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Smart Home · head to head

Shelly vs Tuya Smart

Shelly logo

Shelly

Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tuya Smart logo

Tuya Smart

Smart Home

Global IoT platform powering thousands of smart devices

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; Tuya Smart no pricing information available on website; users directed to contact sales directly
  • They diverge on capability: Shelly covers Local Control, Tuya Smart covers Cloud Platform.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shelly and Tuya Smart actually diverge.

Attributes where Shelly and Tuya Smart differ
AttributeShellyTuya Smart
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local networkIOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules
Founded20162014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Shelly

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

Only in Tuya Smart

  • Cloud Platform
  • Device SDK
  • White-Label App
  • AI Features
  • Custom integrations
  • Hardware modules 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 Tuya Smart
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Tuya Smart
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot Tuya Smart

Tuya Smart

  • Smart product developmentnot Shelly
  • White-label solutionsnot Shelly
  • OEM IoTnot Shelly
  • Connected appliancesnot 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

Tuya Smart

  • No pricing information available on website; users directed to contact sales directly
  • IoT platform pricing model not disclosed publicly

Pricing, plan by plan

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

Tuya Smart

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Basic cloud
    • Device management
    • Standard features
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced analytics
    • White-label
    • Priority support

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 Tuya Smart if

  • You need cloud platform.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules.
  • You also want device sdk.
Tuya Smart review

Questions people ask

Is Shelly or Tuya Smart better?
Neither clearly leads. Shelly starts at Free and Tuya Smart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shelly or Tuya Smart?
Shelly starts at Free and Tuya Smart at Free.
Does Shelly or Tuya Smart run on more platforms?
Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network. Tuya Smart runs on IOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules.
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 Tuya Smart is typically brought in for.
What can Shelly do that Tuya Smart cannot?
Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Tuya Smart covers Cloud Platform, Device SDK, White-Label App, AI Features. Both handle Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Shelly: Does Shelly offer a free tier or paid premium service?

Shelly offers a free service with an option to upgrade. The site mentions Go Premium in the Shelly app, which provides more automation and control capabilities. A Shelly Cloud Premium Voucher is available for purchase.

Source
Tuya Smart: How do I get pricing for Tuya IoT platform?

Tuya pricing is not published on their website. Contact Tuya directly via phone (844-672-5646), email ([email protected]), or through their contact form to request a pricing quote and demo.

Source
Shelly: What is the difference between free Shelly and Shelly Cloud Premium?

The free version provides basic functionality, while Premium unlocks more automation options and additional control features. Specific pricing for Premium is not disclosed on the homepage.

Source
Shelly: Can I purchase Shelly Cloud Premium directly?

Yes. Shelly Cloud Premium Vouchers are available for purchase through the Shelly shop. Pricing details are available on the product shop page.

Source
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