Softwr

Software · head to head

MQTT vs LIFX

MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT 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 MQTT has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MQTT mQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec; 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: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, LIFX covers No Hub Required.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MQTT and LIFX actually diverge.

Attributes where MQTT and LIFX differ
AttributeMQTTLIFX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingIOS, Android, Windows, MacOS
Founded19992012

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 MQTT

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

Only in LIFX

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

What people use each for

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

MQTT

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

LIFX

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

Where each one falls short

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

MQTT

  • MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec

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

MQTT

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

LIFX

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 MQTT or LIFX better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT 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, MQTT or LIFX?
MQTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MQTT and On request for LIFX.
Does MQTT or LIFX run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
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 MQTT best used for?
MQTT is most often used for iot messaging, sensor data, real-time updates, device telemetry. Of those, iot messaging and sensor data are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that LIFX cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on MQTT

More on LIFX

Keep looking

Other head to heads