Decide what’s best for your IoT project — Bluetooth vs WiFi — by exploring the main features, use cases, and benefits of each tech.
The debate between Bluetooth vs. WiFi in IoT is more than just picking one technology over another. It’s about meeting your project’s core requirements. Do you need long-range connectivity, or is low power consumption a priority? Is your network ready to scale, or will costs jump as more devices come online?
With WiFi powering 31% of all IoT connections and 25% of connected devices relying on Bluetooth, the decision isn’t simple. Make the wrong choice, and you could face higher expenses, limited network scalability, or devices that don’t communicate as expected.
WebbyLab readily solves these exact challenges. Using Bluetooth Low Energy for MyBox charging stations allowed us to simplify user identification. In contrast, WiFi was a perfect choice for SmartHeat, where devices are always on and placed in areas with strong coverage.
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Learn everything about Bluetooth vs. WiFi for IoT in this post. From core differences to possible use cases, we’ll also share our real-life experience with IoT to help you choose the most suitable connectivity tech for your project.
Highlights:
MyBox admin panel developed by WebbyLab
Compatibility and connectivity are necessary for the IoT system to work properly. These features ensure your devices can easily connect to collect and transfer data. Why is that so critical?
IoT applications often rely on the real-time exchange of information between devices and the network infrastructure. Based on that info, the apps can automatically perform certain actions following pre-defined parameters or can be adjusted manually.
For example, in a smart home, sensors need to send updates on temperature, motion, and other parameters to a central hub. The hub then makes decisions, like adjusting the thermostat or activating an alarm. Without a reliable communication protocol, the system would be severely limited in functionality, causing delays, inaccuracies, or even failures.
When connecting devices through Bluetooth and WiFi in IoT, there are several things to consider in each technology:
Many developers turn to WiFi and Bluetooth modules for IoT market to simplify connectivity. These WiFi Bluetooth modules for IoT market offer built-in support for both technologies.
Now that you’ve learned the difference between Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility, here’s a checklist of connectivity requirements to follow:
Connectivity requirements checklist
In our recent IoT application development guide, we highlighted some key features like device pairing, real-time monitoring and control, and data collection. These features rely heavily on the connectivity range that Bluetooth and WiFi provide. So, let’s explore these wireless technologies in greater depth to learn what is the difference between WiFi and Bluetooth.
Bluetooth, especially Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), offers very low-power IoT solutions. It’s ideal for battery-powered devices that need to operate for a long time without recharging. Examples include:
In contrast, one of the drawbacks of using WiFi for IoT applications is that it needs more power as it works at higher data rates. It usually connects devices that have a constant power source — like smart cameras, TVs, or smart refrigerators. Still, some WiFi devices can be powered by batteries. However, their battery life is often significantly limited, meaning they have to spend most of their time in power-saving mode.
Speaking of Bluetooth vs. WiFi range, there’s a noticeable difference between the two.
The Bluetooth’s data transmission range can reach hundreds of meters under ideal conditions. However, due to signal interference and obstacles, you should expect no more than 10 – 20 meters indoors. This range works well for devices that need to communicate over short distances, like smartphones and smartwatches.
The practical WiFi range for IoT devices can surpass 100 meters, but realistic figures are around 15 – 45 meters indoors, depending on the frequency band—much longer than for Bluetooth. It lets you connect devices to the Internet at distances suitable for home and office networks.
Let’s move on to other Bluetooth features for IoT devices — data transfer speed. The rate is limited to 2 Mbps for BLE, suitable for small data transfers, like sensor data or basic telemetry.
WiFi provides way higher bandwidth, up to several hundred Mbps. That’s why it is perfect for transferring large amounts of data, such as streaming video, images, or large data files.
The biggest Bluetooth vs WiFi difference is how they connect to the Internet.
Bluetooth can’t connect to the Internet on its own. It needs a gateway — like a smartphone or any device with WiFi or mobile network access — to communicate with Bluetooth devices and pass data to the IoT system (and vice versa). If you’re using several Bluetooth devices, one gateway with Internet access can usually handle all the connections.
IoT Bluetooth is generally cheaper and simpler to implement since it’s used in smaller devices with limited features. WiFi, on the other hand, tends to be pricier because it requires the best IoT WiFi modules and stronger hardware to support higher speeds and more complex connections.
| Feature | Bluetooth | WiFi |
| Power Consumption | Low (especially BLE) | Higher compared to Bluetooth |
| Range | Short (up to 100 meters) | Longer (up to several hundred meters) |
| Data Transfer Speed | Moderate (up to 2 Mbps for BLE) | High (up to several Gbps) |
| Internet Integration | Requires a gateway | Direct Internet connection |
| Cost and Complexity | Low-cost, simple setup | More complex and costly setup |
When deciding between Bluetooth vs. WiFi for IoT project, it’s important to understand how these wireless communication technologies work behind the scenes.
Bluetooth operates on a peer-to-peer basis, where devices in close proximity communicate directly with each other — no central access point necessary. Each device broadcasts signals through UHF radio waves to establish connections.
Bluetooth operation scheme
WiFi, on the other hand, connects devices in a centralized access point. It works on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies and generally covers longer distances than Bluetooth.
WiFi operation scheme
Now that you’ve explored the difference between Bluetooth and WiFi let’s look at the possible use cases for each wireless protocol.
