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Arduino Cloud vs TP-Link Kasa

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Software

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

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; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and TP-Link Kasa differ
AttributeArduino CloudTP-Link Kasa
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIOS, Android, Web
Founded20051996

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 TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • No Hub Required
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Energy monitoringnot Arduino Cloud
  • Automationnot Arduino Cloud
  • Voice controlnot Arduino Cloud
  • Budget smart homenot 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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

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

TP-Link Kasa

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way support

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 TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want no hub required.
TP-Link Kasa review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or TP-Link Kasa better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and TP-Link Kasa at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or TP-Link Kasa?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for TP-Link Kasa.
Does Arduino Cloud or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TP-Link Kasa 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 TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling.
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