# Vapi vs xiaozhi-esp32-server
_Voice Agents · independent comparison_

> Vapi and xiaozhi-esp32-server take different routes to the same job: one is a commercial product, the other open-source and self-hostable. Choose based on whether you want a managed experience or full control.

## Side by side

**Vapi**
- Paid product · Platform
- Best for: Developers building production voice agents with full API control over models, voices, and telephony.
- Avoid if: You want a no-code builder — Vapi is developer-first.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/vapi) · [official](https://vapi.ai)

**xiaozhi-esp32-server**
- Open source · Infrastructure · 10k★ · JavaScript · MIT · active 5 days ago
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/xiaozhi-esp32-server) · [official](http://xiaozhi.biz)

## Key differences

- Vapi is a commercial product; xiaozhi-esp32-server is open-source and self-hostable.
- Pricing model differs — Vapi is paid product, xiaozhi-esp32-server is open source.

## Which to choose

**Choose Vapi if:** Developers building production voice agents with full API control over models, voices, and telephony.

**Choose xiaozhi-esp32-server if:** you want an open-source, self-hostable option you control.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between Vapi and xiaozhi-esp32-server?**
Vapi is a commercial product; xiaozhi-esp32-server is open-source and self-hostable.

**Is Vapi or xiaozhi-esp32-server better?**
Neither is universally better. Vapi is the stronger fit for Developers building production voice agents with full API control over models, voices, and telephony; xiaozhi-esp32-server for an open-source, self-hostable option you control. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is Vapi or xiaozhi-esp32-server free?**
Vapi is a paid product; xiaozhi-esp32-server is free to run and self-host.

**Which is more popular, Vapi or xiaozhi-esp32-server?**
We rank open-source projects by GitHub adoption, but at least one of these is a commercial product and stars don't measure commercial adoption — so compare them on capabilities and pricing instead.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/vapi-vs-xiaozhi-esp32-server