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Arduino Cloud vs Slack Workflow Builder

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack Workflow Builder logo

Slack Workflow Builder

Software

Automation for team collaboration

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; Slack Workflow Builder limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and Slack Workflow Builder actually diverge.

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and Slack Workflow Builder differ
AttributeArduino CloudSlack Workflow Builder
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Founded20052013

Identical on both: 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 Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow builder
  • App integrations
  • Scheduled workflows
  • Conditional logic
  • Error handling
  • Notifications
  • Analytics
  • 1000+ apps

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

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Workflow Automationnot Arduino Cloud
  • Data Integrationnot Arduino Cloud
  • Process Automationnot Arduino Cloud
  • App Integrationnot Arduino Cloud
  • API Connectivitynot 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

Slack Workflow Builder

  • Limited to Pro and above pricing tiers, requiring paid Slack subscription
  • Maximum 15 conditional branches per workflow, limiting complex logic paths
  • Connectors must be explicitly configured per integration type
  • No native web interface for non-Slack users

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

Slack Workflow Builder

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack Workflow Builder review.

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 Slack Workflow Builder if

  • You need workflow builder.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want app integrations.
Slack Workflow Builder review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or Slack Workflow Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Slack Workflow Builder at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Slack Workflow Builder?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for Slack Workflow Builder.
Does Arduino Cloud or Slack Workflow Builder run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Slack Workflow Builder runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Slack Workflow Builder 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 Slack Workflow Builder is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that Slack Workflow Builder cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Slack Workflow Builder covers Workflow builder, App integrations, Scheduled workflows, Conditional logic. Both handle REST API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Slack Workflow Builder: Is Slack Workflow Builder included in all Slack plans?

No, Workflow Builder is only available in Slack Pro, Business+, and Enterprise plans. It is not included in the Free plan.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: Can Workflow Builder connect to external applications?

Yes, Workflow Builder supports connectors that translate actions in Slack to instant results in third-party tools, allowing workflows to interact with your full application stack.

Source
Slack Workflow Builder: What is the maximum complexity of Slack Workflows?

Workflows support conditional logic with up to 15 conditions, enabling complex decision paths for automation.

Source
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