Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL VS Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL

System on module devices (SOMs) are cost-effective solutions for industrial projects, however, some newer models can offer more power than needed for simple project use cases. That’s where budget options like the Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL and Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL come in.

Join JFrog Connect today and start to manage your edge products in minutes!

Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL

Clocking in at a tiny 33mm x 67.6mm, this compact SOM is designed for low-power industrial projects. This Variscite model supports industrial temperatures between -40 – 85 degrees Celsius, making it one of the most robust budget SOMs on the market.

● Integrated security features

● Touch screen controller connectivity

● Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity

● Single or dual-band WiFi

● 2x USB 2.0 ports

● 10/100Mbps Ethernet port

● Microphone input jack

● Headphone output jack

● Embedded Linux Yocto support

● System on Module version available

Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL

This Compulab model is also a fantastic option for industrial applications. With an ARM Cortex-A7 CPU, mainline Linux support, and power supply from a 5V battery, this lightweight board offers a lot of power for a small price.

● 256MB – 1GB RAM

● Touch screen controller connectivity

● Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity

● 10/100Mbps Ethernet port

● WiFi-enabled

● Up to 4x USB 2.0 ports

● Microphone input jack

● Headphone output jack

● Embedded Linux Yocto support

Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL VS Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL – Price Difference

As both of these products are designed for industrial use, so they’re available to order primarily in bulk. The prices below are representative of orders placed for 1000 units. If low quantities or single units are required, then the cost is likely to be significantly higher.

The Variscite SOM starts at $24 per unit, depending on the number of units and the specification chosen.

In comparison, the Compulab model costs $2 more at $26/unit when ordering 1000 units. Units may cost more depending on the specifications chosen. There is an option to order only one Compulab unit, however, on their website, they specify that it will cost 2.5 times the listed unit price.

Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL VS Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL – In Conclusion

For industrial, cost-sensitive projects, both the Variscite VAR-SOM-6UL and Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL offer budget-friendly options that cost less per unit for bulk orders. Both of these models are tested to industrial temperatures, making them great for both work-based and consumer technologies. Of these two models, the Compulab CL-SOM-iMX6UL has the most options for customization, so it’s suitable for a wider variety of projects. Even though this customization comes at a higher per-unit cost, the number of options available means these SOMs are adaptable to most types of projects.

JFrog Connect is a modern Linux-first IoT platform designed to efficiently update, control and monitor edge and IoT devices at scale.