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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Arduino Cloud vs Aqara

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

IoT & Smart Home

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
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: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; 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
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Aqara covers Zigbee protocol.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and Aqara differ
AttributeArduino CloudAqara
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIOS, Android
Founded20052016

Identical on both: 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 Arduino Cloud

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

Only in Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

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

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Arduino Cloud

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

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

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Aqara if

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

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or Aqara better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Aqara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Aqara?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for Aqara.
Does Arduino Cloud or Aqara run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Aqara runs on IOS, Android.
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 Arduino Cloud best used for?
Arduino Cloud is most often used for connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard, over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices, logging sensor data and charting it over time, triggering notifications from device thresholds. Of those, connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard and over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices are not what Aqara is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that Aqara cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life.
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