A Tidbyt alternative for business metrics
In short
Tidbyt announced on 7 November 2024 that its team was joining Modal and taking a break from manufacturing, while existing devices keep working. Owners keep theirs running, some with the open-source Tronbyt server. If you wanted one mainly for business numbers, DeskBot is built for that: a 240 × 240 colour desk display with screens for MRR, users, a customer breakdown and the day's wins.
Is Tidbyt still in business?
In its post of 7 November 2024, Tidbyt said its team was joining Modal, that everyone's existing Tidbyt would "continue to operate as usual", and that it was "taking a break from manufacturing" devices. That is why new Tidbyts are hard to find. The company has not said when, or whether, manufacturing will restart.
Does my Tidbyt still work?
Tidbyt said existing devices would keep working. Owners who want to stop depending on Tidbyt's servers run Tronbyt, an open-source server for Tidbyt Gen1 and Gen2 devices. If your Tidbyt works and you like its apps, keep it.
If you used it for business numbers
For company metrics, Tidbyt relied on apps: a community Stripe Spotlight app shows gross volume rather than MRR, and a Zapier template sends notifications for new Stripe subscriptions. DeskBot takes the other approach. It reads one endpoint on your own server and has a screen for each kind of number, so MRR, ARR, users and trials are there without writing an app.
| Tidbyt | DeskBot | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Manufacturing paused since November 2024 | On pre-order; ships within 21 days |
| Screen | 64 × 32 LED pixels | 1.54-inch colour LCD, 240 × 240 |
| Built for | Pixel apps: transit, sports, weather and more | Company metrics, the time and the weather |
| Your numbers | Through apps written for its platform | One JSON endpoint on your own server |
| Setup | Phone app | A QR code and a web page; no app |
| Updates | Over Tidbyt's cloud | Signed releases checked every 6 hours |
Moving your metrics across
If you had a Tidbyt app reading your own API, you already have most of what DeskBot needs. Point DeskBot at the same endpoint and map each value to its path on the settings page, with no change to your server. The setup guide shows how the mapping works, and the comparison sets DeskBot beside LaMetric TIME, Smiirl, TRMNL and the Ulanzi TC001.
What DeskBot does not do
It does not run third-party apps, play animations of your choosing or show notifications from other services. It is a clock, the weather and your company's numbers, and nothing else competes for the screen.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Tidbyt sold out?
Tidbyt said on 7 November 2024 that it was taking a break from manufacturing after its team joined Modal.
Can I keep using my Tidbyt?
Yes. Tidbyt said existing devices would continue to work, and the open-source Tronbyt server can run Tidbyt Gen1 and Gen2 devices without Tidbyt's servers.
Can DeskBot run Tidbyt apps?
No. DeskBot has its own fixed screens for company metrics and does not run Pixlet or Tidbyt apps.
Is DeskBot's screen bigger than Tidbyt's?
It is smaller and sharper: 1.54 inches with 240 × 240 colour pixels, where Tidbyt has a wider 64 × 32 LED grid. DeskBot is made to be read from a desk, not across a room.
Does DeskBot depend on a cloud service?
It talks to your endpoint, to Open-Meteo for the weather and to GitHub for signed updates. There is no DeskBot account or server between you and your numbers.