Side by side
EdgeX Foundry vs ThingsBoard
Both stand on iot edge platforms. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
EdgeX Foundry provides a modular way to connect IoT devices and process their data at the edge. Teams considering EdgeX 4.0 should note its possible incompatibility with the prior 3.x series and its changed database defaults.
Visit EdgeX Foundry
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
ThingsBoard covers device connectivity, processing, dashboards, and multiple deployment models. Compare the device and data-point limits with your project needs, and note that paid subscriptions provide Support Portal access.
Visit ThingsBoardThe facts
| EdgeX Foundry | ThingsBoard | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Prototype (ThingsBoard Cloud): $49 a month |
| Plans published | None | 20 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | edgexfoundry.org | thingsboard.io |
| On iot edge platforms | #1 of 9 | #2 of 9 |
EdgeX Foundry: what it does well
- Open-source and free.
- Processes data locally before external transfer.
- Documented device services cover multiple protocols.
- SDKs support connectors and processing pipelines.
- Offers Docker quick start and native build instructions.
What to know first
- EdgeX 4.0 may not be backward compatible with 3.x.
- Redis is no longer delivered with EdgeX 4.0.
- PostgreSQL is the default database in EdgeX 4.0.
ThingsBoard: what it does well
- Dashboards offer more than 300 built-in widgets.
- Supports native IoT protocols and gateway protocols.
- Can be deployed on-premises, including fully offline.
- Free cloud plan includes five devices and five assets.
- Security options include two-factor authentication and OAuth 2.0/SSO.
What to know first
- Free cloud plan is limited to five devices.
- Cloud plans have device and data-point limits.
- Paid subscriptions are required for Support Portal access.
Alternatives to EdgeX Foundry Alternatives to ThingsBoard The whole list