A location system, or a unified platform?
Most of the tools you’ll compare are strong, specialized RTLS platforms. Ubisense is a benchmark in high-precision UWB; CenTrak leads clinical-grade healthcare locating; Litum focuses on industrial worker safety; Wiliot pioneers battery-free ambient IoT; Kontakt.io specializes in cloud-managed BLE. Each is excellent at what it does.
SmartX HUB approaches location differently. It’s a multi-technology platform — RFID, UWB, BLE, LoRa and more — that unifies real-time location with RFID inventory, asset management and maintenance on one platform. That’s the distinction to weigh: a location point solution, or an operations platform where location is the foundation.
One platform, not a single-technology silo
Multi-Technology
RFID, UWB, BLE, LoRa and more in one platform — match the technology to each use case instead of committing to a single method.
RTLS + RFID Together
Live location and RFID inventory on the same system, so tracking and counting are one workflow, not two vendors.
Location + Maintenance
A location event can trigger a maintenance work order — RTLS and CMMS share one system of record.
Open Integration
A REST-based open API supplies real-time data to virtually any system and receives data from many sources.
Location is the foundation, not the finish line
A pure RTLS tells you where something is. A unified platform turns that location into action — automating inventory, triggering maintenance, and predicting what’s next. That’s the difference between a locating system and an operations platform. Locate, act, predict.
Compare SmartX HUB with popular RTLS platforms
Each comparison looks at where the platform excels and where a unified, multi-technology approach changes the equation. Pick the one you’re evaluating:
SmartX HUB vs Ubisense
A benchmark in high-precision UWB RTLS, widely used in automotive assembly and industrial manufacturing for tool control and asset synchronization via its SmartSpace platform.
Ubisense is often chosen for: ultra-high-precision UWB in automotive and manufacturing
Read the full comparisonSmartX HUB vs CenTrak
A healthcare-first RTLS leader known for Clinical-Grade Locating, combining IR, Wi-Fi and BLE for room- and sub-room-level accuracy in clinical workflows.
CenTrak is often chosen for: clinical-grade healthcare locating and patient-safety workflows
Read the full comparisonSmartX HUB vs Litum
An end-to-end industrial RTLS provider focused on worker safety in heavy industries such as mining and construction.
Litum is often chosen for: worker-safety RTLS in heavy industry
Read the full comparisonSmartX HUB vs Wiliot
A pioneer of battery-free, ambient IoT using Bluetooth-based tags (IoT Pixels) for low-cost, high-volume item sensing.
Wiliot is often chosen for: battery-free ambient IoT at very high item volumes
Read the full comparisonSmartX HUB vs Kontakt.io
An Infrastructure-IoT provider offering cloud-managed BLE beacons and sensors, popular in healthcare and corporate real estate.
Kontakt.io is often chosen for: cloud-managed BLE for healthcare and real estate
Read the full comparisonComparisons reflect publicly available information about each product and are provided to help you evaluate options. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
How to choose the right RTLS for your operation
Accuracy specs alone won’t tell you which platform fits. As you compare RTLS alternatives, weigh these factors against how your operation actually runs:
Scope beyond location
Do you only need to see where things are, or also RFID inventory, an asset register and maintenance? That decides whether a pure RTLS or a unified platform fits.
Technology flexibility
A single-technology system (UWB-only, BLE-only) locks you in. A multi-technology platform lets you match RFID, UWB, BLE or LoRa to each area and budget.
Industry fit
Some platforms are built for one vertical — healthcare, automotive. Consider whether you need a solution that spans manufacturing, logistics, utilities and more.
Total cost of ownership
One platform for location, inventory, assets and maintenance can cost less to own and integrate than stitching several specialist systems together.
See the difference for yourself
Book a demo and see how SmartX HUB unifies RTLS, RFID, asset management and maintenance in one platform — then compare it side by side with the system you’re evaluating.
RTLS Alternatives — Common Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from teams comparing RTLS platforms and weighing SmartX HUB against Ubisense, CenTrak, Litum, Wiliot and Kontakt.io.
What are the best RTLS alternatives to consider?
How is SmartX HUB different from a pure RTLS?
Is SmartX HUB UWB, BLE or RFID based?
When is a specialist RTLS the better choice?
Can one platform really replace several specialist systems?
Where can I see a specific head-to-head comparison?
Not sure which RTLS alternative fits your operation?
Talk to Our Team