IoT & Smart Home · head to head
SmartThings vs Arduino Cloud
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Arduino Cloud
IoT & Smart Home
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SmartThings and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | SmartThings | Arduino Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard |
| Founded | 1938 | 2005 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 SmartThings
- Multi-Brand Support
- Device Control
- Automations
- Cloud Backup
- 500+ device types
- Voice Control
- Routines
- IFTTT integration
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.
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot Arduino Cloud
- Automation routinesnot Arduino Cloud
- Device integrationnot Arduino Cloud
- Remote monitoringnot Arduino Cloud
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot SmartThings
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot SmartThings
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot SmartThings
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot SmartThings
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot SmartThings
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
SmartThings
- Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
- Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
- API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant
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
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
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 SmartThings if
- You need multi-brand support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- You also want device control.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is SmartThings or Arduino Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. SmartThings 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, SmartThings or Arduino Cloud?
- SmartThings starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free.
- Does SmartThings or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
- SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- Can I use SmartThings for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is SmartThings best used for?
- SmartThings is most often used for smart home control, automation routines, device integration, remote monitoring. Of those, smart home control and automation routines are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can SmartThings do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
- SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?
No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.
SourceSmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?
SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.
SourceSmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?
Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.
SourceSmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?
Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Source