Golioth vs Pinscope: which one fits
Golioth is an IoT cloud with device management and data routing; Pinscope gives you remote access to the device itself, with logs, crashes and updates. Both support Zephyr and ESP-IDF. Here is how they differ, with sources.
In one paragraph each
Golioth is an IoT platform: OTA updates, device logs, fleet settings and remote procedure calls, plus data routing (Pipelines) that sends device data to your own servers and databases. Its Firmware SDK supports Zephyr, the nRF Connect SDK, ESP-IDF and ModusToolbox. Since April 2026 it is priced by usage.
Pinscope gives each device an HTTPS address for its own web server, and streams its logs, metrics and crash reports over one outbound connection, with OTA in waves. It does not route your sensor data to a cloud database: the device's own pages and APIs are the interface.
Side by side
| Golioth | Pinscope | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.25 per device per month in which it connects; OTA $0.0095/MB; data routing $0.0080/MB; $50 of credit to start (pricing, April 2026) | Free for 3 devices; Maker €29/month (10 devices), Team €69 (30), Business €229 (150); every feature on every plan |
| Reach the device's own web UI or API | Not among the features listed in its documentation (remote procedure calls instead) | Yes: HTTPS address per device, share links, API tokens |
| Device data to your cloud | Yes: Pipelines to databases and services | No; metrics to Prometheus, webhooks for alerts |
| Settings and RPC | Yes | Through the device's own API, reached remotely |
| Logs | Yes, 14 days free | Live and stored, 7 to 90 days by plan |
| Crash reports | Not among the services listed in its documentation | Yes, decoded to function and line with the ELF |
| OTA | Yes | Yes, in waves that stop on failure; from CI |
| Platforms | Zephyr, nRF Connect SDK, ESP-IDF, ModusToolbox | ESP32 (ESP-IDF, Arduino, PlatformIO); in beta Zephyr, Pico 2 W, Linux, ESP8266 |
When Golioth is the better choice
- You want device data stored and routed to your own cloud, with a managed pipeline.
- Settings and RPC as platform services fit your product better than a web page on the device.
- Your devices connect rarely, and paying per connected month is cheaper.
- You use Infineon's ModusToolbox.
When Pinscope is the better choice
- The device already has a web UI or API, and you want to open it from anywhere as it is.
- You want decoded crash reports and live logs from the field.
- You prefer a fixed monthly price to usage billing.
- You use Arduino or PlatformIO on an ESP32, or need about 9 KB of RAM.
Checked in November 2026 against the sources linked on this page; prices and features change, so check them before you decide. Memfault, Golioth, nRF Cloud and Nordic Semiconductor are trademarks of their owners; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Found something out of date? Write to hello@pinscope.dev and we fix it.
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