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Smart Home · head to head

Ecobee vs Shelly

Ecobee logo

Ecobee

Smart Home

Smart thermostats with room sensors for whole-home comfort

From
$139.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shelly has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Ecobee installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Shelly covers Local Control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ecobee and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where Ecobee and Shelly differ
AttributeEcobeeShelly
Starting price$139.99/one-timeFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network
Founded20072016

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Ecobee

  • Room Sensors
  • Built-in Alexa
  • Energy Reports
  • Smart Recovery
  • HomeKit
  • IFTTT
  • Alexa built-in support

Only in Shelly

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

Both cover

  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IOS support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Ecobee

  • Energy savingsnot Shelly
  • Multi-room comfortnot Shelly
  • HVAC optimizationnot Shelly
  • Remote climate controlnot Shelly

Shelly

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

Where each one falls short

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

Ecobee

  • Installation requires a C-wire in most cases, necessitating professional installation for some users unfamiliar with HVAC wiring
  • Not compatible with line-voltage baseboard heating systems without additional specialized controllers
  • Touchscreen display is prone to fingerprints and cannot be adjusted from the mobile app
  • Advanced settings interface can feel complex and technical for non-technical users
  • Display settings and customization options are limited to on-device configuration only

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

Ecobee

$139.99/one-time
  • Smart Thermostat Essential$139.99/one-time
    • Up to 23% energy savings
    • ENERGY STAR certified
    • Remote app control
  • Smart Thermostat Enhanced$199.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in Alexa voice control
    • HomeKit compatible
  • Smart Thermostat Premium$259.99/one-time
    • Up to 26% energy savings
    • Built-in radar occupancy sensor
    • Indoor air quality monitoring

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Ecobee if

  • You need room sensors.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want built-in alexa.
Ecobee 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 Ecobee or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ecobee or Shelly?
Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $139.99/one-time for Ecobee and Free for Shelly.
Does Ecobee or Shelly run on more platforms?
Ecobee runs on Web, iOS, Android. 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. Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time.
What is Ecobee best used for?
Ecobee is most often used for energy savings, multi-room comfort, hvac optimization, remote climate control. Of those, energy savings and multi-room comfort are not what Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can Ecobee do that Shelly cannot?
Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Built-in Alexa, Energy Reports, Smart Recovery. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ecobee: How much can I save with an Ecobee thermostat?

Ecobee thermostats can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs according to manufacturer claims. However, independent ENERGY STAR data shows average savings of around 8%, equating to $50-$100 annually for typical U.S. homes.

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
Ecobee: Does Ecobee work with HomeKit?

Yes, Ecobee is HomeKit-enabled and was the first to introduce a HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat. The Premium and Enhanced models support Apple HomeKit and allow control via Siri from any Apple device.

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
Ecobee: What is a SmartSensor and what does it do?

Ecobee SmartSensors are wireless remote temperature and occupancy sensors that detect which rooms are occupied. They allow the thermostat to balance heating and cooling to occupied rooms and ignore empty spaces, improving both comfort and efficiency.

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
Ecobee: Do I need a C-wire to install Ecobee?

Most installations require a C-wire for reliable operation. Ecobee includes a Power Extender Kit to help with installations lacking a C-wire, but some DIYers may still need professional installation assistance.

Source
Ecobee: What voice assistants does Ecobee support?

Ecobee supports Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for voice control. The Premium model has built-in Alexa and Siri, while Enhanced and Essential models support all platforms via integration.

Source
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