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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Aurora Solar

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Energy & Utilities

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aqara a hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first; Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Aurora Solar actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Aurora Solar differ
AttributeAqaraAurora Solar
Starting priceOn request$250/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsIOS, AndroidWeb, Api
CategoryIoT & Smart HomeEnergy & Utilities
Founded20162013

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant

Only in Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aqara

  • Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Aurora Solar
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Aurora Solar
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Aurora Solar
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Aurora Solar

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Aqara
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Aqara

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aqara

  • A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
  • Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported

Aurora Solar

  • Both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • Projects are capped at 50 a month on both Basic and Premium, so the tiers differ on features rather than volume
  • LIDAR assisted modelling, shade reports and battery storage modelling all require Premium at $259 a month
  • API access and integrations are Enterprise only, which is priced per project rather than per month
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs $288 more a year on Basic and $468 on Premium

Pricing, plan by plan

Aqara

On request
  • Door Sensor$15/month
    • Zigbee
    • Long battery
    • Instant alerts
  • Motion Sensor$20/month
    • Light sensor
    • Adjustable sensitivity
    • Pet immune
  • Hub M2$60/month
    • Zigbee hub
    • IR control
    • HomeKit support

Aurora Solar

$250/month
  • Starter$250/month
    • Basic design tools
    • Sales mode
    • Shade analysis
  • Pro$500/month
    • Advanced LIDAR integration
    • Performance simulation
    • Custom branding
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

  • You need zigbee protocol.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want sensor ecosystem.
Aqara review

Choose Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Aurora Solar better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Aurora Solar at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Aurora Solar?
Aqara starts at On request and Aurora Solar at $250/month.
Does Aqara or Aurora Solar run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api.
What is Aqara best used for?
Aqara is most often used for smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee, automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings, matter-based smart home setups, door locks and curtain controllers tied to routines. Of those, smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee and automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings are not what Aurora Solar is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Aurora Solar cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation.
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