The short answer
Use whichever your local area uses. A mesh is only as good as the people on it, and the two can't exchange messages. If both are active near you, Meshtastic suits groups who want positions on a map, sensors and lots of features with little setup. MeshCore suits areas building fixed repeaters for reliable messaging over long distances, and people who want handhelds that don't spend battery relaying other people's traffic.
The hardware is the same for both, so you can try one and reflash to the other later.
Side by side
| Meshtastic | MeshCore | |
|---|---|---|
| Who relays messages | Every node by default, handhelds included | Only repeaters and room servers. Companions never relay |
| How far a message goes | Hop limit 3 by default, 7 at most | Up to 64 repeaters, limited by the path size |
| Direct messages | Flood first, then each node learns the next hop (2.6 and later) | Flood first, then the whole route is learned |
| UK default | 869.525 MHz, 250 kHz, SF11 (LongFast) | 869.618 MHz, 62.5 kHz, SF8 (EU/UK Narrow) |
| US default | 906.875 MHz, 250 kHz, SF11 (LongFast). 2.8 can start new nodes on Long Turbo: 908.750 MHz, 500 kHz | 910.525 MHz, 62.5 kHz, SF7 |
| UK 10% duty cycle | Enforced by the firmware | Not by default (50% budget). Set it with set dutycycle 10 |
| Channels | Default channel with a public key, plus private channels | Public, hashtag and private channels |
| Direct message privacy | Encrypted between the two nodes' keys | Encrypted between the two nodes' keys |
| Message length | About 228 bytes | 160 bytes on channels, including your name |
| Positions and maps | Built in. Shared by default up to 2.7, private by default from 2.8 | Optional position in adverts |
| Stored messages | Store and Forward module on some boards | Room servers |
| Other features | Telemetry, sensors, MQTT internet bridge, ATAK, many modules | Scopes for regional routing, remote repeater admin |
| Licensed amateur mode | Yes: no encryption, sends your callsign | No dedicated mode |
| Apps | Official Android, iPhone and web apps | Official app by Liam Cottle for Android, iPhone and web |
The big difference: who relays
In Meshtastic, every node can relay. That makes a mesh work quickly with no planning: a few people with handhelds can relay for each other. The cost is airtime and battery. Each message can be repeated by many nodes, and the hop limit of 3 stops floods spreading too far, which also limits range across big networks.
In MeshCore, your handheld only sends and receives. Fixed repeaters, ideally high up, do the relaying, and a message can pass through many of them. That suits wide-area networks and keeps handhelds' batteries and the channel quieter, but an area with no repeaters only works radio to radio.
In the UK they share one band
Ofcom's 869.40 to 869.65 MHz band is the only one allowing 500 mW, so both use it. Meshtastic's LongFast fills it, and MeshCore's narrow signal sits inside at 869.618 MHz. They can't decode each other, but they share the airtime and can collide, which is one more reason to keep traffic light. Both must stay within 500 mW ERP and 10% of each hour.
Airtime and battery
With UK defaults, a short message takes roughly the same time on air with either: around 0.7 to 0.8 seconds. MeshCore's narrow signal is slower per byte, but its lower spreading factor makes up for it. The difference comes from how many radios send it: on Meshtastic, several handhelds may relay each message, while on MeshCore only repeaters do. Faster Meshtastic presets, such as MediumFast, cut the time sharply. Try it in the calculator.
Hardware
Both run on the same common boards, including the Heltec V3, RAK WisBlock, LilyGO T-Echo and T-Deck, and Seeed boards. Check the Meshtastic flasher and the MeshCore flasher for your exact board. Buy the right band for your country: 868 MHz in the UK, 915 MHz in the US.
Guides
Sources
- Meshtastic mesh algorithm, device roles, encryption, presets and firmware source.
- MeshCore FAQ, default scope notes and firmware source.
- Ofcom IR 2030 and 47 CFR §15.247.
Checked November 2026. Both projects change quickly.
Questions
What's the difference between Meshtastic and MeshCore?
In Meshtastic every node relays messages by default, up to 3 hops. In MeshCore only fixed repeaters relay, and a message can pass through many of them. Both send encrypted text over LoRa on the same hardware.
Can Meshtastic and MeshCore talk to each other?
No. They use different protocols and, by default, different radio settings, so they can't read each other's messages.
Is Meshtastic or MeshCore better?
Whichever your area uses. Meshtastic has more features and works with no infrastructure. MeshCore suits wide areas with planned repeaters and is lighter on handheld batteries.
Can I switch a radio from Meshtastic to MeshCore?
Yes. They run on the same boards, so you can flash either firmware with its web flasher.
Do Meshtastic and MeshCore use the same frequency in the UK?
They use the same band, 869.40 to 869.65 MHz. Meshtastic's LongFast is centred on 869.525 MHz and fills the band; MeshCore is on 869.618 MHz, inside it.