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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Shelly

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

IoT & Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shelly 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; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Shelly covers Local Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Shelly differ
AttributeAqaraShelly
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home), founded (2016).

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 Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Web support

Both cover

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

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot Aqara
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Aqara
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot 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

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

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

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Shelly?
Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Shelly.
Does Aqara or Shelly run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
Can I use Shelly for free?
Yes. Shelly 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 Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Shelly cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle Home Assistant, IOS support, Android support.
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