MeshCore

A managed mesh networking firmware designed around fixed repeater infrastructure, delivering fast and reliable messaging at city and regional scale.

What is MeshCore?

MeshCore is a firmware for LoRa mesh devices that takes a fundamentally different approach to mesh networking. Instead of every device rebroadcasting messages, MeshCore concentrates forwarding responsibility on dedicated repeater nodes, reducing edge-node airtime and enabling resilient, city or region-scale messaging networks.

Companion devices (the radios people carry) don't rebroadcast. Only purpose-built repeaters forward messages. This separation of roles results in noticeably faster message delivery, with sub-2 second delivery on multi-hop routes in field testing.

How It Works

Only dedicated repeaters relay messages; companion devices don't rebroadcast
Supports hop limits up to 64, enabling wide area coverage
Uses a flood-then-direct routing strategy for efficiency
Minimal background telemetry by default (pull model, not push)
Narrower bandwidth (62.5 kHz) tuned for throughput and range
Room-based messaging channels for organized communication

Best For

City or regional scale mesh networks with fixed repeater infrastructure
Communities investing in reliable, permanent coverage
Networks where message speed and reliability are priorities
Deployments that benefit from structured repeater placement

Wondering how MeshCore compares to Meshtastic? Read the full Meshtastic vs MeshCore comparison on AustinMesh to understand the trade-offs, or check out the Meshtastic page.