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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Helioscope

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Energy & Utilities

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Helioscope has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Helioscope covers PV system design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Helioscope actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Helioscope differ
AttributeAqaraHelioscope
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidWeb, Api
CategoryIoT & Smart HomeEnergy & Utilities
Founded20162012

Identical on both: 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 Helioscope

  • PV system design
  • 3D shade modeling
  • Performance simulation
  • Single-line diagrams
  • BOM generation
  • Proposal templates
  • Component database
  • Financial modeling

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 Helioscope
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Helioscope
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Helioscope
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Helioscope

Helioscope

  • Simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yieldnot Aqara
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot 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

Helioscope

  • Licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • Projects are capped at 10 a month on both Basic and Pro
  • System size is capped by plan, at 1.25 MW DC on Basic and 5 MW on Pro, so a larger array forces an upgrade regardless of project count
  • Trackers, LIDAR modelling and API access sit on the higher tiers
  • Enterprise is priced per project with no published figure

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

Helioscope

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Basic design tools
    • Shade analysis
  • Professional$95/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Advanced shading
    • Custom reports
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • API access
    • 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 Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Helioscope better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Helioscope at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Helioscope?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Helioscope.
Does Aqara or Helioscope run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Helioscope runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aqara starts at On request.
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 Helioscope is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Helioscope cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams.
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