wled/WLED

Overview

WLED is an open-source firmware for ESP32 microcontrollers that drives addressable RGB LEDs — from single strips to 2D matrices and HUB75 panels. It runs standalone on the device, exposes a web interface and network APIs, and can be controlled by phone apps, MQTT, DMX/Art-Net, Philips Hue and other integrations.

The firmware targets makers and lighting enthusiasts building home, event or ambilight setups. Its feature set includes 200+ effects, 50+ palettes with a custom palette editor, 2D mapping, audio-reactive effects (with microphone, line-in or network audio), segments for independent control of parts of a strip, and up to 250 presets with playlists. On ESP32 it supports up to 17 LED outputs using parallel I2S and RMT, plus PWM output, Ethernet on many boards and full OTA updates.

Quick start

1. Choose compatible hardware and LED strip: check the compatible hardware list and compatible LED strips.
2. Install the firmware on the ESP32: download a release from WLED releases; initial flashing normally goes through the browser installer or esptool as described in the quick-start documentation.
3. Power the board and connect to its WiFi access point, then open the web UI to configure LED type, pin and length.
4. Optionally connect the board to your WiFi network, then control it from the web UI, the Android or iOS app, or the JSON and HTTP APIs.

Step-by-step tutorials are collected in the getting-started guides.

Use constraints

• Hardware: ESP32 variants (original, S2, S3, C3) are required; the firmware targets microcontrollers, so you need a supported board and a compatible strip rather than a general-purpose computer.
• Power and safety: use the Auto Brightness Limiter per output to avoid overloading power supplies; the project warns that people prone to photosensitive epilepsy should not use the software, or should avoid strobe, lightning and noise effects at high speed.
• Network features such as MQTT, E1.31/Art-Net, DDP and Hue sync require the corresponding services or controllers on the network.
• Licensing: EUPL v1.2, with no liability assumed for damage under that license.

HotRepo's take

WLED was recorded at position 6 on the GitHub C++ daily list on 2026-11-06, gaining 10 stars that day with 18,989 stars and 4,448 forks overall. The project has a long history — created in 2016 — and its feature depth in LED control and integrations matches that maturity. The single recorded daily ranking supports only that day's placement; it does not by itself establish a trend.