> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.vdbx.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.vdbx.io/product/pwrtool500/comparison.md).

# Comparison

These are all the direct market competitors to the PwrTool 500.

|                        | PwrTool 500                                                                                                      | Victron SmartShunt 500                                                      | Thornwave PowerMon                                                                                                          | REDARC Smart Battery Monitor                                                                                      | LNEX AirShunt 500                                                                                                              |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Current (Max/Const)    | 500A/300A                                                                                                        | 500A/300A                                                                   | 500/?                                                                                                                       | 500/?                                                                                                             | 500/?                                                                                                                          |
| Voltage                | 6-60v                                                                                                            | 6.5-70v                                                                     | up to 32v (v3.0) / 72v (v3.1)                                                                                               | 9-32v                                                                                                             | 8-100v                                                                                                                         |
| Polarity[^1]           | Hot/Cold (Selectable[^2])                                                                                        | Cold Only                                                                   | Hot Only                                                                                                                    | Cold Only                                                                                                         | Cold Only                                                                                                                      |
| Wireless               | Wifi + Bluetooth for provisioning                                                                                | Bluetooth                                                                   | Bluetooth                                                                                                                   | Bluetooth                                                                                                         | Bluetooth                                                                                                                      |
| User Interface         | Home Assistant; built-in web server                                                                              | Android/iOS App                                                             | Android/iOS App                                                                                                             | Android/iOS App                                                                                                   | <mark style="background-color:red;">APPS MISSING</mark>                                                                        |
| Expansion              | I2C, SPI, UART, LED, GPIO                                                                                        | VE.direct (custom UART, documented)                                         | Proprietary Bluetooth Touchscreen Only                                                                                      | R-Bus / CAN (Undocumented)                                                                                        | UART (Undocumented)                                                                                                            |
| Firmware               | ESPHome(Default) or custom code via Arduino/ESP-IDF                                                              | Proprietary                                                                 | Proprietary                                                                                                                 | Proprietary                                                                                                       | Proprietary                                                                                                                    |
| Hardware               | ESP32-C3 + INA238 + SHTC3                                                                                        | Proprietary                                                                 | Proprietary                                                                                                                 | Proprietary                                                                                                       | Proprietary                                                                                                                    |
| Temperature            | SHTC3 on front w/Humidity; Sense IC die temp facing shunt;   External Optional                                   | External Optional                                                           | External DS18B20 via proprietary connector                                                                                  | External on included B+ cable?                                                                                    | External Included                                                                                                              |
| External Voltage Sense | Optional via GPIO                                                                                                | Yes                                                                         | Yes                                                                                                                         | No                                                                                                                | Yes                                                                                                                            |
| DC Power Conversion    | 5V/2A (10w) Buck + 3.3V/1A Linear regulator                                                                      | Internal only                                                               | Internal only                                                                                                               | Internal only                                                                                                     | Internal only                                                                                                                  |
| Load Control           | N-MOS up to 45w (TBD) with PWM control: Lighting, Relay, SSR, etc                                                | No                                                                          | MOSFET for external relay or SSR                                                                                            | with compatible external control system                                                                           | No                                                                                                                             |
| LEDs                   | On-board WS2182b with level-shifted output on GPIO; On-board red status light                                    | Bluetooth; Error Status                                                     | None                                                                                                                        | Bluetooth Staus                                                                                                   | Bluetooth; Warning Status                                                                                                      |
| Buttons                | Boot (GPIO9) - Usable in Home Assistant; Reset; GPIO expandable                                                  | None                                                                        | None                                                                                                                        | Bluetooth Control                                                                                                 | None                                                                                                                           |
| Documentation          | Open source updateable wiki managed by VDBX.io                                                                   | Manual, dimensional drawings, datasheet on website                          | Have to google for manual which is on external site, main website lacks clarity                                             | Manual on website                                                                                                 | <mark style="background-color:red;">No website or manual available</mark>                                                      |
| Price - USD            | $149                                                                                                             | $129                                                                        | $139                                                                                                                        | $189                                                                                                              | $69                                                                                                                            |
| Vibe Check             | Extensible & Hackable Open Hardware + 16-Bit ADC + Environment Sensor. Works with Home Assistant out of the box. | Industry standard but limited to proprietary app without external hardware. | The only hot-side shunt in this category. Another proprietary bluetooth app. Only compatible with Thornwave control system. | Marketed for overlanding with "rugged" design - only compatible with REDARC control system and a proprietary app. | DO NOT BUY - The app has vanished in 2023/24 and their website hasn't been around for years. Zero support but still on Amazon. |

## Software Screenshots

<div><figure><img src="/files/Qwkiv9qgtX9XNKYw3ZjD" alt=""><figcaption><p>REDARC</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/3JTVBJzny1bQrro9Ecgy" alt="" width="275"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/Crweuph7j1U6KADvnhKQ" alt="" width="315"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

[^1]: Polarity refers to wether the shunt body is placed on the Hot/High/Positive side of the battery or the Cold/Low/Negative/Ground side. The industry standard is Cold side meaning your shunt will be in line with ground, but sometimes this may cause issues.&#x20;

[^2]: Will come defaut to Cold mode, and can be set to Hot mode via a jumper.&#x20;