Bluetooth is used for personal or portable devices that interact with nearby devices — say, fitness trackers, headphones, beacons, or sensors. You can choose Bluetooth over WiFi for IoT devices where energy saving and short distances are important. Here are some practical applications:
WiFi works best for devices that need higher data transfer rates and have access to constant power supply. Consider video surveillance cameras, smart home devices like thermostats and TVs, IoT gateways, and others.
Let’s look at some of the use cases in greater detail:
| Use Case | Technology | Pros | Cons |
| Wearables | Bluetooth | Low energy consumption, ease of pairing | Limited range, lower data transfer rates |
| Asset Tracking | Bluetooth | Cost-effective, energy-efficient | Limited range |
| Smart Home Systems | WiFi | High-speed data transfer, remote access | Requires constant power supply |
| Industrial Automation | WiFi | Fast and stable connections for critical data | Higher implementation costs |
Interested in implementing any of the use cases? Let’s talk about your project!
Get in touchChoosing between WiFi and Bluetooth is a critical decision that impacts the ROI of your IoT projects. Why? It determines the infrastructure costs, scalability, and efficiency of the solutions.
Bluetooth and IoT, with its low power consumption, is ideal for wearable devices and medical sensors, where extended battery life reduces operational costs.
WiFi, on the other hand, provides high throughput, necessary for video surveillance, smart manufacturing, and large IoT networks, where centralized management and fast data transfer increase productivity.
To help you with the right pick, ask yourself the following questions:
Most of the time, we work with WiFi devices that connect directly to the IoT system, whether it’s in the cloud or on dedicated on-premise servers. This is dictated by the specifics of our projects.
However, we’ve also considered Bluetooth as an alternative or complementary technology. Many of our projects use ESP32, which come with both Bluetooth and WiFi modules.
Let’s now explore our work where we’ve used either Bluetooth vs. WiFi for IoT.
In this IoT case study, we discuss how we developed a device and firmware that works via WiFi. Although we couldn’t create a Bluetooth solution because there were no user gateways available, we leveraged the advantages of WiFi over Bluetooth and ensured the device could run autonomously for over a year on a single battery.
Connecting A/C drain line cleaners to WiFi
We chose WiFi for our SmartHeat heat pump enhancement project. We did this because the devices are always powered on and are typically installed in areas with good coverage, often connected directly to a router. This allows for quick, real-time control and telemetry reception, along with the option for remote control.
To find out more, check out our success story about the mobile app for remote monitoring.
Monitoring telemetry sensors through SmartHeat
We used WiFi for the controllers in our access control system, Propuskator. This allowed us to grant quick access to users, manage the system remotely, and receive real-time updates on its operation. Plus, it connects with video surveillance systems without any interruptions.
Connecting to surveillance cameras through Propuskator
Our 2Smart Cloud is an IoT platform for testing and deploying devices to the market, as well as their subsequent monitoring and management. It supports WiFi devices, among other things.
Configuring WiFi devices through 2Smart Cloud
For MyBox, we worked on a task for charging stations where it was appropriate to use Bluetooth Low Energy vs WiFi. BLE technology allowed us to transfer tokens from the phone to the device for quick user authentication and authorization.
Authorizing users through BLE in MyBox
We integrated the BLE tracker from Teltonika through their gateway into our monitoring system on the 2Smart Standalone automation platform. We also managed development for IoT experience that surpassed expectations and set up a Gauge widget for every Teltonika device.
Monitoring Teltonika devices through 2Smart Standalone
To learn more about our work, you can explore our development services for IoT or view our portfolio.
Alexey Krol
Chief Business Development OfficerConsulted 30+ IoT startups to speed up time to market.
Get a ConsultationIf you’re still asking yourself, “What is the difference between WiFi and Bluetooth?” here’s a quick recap.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Bluetooth |
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| WiFi |
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Still, the choice between Bluetooth vs WiFi is up to you. And your project requirements, of course. You may need WiFi for video streaming or AI in IoT or opt for Bluetooth to enable simple connections in wearables and other low-power devices.
In case you’re unsure which tech is right for your project’s structure, consult with WebbyLab’s experts. We’ll weigh the power consumption, range, data transfer, and other requirements to select the best wireless technology for your IoT system.
Written by:
Head of IoT at Webbylab
With a robust academic background in Telecommunication Systems Engineering, I apply my knowledge to lead innovations in the IoT domain. Starting as the first team member in the newly formed IoT department at WebbyLab, I've spearheaded its growth, fostering the expansion into embedded and hardware development alongside our core software projects. My dedication lies in pushing the boundaries of IoT technology, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence that profoundly impacts our clients' operational success.
Choose Bluetooth Internet of Things over WiFi for devices that operate on low power since Bluetooth consumes less energy than WiFi.
Yes! You can use the Internet of Things Bluetooth and WiFi simultaneously for more connectivity options and features.
Both technologies can be vulnerable to security threats if not configured properly. Yet, using encryption, strong passwords, and access controls, as well as avoiding open WiFi networks, can help you tackle most risks.
Of course! WebbyLab has experience integrating both Bluetooth and WiFi, so we can surely do this for your project.
The time to build and deploy a Bluetooth/WiFI IoT solution depends on various factors. Some may include your project’s complexity and specific hardware, firmware, and software requirements. If you’d like to get a better idea of the timeline for your specific needs, contact our team for a consultation.
When learning how to choose IoT router, go for one with strong security, dual or tri-band WiFi, and mesh support for better coverage. The best router for IoT devices should also smoothly handle multiple connections.
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