Standard sensors, no vendor lock-in
FairGrow runs on standard Zigbee sensors you can buy at any electronics shop or webshop. You are never required to source hardware from us, and you are never stuck inside a closed ecosystem. If a sensor fails, you replace it for a few tens of euros, the same day.
The problem with closed measuring stations
Many platforms in agri-tech sell their own, closed measuring stations. That model has clear upsides for the supplier: you cannot take your data or your money anywhere else. For you, it means three things.
High entry costs
A branded weather station quickly runs to several hundred euros per unit, plus a mandatory subscription for every station you place.
Expensive replacement
Broken hardware can only be replaced through the same supplier, at their prices and their lead times. You wait, and you pay whatever they ask.
Worthless when you switch
Move to another platform and your entire hardware investment is lost. The station only talks to its own system, so it becomes a paperweight the day you leave.
How FairGrow does it
FairGrow uses Zigbee, an open wireless standard supported by hundreds of manufacturers. Soil-moisture sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, switches and valves: the choice is huge and the prices are sharp, because manufacturers compete with each other rather than lock you in.
| Component | Closed ecosystem | FairGrow with standard Zigbee |
|---|---|---|
| Weather station / measurement point | €300 to €600 per station | €15 to €60 per sensor |
| Replacement on failure | Through the supplier only | Same day, from any webshop |
| Expanding with extra sensors | Limited to the supplier’s own range | Free choice from hundreds of models |
| Hardware usable after you switch | No | Yes, Zigbee works everywhere |
Exact amounts vary by model and supplier, but the ratio is structural: with open hardware you can set up a complete measuring network of dozens of points for the price of a single closed station.
More measurement points means better insight
That cost ratio is not only a saving, it changes what you can actually measure. With closed stations you place one or two per plot and average out the rest, so a dry corner or a cold spot simply disappears into the mean.
With affordable sensors you lay down a fine-grained network: per greenhouse, per bed, per section. It is exactly that density that makes precision growing possible, because the platform can now see the differences instead of a single blurred average.
Build it yourself, or let us advise you
Full freedom, with a hand when you want it
You can pick every sensor yourself, or ask us, with no obligation, which models we recommend for your situation. In this knowledge base we publish which sensors we have tested thoroughly and what to watch for when it comes to placement and range, so you buy once and buy right.
Sensors and lock-in, answered
Do I have to buy sensors from FairGrow?
No. FairGrow works with standard Zigbee sensors that you can buy anywhere. You are free to choose your own brand and supplier.
What does a sensor for FairGrow cost?
Standard Zigbee sensors for temperature, humidity or soil moisture cost roughly between €15 and €60 each, depending on the model and manufacturer.
Which sensors are compatible with FairGrow?
Any sensor that supports the open Zigbee protocol. That runs to hundreds of models, from dozens of manufacturers.
Can I keep using my sensors if I stop with FairGrow?
Yes. Because it is standard Zigbee hardware, your sensors also work with other systems. Your investment is never lost.
Do I need technical knowledge to connect sensors?
No. Pairing sensors with FairGrow follows a simple step-by-step process. If you get stuck, we will help you on your way, with no obligation. See what Zigbee is.
Build your measuring network for less
Tell us about your crop and your site. We will suggest a set of standard Zigbee sensors that fits your budget and show you what the data reveals, before you commit to anything.