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Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs MQTT

LIFX logo

LIFX

Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MQTT logo

MQTT

Smart Home

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MQTT 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.; MQTT mQTT is an open-source protocol standard with no commercial pricing; not a commercial product
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and MQTT actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and MQTT differ
AttributeLIFXMQTT
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing
Founded20121999

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Smart Home).

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 MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

What people use each for

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

LIFX

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

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot LIFX
  • Sensor datanot LIFX
  • Real-time updatesnot LIFX
  • Device telemetrynot 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.

MQTT

  • MQTT is an open-source protocol standard with no commercial pricing; not a commercial product

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

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 MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or MQTT better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and MQTT at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or MQTT?
MQTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for MQTT.
Does LIFX or MQTT run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Yes. MQTT 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 MQTT is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that MQTT cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LIFX: Does LIFX require a subscription to use its smart lighting products?

No, LIFX products do not require a subscription. Bulbs and fixtures connect directly via Wi-Fi with no hub, wiring, or recurring fees.

Source
MQTT: Does MQTT have a commercial license cost?

MQTT is an open-source communication protocol and standard. No pricing is published because MQTT itself is not a commercial product for sale.

Source
LIFX: What is LIFX's return policy?

LIFX offers a 30-day return window for customers who are unsatisfied with their purchase.

Source
LIFX: Do LIFX light bulbs have a trial or money-back guarantee?

Yes, LIFX provides a 30-day return period. Additionally, first-time customers can apply coupon code Welcome20 to save 20% off their first order.

Source
LIFX: What shipping costs apply to LIFX orders?

LIFX offers free shipping on orders over $79. Individual product prices range from $17.50 to $199.99 depending on the type of light.

Source
LIFX: Does LIFX offer commercial or bulk pricing for businesses?

Yes, LIFX references 'Lighting at scale' and provides a Bulk Order Enquiry contact page for commercial customers, though specific enterprise pricing details are not disclosed on their homepage.

Source
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