12 Best IoT Gateway Manufacturers in 2024 Chosen by Gateway Experts

If you have decided to deploy your first IoT network and expand your innovation capabilities, you’re probably wondering which IoT gateway supplier to choose. Which manufacturer is the most reliable and offers the best long-term support?

The cost of making a mistake here is high — choosing a low-quality gateway can lead to installation and replacement expenses that are much higher than the gateway’s initial cost.

So how do you choose the right IoT suppliers? What factors should you consider and pay attention to?

With over 20 years in the industry, we aim to simplify this decision for you. We’ve compiled a list of the top IoT gateway vendors, detailing the main advantages and disadvantages of each.

This guide is designed to help Chief Technology Officers, business owners, and IoT resellers make informed decisions. Let us help you find the best options tailored to your specific needs.

List of 12 Top IoT Gateway Manufacturers

From the very beginning of your research, you should pay attention to a number of criteria that will help you determine the IoT manufacturing companies with the most suitable parameters for you.

Let’s look at the key factors that will help you to find the gateway hardware manufacturers that best fit your needs and ensure a successful IoT deployment:

 1. Years on the Market: Since you expect your gateway to last 10+ years, it’s crucial to ensure the IoT supplier has use cases showcasing such longevity. A company that has been present in the market for a long time certainly demonstrates stability, experience, and has stood the test of time.

  2. Wide Market Presence: if a gateway manufacturer has a wide presence in the market, it shows they are reliable and experienced. They can consistently deliver high-quality products and services across different regions.

 3. Technical Support: Having good technical support from your gateway supplier is crucial because it ensures you have expert help available to quickly resolve any issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining the smooth operation of your IoT network.

 4. Reputation for Reliability: Try to gather as many confirmations of the manufacturer’s reliability as possible through positive reviews from existing clients, especially those with needs similar to yours. For example, a good partner and client of TEKTELIC, Larry Laing from Embeddedworks, a wireless solutions provider from the United States, confirms:

“TEKTELIC Communications has the Best-in-Class high quality IoT Solutions, from Gateway to Devices and Sensors. Their responsive Pre-Sales and Technical Support is second to none. Embedded Works Corp has come to rely on our trusted partner over the years sees no changes in future.”

5. Innovation and Technological Advancement: Ask the IoT supplier’s experts which cutting-edge technologies they can offer for your specific case. Discuss the available options and request an explanation of the main advantages of these technologies, including the materials used, embedded features, and additional benefits.

6. Comprehensive Product Portfolio: It’s important to remember that different use cases may require specific gateways to fit, depending on factors like location and environment. In such cases, having a variety of options is key. Suppliers with just one gateway in their portfolio may limit your choices. For example, TEKTELIC offers one of the widest portfolios of IoT gateway products and sensors on the market, along with an end-to-end solution that consolidates everything you need in one place.

The mentioned list is created to assist you in making the right choice by providing comprehensive insights into the factors that matter. Now, let’s check into each manufacturer’s strengths and offerings in detail.

1. TEKTELIC Communications Inc.

TEKTELIC specializes in developing and providing high-performance Carrier-Grade LoRaWAN Gateways, Networks, Devices, and IoT Solutions tailored for different key verticals, like Smart Building, Asset Tracking & Utilization, and Digital Medicine.

Our portfolio has the largest, most reliable, and cost-effective selection of LoRaWAN Gateways optimized for both Public and Private LPWAN IoT deployments.

We invest significant efforts in testing each product to meet the most challenging environmental conditions. Our goal is to ensure our clients a lifespan of 10-15 years without failures, performance degradation, or the need for site visits.

The capital costs to purchase a LoRaWAN Gateway is just a small percentage (approx. 5%) of the overall network cost. With this in mind, TEKTELIC Gateways are specifically designed to enable customers to optimize the total cost of the overall network (the other 95%) saving them a minimum 30-50% in year one and over the lifespan of the deployment.

Let’s analyze into how our clients worldwide benefit from TEKTELIC Gateways:

• Get significant cost savings during both initial deployments and ongoing operations with TEKTELIC gateways.
• Deploy 30-50% fewer gateways to cover the same area compared to alternative solutions, resulting in optimized infrastructure costs.
• Experience LPWAN IoT networks that are exceptionally reliable, with minimal packet losses, ensuring seamless data transmission.
• Support a larger number of devices and sensors per gateway, maximizing network capacity and scalability while extending the battery life of connected devices.
• Enjoy worry-free network operation, allowing you to focus on expanding your business and achieving profitability faster. With TEKTELIC Gateways, you can confidently build robust and efficient IoT networks tailored to your specific needs.

Hundreds of IoT operators worldwide rely on TEKTELIC gateways to run their networks worry-free, experiencing increased reliability and substantial cost savings.

Let’s review the real numbers on how you could save your costs.

Choosing the TEKTELIC carrier-grade gateways allows you to deploy 30-50% fewer gateways to cover the same area. This is resulting in substantial cost savings during initial deployments and ongoing operations. Our LPWAN IoT networks are more reliable, experience minimal packet losses, support thousands more devices and sensors per gateway, and extend the battery life of connected devices.

Choosing TEKTELIC as your LoRaWAN gateway vendor ensures you receive the best value through exceptional durability, performance and reliability. TEKTELIC gateways are designed with all of the proper ESD designs, lightning protection, salt-fog protection and other environmental features that would be expected for products being deployed in harsh environments.

TEKTELIC Gateways are tested to 10,000 power upcycles and extreme cold starts ensuring that once the Gateway is in the hands of the customer it’s going to operate reliably in any environment. The high-quality components ensure consistent, long-term operation, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

TEKTELIC is trusted by many international partners for their exceptional product quality and support. For instance, Co-founder and CEO of Aritium Angel Colao highlighted that: “TEKTELIC is a global reference when it comes to provide high-quality devices and gateways in the LoRa ecosystem. We are collaborating especially in the healthcare field and their responsiveness and collaboration from sales to technical teams is extraordinary. We hope to keep collaborating with them for many years and to make our relationship even tighter.”

Pros of TEKTELIC:

• Unrivaled Durability: TEKTELIC gateways operate in -40°C to +70°C temperatures, snow, rain, ice, or baking sun, in 100% condensing humidity, and up to 4,000 meters above sea level.
• Diverse Portfolio: Ensures there is a TEKTELIC Gateway solution to meet any customer deployment challenge.
• Industry-Leading Reliability: With over 15 years of experience, TEKTELIC has established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable products. Our gateways undergo number of testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance, making them a trusted choice for network operators globally​.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: TEKTELIC offers a wide range of cost-effective LoRaWAN gateways. These solutions help operators save significantly on both initial deployment and ongoing operational costs, without compromising on performance or reliability. This makes TEKTELIC gateways an excellent value for large-scale deployments​.
• Scalability and High Capacity: TEKTELIC gateways, such as the KONA Mega IoT Gateway, support massive scalability, handling up to 12 million messages per day. This capacity makes them ideal for large-scale public and private network deployments, ensuring efficient communication and management of IoT devices.
• Advanced Features: TEKTELIC gateways come with advanced features such as integrated GPS, cavity bandpass filters to reduce interference, and lightning protection mechanisms. These features enhance network performance, reliability, and safety, ensuring uninterrupted operation even in adverse conditions.
• Open Ecosystem Support: TEKTELIC makes a commitment to ensuring that a TEKTELIC Gateway can be integrated and operate on any LoRaWAN Network Server with a commitment that customers will never be locked in.

Cons of TEKTELIC:

• Initial Cost: TEKTELIC gateways are designed to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership for Network Operators, however the initial investment can be higher compared to some other manufacturers. This can be a consideration for small-scale projects or startups with limited budgets.

2. RAKwireless LoRaWAN

RAKwireless is a wireless gateway manufacturer known for its innovative and flexible IoT and LoRaWAN solutions, dedicated to simplifying design and accelerating time-to-market.

Their products, like the WisGate series, offer different connectivity options (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, LTE) and modular hardware, making them suitable for various applications such as industrial IoT and smart cities.

Pros of RAKwireless:

• Versatile Hardware Solutions: Modular and customizable product line to support various deployments.
• Variable Connectivity Options: Multiple backhaul options including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and LTE.
• Industrial-Grade Durability: IP67-rated enclosures for harsh environments.

Cons of RAKwireless:

• Power Options Limitations: some models, like the WisGate Edge Pro, advise against using solar chargers due to potential overvoltage issues, which can limit power supply options in certain deployments​
• Documentation and Support Gaps: users have occasionally reported that the documentation can be sparse or difficult to follow, and while there is a strong community presence, direct support might not always meet the needs of all users promptly​
• No Hazardous Deployment Options: RAK does not currently have a Gateway product in its portfolio that meets the requirements for ATEX or HAZLOC deployments.

3. Milesight

Milesight is a well-known gateway provider in the IoT and LoRaWAN industry, renowned for its solutions designed for diverse applications such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial automation.

Their gateways feature multi-backhaul connectivity (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Cellular), built-in network servers, and management platforms like Milesight IoT Cloud and DeviceHub, ensuring reliable performance and extensive coverage.

Pros of Milesight:

• Robust and Durable: designed for both indoor and outdoor use, Milesight gateways feature IP67-rated enclosures that provide protection against dust and water, making them suitable for harsh environments
• Ease of Management: the built-in network servers and integration with platforms like Milesight IoT Cloud and DeviceHub make it easy to manage and monitor gateways, simplifying deployment and maintenance

Cons of Milesight:

• Complexity in Large-Scale Deployments: managing a large number of gateways can be challenging without a centralized management component. Tasks like changing network servers, updating firmware, and diagnosing issues can be cumbersome if done individually​.
• No internal lightning and surge protection: Lightning and surge protection needs to be sourced and connected externally, increasing the complexity and cost of deployment while providing a less reliable solution.
• Documentation and Support: Some users have reported that the documentation provided by Milesight can be inadequate or difficult to follow. While there is support available, it may not always be sufficient to address all user needs promptly​.
• Complex Configuration: the initial setup and configuration process can be complex, particularly for users new to LoRaWAN technology, potentially requiring additional time and expertise.

4. Browan

Browan Communications is a reputable manufacturer known for its LoRaWAN gateways. Their product range includes solutions suitable for various applications, such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial IoT. making them a popular choice for IoT deployments.

Pros of Browan:

• Cost-Effective Solutions: Browan provides affordable LoRaWAN gateways, which are ideal for both small-scale and large-scale deployments. This cost efficiency makes them accessible to a wider range of users and applications
• Durability: Browan gateways, such as the Outdoor Micro Gateway, feature IP67/IP68-rated enclosures, providing excellent protection against dust and water. This makes them suitable for harsh environmental conditions​
• Ease of Deployment: With support for plug-and-play installation and an easy-to-use web interface for configuration, Browan gateways are straightforward to deploy and manage, reducing the complexity and time required for setup​

Cons of Browan:

• Limited portfolio: Restricts the ability to meet diverse customer needs and deployment challenges due to a smaller portfolio than market competitors.Limited Advanced Features: Compared to some high-end competitors, Browan’s gateways might lack certain advanced features and customization options, which could be a drawback for users with specific or complex requirements​
• Power Options: Although Browan gateways support multiple power inputs, including PoE and DC, there may be limitations in using alternative power sources such as solar power or battery backup, which can restrict their deployment in remote areas without stable power infrastructure.

5. Multitech

MultiTech is a renowned manufacturer in the IoT space, providing a wide range of LoRaWAN gateways known for their robustness and reliability. Their products are designed to support various industrial IoT applications, offering flexible and scalable solutions for different deployment needs.

Pros of Multitech:

• Robust and Durable: MultiTech gateways, such as the Conduit IP67, are built to withstand harsh environmental conditions with IP67-rated enclosures, making them suitable for outdoor deployments in extreme weather​.
• Comprehensive Software Support: MultiTech gateways come with advanced software solutions like mPower™ Edge Intelligence for enhanced security, manageability, and edge computing capabilities, and DeviceHQ® for remote device management​.
• Scalability: Their gateways are highly scalable, supporting a wide range of applications from small to large-scale deployments, and can be easily configured to meet specific project requirements​.

Cons of Multitech:

• Complex Setup: The initial setup and configuration of MultiTech gateways can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are new to LoRaWAN technology. Detailed technical knowledge may be required to fully utilize their capabilities.
• Higher Price: Multitech Gateways are often sold at ta higher price point than comparable products in the market. ​
• Network Compatibility Issues: Some users have experienced challenges with network compatibility, particularly when integrating with specific network servers like The Things Network. These issues can complicate deployments and require additional troubleshooting.

6. Kerlink

Kerlink is a provider of IoT solutions, specializing in robust and reliable LoRaWAN gateways. Their products are widely used in various applications, including smart cities, agriculture, and industrial IoT.

Pros of Kerlink:

• High Performance: Their gateways offer high radio performance with strong signal strength and excellent interference mitigation, providing reliable connectivity even in densely populated areas. They support high volumes of IoT devices and millions of messages daily​.
• Easy Deployment and Management: Kerlink gateways feature zero-touch provisioning, which simplifies installation and configuration. They also come with advanced remote monitoring and management tools, enhancing the ease of deployment and ongoing network management.

Cons of Kerlink:

• Complex Setup: The initial setup and configuration of Kerlink gateways can be complex, requiring technical expertise, especially for users new to LoRaWAN technology. This can increase the time and resources needed for deployment.
• Limited Support for Legacy Systems: Some older Kerlink models, like the Wirnet Station, have been discontinued and are no longer supported, which can pose challenges for users with legacy systems looking for upgrades or replacements.
• Network Compatibility Issues: Users have reported occasional issues with network compatibility, particularly when integrating Kerlink gateways with certain network servers. This can lead to additional troubleshooting and configuration efforts​.

3 Top-Rated Zigbee Companies

Zigbee is another popular wireless communication protocol used in IoT networks. It’s designed for low-power, low-data-rate applications, which makes it perfect for things like home automation and industrial control. Zigbee lets devices talk to each other over short distances, usually up to 100 meters, by creating mesh networks where each device can pass data to the next.

Its data transfer rate is 250 kbps, so it’s much slower than Wi-Fi. If you want to learn more about how LoRaWAN compares to Zigbee, check out this link.

1. Aeotec

Aeotec, well-known wireless hardware manufacturer in smart home technology, specializes in powering smart homes with seamless SmartThings integration, Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter.

Pros of Aeotec:

• High Quality and Reliability: Aeotec products are well-known for their build quality and durability. They undergo rigorous testing to ensure long-term performance.
• Wide Compatibility: Aeotec devices are compatible with multiple smart home platforms, including SmartThings, Home Assistant, and others.
• Advanced Features: Aeotec offers advanced features in its products, such as energy monitoring, precise motion detection, and comprehensive environmental sensing.

Cons of Aeotec:

• Limited Availability: In some regions, Aeotec IoT products may be harder to find compared to other brands. This can limit accessibility for some users who prefer to purchase products locally rather than online.
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Users have reported occasional issues with connectivity and firmware updates, which can require technical expertise to resolve.
• Dependence on SmartThings: it means that users who do not use SmartThings may find it more challenging to integrate Aeotec products into their existing systems.

2. Philips Hue (Signify)

Philips Hue is a leading name in smart lighting solutions, offering a range of Zigbee-based products. Their hubs facilitate seamless integration and control of smart lighting and other connected devices, making them a cornerstone of many smart home setups.

Pros of Philips Hue (Signify):

• Compatibility with various smart home systems, robust performance, user-friendly setup.

Cons of Philips Hue (Signify):

• Higher initial cost, primarily focused on lighting solutions.

3. Samsung SmartThings

Samsung SmartThings remains a robust and versatile choice for those looking to build or expand their smart home, offering extensive compatibility and automation capabilities. However, potential buyers should consider the cost, potential connectivity issues, and the learning curve involved.

Pros of Samsung SmartThings:

• Wide Compatibility: The SmartThings Hub supports a variety of protocols, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi, making it compatible with a vast array of smart home devices from different manufacturers.
• User-Friendly Interface: The SmartThings app provides an intuitive and straightforward user experience for both initial setup and daily management.

Cons of Samsung SmartThings:

• Occasional Connectivity Issues: Some users have reported occasional connectivity problems, particularly with devices that use different protocols.
• Dependence on Internet: While the SmartThings Hub does offer some local processing, many features and automations rely on cloud connectivity. This dependence on an internet connection can lead to functionality issues if the internet is down​.
• Limited Support for Legacy Devices: Users with older smart devices may find that not all of their existing equipment is compatible with the latest SmartThings Hub.

3 Top-Rated Wi-Fi Routers Manufacturers

Wi-Fi is the third commonly used wireless technology in IoT networks. It’s known for its high-speed data transfer and wide availability. Wi-Fi is great for tasks that need fast internet within a relatively short range, like up to 100 meters indoors.

This makes Wi-Fi perfect for things like streaming videos and online gaming, with speeds that can reach up to 9.6 Gbps. You’ll find Wi-Fi commonly used in homes, offices, and public spaces.

1. ASUS

ASUS is known for producing high-performance routers that cater to both gaming and general home use. Their products often include advanced features like AI-driven network management and robust parental controls.

Pros of ASUS:

• High speeds, extensive feature set, excellent performance for gaming, and robust software support.

Cons of ASUS:

• Generally higher cost, complex setup for advanced feature

2. TP-Link

TP-Link offers a variety of routers that provide good performance at competitive prices. Their products are known for their ease of use and reliable connectivity.

Pros of TP-Link:

• Affordable, easy setup, good performance for the price, comprehensive parental controls.

Cons of TP-Link:

• Limited advanced networking features, higher cost for mesh systems, performance gains are incremental over previous models.

3. Netgear

Netgear is a well-established brand in the networking industry, offering a variety of routers suitable for different needs, including mesh systems for comprehensive home coverage.

Pros of Netgear:

• Strong performance, easy setup, and extensive feature sets, including parental controls and security features.

Cons of Netgear:

• Can be quite expensive compared to competitors.

While Wi-Fi and Zigbee are great in their own ways, LoRaWAN is the best for big, widespread IoT projects. LoRaWAN can cover up to 20 kilometers, which is much more than Wi-Fi and Zigbee. This makes it perfect for use cases like smart farming, remote monitoring, and city-wide networks.

Additionally, its long range means you don’t need as many repeaters or access points, which saves money. So, considering range, power use, scalability, cost, and application, LoRaWAN is the most reliable and efficient choice for large-scale IoT deployments.

What To Look For in an IoT Gateway Manufacturer?

When you are choosing an IoT gateway manufacturer, one big challenge is making sure the gateways are secure and reliable in a harsh environment. Companies need gateways that can handle rain, extreme heat or cold, dust, and humidity. Gateways that fail due to ineffective protection can lead to costly downtime and maintenance issues. If the gateways aren’t well-protected, they can fail, leading to costly downtime and maintenance issues.

Another big thing to think about is how easy it is to set up and expand the system. A lot of businesses have a hard time with gateways that are tricky to integrate into their current network setup.

You definitely want to have solutions that are simple to deploy, don’t require a lot of manual work to get going, and can easily scale up as they add more devices.

This kind of scalability is super important for making sure your IoT investments are future-proof and that the network can grow without needing major changes.

It’s really important for companies to have good technical support and clear documentation. You need an IoT gateway manufacturer that provides easy-to-understand guides and reliable help when things go wrong, so they can fix issues quickly and keep costs down.

How about security? Businesses need gateways with strong security features to protect sensitive data. This means secure boot processes, encrypted storage, and safe communication channels to keep cyber threats at bay.

And of course, cost matters too. You want a good mix of high performance and reasonable prices. Make sure what you spend, both now and later, is worth it. Don’t cut corners on important features and reliability.

Now that you have read our article about the top IoT gateways companies, you know how to pick the best gateway manufacturer and what important details to focus on to make the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gateway Manufacturers

How do I choose an IoT gateway?

To choose the best LoRaWAN gateway, first, think about the coverage area to make sure it matches your deployment needs. Next, ensure it can scale up as your network grows and check if it works well with your current devices. Lastly, look for strong security features and good technical support to protect your data and help with any issues. Want more detail? Review our latest article about 10 Best LoRaWAN Gateways.

LoRaWAN vs. Zigbee: What’s the difference?

LoRaWAN is much better than Zigbee for large-scale IoT projects. It can cover distances up to 20 kilometers, making it perfect for applications like smart farms and city-wide networks, while Zigbee only covers about 100 meters, suitable for small areas like homes. Plus, LoRaWAN devices last much longer on a single battery, up to 10 years, compared to Zigbee, which needs more frequent battery changes.

LoRaWAN vs. WiFi: What’s the difference?

The difference between LoRaWAN and WiFi is that LoRaWAN covers long distances up to 20 kilometers, making it ideal for large-scale outdoor applications like smart agriculture, while WiFi covers shorter distances up to 100 meters, perfect for high-speed internet in homes and offices. Additionally, LoRaWAN is designed for low power consumption, allowing devices to last years on a single battery, unlike WiFi, which uses more power and needs constant power sources.

LoRaWAN vs. z-wave: What’s the difference?

The difference between LoRaWAN and Z-Wave is pretty straightforward. LoRaWAN network can cover really long distances, up to 20 kilometers, which makes it perfect for things like smart farming and city-wide networks. On the other hand, Z-Wave is great for shorter distances, about 100 meters, so it’s ideal for home automation. Plus, LoRaWAN uses less power, so devices can last for years on one battery, while Z-Wave devices need more frequent battery changes. LoRaWAN also uses a simpler network setup, which is better for wide areas, whereas Z-Wave uses a mesh network to extend its range within homes.

What is an IoT Gateway?

An Internet of Things (IoT) Gateway is like a bridge in an IoT network that connects IoT sensors and the central network. The gateway collects data from sensors and transmits it to the cloud or central server for processing, and it can also relay data back from the server to the devices. The gateway ensures efficient and reliable communication within the network, enabling various IoT applications such as smart cities, agriculture, and industrial monitoring. For more details, you can check out the TEKTELIC website.