Roam vs. Helium: Which DePIN Project is Winning the Wireless War?

The decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) sector has become a primary battleground for the future of global connectivity, with Roam and Helium emerging as the dominant protocols.

While Helium pioneered the decentralized wireless movement, Roam’s rapid ascent in early 2026 has challenged the established hierarchy by focusing on low-barrier WiFi roaming.

Key Takeaways

• Roam has surpassed 3.5 million active nodes globally, outpacing Helium in total hotspot count through a mobile-first onboarding strategy.

• Helium remains the revenue leader in the cellular space, boasting over 450,000 mobile subscribers and deep enterprise integrations.

• The "Wireless War" is bifurcating into two distinct niches: Roam dominates global WiFi and eSIM roaming, while Helium leads in 5G and IoT LoRaWAN coverage.

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Roam Momentum vs. Helium Scale

The primary differentiator between these two giants lies in their barrier to entry and hardware requirements for network participants.

Roam utilizes a lightweight app-based model that leverages existing OpenRoaming infrastructure, allowing users to earn rewards without purchasing expensive proprietary miners.

Read more: DePin Crypto Trends 2026 - Completed Analysis

This strategy has fueled a compound monthly growth rate (CMGR) exceeding 125%, propelling Roam to a registered user base of over 2.4 million by February 2026.

Conversely, Helium requires specialized hardware for its 5G and IoT networks, creating a more robust but slower-growing physical infrastructure.

Despite the node count disparity, Helium’s HNT token maintains a significantly higher market capitalization, reflecting its mature ecosystem and millions in annualized on-chain revenue.

Roam’s ROAM token utility is currently focused on staking yields and eSIM data, positioning it as a high-growth alternative for retail users seeking passive income.

Best DePIN WiFi 2026 Outlook and Market Leadership

As the 2026 DePIN cycle matures, the definition of "winning" depends on whether a project prioritizes network density or institutional revenue.

Roam is currently winning the battle for mass adoption, successfully converting everyday movement into a decision-grade navigation and connectivity layer for machines.

Helium continues to lead in industrial applications, serving as the foundational backbone for smart cities and large-scale cellular offloading.

The synergy between these projects on the Solana blockchain suggests that both can thrive by addressing different segments of the trillion-dollar telecommunications industry.

FAQ

Which project has more nodes, Roam or Helium?

As of early 2026, Roam has surpassed Helium in total node count, maintaining over 3.5 million WiFi hotspots compared to Helium's 1 million active IoT and 5G devices.

How do Roam vs Helium rewards compare?

Roam offers rewards for WiFi check-ins and staking (up to 200% APY), while Helium rewards users for providing cellular coverage and verifying network data.

Is Roam better than Helium for international travel?

Roam currently holds an edge in international travel by offering seamless OpenRoaming WiFi and eSIM data packages in over 190 countries.

What are the current token prices for HNT and ROAM?

In February 2026, HNT trades between $6 and $8 with a billion-dollar market cap, while ROAM trades near $0.025 with a valuation under $100 million.

Which DePIN project is a better investment in 2026?

Helium is considered a more stable, revenue-backed asset, while Roam is viewed as a high-growth utility token with significant upside potential in the WiFi sector.

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