features | Secure boot, flash encryption, hardware authentication | No hardware security features |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
ESP32 VS ESP8266: Which is easier to program?
The ESP32 and ESP8266 are very popular devices that can be used to design different projects. Both microcontrollers have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best one for you will base on your certain needs.
In terms of programming, the ESP32 is normally considered to be easy to program than the ESP8266. The ESP32 comes with a larger community of developers, and there are many resources available for learning how to program it. The ESP32 also has a high-power processor, which can make programming faster and easier.
Though, the ESP8266 is not without its advantages. The ESP8266 is less costly than the ESP32, and it can be used with differnt types of development boards. The ESP8266 is high power-efficient than the ESP32, which can be good for battery-powered projects.
The easiest way to choose the ideal microcontroller for you is to take your needs and budget into account.
. If you are looking for a powerful microcontroller having a large community of developers, the ESP32 is the best one. The ESP8266 is a fantastic option if you want to utilize a less-priced microcontroller that can be used with many projects and development boards.
The programming languages that may be used to programme the ESP32 and ESP8266 are listed in the following table:
| Programming language | ESP32 | ESP8266 |
|---|---|---|
| C/C++ | Yes | Yes |
| Arduino | Yes | Yes |
| MicroPython | Yes | No |
| Lua | Yes | No |
FAQs
Does ESP32 have better Wi-Fi than ESP8266?
The ESP32 has the best WiFi over the ESP8266. Unlike the ESP8266, which only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, the ESP32 supports dual-band Wi-Fi with a range of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. the ESP32 has a maximum data throughput of 867 Mbps than the ESP8266’s 1 Mbps.
Which ESP board is best?
Your individual needs will determine which ESP board is appropriate for you. The ESP32 is better if you require a board with higher Wi-Fi performance. The ESP8266 is good if you have a limited budget.
Is ESP32 the same as ESP8266?
No, the ESP32 is not like the ESP8266. The ESP32 is a new model and high-power chip that has differnt advantages thenESP8266, such as:
- Dual-core processor
- More RAM
- More GPIO pins
- Support for Bluetooth
- Better Wi-Fi performance
What is the disadvantage of ESP32?
ESP32 is more costly than ESP8266. However, the ESP32’s advantages can outweigh the cost for some projects.
Why ESP8266 is better than ESP32?
The ESP8266 is not better than the ESP32. It is based on your specific needs. The ESP8266 is more widely used and less costly than the ESP32, but it is less potent.
What are the disadvantages of ESP8266?
The ESP8266 has different disadvantages, including:
- Single-core processor
- Less RAM
- Fewer GPIO pins
- No support for Bluetooth
- Worse Wi-Fi performance
Is ESP8266 used in industry?
Yes, the ESP8266 is employed in the industry. It is best for IoT projects, such as smart home devices and industrial automation.
Why ESP8266 WiFi module is better?
The ESP8266 WiFi module is better than other WiFi modules because it is:
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Has a large community
- Is supported by a variety of development platforms
What is the maximum Wi-Fi range of ESP8266?
The ESP8266 has Wi-Fi range about 100 meters. The real range, however, will differ according to the surroundings and other elements.
What is esp8266 vs esp32 power consumption?
As compare to ESP32, the ESP8266 uses less power. However, the ESP32 offers a variety of capabilities, such as deep sleep mode, that can aid to lower power usage.
What is esp8266 vs esp32 pinout?
The pinouts of the ESP8266 and ESP32 are dissimilar. The ESP32 contains 34 GPIO pins, compared to 16 on the ESP8266. The reset pin of the ESP8266 is likewise different.
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