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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Arduino Cloud vs Ecobee

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

IoT & Smart Home

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ecobee logo

Ecobee

IoT & Smart Home

Smart thermostats with room sensors for whole-home comfort

From
$139.99/one-time
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; Ecobee installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Ecobee covers Room Sensors.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and Ecobee differ
AttributeArduino CloudEcobee
Starting priceFree$139.99/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20052007

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 Ecobee

  • Room Sensors
  • Built-in Alexa
  • Energy Reports
  • Smart Recovery
  • HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

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

Ecobee

  • Energy savingsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Multi-room comfortnot Arduino Cloud
  • HVAC optimizationnot Arduino Cloud
  • Remote climate controlnot 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

Ecobee

  • Installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
  • Not compatible with line-voltage baseboard heating systems without additional specialized controllers
  • Touchscreen display is prone to fingerprints and cannot be adjusted from the mobile app
  • Advanced settings interface can feel complex and technical for non-technical users
  • Display settings and customization options are limited to on-device configuration only

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

Ecobee

$139.99/one-time
  • Smart Thermostat Essential$139.99/one-time
    • Up to 23% energy savings
    • ENERGY STAR certified
    • Remote app control
  • Smart Thermostat Enhanced$199.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in Alexa voice control
    • HomeKit compatible
  • Smart Thermostat Premium$259.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in radar occupancy sensor
    • Indoor air quality monitoring

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 Ecobee if

  • You need room sensors.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want built-in alexa.
Ecobee review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or Ecobee better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Ecobee at $139.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Ecobee?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and $139.99/one-time for Ecobee.
Does Arduino Cloud or Ecobee run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Ecobee runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time.
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 Ecobee is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that Ecobee cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Built-in Alexa, Energy Reports, Smart Recovery.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ecobee: How much can I save with an Ecobee thermostat?

Ecobee thermostats can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs according to manufacturer claims. However, independent ENERGY STAR data shows average savings of around 8%, equating to $50-$100 annually for typical U.S. homes.

Source
Ecobee: Does Ecobee work with HomeKit?

Yes, Ecobee is HomeKit-enabled and was the first to introduce a HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat. The Premium and Enhanced models support Apple HomeKit and allow control via Siri from any Apple device.

Source
Ecobee: What is a SmartSensor and what does it do?

Ecobee SmartSensors are wireless remote temperature and occupancy sensors that detect which rooms are occupied. They allow the thermostat to balance heating and cooling to occupied rooms and ignore empty spaces, improving both comfort and efficiency.

Source
Ecobee: Do I need a C-wire to install Ecobee?

Most installations require a C-wire for reliable operation. Ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit to help with installations lacking a C-wire, but some DIYers may still need professional installation assistance.

Source
Ecobee: What voice assistants does Ecobee support?

Ecobee supports Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for voice control. The Premium model has built-in Alexa and Siri, while Enhanced and Essential models support all platforms via integration.

Source
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