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Software · head to head

Aqara vs Mural

Aqara logo

Aqara

Software

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mural logo

Mural

Software

The digital workspace for visual collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mural 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; Mural the free plan allows 3 editable murals at a time, so working on a fourth means archiving one
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Mural covers Infinite canvas.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Mural actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Mural differ
AttributeAqaraMural
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20162011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Mural

  • Infinite canvas
  • Sticky notes
  • Shapes & connectors
  • Image uploads
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Templates
  • Voting & feedback
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Android support

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

Mural

  • Running collaborative workshops and retrospectives on a shared whiteboardnot Aqara
  • Mapping journeys and diagrams with a distributed teamnot 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

Mural

  • The free plan allows 3 editable murals at a time, so working on a fourth means archiving one
  • Mural AI and the Zoom and Webex integrations require Team+ at $9.99 per member per month billed annually
  • SSO and the Okta, Azure and GitHub integrations are Business only at $17.99 per member per month
  • Multiple workspaces, SCIM, audit logs and enforced 2FA are Enterprise only with no published price

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

Mural

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 mural
    • Basic shapes
    • File uploads
  • Team$16/month
    • Unlimited murals
    • Advanced templates
    • Team collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose Mural if

  • You need infinite canvas.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want sticky notes.
Mural review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Mural better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Mural at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Mural?
Mural has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Mural.
Does Aqara or Mural run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Mural runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Mural for free?
Yes. Mural 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 Mural is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Mural cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Mural covers Infinite canvas, Sticky notes, Shapes & connectors, Image uploads. Both handle Android support.
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