Bonfire Terminal vs @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice
This open-source Node-RED voice module runs on-device and is free, with partial offline support, scoring a solid 65 for sovereignty. Bonfire Terminal shares the local-first ethos but ships as a complete sovereign agent: local Whisper speech, your own LLM key at cost, messaging bridges, and a perpetual license, rather than a single flow component.
Bonfire Terminal vs @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice: the 16-factor comparison
| Rating factor | @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice | Bonfire Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Voice AI / Speech | AI Terminal / Local Agent |
| Popularity | Not disclosed | Growing · indie |
| Hosting architecture | On-Device Local | On-Device Local |
| Licensing model | Open Source | One-Time Perpetual |
| Data / training policy | Not disclosed | Fully local — nothing leaves device |
| Offline capability | Partial | Yes |
| Pricing tier range | Free (OSS) | One-time license |
| Execution unit cost | Unlimited Local Compute | Unlimited Local Compute |
| API-key markup | N/A | No — BYO key at cost |
| Supported LLM providers | Not disclosed | OpenAI; Anthropic; Google; Local; Any |
| Auth / permission types | Local/None | API Key; Local/None |
| Phone / messaging bridges | None | Telegram; WhatsApp |
| Speech recognition engine | Not disclosed | Whisper (local) |
| Local media processing | Partial | Yes |
| Sovereign score | 65 / 100 | 93 / 100 |
The sovereignty gap
Where @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice lands on each weighted pillar (its bar) — the red marker is Bonfire's score. Auto-derived from the 16 factors above.
Which should you choose?
Choose @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice if…
Choose @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice if you're building custom Node-RED voice flows and want a free, open-source, on-device component to embed.
Choose Bonfire Terminal if…
Choose Bonfire Terminal if you want a complete on-device AI agent with local Whisper, messaging bridges, and media processing ready out of the box.
Bonfire Terminal vs @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice: FAQ
Is @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice private?
Yes, it's open-source and on-device, so voice stays local, one reason for its 65 sovereign score. Bonfire Terminal is equally private, running everything on-device with local Whisper, so nothing leaves your machine or trains any vendor model.
Is Bonfire Terminal cheaper than @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice?
The hardwario module is free open source, so at list price it's cheaper. Bonfire Terminal costs a one-time perpetual license, but delivers a full agent, bridges, and media stack, so value depends on whether you want a component or a finished product.
Can Bonfire Terminal replace @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice?
Partly. Bonfire Terminal covers on-device voice with local Whisper and much more, but it isn't a Node-RED node. If your project specifically needs a Node-RED voice component, this module fits that niche better than Bonfire.
What can Bonfire Terminal do that @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice can't?
Bonfire Terminal is a complete agent with your own LLM key at cost, local media processing, and Telegram and WhatsApp bridges, whereas the hardwario module is a single Node-RED voice component focused on flow-based speech.
How do I switch from @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice to Bonfire Terminal?
Install Bonfire Terminal and add your own LLM key. Since both run on-device, migration is mostly rebuilding your voice logic as Bonfire agent tasks with local Whisper rather than wiring a Node-RED flow around the module.
Does Bonfire Terminal work offline vs @hardwario/node-red-contrib-hardwario-voice?
The hardwario module offers partial offline support on-device. Bonfire Terminal is also local-first, running its agent, local Whisper, and media processing offline, though tasks needing a remote LLM will still require a connection.