Understanding Mesh Protocols
Both Meshtastic and MeshCore enable off-grid communication using LoRa radios. They share the same purpose but take different approaches. NodakMesh supports both.
At a Glance
Meshtastic
The established choice. Simple, plug-and-play mesh networking where every device can relay messages. Great for beginners, small groups, and ad-hoc situations.
- Established since 2019, large community
- Free, open-source apps (Android/iOS)
- No setup required - devices auto-connect
- Wide device support and documentation
Best for: Beginners, hiking groups, casual use, small networks
MeshCore
The newer, more efficient option. Uses dedicated repeaters for smarter routing and better scalability. Ideal for larger networks and planned deployments.
- Launched 2025, rapidly evolving
- More efficient routing, less network chatter
- Supports up to 64 hops (vs 7 for Meshtastic)
- Confirmed message delivery feedback
Best for: Large networks, planned deployments, tech enthusiasts
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Meshtastic | MeshCore |
|---|---|---|
| Routing Method | Flood (all nodes relay) | Structured (dedicated repeaters) |
| Max Hops | 7 | 64 |
| Setup Complexity | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Mobile App | Free, open-source | Free (optional $7.99 upgrade) |
| Community Size | Large | Growing |
| Network Scalability | Good (small-medium) | Excellent (large) |
| Delivery Confirmation | Basic | Detailed |
Meshtastic: The Details
What is Meshtastic?
Meshtastic is an open-source project that uses small, low-cost LoRa radios to create a decentralized, off-grid communication network. It lets you send short text messages and share GPS locations without any cell service or internet. Messages hop directly from device to device over long-range radio, so you can stay in touch during outdoor adventures, emergencies, or anywhere regular networks don't reach.
Think of it as your own private walkie-talkie text network - free to use once you have the devices, and supported by a friendly community of users and developers worldwide.
How Meshtastic Works
Mesh Networking
Meshtastic devices form a mesh network, meaning each device (or "node") can talk to other nearby nodes and can pass messages along for others. Unlike cell phones that rely on towers, a mesh has no central infrastructure - every node is both a sender and a relay.
If you send a message and the recipient is out of your direct radio range, intermediate Meshtastic nodes will automatically forward the message until it reaches its destination. Meshtastic uses a "managed flooding" approach to routing: when a node receives a new message, it rebroadcasts it unless it has already seen that message before. Each message only gets forwarded a limited number of times (a hop limit), so the network doesn't get stuck in an endless loop.
LoRa Radio Technology
The magic behind Meshtastic's range is LoRa ("Long Range") radio. LoRa is a low-power wireless protocol that operates on license-free radio bands (915 MHz in the US or 868 MHz in Europe). These radios can send data for several kilometers - often 2-5 km in typical conditions, and much farther (tens of kilometers) with line-of-sight and good antennas.
LoRa's data rate is very low compared to Wi-Fi or cellular, so Meshtastic is limited to text messages and GPS locations (no photos or big files), and messages have a maximum length of around 200+ characters. This is plenty for short communications like "I'm at the campsite" or emergency signals.
Hardware
One of the great things about Meshtastic is that it runs on affordable, off-the-shelf hardware. Most Meshtastic nodes use an ESP32 or similar microcontroller paired with a LoRa radio module, plus optionally a GPS receiver. Popular choices include:
- LILYGO T-Beam (ESP32 with LoRa and built-in GPS)
- LILYGO T-Echo (nRF52-based with e-ink screen)
- Heltec WiFi LoRa boards
- RAK Wireless modules
These boards typically cost $30-$50, making it practical to get a few for your group.
The Meshtastic App
Using Meshtastic is designed to be beginner-friendly. There's a free official Meshtastic companion app for Android and iOS that pairs with your device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Once connected, the app provides a chat interface very similar to a messaging app.
The mobile app also shows a map with GPS locations of your team - super useful for hiking or search & rescue, as you can see where all your Meshtastic-equipped friends are on a map.
Meshtastic supports encryption so your messages aren't readable by others outside your group. You can set your own channel name and encryption key to create a private network. The communications use strong AES encryption.
Common Use Cases
Emergency Communication
When disasters strike and cell towers go down, Meshtastic serves as a backup network for first responders and communities.
Outdoor Adventures
Hikers, campers, and skiers can stay in contact over many kilometers of terrain where there's no cell service.
Group Events
At festivals or large gatherings where cellular networks are overloaded, Meshtastic provides reliable local communication.
