Willow review
A command-focused voice interface for DIY smart homes, not a general conversational assistant.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Willow is an open-source voice-assistant platform designed primarily for ESP32-S3-BOX hardware. It suits people configuring a voice interface for smart-home control, especially those who want to route commands to Home Assistant, openHAB, or REST endpoints. Wake-word detection and voice activity detection help determine when to listen and when speech has ended. Willow can recognize configured commands on-device, or send audio to a Willow Inference Server for transcription. It is a focused fit for custom smart-home control rather than a turnkey general-purpose assistant.
Its command workflow is the defining strength. On-device recognition supports up to 400 commands, while recognized text can be routed to Home Assistant, openHAB, or generic REST/HTTP endpoints. Audio processing includes automatic gain control, echo cancellation, and noise suppression. Optional LCD and touchscreen interfaces are available on the ESP32-S3-BOX-3. This routing and command recognition make Willow relevant to users building custom actions around an existing smart-home setup; they do not make it a conversational assistant. The published feature set does not include conversation memory or web search.
Setup involves more than choosing commands: Willow requires a separate Application Server for device configuration, and users can self-host the Inference Server for speech transcription. Compatible hardware is separate from the free software. Willow's self-hosted approach and focused feature set will appeal to technically inclined users who want a configurable voice control layer and can manage its components. People seeking a turnkey Echo or Google Home replacement, mobile or desktop apps, or a general conversational assistant should look elsewhere.
Willow pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Recognizes up to 400 configured commands on-device.
- Routes commands to Home Assistant, openHAB, or REST endpoints.
- Includes audio processing with echo cancellation and noise suppression.
- Where it doesn't
- Device configuration requires a separate Willow Application Server.
- Compatible ESP32-S3-BOX hardware is purchased separately.
- Its command-focused feature set does not provide conversation memory.
Willow fact sheet, pricing and score →
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