The Things Network vs Barbara: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between The Things Network and Barbara 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated May 6, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need iot platforms features specifically
- • Provides an open, global LoRaWAN network for IoT applications.
- • Offers tools and resources for managing devices, gateways, and data.
Barbara
Empowering industrial companies to deploy, run, and monitor Edge AI applications and models at scale.
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Deploys and orchestrates Edge AI and Docker applications at scale for industrial use cases.
- • Simplifies management of distributed edge infrastructure, offering an alternative to cloud complexity.
| At a Glance |  The Things Network |  Barbara |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IoT Platforms | Monitoring |
Rating | — | — |
| Feature | The Things Network | Barbara |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IoT Platforms | MonitoringAI Model Deployment |
How The Things Network and Barbara Compare
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
Free
Barbara
Empowering industrial companies to deploy, run, and monitor Edge AI applications and models at scale.
Free
The Things Network is a iot platforms tool. Barbara is in monitoring.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: The Things Network
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: The Things Network
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: The Things Network
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
The Things Network is a iot platforms tool. Barbara is in monitoring. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
The Things Network
- 0
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Barbara
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
The Things Network is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Things Network or Barbara better?
The Things Network is rated high in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are The Things Network and Barbara used for?
The Things Network: Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.. Barbara: Empowering industrial companies to deploy, run, and monitor Edge AI applications and models at scale..
What does The Things Network cost vs Barbara?
The Things Network is completely free. Barbara is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.