Software · head to head
Thread vs LIFX
The short version
- Only Thread has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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; 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: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, LIFX covers No Hub Required.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and LIFX 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 Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
- Thread devices support
Only in LIFX
- No Hub Required
- 16 Million Colors
- WiFi Direct
- High Brightness
- Alexa
- Google Home
- SmartThings
- IOS support
Both cover
- HomeKit
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
LIFX
- Ambient lightingnot Thread
- Gaming setupnot Thread
- Photography lightingnot Thread
- Smart homenot Thread
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
LIFX
On request- LIFX Bulb$40/month
- 16M colors
- WiFi direct
- No hub required
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose LIFX if
- You need no hub required.
- You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 16 million colors.
Questions people ask
- Is Thread or LIFX better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread 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, Thread or LIFX?
- Thread has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Thread and On request for LIFX.
- Does Thread or LIFX run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
- 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 Thread best used for?
- Thread is most often used for low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices, interoperable device networking underneath matter, certifying wireless products for network interoperability. Of those, low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices and interoperable device networking underneath matter are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that LIFX cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Both handle HomeKit.