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Software · head to head

Arduino Cloud vs Aurora Solar

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
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; Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and Aurora Solar actually diverge.

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and Aurora Solar differ
AttributeArduino CloudAurora Solar
Starting priceFree$250/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardWeb, Api
Founded20052013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Arduino Cloud

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

Only in Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

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 Aurora Solar
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Aurora Solar
  • Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Aurora Solar
  • Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Aurora Solar
  • Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Aurora Solar

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot 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

Aurora Solar

  • Both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • Projects are capped at 50 a month on both Basic and Premium, so the tiers differ on features rather than volume
  • LIDAR assisted modelling, shade reports and battery storage modelling all require Premium at $259 a month
  • API access and integrations are Enterprise only, which is priced per project rather than per month
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs $288 more a year on Basic and $468 on Premium

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

Aurora Solar

$250/month
  • Starter$250/month
    • Basic design tools
    • Sales mode
    • Shade analysis
  • Pro$500/month
    • Advanced LIDAR integration
    • Performance simulation
    • Custom branding
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations

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 Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or Aurora Solar better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Aurora Solar at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Aurora Solar?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and $250/month for Aurora Solar.
Does Arduino Cloud or Aurora Solar run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month.
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 Aurora Solar is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that Aurora Solar cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation.
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