LoRa open source projects (2026): RadioLib, ChirpStack, Meshtastic, MeshCore, ESPHome, Tasmota, ELRS and more

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ZerOne
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A reading list of open source projects that use LoRa chips, plus ones that use the same radios for non-LoRa jobs (FSK, OOK, ranging, geolocation). I checked that every link below loads and read each project's own README or docs as at October 2026, but I have not run most of them. Licences are as GitHub reported them and can change, so confirm before you build on one. Chips and modules are covered in the chips thread, bands in the frequency thread.

Libraries and drivers
  • RadioLib: MIT. A universal radio library. Its README lists SX126x, SX127x/RFM9x, SX128x, LLCC68, LR11x0 and STM32WL, plus FSK/OOK parts like CC1101 and RF69. It also covers LoRaWAN (Class A and C) and non-LoRa modes such as RTTY, AX.25, APRS and POCSAG on supported radios. API reference.
  • Arduino LoRa: MIT. A simple send/receive library for SX1276/77/78/79 boards (RFM95W and similar). Not for SX126x.
  • MCCI arduino-lmic: MIT. A LoRaWAN stack for Arduino. Its README says it supports SX1272, SX1276 and SX126x transceivers.
  • STM32LoRaWAN: Arduino library for LoRaWAN on the STM32WL series, with an API similar to the MKRWAN library.
  • Semtech sx126x_driver: Semtech's C driver for the SX126x, including LR-FHSS code. You implement the hardware abstraction layer yourself.
  • Semtech SWSD003: example transceiver apps for SX126x and LR11xx, such as ping-pong, packet error rate, CAD, spectral scan and a Sigfox uplink. Useful for bench testing a board, not a ready firmware.
  • LoRa Basic Modem (SWL2001): Semtech's LoRaWAN stack, which its README says implements LoRaWAN L2 1.0.4 with FUOTA packages.
  • LoRaMac-node: Semtech's reference implementation of a LoRa end node.
  • SWDM001: drivers and demos for LR-FHSS transmission on LR11xx and SX126x.
LoRaWAN servers and gateways
  • ChirpStack: MIT. An open source LoRaWAN network server you run yourself. Docs.
  • The Things Stack: Apache-2.0. The open source LoRaWAN network server behind The Things Network (docs). lorawan-devices is the community device and payload decoder repository.
  • sx1302_hal: Semtech's hardware abstraction layer and tools (including a packet forwarder) for SX1302/SX1303 gateway concentrators.
Mesh networks
  • Meshtastic: GPL-3.0. Off-grid mesh messaging firmware for LoRa boards. Docs.
  • MeshCore: MIT. A lightweight multi-hop routing library and firmware for LoRa and other packet radios, aimed at embedded projects.
  • LoRaMesher: MIT. A C++ mesh library for LoRa nodes using distance-vector routing. Its README says it builds on RadioLib and supports SX1262, SX1268, SX1276, SX1278 and SX1280.
Home automation firmware
  • Tasmota LoRa and LoRaWan Bridge: tasmota32 builds only, and you must compile with the LoRa defines enabled. It supports SX127x and SX126x radios, point-to-point LoRa between devices, and a LoRaWAN bridge to MQTT. Optional Berry decoders turn raw payloads into readable sensor values.
  • ESPHome sx127x and sx126x components: FSK, OOK and LoRa modulation (the sx127x example uses 433.92 MHz OOK, and sx126x lists SX1261/62/68 and LLCC68). Either can be a platform for ESPHome's packet transport, which sends sensor data directly between nodes.
  • OpenMQTTGateway: has a LoRa module that publishes received LoRa packets to MQTT from an ESP32 LoRa board.
Non-LoRa and geolocation uses
  • ExpressLRS: GPL-3.0. An open source radio control link for models and drones that offers LoRa, FLRC and FSK modes on 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz (docs). A good example of a LoRa radio used for something other than telemetry.
  • SWSD004: Semtech's LoRa Edge tracker demo for the LR1110 with Wi-Fi and GNSS geolocation, which its README says uses LoRa Basics Modem.
  • SWSD006: Apache-2.0. LR11xx multi-stack SDK for the nRF52840, aimed at Sidewalk development.
Notes
  • Most firmware needs the right band set in the build or config (see the frequency thread). Check the project's supported-hardware list before buying a board.
  • LoRaWAN servers like ChirpStack and The Things Stack need a gateway on the same plan as your devices, such as AU915 in Australia.
  • Semtech's repos use varying licences (GitHub reports BSD-3-Clause-Clear for some, no recognised licence for others), so read each LICENSE file.
Question for the group: which of these are you running (or want to try), and is anyone using ESPHome or Tasmota with an SX126x or SX127x in a real install?
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