Comparison

nRF Mesh vs Urban Blue

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

nRF Mesh

Easily deploy and manage Bluetooth Mesh networks. Control individual nodes, configure network settings, and update device firmware remotely. Supports a wide range of BLE devices compatible with Bluetooth Mesh.

Highlights
  • Node provisioning and identification
  • Remote provisioning capabilities
  • Network and application key configuration
  • Node control via various server models
  • Device firmware updates
  • Granular control over publication data and subscriptions
  • Explore node capabilities and security settings
Features
Read full description

nRF Mesh allows you to easily deploy nodes to any Bluetooth Mesh compatible Nodes, giving you flexibility to deploy many different Mesh network Setups. Features: • Identifying: Identify a node before provisioning it. • Provisioning: Deployment of a new Node is as simple as a press of a button. All Out-Of-Band (OOB) methods are supported. • Remote Provisioning: Allows provisioning Nodes that are too faw to reach them directly. • Configuration: Create Network and Application keys or use the randomly generated ones, subscribe to groups and setup your nodes for publishing. • Node Control: Control nodes with Generic OnOff Server, Generic Level Server, Generic OnPowerUp Server, Scene Server and many other models. • Device Firmware Update: Quickly send a new firmware to the Distributor and observe it slowly distributing it to all the nodes. Additionally, you may also run the following configuration commands on your network: • Fully control node publication data. All publication parameters are configurable. • Add/Remove one or more subscription addresses on a model. • Create own AppKeys, or generate them using the builtin crypto-safe generator. • Bind/unbind an Application Key to a specific model for full granular control of your networks' security. • Explore the nodes' capabilities to view all elements, models, provisioning time and date, Manufacturer and available vendor data. • Set the Default TTL on a per-node basis. • Manage global AppKey list on a node. • And much more... Hardware support: - This version of the app is capable of communicating with any BLE devices that speak Bluetooth Mesh! - We recommend nRF5 devices with our nRF SDK for Mesh or nRF Connect SDK.

About

Urban Blue

Features
Read full description

Your site in your pocket. Urban Blue Assistant shows what needs you today: alerts that need action, the live state of your devices and the routines due on your shift. It's built for the people who run greenhouses, aquaculture, labs and other technical sites day to day. SEE WHAT MATTERS FIRST Monitoring puts the important things at the top. Anything that needs action comes first, then everything that is ongoing: alerts, automation, auto flags and open team tasks. Each alert shows why it was triggered, which readings caused it and what to do next. • Action required and escalations, at a glance • Watchlist, normal operation and inactive alerts, kept separate • "Why this rule is active", with the live values behind it • Response steps from your playbook, right where you need them GET NOTIFIED IN TIME Alerts and flags reach you before damage is done, even when the app is closed. You also get notified when a routine is due on your shift. WORK AS A TEAM Routines, checks and tasks become simple checklists. Tick off steps, enter readings, add a comment or a photo, and mark the task as done. • Hand a task to someone else or ask for help in one tap • Scan labels and test IDs with the camera • Everyone stays up to date, without phone calls or paper lists YOUR DEVICES, LIVE Check every sensor and actuator on your site from anywhere. • Current readings, data quality and trends (1h to 7 days) • Operating status and history for windows, heaters, pumps and plugs • Device parameters and setpoints at a glance • Switch devices from your phone, if your role allows it. Every command asks you to confirm first. MADE FOR THE JOB • Search alarms, systems and messages by text or voice • Many languages, including English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, 中文, 日本語, Tiếng Việt and Bahasa Indonesia. You can switch language at any time. • Day, Sunlight and Night views for any light conditions • Three text sizes PLEASE NOTE Urban Blue Assistant is the mobile companion to the Urban Blue platform. To sign in, you need an Urban Blue account from your organisation. Designed in Switzerland by Urban Blue GmbH.

Screenshots

nRF Mesh4 screens
Urban Blue4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: nRF Mesh at 13.0 against Urban Blue's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

nRF Mesh ships an update every 6 weeks, Urban Blue every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
nRF Mesh versus Urban Blue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternRF MeshUrban Blue
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews30.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNordic Semiconductor ASAurbanBlue

In-app purchases

None

nRF Mesh

No in-app purchases

None

Urban Blue

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nRF Mesh free?
nRF Mesh is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Urban Blue free?
Urban Blue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do nRF Mesh or Urban Blue have ads?
Neither nRF Mesh nor Urban Blue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nRF Mesh or Urban Blue?
nRF Mesh ships an update every 6 weeks, and Urban Blue every 2 months. Most recently, nRF Mesh was updated on November 3, 2026 and Urban Blue on November 7, 2026.

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