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Blynk vs LIFX

Blynk logo

Blynk

Software

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Blynk has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, LIFX covers No Hub Required.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and LIFX actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and LIFX differ
AttributeBlynkLIFX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceIOS, Android, Windows, MacOS

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blynk

  • Mobile App Builder
  • No-Code Interface
  • Real-Time Control
  • Cloud Storage
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Mobile app
  • Cloud platform

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blynk

  • Connecting IoT hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile appnot LIFX
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot LIFX
  • Automations triggered by device datanot LIFX
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot LIFX
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot LIFX

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Blynk
  • Gaming setupnot Blynk
  • Photography lightingnot Blynk
  • Smart homenot Blynk

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blynk

  • The free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered all the way up, reaching 12 months only on Enterprise
  • Automations and webhooks are rationed, from 5 scenarios and 1 webhook on free to 100 or more on Production
  • Over-the-air update campaigns are capped by tier, at 2 shipments on free and Starter
  • Production plans run from $199 to $1,099 a month depending on device count

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Pricing, plan by plan

Blynk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 devices
    • Basic widgets
    • Cloud sync
  • Premium$5/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced widgets
    • Priority support

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Which should you pick?

Choose Blynk if

  • You need mobile app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device.
  • You also want no-code interface.
Blynk review

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Questions people ask

Is Blynk or LIFX better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk starts at Free and LIFX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blynk or LIFX?
Blynk has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Blynk and On request for LIFX.
Does Blynk or LIFX run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Yes. Blynk has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is Blynk best used for?
Blynk is most often used for connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app, over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices, automations triggered by device data, white-label device apps for a hardware product. Of those, connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app and over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that LIFX cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Both handle IOS support, Android support.
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