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Software · head to head

Nest vs Particle

Nest logo

Nest

Software

Google's smart home hardware and software ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Particle logo

Particle

Software

Edge-to-cloud IoT platform for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Particle has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nest pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly; Particle paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200
  • They diverge on capability: Nest covers Learning Thermostat, Particle covers Device OS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nest and Particle actually diverge.

Attributes where Nest and Particle differ
AttributeNestParticle
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsHardware, Mobile, WebParticle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps
Founded20102013

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 Nest

  • Learning Thermostat
  • HD Cameras
  • Smart Alerts
  • Energy Savings
  • Google Home
  • Google Assistant
  • Third-party apps
  • Works with Nest

Only in Particle

  • Device OS
  • Cloud Platform
  • Device Management
  • OTA Updates
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Integration marketplace
  • 3rd party services

What people use each for

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

Nest

  • Households already invested in Google Home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door locknot Particle
  • Users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devicesnot Particle
  • Organisations deploying Google-based smart building solutions with Nest hardwarenot Particle

Particle

  • Connecting cellular and wifi IoT devices to a managed cloud platformnot Nest
  • Deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scalenot Nest

Where each one falls short

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

Nest

  • Pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • All Nest products require Google Home ecosystem integration for full functionality
  • Smart home devices operate only within the Google Nest ecosystem; limited third-party interoperability
  • Support and product documentation dispersed across Google support rather than centralised Nest site

Particle

  • Paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200
  • The Basic block is $299 a month and the Plus block $599 a month
  • The free tier allows 100 devices and 100,000 data operations a month
  • Data operations are the billing unit, so chatty firmware costs more than the device count suggests
  • No overage rates are published at any tier, so exceeding an allowance has no stated cost

Pricing, plan by plan

Nest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nest review.

Particle

Free
  • MakerFree
    • 5 free devices
    • Cloud access
    • Basic features
  • Production$100/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced analytics
    • Enterprise support

Which should you pick?

Choose Nest if

  • You need learning thermostat.
  • You work on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
  • You also want hd cameras.
Nest review

Choose Particle if

  • You need device os.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps.
  • You also want cloud platform.
Particle review

Questions people ask

Is Nest or Particle better?
Neither clearly leads. Nest starts at On request and Particle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nest or Particle?
Particle has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Nest and Free for Particle.
Does Nest or Particle run on more platforms?
Nest runs on Hardware, Mobile, Web. Particle runs on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps.
Can I use Particle for free?
Yes. Particle has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nest starts at On request.
What is Nest best used for?
Nest is most often used for households already invested in google home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door lock, users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devices, organisations deploying google-based smart building solutions with nest hardware. Of those, households already invested in google home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door lock and users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devices are not what Particle is typically brought in for.
What can Nest do that Particle cannot?
Nest covers Learning Thermostat, HD Cameras, Smart Alerts, Energy Savings. Particle covers Device OS, Cloud Platform, Device Management, OTA Updates.
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