IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Thread vs Losant
Thread
IoT & Smart Home
IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Losant
IoT & Smart Home
Cloud-based IoT platform with visualization and workflow automation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Losant no pricing is published at any tier, and the pricing page is a survey form rather than a rate card
- They diverge on capability: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Losant covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and Losant actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home), founded (2014).
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
- HomeKit
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
Only in Losant
- Device Connectivity
- Data Visualization
- Workflow Engine
- REST API
- Mobile app
- Dashboard builder
- Alert system
- Data export
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 Losant
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Losant
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot Losant
Losant
- Building IoT applications with device management and visual workflowsnot Thread
- Collecting and acting on telemetry from connected equipmentnot 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
Losant
- No pricing is published at any tier, and the pricing page is a survey form rather than a rate card
- Device counts, data retention and payload allowances are all quoted rather than listed
Pricing, plan by plan
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
Losant
Free- SandboxFree
- Limited devices
- Basic features
- Community support
- Enterprise$500/month
- Unlimited devices
- Advanced analytics
- Premium support
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 Losant if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard, Device integration.
- You also want data visualization.
Questions people ask
- Is Thread or Losant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread starts at Free and Losant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Thread or Losant?
- Thread starts at Free and Losant at Free.
- Does Thread or Losant run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. Losant runs on Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard, Device integration.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Losant is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that Losant cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Losant covers Device Connectivity, Data Visualization, Workflow Engine, REST API.