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Arduino Cloud vs Meross

Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Smart Home

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Meross logo

Meross

Smart Home

Affordable smart home devices with HomeKit support

From
On request
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: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; Meross limited geographic availability with regional variants for US, EU, UK, AU, JP
  • They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Meross covers Apple HomeKit.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Arduino Cloud and Meross differ
AttributeArduino CloudMeross
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboardIOS, Android
Founded20052016

Identical on both: 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 Arduino Cloud

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

Only in Meross

  • Apple HomeKit
  • No hub required
  • Energy monitoring
  • Schedules
  • Voice control
  • Scene automation
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Amazon Alexa

What people use each for

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

Arduino Cloud

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

Meross

  • Smart plugsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Lighting controlnot Arduino Cloud
  • Garage automationnot Arduino Cloud
  • Energy monitoringnot Arduino Cloud

Where each one falls short

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

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

Meross

  • Limited geographic availability with regional variants for US, EU, UK, AU, JP
  • Hub dependency for certain sensors like door/window and water leak models
  • Energy monitoring limited to specific plug/switch models only
  • No Thread support on older hub models MSH300HK and MSH400
  • Regional product incompatibility between US and EU thermostat models
  • Firmware stability issues acknowledged as previously affecting connection

Pricing, plan by plan

Arduino Cloud

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

Meross

On request
  • Smart Garage Door Opener Remote$14.99/one-time
    • Remote accessory
  • Smart Plug and Switch$18.99/one-time
    • Wi-Fi plug, surge protector, or in-wall switch
  • Smart Hub$28.99/one-time
    • Meross connectivity hub
  • Smart Thermostat$65.99/one-time
    • Sale price, regular $89.99

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Meross if

  • You need apple homekit.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want no hub required.
Meross review

Questions people ask

Is Arduino Cloud or Meross better?
Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Meross at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Meross?
Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arduino Cloud and On request for Meross.
Does Arduino Cloud or Meross run on more platforms?
Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Meross runs on IOS, Android.
Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Meross starts at On request.
What is Arduino Cloud best used for?
Arduino Cloud is most often used for connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard, over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices, logging sensor data and charting it over time, triggering notifications from device thresholds. Of those, connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard and over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices are not what Meross is typically brought in for.
What can Arduino Cloud do that Meross cannot?
Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Meross covers Apple HomeKit, No hub required, Energy monitoring, Schedules.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Meross: Does Meross have geographic availability limitations?

Yes. The Meross website shows regional product variants for US, EU, UK, AU, and JP markets, indicating not all products are universally available worldwide. Regional thermostat models differ between markets, suggesting firmware or voltage differences prevent cross-region use.

Source
Meross: Do all Meross devices support energy monitoring?

No. Only certain plug and switch models including MSS305, MSS715, and MSS815 include energy monitoring. Basic plugs like MSS110 lack this feature.

Source
Meross: Do Meross sensors require a hub to operate?

Some sensors do require a hub for full functionality. Door/window sensors (MS200H) and water leak sensors (MS405H) appear to require an MSH-series hub for proper operation, limiting standalone capability.

Source
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