ChirpStack vs Datacake

Timo Wevelsiep

Datacake and ChirpStack solve different layers. Datacake is an application platform. ChirpStack is a LoRaWAN Network Server. The right choice depends on who should own connectivity, integrations and operations.

Short answer
Layer-by-layer comparison
Decision rules
What changes with merkaio
Related decisions

Short answer

Use Datacake when you need a fast no-code application layer. Use ChirpStack when LoRaWAN control, private infrastructure and custom integrations matter. Use merkaio when you want that stack designed, deployed and operated.

Layer-by-layer comparison

Criterion	Datacake	ChirpStack with merkaio
Primary role	Application platform for dashboards, devices and workflows.	LoRaWAN network infrastructure with managed operations and integrations.
Connectivity ownership	Best when connectivity is already available or abstracted.	Best when you need control over gateways, tenants, regions and network server behavior.
Customization	Fast configuration inside the platform model.	Custom MQTT, webhooks, payload decoders, dashboards and app integrations.
Data model	Works well for standardized device and dashboard patterns.	Fits custom data pipelines, own databases and open-source observability stacks.
Operations	Platform operations are handled by the platform provider.	LoRaWAN, databases, integrations, monitoring and updates are operated by merkaio.
Lock-in risk	Lower engineering effort, but more platform coupling.	More architecture work, but open-source components and data portability.

Decision rules

Choose Datacake for speed when the value is a quick app, fast device onboarding and standardized dashboards.

Choose ChirpStack for network control when gateways, LoRaWAN regions, tenants, payload decoding and private infrastructure are central to the project.

Choose merkaio for build and run ownership when you need ChirpStack, Grafana, ThingsBoard, MQTT and custom apps to work as one maintained system.

What changes with merkaio

merkaio is not another generic IoT platform. We build the infrastructure layer and keep it operable:

private ChirpStack setup for your gateways and tenants
payload decoders and integrations for Milesight and other LoRaWAN devices
dashboards in Grafana or ThingsBoard, depending on the use case
monitoring, updates, backups and incident response
custom web or mobile applications when standard dashboards are not enough

Datacake and ChirpStack are trademarks of their respective owners. merkaio is independent and not affiliated with these providers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Datacake a replacement for ChirpStack?▼

Not directly. Datacake is mainly an application platform, while ChirpStack is a LoRaWAN Network Server. In some projects both layers can coexist.

Can merkaio integrate Datacake?▼

Yes, if Datacake is the right application layer. We are not limited to one front end, but we prefer open operations where long-term control matters.

Why not use only a no-code IoT platform?▼

No-code is useful for speed. It becomes limiting when data models, integrations, tenancy, branding or operational ownership become more specific.

Which option is better for LoRaWAN gateways?▼

If gateway behavior and network-server configuration are important, a private ChirpStack setup gives more direct control.

NextChirpStack vs The Things Stack

That is a lot of manual work, and operating it comes on top.

Updates, backups, hardening, monitoring: a production LoRaWAN server needs not just setup but continuous operation. We take that off your plate, as Managed ChirpStack on European infrastructure or preinstalled and ready to run on the merkaio edge pro.

Managed ChirpStack hosting merkaio edge pro

Written by

Timo Wevelsiep

Founder, merkaio

Builds and operates LoRaWAN and IoT platforms, from ChirpStack to custom applications.