Meshtastic vs MeshCore

Meshtastic and MeshCore are both free, open-source firmware for the same kind of cheap LoRa radios. Many devices can run either one; you pick by flashing the firmware you want.

The two can’t talk to each other over the air. They use different packet formats and, by default, different radio settings. So the most important question isn’t which one is better. It’s which one do the people near you use? Check the regional groups first.

Side by side

	Meshtastic	MeshCore
Who relays messages	Any node can relay (unless set to CLIENT_MUTE)	Only repeaters (and room servers set to repeat). Your personal “companion” radio never relays.
How messages travel	Managed flooding: nodes rebroadcast what they hear. Direct messages learn a “next hop” relay (since firmware 2.6).	The first message to someone floods through repeaters. The reply records the path, and later messages follow that path. Group channels always flood.
Max hops	7 (default 3)	64
US default radio settings	LongFast preset: 250 kHz, SF11	“USA/Canada (Recommended)”: 910.525 MHz, 62.5 kHz, SF7, CR5
Stored messages	Store and Forward module	Room servers: a mini message board that catches you up on up to 32 unseen messages when you log in
Works with no infrastructure	Yes, handhelds relay for each other	Messaging works directly between companions in range; relaying needs repeaters
Apps	Android, Apple, web, Python CLI	MeshCore app (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac), web app, Python and JavaScript tools
License	Open source	Open source (MIT)

Which should I choose?

• Your local network runs one of them: use that. In Arizona, the Arizona Meshtastic Community runs Meshtastic around Phoenix and toward Tucson, and AZCOREMSH is building a MeshCore network.
• You’re a group with no network nearby (hikers, a family, an event crew): Meshtastic works out of the box with nothing but your own radios.
• You’re building a large fixed network of rooftop and hilltop repeaters: MeshCore was designed for that, because fewer radios transmit each message.
• You can’t decide: buy hardware that supports both (most popular boards do; see the device chooser). You can reflash later.

Why the routing difference matters

In a flooding mesh, more radios means more transmissions for every message. That’s simple and robust for small groups, but busy city meshes have to tune roles and presets to keep the airwaves clear. MeshCore’s learned paths mean only the repeaters on the route transmit, which scales better, but it depends on someone maintaining the repeaters.

Learn more: How Meshtastic works, How MeshCore works.

Sources

Checked on October 18, 2026.

1. meshtastic.org/docs/overview/mesh-algo
2. meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/lora
3. meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/radio/device
4. github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore
5. github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/docs/faq.md
6. docs.meshcore.io/radio_presets