What is the difference between LoRa and LoRaWAN?

1. Communication Method:

LoRa: Point-to-point (P2P) or private networks, where LoRa devices communicate directly. Offers high flexibility but lacks standardised management.

LoRaWAN: A standardised wide-area network utilising gateways and network servers for data routing, supporting bidirectional communication (e.g., Class A/B/C).

2. Network Architecture

LoRa: No fixed architecture, suitable for small-scale deployments

LoRaWAN: Relies on gateways and cloud platforms, suitable for wide-area coverage

3. Application Scenarios

LoRa: Suitable for customised, low-power local monitoring (e.g., agricultural sensors, industrial equipment status transmission)

LoRaWAN: More suitable for public IoT projects (e.g., smart cities, environmental monitoring), requiring compatibility with standardised protocols