At this time, there is no direct single-IC competition for the LTC4015. A typical competing solution would consist of a buck switching regulator charger controller paired with a coulomb counter. Other discrete ICs and external components may be added depending on the level of performance desired. However, these types of solutions are both large and complex. Being complicated, they have large footprints and many other disadvantages - these include limited voltage range, no solar input MPPT capability, cannot charge all of the same battery chemistries, no onboard charge termination, no integrated coulomb counter, limited or no analog control nor telemetry functions. The LTC4015 is ideal for applications where the battery voltage is below the input voltage, requiring a high degree of features and functionality including high voltage, high charge current, coulomb counting, possibly MPPC/MPPT, or SMBUS protocol, I²C, or JEITA requirements. These applications include portable medical instruments, military equipment, battery back-up applications, industrial handhelds, industrial lighting, ruggedized notebooks/tablet computers, and remote powered communication and telemetry systems.