Internet of Things frameworks play a crucial role in the development of IoT applications by providing integration systems for the implementation of home automation complemented with ready-to-use firmware for various hardware platforms. It gives the developers the opportunity to create whole control systems and IoT devices without the need to write the whole software from scratch. This makes the development of new ideas easier for non-experienced beginners and enthusiasts, in some situations to modify the behaviour of devices available on the market. What is even more important they make it possible to integrate IoT equipment coming from different vendors. There are several IoT frameworks available, with popular home automation systems: Domoticz^[1], OpenHAB^[2], Home Assistant^[3], and ready-to-use firmware including Tasmota^[4], ESPHome^[5], ESPEasy^[6], and ESPurna^[7]. All kinds of firmware initially was developed for ESP8266 SoCs, but now have been redesigned to additionally support ESP32 and other hardware platforms. With the appearance of new microcontrollers by Beken and Realtec companies new versions of firmware were created with OpenBeken^[8] as the example. Each of these firmware choices has its own characteristics and use cases. They usually implement MQTT communication protocol, but also specific protocols used in popular home automation systems including Domoticz, OpenHAB, and Home Assistant.

• Tasmota:

Tasmota is popular among IoT enthusiasts and developers who want full control and customization over their devices. It supports a vast variety of sensors and output devices. Tasmota uses a web interface for configuration, making it easy to configure the hardware connection of the microcontroller and peripheral elements. Tasmota provides scripting capabilities, allowing users to define complex internal automation rules. The support for the MQTT protocol allows easy integration with home automation platforms. What is very important Tasmota has an active and supportive user community which constantly extends the possibilities of the software including support for ESP32-based devices.

• ESPEasy:

ESPEasy is designed for users who want a simplified approach to IoT device configuration and automation. It offers a user-friendly web interface for configuring devices. It provides a set of pre-built plugins for common tasks and supports MQTT for integration with platforms like Domoticz and OpenHAB. ESPEasy has an active community, although not as active as Tasmota.

• ESPHome:

ESPHome is popular among Home Assistant users who want a seamless integration experience. It uses a YAML-based configuration, which is highly readable and well-documented. It's tightly integrated with Home Assistant, making it an excellent choice for Home Assistant users. Configuration of the IoT node can be done in the Home Automation system which automatically generates the proper version of firmware with the configuration of the final unit. ESPHome allows users to define device configurations, sensor readings, and automation in a straightforward manner. ESPHome users benefit from the Home Assistant community, providing strong support.

• ESPurna:

ESPurna is the least active but still interesting project. ESPurna supports MQTT for integration with home automation systems and offers compatibility with Domoticz, Home Assistant, and other platforms.

• OpenBeken

OpenBeken is the software created for BK72xx series of SoCs that is based on Tasmota functionality.

The choice between Tasmota, ESP Easy, ESPHome, ESPurna and OpenBeken largely depends on the user's specific needs, choice of hardware platform, and familiarity with IoT device configuration.

Node-RED ^[9] is an open-source, flow-based development tool and runtime environment designed for visual programming. It was initially developed by IBM Emerging Technology Services and is now part of the OpenJS Foundation. It can be used for any purpose that uses a flow-based programming model which is especially useful for IoT (Internet of Things) and home automation applications.

Here are some key aspects and features of Node-RED:

Flow-Based Programming: Node-RED uses a flow-based programming paradigm where developers create applications by connecting nodes in a visual editor. Each node represents a specific function or task, and flows (sequences of connected nodes) represent the logic and behavior of the application.

Visual Editor: The core of Node-RED is its web-based visual editor, which makes it easy for users to create and edit flows. The editor provides a drag-and-drop interface for adding, configuring, and connecting nodes to build applications visually.

Extensible and Customizable: Node-RED has a wide range of pre-built nodes that can be used for various tasks, but it's also highly extensible. Users can create custom nodes or install additional nodes from the Node-RED library, allowing for integration with various hardware devices, services, and protocols.

Built-In Library: Node-RED has a built-in library for storing and sharing flows, making it easy to reuse and share your work with others in the Node-RED community.

Integration Capabilities: Node-RED is popular in IoT and home automation due to its ability to easily connect and integrate with a wide range of devices, platforms, and APIs. It has built-in nodes for MQTT, HTTP, WebSocket, and more.

Debugging and Logging: Node-RED provides built-in debugging and logging capabilities, making it easier to troubleshoot and monitor the behavior of your applications.

Node Ecosystem: Node-RED leverages the Node.js runtime environment, which allows developers to use JavaScript for creating custom nodes and handling server-side logic.

Open Source and Community-Driven: Node-RED is open source and has a vibrant and active community of users and developers. This community contributes to its development and maintains a repository of third-party nodes.

Node-RED is used in various applications, including home automation, industrial automation, data processing, and IoT solutions. Its visual approach to programming and extensive library of nodes make it a valuable tool for rapidly prototyping and building applications that involve data processing and automation.