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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Blynk vs Shelly

Blynk logo

Blynk

IoT & Smart Home

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

IoT & Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, Shelly covers Local Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and Shelly differ
AttributeBlynkShelly
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network
Founded20122016

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 Blynk

  • Mobile App Builder
  • No-Code Interface
  • Real-Time Control
  • Cloud Storage
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Mobile app
  • Cloud platform

Only in Shelly

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

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Blynk

  • Connecting IoT hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile appnot Shelly
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot Shelly
  • Automations triggered by device datanot Shelly
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot Shelly
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot Shelly

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot Blynk
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Blynk
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot Blynk

Where each one falls short

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

Blynk

  • The free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered all the way up, reaching 12 months only on Enterprise
  • Automations and webhooks are rationed, from 5 scenarios and 1 webhook on free to 100 or more on Production
  • Over-the-air update campaigns are capped by tier, at 2 shipments on free and Starter
  • Production plans run from $199 to $1,099 a month depending on device count

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

Blynk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 devices
    • Basic widgets
    • Cloud sync
  • Premium$5/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced widgets
    • Priority support

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Blynk if

  • You need mobile app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device.
  • You also want no-code interface.
Blynk review

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.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

Is Blynk or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk starts at Free and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blynk or Shelly?
Blynk starts at Free and Shelly at Free.
Does Blynk or Shelly run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blynk best used for?
Blynk is most often used for connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app, over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices, automations triggered by device data, white-label device apps for a hardware product. Of those, connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app and over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices are not what Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that Shelly cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web support.
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