Hologram
Hologram provides a global cellular platform that allows you to connect and manage your IoT device fleet across more than 470 carrier networks using a single programmable SIM card.
ThingsBoard
ThingsBoard is an open-source IoT platform for data collection, processing, visualization, and device management that enables you to build and scale connected solutions with professional-grade dashboards and security.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Hologram | ThingsBoard |
|---|---|---|
| Website | hologram.io | thingsboard.io |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $1.5/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2014 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, USA | New York, USA |
Overview
Hologram
Hologram is a cellular connectivity platform designed to help you deploy and manage IoT devices anywhere in the world. Instead of juggling multiple carrier contracts, you get a single global SIM that automatically switches to the best available local network. This ensures your devices stay connected across borders without manual intervention or roaming headaches.
You can manage your entire fleet through a centralized dashboard or integrate connectivity data directly into your own applications using their robust API. The platform is built for scale, supporting everything from a single prototype to massive industrial deployments. By providing real-time visibility into data usage and device health, it helps you eliminate connectivity gaps and control operational costs effectively.
ThingsBoard
ThingsBoard is an open-source IoT platform that helps you manage devices, collect data, and visualize results in real-time. You can connect your hardware using standard protocols like MQTT, CoAP, and HTTP to start monitoring your environment immediately. The platform provides a powerful rule engine that lets you create complex logic and alerts without writing extensive code, making it easier to automate your IoT workflows.
You can build custom dashboards to share data with your team or customers using a wide variety of built-in widgets. Whether you are managing a few sensors or millions of devices, the platform scales to meet your needs through its microservices architecture. It is widely used for smart energy, farming, and industrial automation projects where reliable data processing and secure device control are essential for success.
Overview
Hologram Features
- Global eUICC SIMs Connect your devices to over 470 networks globally with a single SIM that supports remote over-the-air updates.
- Hyper-Network Access Access multiple tier-1 carriers in every country to ensure your devices always latch onto the strongest available signal.
- Hologram Dashboard Monitor data usage, manage SIM states, and troubleshoot connectivity issues across your entire fleet in real-time.
- Usage Alerts Set custom thresholds for data consumption so you get notified before any device exceeds its planned budget.
- Inbound SMS Send machine-to-machine SMS messages to your devices directly from the dashboard or via API for remote configuration.
- Cloud Data Connector Route your IoT data securely to AWS, Google Cloud, or your own private endpoints without complex setup.
ThingsBoard Features
- Device Management. Provision and monitor your devices securely while managing credentials and tracking connectivity status from a single interface.
- Real-time Visualization. Build interactive dashboards with over 300 built-in widgets to visualize your data and control devices remotely.
- IoT Rule Engine. Create custom data processing workflows and trigger automated actions based on incoming telemetry or device life-cycle events.
- Multi-tenancy Support. Set up isolated environments for different customers or departments with granular permissions and customized branding for your users.
- Asset Tracking. Organize your devices into logical groups and track their physical locations on integrated maps for better fleet visibility.
- Alarm Management. Configure sophisticated alarm rules to receive instant notifications when your sensors detect critical issues or threshold breaches.
Pricing Comparison
Hologram Pricing
- Global network access
- Pay-as-you-go data rates
- Standard dashboard access
- API access included
- No long-term contracts
- Everything in Professional, plus:
- Custom data pooling
- Volume-based discounts
- Dedicated account management
- Advanced security features
- Custom contract terms
ThingsBoard Pricing
- Open-source license
- Unlimited devices and assets
- Standard MQTT, CoAP, HTTP
- Core Rule Engine
- Basic dashboard widgets
- Self-managed deployment
- Everything in Community, plus:
- Fully managed cloud hosting
- Up to 30 devices included
- Advanced data converters
- White-labeling options
- Export data to CSV/Excel
Pros & Cons
Hologram
Pros
- Seamless global roaming across hundreds of carriers
- User-friendly dashboard for managing large device fleets
- Excellent developer documentation and API support
- Reliable connectivity in remote or international locations
Cons
- Data costs can scale quickly for high-bandwidth apps
- Technical support response times can vary
- Hardware shipping costs for SIMs can be high
ThingsBoard
Pros
- Highly customizable dashboards with professional widgets
- Flexible rule engine for complex automation
- Strong support for multiple industry-standard protocols
- Active open-source community for troubleshooting help
- Scalable architecture handles large device volumes
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Documentation can be dense for beginners
- Self-hosting requires significant server management knowledge