Softwr

IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Shelly vs Arlo

Shelly logo

Shelly

IoT & Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arlo logo

Arlo

IoT & Smart Home

Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shelly has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup; Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • They diverge on capability: Shelly covers Local Control, Arlo covers Wire-Free.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shelly and Arlo actually diverge.

Attributes where Shelly and Arlo differ
AttributeShellyArlo
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local networkIOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays
Founded20162018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & 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 Shelly

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

Only in Arlo

  • Wire-Free
  • 4K Video
  • AI Detection
  • Color Night Vision
  • HomeKit
  • Smart Displays support

Both cover

  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IOS support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Shelly

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

Arlo

  • Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot Shelly
  • Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot Shelly
  • Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot 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

Arlo

  • Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
  • 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
  • Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
  • Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends

Pricing, plan by plan

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Arlo

On request
  • Arlo Secure$2.99/month
    • 30-day cloud
    • AI detection
    • 1 camera
  • Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
    • Unlimited cameras
    • 24/7 recording
    • E911

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 Arlo if

  • You need wire-free.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
  • You also want 4k video.
Arlo review

Questions people ask

Is Shelly or Arlo better?
Neither clearly leads. Shelly starts at Free and Arlo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shelly or Arlo?
Shelly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Shelly and On request for Arlo.
Does Shelly or Arlo run on more platforms?
Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network. Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
Can I use Shelly for free?
Yes. Shelly has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arlo starts at On request.
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 Arlo is typically brought in for.
What can Shelly do that Arlo cannot?
Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support.
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