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Particle vs Amazon Alexa

Particle logo

Particle

Software

Edge-to-cloud IoT platform for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Particle paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200; Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music
  • They diverge on capability: Particle covers Device OS, Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Particle and Amazon Alexa actually diverge.

Attributes where Particle and Amazon Alexa differ
AttributeParticleAmazon Alexa
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
PlatformsParticle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile appsEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS
Founded20131994

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 Particle

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

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

What people use each for

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

Particle

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot Particle
  • Smart shoppingnot Particle
  • Entertainmentnot Particle
  • Home securitynot Particle

Where each one falls short

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

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

Pricing, plan by plan

Particle

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

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Questions people ask

Is Particle or Amazon Alexa better?
Neither clearly leads. Particle starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Particle or Amazon Alexa?
Particle starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free.
Does Particle or Amazon Alexa run on more platforms?
Particle runs on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps. Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
Can I use Particle for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Particle best used for?
Particle is most often used for connecting cellular and wifi iot devices to a managed cloud platform, deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scale. Of those, connecting cellular and wifi iot devices to a managed cloud platform and deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scale are not what Amazon Alexa is typically brought in for.
What can Particle do that Amazon Alexa cannot?
Particle covers Device OS, Cloud Platform, Device Management, OTA Updates. Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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