Software · head to head
LIFX vs Thread
The short version
- Only Thread has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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.; Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Thread covers IPv6 Mesh.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which LIFX and Thread actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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
- Alexa
- Google Home
- SmartThings
- IOS support
Only in Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
- Thread devices support
Both cover
- HomeKit
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
LIFX
- Ambient lightingnot Thread
- Gaming setupnot Thread
- Photography lightingnot Thread
- Smart homenot Thread
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot LIFX
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot LIFX
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot 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.
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
Pricing, plan by plan
LIFX
On request- LIFX Bulb$40/month
- 16M colors
- WiFi direct
- No hub required
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
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.
Choose Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
Questions people ask
- Is LIFX or Thread better?
- Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Thread at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, LIFX or Thread?
- Thread has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for Thread.
- Does LIFX or Thread run on more platforms?
- LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Yes. Thread has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
- 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 Thread is typically brought in for.
- What can LIFX do that Thread cannot?
- LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Both handle HomeKit.