Hi everyone,
I am trying to replace all the smart switches and smart plugs at my home with newest ones.
Can someone please suggest your options which are user friendly and able to customize the firmware and software to add or modify the features & controls.
Is this possible with firmware change and open source software?
Thanks in advance… 
If your smart switches have an esp chipset inside, it might be possible.
@francisp ,
Thanks for your quick response.
Can you please suggest the available switches/plugs with esp chipset inside?
Any documentation/discussion available here related to this?
Look at the Shelly range
and here:
I found few smart switches with Tasmota firmware pre-installed.
Which app or software is used with Tasmota firmware? Can this be configured to custom settings?
Sorry but have you tried a simple google search? There are literally tons of documentation for Tasmota. You can customize almost anything.
Like what? Shelly is pretty flexible even with stock firmware and offer long list of control methods.
What I am interested is the normal control of a set of smart switches and plugs for lights and other devices. I tried different Wi-Fi enabled smart switches and it’s functions and settings are different from one to other.
If I can setup with custom settings and controls, that’s my choice.
I was using Wemo switches before and it’s UI and settings are very simple. Something similar to that…as an example.
What is the end goal here at each location where said switches will be setup in?
So try Shelly. The stock firmware likely offers you all what you need, and if not, you can always install esphome.
As written this screams for esphome 
Tasmota is another long time open source candidate but a little more limited regarding MCU support (no realtek, beken, nordic or rp2040 chips AFAIK)
Most likely Home Assistant and the companion app 
@orange-assistant ,
Thanks for the info…
I looked thru the ESP Home compatible devices, especially smart switches and plugs. Most of the need to re-flash with ESP home firmware.
Is there any of these listed switches/plugs work without changing the firmware to work with ESP home software or app out of the box?
You can also find pre-flashed devices, e.g. https://www.athom.tech 
Technically if you customize 
the firmware will be updated/newly written. In case your device runs already esphome it can be done wirelessly (ota) 
I found couple of smart switches compatible with shelly and athom out of the box ready to use with respective apps.
I am seeing mixed reactions using shelly vs ESP Home, pros and cons…
Shelly has a cloud setup and ESP Home local.
Now which is more reliable and easy to setup for remote control from my mobile app out of home. 
Shelly has cloud, but only if you want. It works 100% local out of the box.
It has also capability to directly communicate with other Shelly devices on same wireless network.
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With esphome you can even communicate with devices outside(!) the network. Sky is typically the limit… 
I think this is bit confusing…
I was asking about the setup to communicate between the device (smart switch) and the mobile app or laptop remotely over the internet.
What’s the best option for this communication.
Generic devices like Kasa or Tapo switches need a cloud account.
How to communicate between Home assistant & Mobile?
Maybe try to phrase your questions more specific and also try to provide context about the usage. A good post explaining how to ask good questions
And avoid x-y problems at the same time 
Don’t get those devices…
Read all the posts of your topic.
You setup a VPN for when you need remote access and are not home.
I use OpenVPN to access my home network via my primary router when I out and its setup with Tasker to automate to enable it when I am disconnected from my WifI SSID and to disable when I am connected to it.