The Things Network vs Golioth: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between The Things Network 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: The Things Network wins this matchup. Rhombus Systems is our overall IoT Platforms pick. Arduino Cloud is our free IoT Platforms pick. Pick Golioth if you need IoT platforms.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Golioth requires payment)
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)
| At a Glance | The Things Network | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free Free plan |
Category | Cloud & Infrastructure IoT Platforms | IoT Platforms Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | n/a | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 66 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Connect bills every active device every month. Sleepy sensors still count if they stay connected. |
Choose The Things Network or Golioth?
Choose The Things Network if
- You want a fully free tool (Golioth requires payment)
- You want leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network
- You want provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not IoT platforms
Choose Golioth 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
- You work in IoT platforms, not cloud & infrastructure
In-Depth Analysis
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
The Things Network offers a highly generous Free tier, making it an excellent starting point for anyone exploring LoRaWAN.
Strengths
- Pro: Leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network.
- Pro: Provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle.
- Pro: Offers strong security features for device activation and data transmission.
- Pro: Supports a wide range of gateways, including DIY options.
- Pro: Extensive educational resources and certification programs available.
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies solely on LoRaWAN protocol, which may not suit all IoT use cases.
- Con: Requires understanding of LoRaWAN architecture for optimal use.
- Con: Specific pricing details for advanced features or larger deployments are not immediately clear.
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
- Pro: Significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved).
- Pro: Device, connectivity, and service agnostic, offering flexibility in hardware and RTOS choices.
- Pro: Built-in security features from day one, including encryption and certificate authentication.
- Pro: Simplifies data routing and transformation with easy-to-configure pipelines.
- Pro: Enables hybrid AI for faster decisions at the edge and continuous model improvement.
Weaknesses
- Con: Additional usage beyond free tiers for OTA bandwidth, logs, and data streaming incurs extra costs.
- Con: 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.
- Con: Community support is the primary option for the free tier, with dedicated support only for paid plans.
Key features
Pricing: The Things Network vs Golioth
| Plan | The Things Network | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $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 The Things Network pricing and Golioth pricing.
Key Takeaways
The Things Network
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Golioth
- Better fit for IoT platforms
The Bottom Line
The Things Network wins this matchup. Rhombus Systems is our overall IoT Platforms pick. Arduino Cloud is our free IoT Platforms pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Things Network or Golioth better in 2026?
The Things Network wins this matchup. Rhombus Systems is our overall IoT Platforms pick. Arduino Cloud is our free IoT Platforms pick. Pick The Things Network for cloud & infrastructure workflows (main strength: leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network). Pick Golioth for IoT platforms workflows (main strength: significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved)).
What are The Things Network and Golioth used for?
The Things Network: Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network. Golioth: IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
What does The Things Network cost vs Golioth?
The Things Network is free. Golioth's paid plans start at Free (Logs / LightDB retain).
What's the main difference between The Things Network and Golioth?
The Things Network's main strength: leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network. Golioth's main strength: significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved).