LoRaWAN vs. NB-IoT, Sigfox, and LTE: Which IoT Technology is Right for You?

Choosing the right connectivity technology is critical for any IoT deployment. The four leading options—LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Sigfox, and LTE—each have strengths and limitations. The best choice depends on factors like coverage, power efficiency, data capacity, cost, and deployment complexity.

This article helps decision-makers understand which technology fits their needs by comparing key aspects of each. While all have their place in the IoT ecosystem, LoRaWAN offers unique advantages in cost, flexibility, and battery life, making it a strong choice for many applications.

Comparing LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Sigfox, and LTE for IoT Deployments

Let’s review the key differences between LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, Sigfox, and LTE to help you make an informed decision. Each of these technologies has unique strengths, making them suitable for different IoT applications. The table below provides a high-level comparison of their performance in critical areas like coverage, power efficiency, cost, and ease of deployment.

Right after it, we will dive deeper and explore each factor in more detail to help you make the best choice for your IoT deployment.

Coverage: How Far Can It Reach?

LoRaWAN offers one of the widest coverage ranges with up to 15 km in rural areas and 2–5 km in cities. Unlike NB-IoT and LTE, which rely on carrier networks, LoRaWAN can be deployed privately, making it a great choice for remote locations. Many public LoRaWAN networks also exist.

NB-IoT depends on cellular networks. Coverage is strong in urban areas and improving in rural regions, but it does not support seamless roaming across all networks.

Sigfox also provides long-range coverage (up to 40 km in open areas), but users must rely on Sigfox’s pre-existing network—you cannot deploy your own base stations.

LTE has the broadest coverage worldwide, but cell towers are needed nearby, making it unsuitable for very remote areas without mobile service.

Key Takeaway:

LoRaWAN is the best choice for private, long-range coverage. NB-IoT and LTE offer broad cellular coverage but rely on carriers. Sigfox is an option if its network covers your location.

Power Consumption: Which One Lasts the Longest?

For battery-powered IoT devices, power efficiency is very important.

• LoRaWAN is optimized for ultra-low power consumption, lasting 5–10 years on a small battery.
• NB-IoT is also power-efficient but requires more energy than LoRaWAN due to frequent network synchronization.
• Sigfox is even more power-efficient than LoRaWAN, but its strict data limitations can be a drawback.
• LTE consumes the most power, making it unsuitable for long-term battery-powered applications.

Key Takeaway:

LoRaWAN and Sigfox are the best for battery-powered devices. NB-IoT is good but consumes more power. LTE is only practical for externally powered devices.

Data Rate: How Much Data Can It Handle?

Different applications require different data speeds:

• LoRaWAN supports small, periodic data bursts (0.3–50 kbps), making it ideal for sensors.
• NB-IoT is faster (up to 250 kbps), enabling richer telemetry but at a higher power cost.
• Sigfox is very slow (~100 bps) and best for tiny data packets.
• LTE is the fastest option (1–150 Mbps), but overkill for most IoT applications.

Key Takeaway:

LoRaWAN is perfect for small, periodic sensor data. NB-IoT supports moderate data needs, while LTE is best for high-bandwidth applications.

Cost: Which is the Most Affordable?

Upfront and long-term costs vary:

• LoRaWAN: Low-cost devices ($8–$10 per module) and no subscription fees if using a private network.
• NB-IoT: Similar module cost ($10–$12) but requires a carrier subscription ($1–$5 per year per device).
• Sigfox: Very low-cost modules (<$5), but requires annual subscriptions ($1–$14 per device).
• LTE: Highest module cost ($15–$40) and requires monthly data plans ($1–$10 per device).

Key Takeaway:

LoRaWAN is the most cost-effective, especially for large-scale private networks. Sigfox is also affordable but has strict data limits. NB-IoT and LTE incur ongoing costs.

Deployment Complexity: Which is the Easiest to Set Up?

• LoRaWAN: Requires deploying gateways but is easy to set up and fully controlled by the user.
• NB-IoT: No infrastructure required—devices connect directly to carrier networks.
• Sigfox: No setup needed, but limited to pre-existing Sigfox coverage.
• LTE: Simple setup but requires SIM card management.

Key Takeaway:

If you want full control, LoRaWAN is best. If you want a plug-and-play option, NB-IoT or LTE are easier. Sigfox works where its network is available.

Final Recommendation: Choosing the Right Technology for Your IoT Deployment

Selecting the right IoT connectivity technology depends on the specific needs of your deployment. Each option has its strengths, and the best choice will be determined by factors like coverage, power consumption, data requirements, and cost. Below is a summary to help you decide which one fits your project best:

• Choose LoRaWAN if you need long battery life, wide coverage, low cost, and full control over your network.
• Choose NB-IoT if you prefer carrier-managed connectivity and can afford small ongoing fees.
• Choose Sigfox if you need a simple, ultra-low-cost solution for tiny data packets.
• Choose LTE only if you need high-speed data or mobility (e.g., vehicle tracking, real-time monitoring).

For most IoT applications, LoRaWAN provides the best balance of cost, battery life, and long-range coverage, making it a preferred choice for smart cities, agriculture, utilities, and industrial IoT. Its ability to support private networks, ultra-low power consumption, and scalability make it a standout solution for businesses looking to deploy large-scale IoT systems without the recurring costs associated with cellular technologies.

LoRaWAN continues to gain traction globally as enterprises recognize its advantages in flexibility, affordability, and ease of deployment.

LPWAN Market Share: Key Insights

The LPWAN market has grown significantly, reaching 1.3 billion global connections by the end of 2023, and is expected to grow at a 26% CAGR until 2027, reaching 3 billion connections. However, the market is highly segmentedbetween licensed and unlicensed LPWAN technologies, with key regional differences shaping adoption patterns.

NB-IoT: The Largest Share, Driven by China

• NB-IoT holds the largest share of the LPWAN market, comprising 58% of all LPWAN connections globally.
• China heavily skews this number, as the country accounts for ~84% of global NB-IoT connections, due to government-led adoption in smart metering and city-wide infrastructure.
• When excluding China, NB-IoT’s market share drops to 20% but continues to grow, with projections indicating 23% by 2027.

LoRa: The Leading LPWAN Technology Outside of China

• LoRa dominates the LPWAN market outside of China, holding a 41% market share in 2023.
• Despite increased competition, LoRa adoption is still projected to grow at a CAGR of 17% through 2027.
• The key drivers of LoRa’s market presence include smart metering, agriculture, sustainability applications, and asset tracking solutions.

Licensed vs. Unlicensed LPWAN Adoption Trends

• Licensed LPWAN (NB-IoT, LTE-M) surpassed unlicensed LPWAN (LoRa, Sigfox) in total market share in 2023, even when excluding China’s influence.
• Licensed LPWAN technologies are projected to comprise 58% of global LPWAN connections by 2027, with increasing adoption in smart city management, logistics, and industrial automation.
• LoRa remains the strongest competitor to NB-IoT and continues to see wide adoption in private networks and enterprise applications.

Sigfox: A Fading Competitor

• Sigfox’s market share continues to decline, and many former Sigfox deployments are transitioning to LoRaWAN or NB-IoT.
• Industry consolidation and partnerships, such as Semtech and UnaBiz integrating Sigfox 0G technology with LoRa Edge, highlight a move towards hybrid LPWAN solutions rather than standalone Sigfox networks.

Future Outlook: LoRaWAN’s Role in a Hybrid IoT Ecosystem

As IoT deployments scale, many organizations are adopting multi-technology strategies. LoRaWAN’s ability to provide private, cost-effective, and low-power connectivity positions it as a cornerstone of this hybrid approach.

Industry forecasts suggest that LoRaWAN will continue to expand into new markets, with more businesses investing in private network infrastructure to reduce dependency on telecom providers. Its open ecosystem and interoperability make it a future-proof choice for enterprises looking to deploy large-scale IoT solutions. The LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT market was valued at USD 7.39 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 68.12 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 35.30% from 2024 to 2031.

With over 15 years of expertise in LoRaWAN technology, TEKTELIC has established itself as a global leader in IoT connectivity, delivering end-to-end solutions that support businesses across industries. With a portfolio trusted by over 400 customers worldwide, TEKTELIC offers reliable, scalable, and cost-effective LoRaWAN solutions that help organizations maximize operational efficiency and future-proof their IoT deployments.

Whether you are looking to deploy a private LoRaWAN network or integrate IoT solutions at scale, TEKTELIC provides the expertise and technology to support your journey. Contact us today to start your IoT jorney: info@tektelic.com