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 is our overall pick for cloud & infrastructure workflows. Pick Golioth if you need iot platforms.
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:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need cloud & infrastructure features specifically
- • Provides an open, global LoRaWAN network for IoT applications.
- • Offers tools and resources for managing devices, gateways, and data.
Golioth
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
Best for you if:
- • You need iot platforms features specifically
- • Provides a complete device-to-cloud IoT platform for hardware teams.
- • Enables rapid development and deployment of connected devices with built-in security and data routing.
| At a Glance |  The Things Network |  Golioth |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | $299/month/moTeams |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | IoT Platforms |
Rating | - | - |
Choose The Things Network or Golioth?
Choose The Things Network if
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
- Leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network.
- Provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle.
- Offers strong security features for device activation and data transmission.
- You want a fully free tool (Golioth requires payment)
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not iot platforms-shaped
Choose Golioth if
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
- 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.
- Your work is iot platforms-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | The Things Network | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 67 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureIoT Platforms | IoT PlatformsInfrastructure as Code |
In-Depth Analysis
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
Strengths
- +Leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network.
- +Provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle.
- +Offers strong security features for device activation and data transmission.
- +Supports a wide range of gateways, including DIY options.
- +Extensive educational resources and certification programs available.
Weaknesses
- -Relies solely on LoRaWAN protocol, which may not suit all IoT use cases.
- -Requires understanding of LoRaWAN architecture for optimal use.
- -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.
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: The Things Network vs Golioth
| Plan | The Things Network | Golioth |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $299/month Teams |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Starting at $2799/month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on The Things Network pricing and Golioth pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
The Things Network is free. Golioth is freemium.
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?
The Things Network is free. Golioth is freemium. Go with The Things Network if free matters most.
What's your use case?
The Things Network is a cloud & infrastructure tool. Golioth is in iot platforms. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
The Things Network
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Golioth
- Better fit for iot platforms
The Bottom Line
The Things Network is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Things Network or Golioth better?
The Things Network is rated in our evaluation. The Things Network is free and Golioth is freemium.
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 completely free. Golioth is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.