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Ecobee vs SolarWinds

Ecobee logo

Ecobee

Software

Smart thermostats with room sensors for whole-home comfort

From
$139.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Ecobee covers Room Sensors, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ecobee and SolarWinds actually diverge.

Attributes where Ecobee and SolarWinds differ
AttributeEcobeeSolarWinds
Starting price$139.99/one-time$2/kW/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20072015

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Ecobee

  • Room Sensors
  • Built-in Alexa
  • Energy Reports
  • Smart Recovery
  • HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

Only in SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

What people use each for

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

Ecobee

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

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot Ecobee
  • Performance optimizationnot Ecobee
  • O&M managementnot Ecobee
  • Portfolio reportingnot Ecobee
  • Investor reportingnot 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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

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

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

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 SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is Ecobee or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ecobee or SolarWinds?
Ecobee starts at $139.99/one-time and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does Ecobee or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
Ecobee runs on Web, iOS, Android. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
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 SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can Ecobee do that SolarWinds cannot?
Ecobee covers Room Sensors, Built-in Alexa, Energy Reports, Smart Recovery. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows.

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
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
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
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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