Software · head to head
Arduino Cloud vs SwitchBot
Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
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; SwitchBot switchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo
- They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, SwitchBot covers Button automation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and SwitchBot actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arduino Cloud | SwitchBot |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard | IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2005 | 2015 |
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
- REST API
- Integration services
Only in SwitchBot
- Button automation
- IR control
- Schedules
- Sensors
- Scene automation
- Voice control
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
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 SwitchBot
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot SwitchBot
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot SwitchBot
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot SwitchBot
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot SwitchBot
SwitchBot
- Retrofit automationnot Arduino Cloud
- Curtain controlnot Arduino Cloud
- AC controlnot Arduino Cloud
- Simple automationnot 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
SwitchBot
- SwitchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo
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
SwitchBot
On request- Bot$29/month
- Button pusher
- Schedule
- Voice control
- Curtain$89/month
- Solar powered option
- Light sensor
- Schedule
- Hub Mini$39/month
- IR control
- Cloud access
- Voice assistants
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 SwitchBot if
- You need button automation.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want ir control.
Questions people ask
- Is Arduino Cloud or SwitchBot better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and SwitchBot at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or SwitchBot?
- Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for SwitchBot.
- Does Arduino Cloud or SwitchBot run on more platforms?
- Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. SwitchBot 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. SwitchBot 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 SwitchBot is typically brought in for.
- What can Arduino Cloud do that SwitchBot cannot?
- Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. SwitchBot covers Button automation, IR control, Schedules, Sensors.