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Google Home vs Arduino Cloud

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Home and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Home and Arduino Cloud differ
AttributeGoogle HomeArduino Cloud
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard
Founded20162005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

Only in Arduino Cloud

  • Device Connectivity
  • Cloud Storage
  • Real-Time Sync
  • Security
  • Arduino IDE
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Integration services

What people use each for

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

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Arduino Cloud
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Creating automation routinesnot Arduino Cloud
  • Managing household device settingsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot Arduino Cloud

Arduino Cloud

  • Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Google Home
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Google Home
  • Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Google Home
  • Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Google Home
  • Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Google Home

Where each one falls short

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

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Arduino Cloud

Free
  • MakerFree
    • 2 devices
    • Basic features
    • Cloud access
  • Maker Plus$7/month
    • Up to 10 devices
    • Advanced features
    • Better storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

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

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or Arduino Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or Arduino Cloud?
Google Home starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free.
Does Google Home or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Home best used for?
Google Home is most often used for controlling and automating smart home devices, viewing nest camera feeds, creating automation routines, managing household device settings. Of those, controlling and automating smart home devices and viewing nest camera feeds are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.
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