DeviceHive vs Golioth: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between DeviceHive and Golioth comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Golioth wins this matchup. Our overall IoT Platforms pick is Rhombus Systems. Our free IoT Platforms pick is OctoPrint. Pick DeviceHive if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DeviceHive
An open-source IoT data platform for seamless device connectivity, data processing, and analytics.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Golioth requires payment)
- • You want highly flexible and scalable deployment options
- • You want supports a wide range of device connectivity protocols and client libraries
Golioth
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved)
- • You want device, connectivity, and service agnostic, offering flexibility in hardware and RTOS choices
| At a Glance | DeviceHive | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | IoT Platforms | IoT Platforms |
Rating | - | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose DeviceHive or Golioth?
Choose DeviceHive if
An open-source IoT data platform for seamless device connectivity, data processing, and analytics.
- You want a fully free tool (Golioth requires payment)
- You want highly flexible and scalable deployment options
- You want supports a wide range of device connectivity protocols and client libraries
Choose Golioth if
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
- You want significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved)
- You want device, connectivity, and service agnostic, offering flexibility in hardware and RTOS choices
| Feature | DeviceHive | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 66 reviews |
| Categories | IoT PlatformsDeveloper Tools | IoT PlatformsInfrastructure as Code |
In-Depth Analysis
DeviceHive
An open-source IoT data platform for seamless device connectivity, data processing, and analytics.
Strengths
- +Highly flexible and scalable deployment options
- +Supports a wide range of device connectivity protocols and client libraries
- +Strong integration capabilities with leading big data and analytics tools
- +Open-source nature provides transparency and customization opportunities
- +Commercially supported for enterprise-grade deployments
Weaknesses
- -Requires technical expertise for deployment and management
- -Reliance on external big data solutions for full analytics capabilities
Key features
Golioth
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
Golioth has no seat SKU.
Watch out
Connect bills every active device every month. Sleepy sensors still count if they stay connected.
Strengths
- +Significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved).
- +Device, connectivity, and service agnostic, offering flexibility in hardware and RTOS choices.
- +Built-in security features from day one, including encryption and certificate authentication.
- +Simplifies data routing and transformation with easy-to-configure pipelines.
- +Enables hybrid AI for faster decisions at the edge and continuous model improvement.
Weaknesses
- -Additional usage beyond free tiers for OTA bandwidth, logs, and data streaming incurs extra costs.
- -Advanced features like custom retention for data storage, advanced permissions, audit logs, SSO, and private cloud are only available in higher-tier or custom plans.
- -Community support is the primary option for the free tier, with dedicated support only for paid plans.
Key features
Pricing: DeviceHive vs Golioth
| Plan | DeviceHive | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $0.25 / device / month Connect |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $0.0095 / MB Fleet Control OTA |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $0.0080 / MB Pipelines |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $0.001 / MB Logs / LightDB retain |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $0.005 / request Location |
| Tier 6 | N/A | $50 Free credits |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on DeviceHive pricing and Golioth pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
DeviceHive is free. Golioth is freemium.
Go with: DeviceHive
Want the highest-rated option?
Golioth is rated 4.4/5. DeviceHive has no ratings yet.
Go with: Golioth
Value user reviews?
DeviceHive: no ratings yet. Golioth: 66 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Golioth
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
DeviceHive is free. Golioth is freemium. Go with DeviceHive if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are iot platforms tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Golioth is rated 4.4/5; DeviceHive has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Golioth
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
DeviceHive
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Golioth wins this matchup. Our overall IoT Platforms pick is Rhombus Systems. Our free IoT Platforms pick is OctoPrint. That said, DeviceHive is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DeviceHive or Golioth better?
Golioth is rated in our evaluation. DeviceHive is free and Golioth is freemium.
What are DeviceHive and Golioth used for?
DeviceHive: An open-source IoT data platform for seamless device connectivity, data processing, and analytics.. Golioth: IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease..
What does DeviceHive cost vs Golioth?
DeviceHive is completely free. Golioth is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.