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Arduino Cloud vs MacroFactor

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MacroFactor logo

MacroFactor

Software

The smart macro tracker

From
$6.99/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; MacroFactor the App Store listing states MacroFactor offers only a 7 day trial of the premium, ad-free macro tracker before a subscription is required, without stating the subscription price in the visible description.
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, MacroFactor covers Adaptive algorithm.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and MacroFactor differ
AttributeArduino CloudMacroFactor
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIos, Android
Founded20052021

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 MacroFactor

  • Adaptive algorithm
  • True expenditure calculation
  • Fast food logger
  • Detailed analytics
  • Knowledge base
  • Apple Health
  • Apple Watch
  • Garmin

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

MacroFactor

  • Workout trackingnot Arduino Cloud
  • Nutrition managementnot Arduino Cloud
  • Health monitoringnot Arduino Cloud
  • Fitness coachingnot Arduino Cloud
  • Wellness improvementnot 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

MacroFactor

  • The App Store listing states MacroFactor offers only a 7 day trial of the premium, ad-free macro tracker before a subscription is required, without stating the subscription price in the visible description.

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

MacroFactor

$6.99/month
  • Monthly$11.99/month
    • Adaptive algorithm
    • Expenditure tracking
    • All features
  • Annual$71.99/year
    • Adaptive algorithm
    • Expenditure tracking
    • All features

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 MacroFactor if

  • You need adaptive algorithm.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want true expenditure calculation.
MacroFactor review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or MacroFactor better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and MacroFactor at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or MacroFactor?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and $6.99/month for MacroFactor.
Does Arduino Cloud or MacroFactor run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. MacroFactor 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. MacroFactor starts at $6.99/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 MacroFactor is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that MacroFactor cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. MacroFactor covers Adaptive algorithm, True expenditure calculation, Fast food logger, Detailed analytics.
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