OpenRemote vs ThingsBoard
OpenRemote
openremote.io
ThingsBoard
thingsboard.ioSide by side
| Figure | OpenRemote | ThingsBoard |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $39/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 25 |
| Spec score · IoT Analytics Software | 8.6 (#6) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · IoT Device Management Platforms | 8.5 (#7) | 8.7 (#4) |
| API | OpenRemote provides HTTP REST, WebSocket, and MQTT manager APIs, with OpenAPI references for the HTTP interface. | REST, WebSocket, Entity Data Query, Alarm Query and MCP server APIs are documented, with an interactive Swagger interface and API-key authentication. |
| Deployment | OpenRemote describes itself as container-first and provides a Docker Compose setup for deploying the manager, database, identity service, and map server. | ThingsBoard offers cloud, dedicated Private Cloud, and on-premises deployments, including fully offline self-managed installations. |
| Documentation | Documentation includes user guides, deployment material, developer guides, REST API references, JavaDoc links, configuration guidance, and protocol-agent instructions. | Documentation covers connectivity guides, APIs and SDKs, dashboards, widgets, rule nodes, integrations, OTA, alarms, mobile and custom extensions. |
| Edge operation | Edge gateways and gateway tunneling support deployments close to devices and remote sites. | ThingsBoard Edge runs platform functions locally, stores telemetry and continues dashboards and alarms during connectivity loss before synchronizing. |
| Founded | 2015 | 2016 |
| Intended users | The platform is designed for professional integrators and its stated audiences include manufacturers, system integrators, and governments. | The maker describes the platform as covering IoT projects from initial device connectivity through visualization, server-side processing, and scaling. |
| Licence | The core repository is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3, with third-party components under their own licences. | Version 4.4 and later use Business Source License 1.1 and are source-available rather than OSI open source; releases before 4.4 remain Apache 2.0. |
| Protocols | Built-in protocol agent support includes HTTP, SNMP, ModBus, MQTT, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, Serial, TCP, UDP, KNX, Velbus, and openWeather. | Native connectivity includes MQTT, CoAP, HTTP, LwM2M, and SNMP, with an IoT Gateway for protocols including Modbus, BACnet, CAN bus, BLE, and OPC-UA. |
| Rating on G2 | 0 out of 5 from 0 reviews | 4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviews |
| Rating on GetApp | 0 out of 5 from 0 reviews | 0 reviews / no rating shown |
| Self-hosting | Docker images support amd64 and arm64; the quick start uses Docker Compose and exposes the Manager at a local HTTPS address. | On-premises deployments run on customer infrastructure, cloud accounts or fully offline environments, with Docker, Ubuntu, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi and cluster options. |
| Support | The maker offers consultancy, development, hosting, and Service Level Agreement support, while the free Community option includes community support. | Paid subscriptions provide access to the ThingsBoard Support Portal, and Startup and Business plans include priority support. |
| What it does | OpenRemote is a 100% open-source IoT platform for manufacturers and integrators that connects devices and data sources, runs automation, and visualizes operational data. | ThingsBoard is an IoT platform for device management, data collection, processing and visualization. |
Plans
OpenRemote
- Support VoucherPriced on request
- Managed ServicePriced on request
- Professional CommunityFree
ThingsBoard
- FreeFree
- Prototype$49 a month
- Pilot$149 a month
- Startup$399 a month
- Business$749 a month
- Free (On-premises)Free
- Free (ThingsBoard Cloud)Free
- Free (ThingsBoard Cloud)Free
- Prototype (ThingsBoard Cloud)$39 a month
- Prototype (ThingsBoard Cloud)$49 a month
In their own words
OpenRemote
OpenRemote is an open-source IoT platform for bringing different protocols and data sources into one management system. Users define asset types and the attributes they want to track, then create automations with When-Then rules, a visual Flow Editor, or Groovy scripting. Its dashboard builder supports live monitoring, historical trend analysis, and alerts when attributes pass thresholds. Built-in protocol agents include HTTP, SNMP, ModBus, MQTT, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, Serial, TCP, UDP, KNX, Velbus, and openWeather. Assets and attributes are accessible through a unified REST API and WebSockets. Keycloak provides OAuth2/OpenID Connect and role-based access control; Realms logically isolate users and data. Through Hawkbit integration, the platform supports edge-device firmware updates and security patch rollouts. OpenRemote is designed for professional integrators, including manufacturers, system integrators, and governments. It uses a container-first approach and offers Docker Compose deployment for its manager, database, identity service, and map server. The code is licensed under AGPLv3, with commercial licenses available for organizations seeking an exemption from the stated source-sharing obligation. Community support is included with the free option.
ThingsBoard
ThingsBoard is an IoT platform for managing devices and collecting, processing, and visualizing their data. Its real-time IoT and SCADA dashboards include more than 300 built-in widgets and support custom widgets. Native connectivity covers MQTT, CoAP, HTTP, LwM2M, and SNMP; an IoT Gateway adds protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, CAN bus, BLE, and OPC-UA. Rule Engine nodes support data processing and platform customization, while integrations connect external services and gateways including AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub, Google Cloud Pub/Sub, LoRaWAN servers, MQTT brokers, and OPC-UA servers. Deployment options include cloud, dedicated Private Cloud, and on-premises installations, including fully offline self-managed setups. Security choices include two-factor authentication, OAuth 2.0/SSO, JWT tokens, API keys, and HTTPS/TLS configuration. ThingsBoard Cloud is hosted on infrastructure stated to comply with SOC II and ISO 27001, with North America and EU data regions. Cloud plans have device and data-point limits. Listed cloud plans include free and paid options, with Prototype at $39 a month.