Rural Living
Neighbors on distant farms can install nodes to create a local messaging network spanning their area.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Free and open-source
- Very user-friendly for beginners
- Large community and documentation
- Self-organizing network
Limitations
- Text only (no voice or images)
- Can get congested in very large networks
- Limited to 7 hops maximum
- More network chatter due to flooding
MeshCore: The Details
What is MeshCore?
MeshCore is a recent open-source project focused on LoRa mesh networking, launched in early 2025 as an alternative to Meshtastic. Like Meshtastic, MeshCore enables off-grid text messaging and data sharing over long-range LoRa radios without any internet or cell towers.
However, MeshCore takes a different approach: it was designed from scratch to be a lightweight, scalable mesh system with more structured routing and control. The goal is to support larger and more efficient networks by making the mesh itself smarter and more organized, rather than relying on all nodes flooding messages.
How MeshCore Works
Structured Routing
MeshCore does not have every device blindly repeat messages. Instead, it introduces the concept of dedicated repeaters and end devices. A typical MeshCore network has a few infrastructure nodes (repeaters) placed in strategic locations, and the regular user devices (companions) connect through those repeaters. Companion nodes do not rebroadcast every message they hear - they leave that job to the designated repeater nodes.
When you send a message on MeshCore, it typically goes from your device to a repeater, then maybe to another repeater, and so on, until it reaches a repeater near the destination, which then delivers it to the recipient's device. Think of the repeaters as a backbone or "postal route" for messages.
Intelligent Path Learning
MeshCore nodes actually learn routes: the first time a message to a new destination is sent, it may flood minimally to discover a path, and then that path is used for subsequent messages. This makes MeshCore stateful - nodes keep tables of which neighbor leads to which part of the network.
Reduced Network Traffic
By not having every node repeat everything, MeshCore greatly cuts down on background "chatter." A repeater might send an occasional brief advertisement so companions know it's there, but these are infrequent. This lean communication means the radio channel stays clearer for actual messages, leading to faster and more reliable message delivery as the network grows.
Device Roles
Companion
Your personal device that pairs with your phone. Does not relay messages for others.
Repeater
Infrastructure node that forwards traffic. Place these in strategic elevated locations.
Room Server
Stores messages when recipients are offline and forwards them when they return.
Hardware & Software
MeshCore runs on similar devices as Meshtastic - Heltec WiFi LoRa, RAK Wireless modules, LILYGO T-Beam and T-Echo, the T-Deck, and more. If you have a device that works for Meshtastic, it can likely be flashed with MeshCore firmware too.
MeshCore's team provides a web-based Flasher Tool that makes it easy to select your board model and flash the appropriate firmware. The MeshCore firmware itself is open-source (MIT License) and is built as a modular C++ library.
The MeshCore mobile app (Android/iOS) is free to download and use. Premium repeater control features are available for a one-time $7.99 upgrade, or you can wait 10 seconds to use premium features for free. The app lets you see network topology, delivery confirmations, and even set specific routes for messages.
Ideal Use Cases
Wide-Area Networks
Covering an entire town or city with LoRa mesh messaging. Set up repeaters on rooftops and hills to create a backbone.
Industrial & IoT
Connecting lots of sensors on a farm, factory, or large property where efficiency matters.
Mission-Critical Comms
Emergency operations where knowing for sure if a message got through is essential.
Tech Enthusiasts
Those who love to tinker and want more control over network behavior and routing.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Scales to large networks efficiently
- Confirmed delivery feedback
- Up to 64 hops supported
- Less network chatter, faster delivery
Limitations
- Newer project, smaller community
- Requires planning repeater placement
- App is free (optional $7.99 for instant premium)
- Less ad-hoc flexibility
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Meshtastic if...
- • You're new to mesh networking and want the easiest setup
- • You need quick, ad-hoc communication (hiking, camping, events)
- • You have a small group (under 20 nodes) in a localized area
- • You prefer completely free, open-source software
- • You want access to extensive documentation and community support
Choose MeshCore if...
- • You're building a larger, planned network (town or regional coverage)
- • You need reliable delivery confirmation for critical messages
- • You can place dedicated repeater infrastructure
- • You want more control over network routing and behavior
- • You enjoy being an early adopter and helping shape new technology
Good news: The same hardware works for both! You can flash devices with either firmware and switch between them. Many enthusiasts keep some nodes on Meshtastic and some on MeshCore for different projects.
Important: Not Compatible
Meshtastic and MeshCore are not compatible with each other. A Meshtastic node cannot talk to a MeshCore node directly - they use different protocols and encryption. All participants in a mesh network must use the same system. NodakMesh supports both protocols, but you'll need to choose one for your group or deployment.
Ready to Get Started?
Check out our getting started guides for step-by-step setup instructions.