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Software · head to head

LIFX vs Arduino Cloud

LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
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

  • Only Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and Arduino Cloud differ
AttributeLIFXArduino Cloud
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard
Founded20122005

Identical on both: 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 LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

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.

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Arduino Cloud
  • Gaming setupnot Arduino Cloud
  • Photography lightingnot Arduino Cloud
  • Smart homenot Arduino Cloud

Arduino Cloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

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

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

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 LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX 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 LIFX or Arduino Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or Arduino Cloud?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for Arduino Cloud.
Does LIFX or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.
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