The following are several common LoRaWAN NS vendors along with their features and a comparison of the number of devices supported for free.
Loriot
- Features: A powerful LoRaWAN network server that supports high performance, high security, and scalability. It offers flexible licensing options, including perpetual licenses and annual subscription licenses.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: The specific number of devices supported for free is not clearly mentioned; please contact the official for details.
- Payment Terms: The price of the perpetual license is based on the number of gateways and functional modules, while the annual subscription license includes professional technical support and ongoing feature updates.
ChirpStack
- Features: Open-source and free, with active community support, customizable development and expansion according to user needs, providing multi-gateway support, ABP and OTAA device management, API, and other features.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: There is no explicit limit on the number of devices, but large-scale deployments may require more robust server hardware and additional maintenance work.
- Payment Terms: Free and open-source; if professional technical support or customized services are needed, a commercial support plan can be chosen, with specific costs to be negotiated with the official.
The Things Network (TTN)
- Features: Provides a global public LoRaWAN network, allowing users to connect for free, but data is stored in the cloud, resulting in relatively low data privacy and security. It supports a large number of devices, is feature-rich, easy to use, and suitable for rapid development and deployment of IoT applications.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: No explicit limit, but the free version has limited features, such as shorter data storage time, which may not be suitable for large-scale commercial applications.
- Payment Terms: Offers a paid enterprise version that provides more features and services, such as longer data storage time and private networks; specific costs need to be consulted with the official.
Actility
- Features: A leading global IoT solution provider, its LoRaWAN network server has high reliability and performance, supports large-scale device access and management, and provides global IoT connectivity services, suitable for large enterprise applications.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: Typically does not provide free services; the specific number of devices and costs need to be discussed with the official.
- Payment Terms: Pricing is personalized based on the number of devices, service duration, functional requirements, etc., usually at a higher cost, but professional services and support are available.
Everynet
- Features: Provides telecom-grade LoRaWAN network solutions, with a network server that has strong stability and scalability, compatible with various devices and gateways, suitable for large-scale IoT deployments, especially in smart city and industrial IoT applications.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: Does not provide free services; specific device access numbers and costs need to be consulted with the official.
- Payment Terms: Pricing is based on network scale, number of devices, service content, etc., usually in a commercial cooperation model, providing customized services and support.
Manthink
- Features: Covers functionalities including LoRaWAN NS, device management, upgrades, gateway operation and maintenance, and data models. Offers multiple versions such as Edge, Cloud, Enterprise, and Community, with flexible deployment options, supporting private and edge deployments, local data storage to meet security compliance needs, and includes a rules engine for conditional judgment and action execution.
- Number of Free Supported Devices: Supports 1000 devices for free per organization, suitable for small project needs.
- Payment Terms: The Edge version includes a hardware server priced at 2000 yuan, supporting 1000 device connections.
Conclusion
When selecting a LoRaWAN NS server, it is essential to consider factors such as the number of devices supported for free, payment models, functional characteristics, deployment flexibility, security, and reliability to meet the specific needs of your project. For example, small projects may prioritize Manthink’s ThinkLink, which supports 1000 devices for free and allows for quick setup and deployment; while large enterprise applications may focus on Actility or Everynet, which, although more expensive, offer stronger performance, stability, and professional services.