Softwr

Software · head to head

Shelly vs Arduino Cloud

Shelly logo

Shelly

Software

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

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: Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: Shelly covers Local Control, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Shelly and Arduino Cloud differ
AttributeShellyArduino Cloud
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local networkArduino 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 Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Home Assistant
  • 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.

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot Arduino Cloud
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Arduino Cloud
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot Arduino Cloud

Arduino Cloud

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

Where each one falls short

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

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

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

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly 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 Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.
Shelly 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 Shelly or Arduino Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Shelly 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, Shelly or Arduino Cloud?
Shelly starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free.
Does Shelly or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
Can I use Shelly for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Shelly best used for?
Shelly is most often used for smart home automation and control, energy monitoring and management, wifi/bluetooth/matter device integration. Of those, smart home automation and control and energy monitoring and management are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Shelly do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Shelly

More on Arduino Cloud

Keep looking

Other head to heads