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Arduino Cloud vs OpenHAB

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenHAB logo

OpenHAB

Software

Open source automation software for your home

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; OpenHAB requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and OpenHAB differ
AttributeArduino CloudOpenHAB
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardLinux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi
Founded20052010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Integration services
  • Arduino devices support

Only in OpenHAB

  • Vendor Agnostic
  • Rule Engine
  • 200+ Bindings
  • Local Processing
  • Z-Wave
  • Zigbee
  • MQTT
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • REST API

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

OpenHAB

  • Self-hosted vendor neutral home automation hubnot Arduino Cloud
  • Bridging smart home devices from different manufacturers under one set of rulesnot 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

OpenHAB

  • Requires a 64-bit Java 21 JVM to be installed and maintained separately
  • Oracle Java is explicitly not recommended by the project because of potential licensing restrictions
  • The recommended hardware is a dedicated Raspberry Pi 4 or newer rather than shared hardware
  • Some version upgrades require additional manual steps run through a separate upgrade tool

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

OpenHAB

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • 200+ bindings
    • Local control

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 OpenHAB if

  • You need vendor agnostic.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
  • You also want rule engine.
OpenHAB review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or OpenHAB better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or OpenHAB?
Arduino Cloud starts at Free and OpenHAB at Free.
Does Arduino Cloud or OpenHAB run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. OpenHAB runs on Linux, Windows, MacOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 OpenHAB is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that OpenHAB cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. OpenHAB covers Vendor Agnostic, Rule Engine, 200+ Bindings, Local Processing. Both handle REST API.
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