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LIFX vs SolarWinds

LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and SolarWinds actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and SolarWinds differ
AttributeLIFXSolarWinds
Starting priceOn request$2/kW/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20122015

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 LIFX

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

Only in SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

What people use each for

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

LIFX

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

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot LIFX
  • Performance optimizationnot LIFX
  • O&M managementnot LIFX
  • Portfolio reportingnot LIFX
  • Investor reportingnot LIFX

Where each one falls short

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

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.

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

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

Choose SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or SolarWinds?
LIFX starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does LIFX or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that SolarWinds cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows.
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