LoRaWAN vs. Wi-Fi (and Cellular IoT)
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LoRaWAN and Wi-Fi are both wireless, but they solve different problems. Wi-Fi moves a lot of data a short distance from devices that are plugged in. LoRaWAN moves small amounts of data a long way from devices that run on batteries for years. Cellular IoT (LTE-M and NB-IoT) sits in between, using the mobile network you already know. This guide compares all three and helps you pick the right one for a cottage, a farm or a business in Canada.
LoRaWAN vs Wi-Fi vs cellular: quick comparison
| LoRaWAN | Wi-Fi | Cellular IoT (LTE-M / NB-IoT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical range | About 2 to 5 km in towns; 10 km or more in open country with a well-placed antenna | Tens of metres from the router; less through walls and floors | Anywhere your carrier has LTE-M or NB-IoT coverage |
| Power and battery life | Very low; many sensors run several years on batteries | High; most devices need mains power or frequent charging | Low with power-saving modes; often a few years on batteries, depending on how often it reports |
| Data rate | Very low: roughly 1 to 20 kbps in the North American US915 band. Fine for readings and alerts, not for video | Very high: tens to hundreds of Mbps and more. Good for cameras and streaming | Moderate: NB-IoT in the tens of kbps, LTE-M up to about 1 Mbps |
| Cost | Sensors plus a gateway, or use an existing network such as Helium. Low per-message data costs and no SIM per device | Cheap devices and no data fees if you already have internet on site | A SIM and a monthly or yearly data plan for every device |
| Coverage | You can build your own with one gateway, or use public LoRaWAN coverage where it exists | Only where you have a router and an internet connection | Good in cities and along highways; patchy in many rural and cottage areas |
Ranges and battery life are typical figures, not promises. Terrain, trees, buildings, antenna height and how often a device reports all make a big difference.
How each one works
LoRaWAN uses LoRa radio on licence-free spectrum (902 to 928 MHz in Canada and the US). Sensors send short messages that any gateway in range can pick up and pass to the internet. One gateway with a good outdoor antenna can cover a whole property. LoRaWAN encrypts traffic between the device and the network server and again between the device and your application.
Wi-Fi is the network you already use at home and at work. It is fast and familiar, and devices are cheap, but it needs a router within a short distance and it uses a lot of power. Battery-powered Wi-Fi sensors exist, but they usually need charging or new batteries far more often than LoRaWAN ones. (Wi-Fi HaLow, a newer long-range version of Wi-Fi, is starting to appear but devices are still uncommon.)
Cellular IoT means LTE-M and NB-IoT, low-power versions of 4G built for sensors and trackers. Devices connect straight to a carrier's towers, so you don't need your own gateway, but each device needs a SIM and a data plan, and it only works where your carrier offers LTE-M or NB-IoT. Check your carrier's coverage map before you buy.
Which to choose
Cottage
Many cottages have weak or no cell signal and no one on site to reset a router after a power cut. LoRaWAN is a strong fit for freeze, leak, temperature and door alerts: battery sensors last through the winter, and a single gateway in the cottage (or at a neighbour's with internet) can reach sheds, boathouses and the pump house. If the cottage already has reliable internet and power, Wi-Fi works well for a camera or a smart thermostat, and the two can sit side by side.
Farm
Farms are big, spread out and often far from a tower, which is where LoRaWAN shines. A gateway with an outdoor antenna mounted high on a barn or silo can cover water tanks, soil probes, weather stations and gates across many fields, all on batteries. Cellular IoT suits a few assets in places with good LTE-M coverage, or a tracker that leaves the property. Wi-Fi is best kept to the house, the shop and any cameras.
Business
In an office, store or warehouse, Wi-Fi is already there and handles laptops, tills and cameras. For building sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2, light, occupancy, leak detection), LoRaWAN avoids loading the business Wi-Fi with dozens of small devices, runs for years without wiring, and reaches basements, freezers and parking areas that Wi-Fi does not. Cellular IoT is a good choice for vehicles, trailers and equipment that move between sites.
Rule of thumb: choose Wi-Fi for high data close to the router, LoRaWAN for small readings over long distances on batteries, and cellular when devices move around or you can't put up a gateway.
Getting started with LoRaWAN in Canada
- Pick sensors from our LoRaWAN sensors collection.
- Get a gateway from our Hotspots and Gateways collection if there's no coverage where your sensors will be. Check coverage first on Helium World.
- Follow our step-by-step guide to connect a LoRaWAN sensor to Helium in Canada.
- For longer range, add an outdoor antenna: see our 915 MHz antenna buying guide.
- Not sure which antenna, cable and mount suit your site? Try our free Antenna Setup Planner.
Coming soon: a "LoRa vs LoRaWAN" explainer on the difference between the radio and the network.
Also useful, from Amazon.ca
We don't stock these items. We may earn a small commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Mapping Network earns from qualifying purchases.
- Dragino LHT65N LoRaWAN temperature and humidity sensor (915 MHz) on Amazon.ca: a ready-made sensor for temperature and freeze alerts. Choose the US915 version.
FAQ
Is LoRaWAN better than Wi-Fi?
Not overall. LoRaWAN is better for small, infrequent readings over long distances on batteries. Wi-Fi is better for high-bandwidth devices such as cameras close to a router.
How far does LoRaWAN reach compared to Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi typically reaches tens of metres. LoRaWAN typically reaches a few kilometres in towns and 10 km or more in open country, depending on terrain and antenna height.
Can LoRaWAN send video or photos?
No. Its data rate is too low. Use Wi-Fi or cellular for cameras.
Do I need internet for LoRaWAN?
The gateway needs an internet connection (Ethernet, Wi-Fi or cellular backhaul). The sensors do not; they only need to be in range of a gateway.
Is LTE-M or NB-IoT available in Canada?
Yes, major Canadian carriers offer LTE-M and some offer NB-IoT, but coverage varies by region. Check your carrier's map for your exact location, especially in rural areas.
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