Migrating a Sensor from TTN to ChirpStack
Introduction
Many LoRaWAN users are moving from The Things Network (TTN) to ChirpStack for more flexibility, control, and fewer restrictions. TTN’s free plan offers a great entry point, but it has strict limitations, and upgrading to The Things Industries (TTI) can become costly.
Why move from TTN to ChirpStack?
- Device limits – TTN free plan allows only a limited number of devices per application (currently 10). Adding more requires a paid plan.
- Downlink limits – Typically capped at 10 downlinks per day per device, which is restrictive for devices requiring frequent acknowledgments or configuration updates.
- Uplink limits – TTN enforces ~30 seconds airtime/day/device, limiting high-frequency or multi-sensor devices.
- High upgrade costs – TTI paid tiers can be far more expensive than running ChirpStack yourself or using affordable hosting.
- Full control – ChirpStack has no arbitrary device or message limits.
- Flexible integrations – Supports MQTT, HTTP, and database connections without commercial add-ons.
- Private/hybrid options – Run your own network, connect to Helium, or combine both.
- Feature control – Upgrade on your schedule and access new LoRaWAN features sooner.
Step-by-Step Migration from TTN to ChirpStack (Hosted)
1. Log in to Your ChirpStack Portal
Log in to your Trackpac-hosted ChirpStack portal using the credentials provided by your administrator. Make sure you are operating within your assigned tenant/organization.
2. Create a Device Profile
- In the ChirpStack web interface, go to Device Profiles in the sidebar.
- Click Add Device Profile or Create.
- Fill in the required details to match your device:
- Name: A descriptive name for your device profile
- LoRaWAN version: (e.g., 1.0.3 or 1.1.0)
- Regional parameters: (e.g., EU868, US915)
- Other settings: Match your device's requirements
- Save the device profile.
3. Create an Application
- Go to Applications in the sidebar.
- Click Add Application or Create.
- Enter a name and (optionally) a description.
- Save the application.
4. Remove the Device from TTN
Important: Before registering your device in ChirpStack, remove it from TTN to avoid join conflicts. Delete the device from your TTN application.
5. Add the Device in ChirpStack
- In your ChirpStack application, click Add Device.
- Select the Device Profile you created earlier.
- Enter the device's DevEUI, AppEUI, and AppKey (these should match what was used in TTN).
- Save the device.
6. Set up Integrations (Optional)
- In your application, go to the Integrations tab.
- Add or configure integrations as needed (e.g., MQTT, HTTP webhook, InfluxDB).
- Enter endpoint details and authentication as required.
7. Test the Device
Power on or reset your device so it performs a join request. Use ChirpStack’s live device data/logs to confirm successful uplinks and downlinks.
Quick Comparison: TTN vs ChirpStack
| Feature | TTN Free Plan | ChirpStack |
|---|---|---|
| Device limit | 10 per application | Unlimited* |
| Downlink limit | ~10/day/device | No fixed limit* |
| Uplink airtime | ~30 sec/day/device | No fixed limit* |
| Private network option | No | Yes |
| Hosting cost | Free (limited) / Paid for TTI | Included in Trackpac hosting |
*Dependent on hardware, server resources, and fair use policy you define.
By migrating to Trackpac's hosted ChirpStack, you gain full ownership, scalability, and integration flexibility—without restrictive free-tier limits or the complexity of self-hosting.