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Energy · head to head

AVEVA PI System vs Shelly

AVEVA PI System logo

AVEVA PI System

Energy

Industrial data infrastructure for real-time insights

From
On request
Rated
-
Shelly logo

Shelly

Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Shelly has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AVEVA PI System pricing is not published and comes through an account representative; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: AVEVA PI System covers Real-time data collection, Shelly covers Local Control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AVEVA PI System and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where AVEVA PI System and Shelly differ
AttributeAVEVA PI SystemShelly
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, Mobile, ApiWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network
CategoryEnergySmart Home
Founded19672016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 AVEVA PI System

  • Real-time data collection
  • Time-series data storage
  • Asset framework
  • Visualization
  • Analytics
  • Event management
  • Notifications
  • Data integration

Only in Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Home Assistant
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AVEVA PI System

  • Industrial data collection and storage for oil, gas, and chemical processingnot Shelly
  • Real-time operational data visualization and HMI dashboardsnot Shelly
  • Supply chain and asset performance monitoring across sitesnot Shelly
  • Compliance and audit trail management for regulated industriesnot Shelly
  • Integration with SCADA systems and manufacturing executionnot Shelly

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot AVEVA PI System
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot AVEVA PI System
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot AVEVA PI System

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AVEVA PI System

  • Pricing is not published and comes through an account representative
  • The vendor is moving to a subscription commercial model, so perpetual licence expectations no longer hold
  • Made up of several separately named components, including PI Server, PI Vision, Edge Data Store and the adapters and connectors needed per data source

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

Pricing, plan by plan

AVEVA PI System

On request
  • Data Archive$undefined/license
    • Time-series data storage
    • High-speed data collection
    • Data compression
  • Operations$undefined/license
    • PI Vision dashboards
    • AF analytics
    • Event frames
  • Enterprise$undefined/license
    • PI Integrator
    • Cloud connectivity
    • Advanced analytics

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Which should you pick?

Choose AVEVA PI System if

  • You need real-time data collection.
  • You work on Desktop, Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want time-series data storage.

Choose Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.

Questions people ask

Is AVEVA PI System or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. AVEVA PI System starts at On request and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AVEVA PI System or Shelly?
Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for AVEVA PI System and Free for Shelly.
Does AVEVA PI System or Shelly run on more platforms?
AVEVA PI System runs on Desktop, Web, Mobile, Api. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
Can I use Shelly for free?
Yes. Shelly has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AVEVA PI System starts at On request.
What is AVEVA PI System best used for?
AVEVA PI System is most often used for industrial data collection and storage for oil, gas, and chemical processing, real-time operational data visualization and hmi dashboards, supply chain and asset performance monitoring across sites, compliance and audit trail management for regulated industries. Of those, industrial data collection and storage for oil, gas, and chemical processing and real-time operational data visualization and hmi dashboards are not what Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can AVEVA PI System do that Shelly cannot?
AVEVA PI System covers Real-time data collection, Time-series data storage, Asset framework, Visualization. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AVEVA PI System: What is AVEVA PI System pricing?

AVEVA does not list PI System pricing on its website. AVEVA markets industrial software through enterprise sales channels with custom quotes.

Source
Shelly: Does Shelly offer a free tier or paid premium service?

Shelly offers a free service with an option to upgrade. The site mentions Go Premium in the Shelly app, which provides more automation and control capabilities. A Shelly Cloud Premium Voucher is available for purchase.

Source
AVEVA PI System: Does AVEVA offer a Flex Subscription Program?

AVEVA mentions Flex Subscription Program on its site for flexible product access, but pricing and terms are not published publicly.

Source
Shelly: What is the difference between free Shelly and Shelly Cloud Premium?

The free version provides basic functionality, while Premium unlocks more automation options and additional control features. Specific pricing for Premium is not disclosed on the homepage.

Source
AVEVA PI System: Is AVEVA PI System available in the cloud?

AVEVA offers cloud options for its products, but per-seat or usage-based pricing for cloud deployments is not disclosed on the vendor website.

Source
Shelly: Can I purchase Shelly Cloud Premium directly?

Yes. Shelly Cloud Premium Vouchers are available for purchase through the Shelly shop. Pricing details are available on the product shop page.

Source
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