IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Arduino Cloud vs SmartThings
Arduino Cloud
IoT & Smart Home
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and SmartThings actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arduino Cloud | SmartThings |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub |
| Founded | 2005 | 1938 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 SmartThings
- Multi-Brand Support
- Device Control
- Automations
- Cloud Backup
- 500+ device types
- Voice Control
- Routines
- IFTTT integration
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 SmartThings
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot SmartThings
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot SmartThings
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot SmartThings
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot SmartThings
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot Arduino Cloud
- Automation routinesnot Arduino Cloud
- Device integrationnot Arduino Cloud
- Remote monitoringnot 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
SmartThings
- Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
- Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
- API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant
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
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
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.
Choose SmartThings if
- You need multi-brand support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- You also want device control.
Questions people ask
- Is Arduino Cloud or SmartThings better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or SmartThings?
- Arduino Cloud starts at Free and SmartThings at Free.
- Does Arduino Cloud or SmartThings run on more platforms?
- Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- 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 SmartThings is typically brought in for.
- What can Arduino Cloud do that SmartThings cannot?
- Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?
No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.
SourceSmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?
SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.
SourceSmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?
Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.
SourceSmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?
Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Source