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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs ThingWorx

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ThingWorx logo

ThingWorx

IoT & Smart Home

Enterprise IoT platform by PTC for industrial and smart solutions

From
On request
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; ThingWorx thingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and ThingWorx actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and ThingWorx differ
AttributeAqaraThingWorx
Pricing modelone-timequote
PlatformsIOS, AndroidCloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing
Founded20161985

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

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 ThingWorx

  • Rapid App Development
  • Real-Time Analytics
  • Device Connectivity
  • Scalable
  • Industrial protocols
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Third-party systems

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

ThingWorx

  • Connecting industrial equipment and machines to an IIoT platformnot Aqara
  • Building operator dashboards and digital work instructions for manufacturingnot Aqara
  • Remote monitoring and service of connected productsnot 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

ThingWorx

  • ThingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • No pricing is published; the product page routes to Contact Us with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
  • The platform is sold as an industrial IIoT suite to enterprises rather than being self-serve

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

ThingWorx

On request
  • Professional$5000/month
    • App development
    • Analytics
    • Connectivity
  • Enterprise$25000/month
    • Advanced features
    • 24/7 support
    • Custom solutions

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose ThingWorx if

  • You need rapid app development.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
  • You also want real-time analytics.
ThingWorx review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or ThingWorx better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and ThingWorx at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or ThingWorx?
Aqara starts at On request and ThingWorx at On request.
Does Aqara or ThingWorx run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. ThingWorx runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
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 ThingWorx is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that ThingWorx cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development, Real-Time Analytics, Device Connectivity, Scalable.
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