After years of experimenting with various LPWAN mesh networking technologies, I’ve unequivocally settled on Reticulum for my serious deployments. It emerged as the clear frontrunner not because it’s simpler than the rudimentary Meshtastic (it isn’t), nor because it’s overtly more feature-rich than the robust MeshCore (though debatable), but because its extremely well-thought-through design philosophy fundamentally aligns with what I’ve come to believe matters most: privacy, resilience, and true decentralisation in the face of an increasingly “enshittified” internet. It strongly supports multiple bearer protocols, making it an ideal candidate for a future decentralised internet.

While MeshTastic might serve as a basic introduction to LPWAN mesh networking, MeshCore represents a significant leap forward, particularly when the limitations of hobbyist solutions become apparent. It effectively addresses many of the fundamental issues encountered with earlier, simpler protocols, offering a far more robust option for scenarios where “it mostly works” is simply not good enough. MeshCore is designed for industrial deployments, large-scale sensor networks, and applications where reliability and flexibility are paramount.

For many new to LPWAN mesh networking, MeshTastic often appears as a starting point due to its affordability and active community. It can get you from zero to sending a basic mesh message relatively quickly. For some, it may seem like a convenient entry into mesh networking.

In this post, I’ll dive into what makes MeshTastic tick, where it excels, and where it falls short based on my own experience using it across various scenarios.

Long-range Sub-GHz wireless mesh networks have become essential for modern communication, particularly in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is impractical or impossible. By utilising lower frequencies (typically below 1 GHz), Sub-GHz networks can achieve remarkable range, low power consumption, and the ability to penetrate obstacles such as buildings and dense forests.

These characteristics make Sub-GHz mesh networks ideal for applications in IoT, outdoor communication, emergency response, and industrial networks. But with numerous technologies now available, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging.