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Blynk vs Z-Wave Alliance

Blynk logo

Blynk

Software

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeBlynkZ-Wave Alliance
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded20122001

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

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 Z-Wave Alliance
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Automations triggered by device datanot Z-Wave Alliance
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Blynk
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Blynk
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot 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

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

Pricing, plan by plan

Blynk

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

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 Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is Blynk or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk starts at Free and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blynk or Z-Wave Alliance?
Blynk starts at Free and Z-Wave Alliance at Free.
Does Blynk or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.
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