---
title: "ESP32 Bit Pirate takes on Flipper Zero in cost and capabilities"
source: "https://www.notebookcheck.net/ESP32-Bit-Pirate-takes-on-Flipper-Zero-in-cost-and-capabilities.1355009.0.html"
author:
  - "[[Stephen Pereyra]]"
published: 2026-07-30
created: 2026-07-30
description: "The Flipper Zero undoubtedly popularized pocket hardware hacking, but its tiny directional pad, monochrome screen, and \"toy\" interface can feel restrictive during serious bench debugging. ESP32-Bus-Pirate offers a far more flexible and substantially cheaper alternative."
tags:
  - "clippings"
---
![Much web, very TUI](https://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/_processed_/webp/Notebooks/News/_nc5/Bit-Pirate-q82-w240-h.webp)

Much web, very TUI

The Flipper Zero undoubtedly popularized pocket hardware hacking, but its tiny directional pad, monochrome screen, and "toy" interface can feel restrictive during serious debugging. ESP32-Bus-Pirate offers a more flexible and substantially cheaper alternative.

[DIY](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Topics.92152.0.html?tag=237) [Security](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Topics.92152.0.html?tag=80)

Portable wireless analysis and hacking has become all the rage, but instead of fiddling with mini-dpads on devices like the Flipper Zero, the ESP32 Bit Pirate project provides an interactive command-line interface accessible through a web browser! Just like the Flipper Zero, it handles live sniffing, hacking, and scripting across I2C, SPI, UART, CAN bus, 1-Wire, and BLE protocols. This setup gives hardware auditors direct control over register dumps and pin states without forcing them to install desktop terminal applications or having to script around.

Naturally, a bare-metal $8 ESP32 board carries clear physical limitations compared to a Flipper Zero. Standard dev boards lack out-of-the-box Sub-GHz transceivers, RFID antennas, and GPIO pin protection to guard against overvoltage mistakes. However, the project's developer ecosystem is actively building an open-source docking station and expansion board. Designed to bridge the hardware gap, this upcoming accessory board will allow users to plug in original Bus Pirate modules and dedicated sub-GHz radios, helping the ESP32 Bit Pirate go toe-to-toe with Flipper's hardware accessory line at a fraction of the cost. For more details on supported boards, of which there are many, and capabilities, kindly visit the resources below.

## Source(s)

[Bit Pirate on GitHub](https://github.com/KonradIT/ESP32-Bus-Pirate)

[![Stephen Pereyra](https://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/_processed_/webp/user_upload/Stephen-Pereyra-q82-w120-h.webp)](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Notebookcheck-Team.212978.0.html?&tx_nbc2journalist_pi1%5Bmode%5D=show&tx_nbc2journalist_pi1%5Buid%5D=373)

[Stephen Pereyra](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Notebookcheck-Team.212978.0.html?&tx_nbc2journalist_pi1%5Bmode%5D=show&tx_nbc2journalist_pi1%5Buid%5D=373) - Tech Writer \- 159 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024

I credit my Bachelor's in marketing to my obsession with tech. From an early age, I understood that to get the gadget I wanted, I needed to know everything about it and how to pitch it. After years of reading, learning, and tinkering with all the gadgets I could get my hands on, I have learned that I enjoy researching and writing about tech just as much. As I continue learning new and exciting information, I aim to share it with everyone interested here on Notebookcheck.

\> [Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Expert-Reviews-and-News-on-Laptops-Smartphones-and-Tech-Innovations.48.0.html) > [News](https://www.notebookcheck.net/News.152.0.html) > [News Archive](https://www.notebookcheck.net/News-Archive.45592.0.html) > [Newsarchive 2026 07](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Newsarchive-2026-07.1332035.0.html) > ESP32 Bit Pirate takes on Flipper Zero in cost and capabilities

Stephen Pereyra, 2026-07-29 (Update: 2026-07-29)