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Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Arduino Cloud

Aqara logo

Aqara

Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Smart Home

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Arduino Cloud 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; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Arduino Cloud differ
AttributeAqaraArduino Cloud
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard
Founded20162005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Arduino Cloud

  • Device Connectivity
  • Cloud Storage
  • Real-Time Sync
  • Security
  • Arduino IDE
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Integration services

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

Arduino Cloud

  • Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Aqara
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Aqara
  • Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Aqara
  • Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Aqara
  • Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot 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

Arduino Cloud

  • The free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • Free accounts are limited to 25 compilations a day and 10 trigger notifications a day
  • The Maker plan at $72 a year lifts devices to 25 and retention to 3 months, still for a single user
  • Team pricing jumps to $1,000 a year
  • Two years of data retention and unlimited ingestion require Enterprise

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

Arduino Cloud

Free
  • MakerFree
    • 2 devices
    • Basic features
    • Cloud access
  • Maker Plus$7/month
    • Up to 10 devices
    • Advanced features
    • Better storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose Arduino Cloud if

  • You need device connectivity.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
  • You also want cloud storage.
Arduino Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Arduino Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Arduino Cloud?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Arduino Cloud.
Does Aqara or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud 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 Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aqara: Is Aqara a software service or a device company?

Aqara is primarily a smart home device manufacturer, not a SaaS platform. They sell hardware including hubs, sensors, cameras, door locks, lighting, and controls that integrate with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Matter.

Source
Aqara: Where can I find pricing for Aqara products?

Aqara does not publish pricing details on their main website. You must visit their regional stores (us.aqara.com, eu.aqara.com) or visit the 'Where to Buy' section to see current pricing for individual devices.

Source
Aqara: Does Aqara offer software pricing or subscriptions?

Aqara primarily sells hardware, but they do offer Aqara Studio and Aqara Builder software for business customers to design and manage smart home solutions. Pricing for these software products is not published and requires contacting Aqara directly.

Source
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