Cheap LoRaWAN Gateways overview
Updates
- 20 Feb, 2020: Added mikrotik wap lora8
- 10 Feb, 2020: Added RAK Wireless RAK7246
RAK Wireless Micro Gateway
$149 from AliExpress
RAK recently released gateway based on RAK833 module. It runs lightweight linux box. It's available for every LoRa frequency. If you are looking for full-feature and cheap gateway I recommend to use this box. It's much better and cheaper option comparing to DIY gateway. You can run lora-gateway-bridge to directly connect to loraserver. Available world-wide via Aliexpress. Best solution for general LoRaWAN usage if you don't use The Things Network.
Tektelic KONA Pico IoT Gateway
$165 from Tektelic (915 MHz only) | €265 from Connected Things (868 MHz)
Tektelic KONA Pico IoT Gateway is nice solution from well-known company. Compact box with everything you need to connect your LoRa devices to your indoor LoRaWAN infrastructure. Fine solution if you need 915 MHz version and unreasonably priced for EU version.
Gemtek The Things Indoor Gateway
Long-waited indoor gateway from The Things Network. Available for all frequencies. Works with TTN out of the box. It's super solution to spread TTN network. $69 vs $300 for previous TTN Gateway is great step. People mod this gateway for external antenna to have better range. Buy this if you plan to use TTN only.
This gateway is not widely available, but it's totally worth it. We are waiting to get one for review and tests.
RAK Wireless RAK7246
$99-$115 from RAK Store
In 2020 RAK released new gateway based on Raspberry Pi Zero W and RAK2246 Pi HAT. RAK7246G is version with external GPS antenna included. It's one of the best development kits on the market with decent price. The only downside is Raspberry Pi Zero W outdated hardware.
Mikrotik wAP Lora8/9
~$169 retail price
Mikrotik recently released cheap all-weather LoRa gateway. We didn't test it yet, but this thing looks very promising. Mikrotik is known for it's low price and great reliability. We don't know yet will it run RouterOS, but, no doubt, device will have long time support as other devices. wAP Lora8 have full set of features: PoE and external power, sim card slot, external antenna and outdoor body.
If you know other affordable gateways, please contact us. If you have any questions, feel free to send us email at info@ivyknob.com.