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Labelbox vs Lightly: Which Data Labeling Is Better in 2026?

Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.

Leads 2/9
Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
Free

in Data Labeling

Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
Custom

in Data Labeling

The Short Answer

Labelbox vs Lightly, in 15 seconds

Choose Labelbox if…

  • You want the lower entry price
  • You need a genuinely free plan
  • You need the broader feature set

Choose Lightly if…

  • You want to trial before paying

Head-to-Head Scorecard

How Labelbox and Lightly score

Labelbox leads on 2 of 9 measured dimensions.

  • Customer Rating

    Average score from verified user reviews

    Even
    Labelbox
    No reviews
    Lightly
    No reviews
  • Review Volume

    Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption

    Even
    Labelbox
    0
    Lightly
    0
  • Entry Pricing

    Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)

    Labelbox
    Labelbox
    Free
    Lightly
    Custom
  • Free Access

    Availability of a free plan and/or free trial

    Even
    Labelbox
    Free plan
    Lightly
    Free trial
  • Integrations

    Number of listed third-party integrations

    Even
    Labelbox
    6
    Lightly
    6
  • Features

    Number of listed product capabilities

    Labelbox
    Labelbox
    7
    Lightly
    6
  • AI Features

    Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML

    Even
    Labelbox
    ,
    Lightly
    ,
  • Security & Compliance

    Number of listed compliance certifications

    Even
    Labelbox
    3
    Lightly
    3
  • Platforms & Deployment

    Supported platforms and deployment options

    Even
    Labelbox
    4
    Lightly
    4

Feature Comparison

Labelbox vs Lightly feature breakdown

Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.

Labelbox
Lightly
Overview
User rating
,
,
Pricing model
Freemium
Subscription
Starting price
Free
Custom
Free version
Free trial
Features
Key capabilities
RL environments & preference signals (Horizon)Robotics multimodal data (Terra)Expert human feedback network (Alignerr)Enterprise agent platform (Recursion)Scenario generation & rubric gradingEvaluation infrastructure+1
Active learningData selectionEmbedding-based curationSelf-supervised learningQuality assurance workflowsWorkforce management
AI features
,
,
Integrations & API
Integrations
AWS S3Google Cloud StorageAzure BlobPython SDKHugging FaceREST APIs
AWS S3Google Cloud StorageAzure BlobHugging FacePythonREST APIs
Public API
Platforms
Deployment
CloudSaaS
CloudSaaS
Platforms
WebAPI
WebAPI
Mobile support
Security & Compliance
Compliance
SOC 2ISO 27001GDPR
SOC 2ISO 27001GDPR
Vendor
Company
,
,
Verified
Founded
2018
2019
Headquarters
San Francisco, California, USA
Zurich, Switzerland

Pricing Comparison

Labelbox vs Lightly pricing

Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.

Labelbox

Free to start
FreeFree
  • Core data tools
  • Get started with labeling & evaluation
EnterpriseCustom
  • RL environments & feedback network
  • Enterprise agent platform
  • Custom evaluation
  • Dedicated support

Lightly

Custom to start
ProCustom
  • Higher usage limits
  • Active learning
  • Data selection
  • Integrations
EnterpriseCustom
  • Everything in Pro
  • Embedding-based curation
  • Self-supervised learning
  • Dedicated support

Total cost of ownership factors

Free planLabelbox Lightly
Free trial to evaluateLabelbox Lightly
Transparent published pricingLabelbox Lightly
Public API (build vs. buy add-ons)Labelbox Lightly

Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.

Pros & Cons

Labelbox vs Lightly: strengths and trade-offs

Labelbox

Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
  • Public API available

Cons

    Lightly

    Pros

    • Free trial offered
    • Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
    • Public API available

    Cons

    • No free plan
    • Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)

    Buyer Fit

    Who should use Labelbox vs Lightly?

    Startups

    Labelbox

    Labelbox keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.

    Small businesses

    Labelbox

    Labelbox offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.

    Agencies

    Labelbox

    Labelbox connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.

    Enterprises

    Labelbox

    Labelbox leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.

    Ecommerce

    Either

    Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.

    SaaS companies

    Labelbox

    Labelbox is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.

    Integration overlap

    Shared integrations (5)

    AWS S3Google Cloud StorageAzure BlobHugging FaceREST APIs

    Only in Labelbox (1)

    Python SDK

    Only in Lightly (1)

    Python

    Keep Exploring

    Other alternatives worth considering

    Similar data labeling products buyers compare alongside Labelbox and Lightly.

    Ask SIA which solution fits your business

    SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Labelbox and Lightly against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.

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    Labelbox vs Lightly, Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between Labelbox and Lightly?

    Labelbox and Lightly are both Data Labeling solutions. Labelbox is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Lightly is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.

    Which is better, Labelbox or Lightly?

    Based on user ratings, Labelbox scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.

    Which is cheaper, Labelbox or Lightly?

    Labelbox is the more affordable option with a free plan available.

    Does Labelbox or Lightly have a free plan?

    Labelbox offers a free plan. Lightly does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.

    Can I switch from Labelbox to Lightly?

    Switching between Labelbox and Lightly is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.

    Who should use Labelbox vs Lightly?

    Labelbox is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Lightly works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.

    Our Verdict

    The bottom line on Labelbox vs Lightly

    Best Overall

    Either

    It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.

    Best for Startups

    Labelbox

    Labelbox has the friendliest entry point for new teams.

    Best for Enterprise

    Labelbox

    Labelbox leads on compliance and feature breadth.

    Best Value

    Labelbox

    Labelbox delivers the lowest cost to get started.

    Best AI Features

    Either

    Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.

    Highest Rated

    Either

    Both earn equal user ratings.

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