Softwr

Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs ThingWorx

LIFX logo

LIFX

Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ThingWorx logo

ThingWorx

Smart Home

Enterprise IoT platform by PTC for industrial and smart solutions

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; ThingWorx thingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and ThingWorx actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and ThingWorx differ
AttributeLIFXThingWorx
Pricing modelone-timequote
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSCloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing
Founded20121985

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 ThingWorx

  • Rapid App Development
  • Real-Time Analytics
  • Device Connectivity
  • Scalable
  • Industrial protocols
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Third-party systems

What people use each for

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

LIFX

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

ThingWorx

  • Connecting industrial equipment and machines to an IIoT platformnot LIFX
  • Building operator dashboards and digital work instructions for manufacturingnot LIFX
  • Remote monitoring and service of connected productsnot 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.

ThingWorx

  • ThingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • No pricing is published; the product page routes to Contact Us with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
  • The platform is sold as an industrial IIoT suite to enterprises rather than being self-serve

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

ThingWorx

On request
  • Professional$5000/month
    • App development
    • Analytics
    • Connectivity
  • Enterprise$25000/month
    • Advanced features
    • 24/7 support
    • Custom solutions

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 ThingWorx if

  • You need rapid app development.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
  • You also want real-time analytics.
ThingWorx review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or ThingWorx better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and ThingWorx at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or ThingWorx?
LIFX starts at On request and ThingWorx at On request.
Does LIFX or ThingWorx run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. ThingWorx runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
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 ThingWorx is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that ThingWorx cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development, Real-Time Analytics, Device Connectivity, Scalable.

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
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
Share

Related pages

More on LIFX

More on ThingWorx

Keep looking

Other head to heads