Software · head to head
SwitchBot vs Arduino Cloud
Arduino Cloud
Software
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: SwitchBot switchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- They diverge on capability: SwitchBot covers Button automation, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SwitchBot and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | SwitchBot | Arduino Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard |
| Founded | 2015 | 2005 |
Identical on both: 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 SwitchBot
- Button automation
- IR control
- Schedules
- Sensors
- Scene automation
- Voice control
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
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.
SwitchBot
- Retrofit automationnot Arduino Cloud
- Curtain controlnot Arduino Cloud
- AC controlnot Arduino Cloud
- Simple automationnot Arduino Cloud
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot SwitchBot
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot SwitchBot
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot SwitchBot
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot SwitchBot
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot SwitchBot
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
SwitchBot
- SwitchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo
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
SwitchBot
On request- Bot$29/month
- Button pusher
- Schedule
- Voice control
- Curtain$89/month
- Solar powered option
- Light sensor
- Schedule
- Hub Mini$39/month
- IR control
- Cloud access
- Voice assistants
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 SwitchBot if
- You need button automation.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want ir 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 SwitchBot or Arduino Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. SwitchBot starts at On request and Arduino Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SwitchBot or Arduino Cloud?
- Arduino Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for SwitchBot and Free for Arduino Cloud.
- Does SwitchBot or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
- SwitchBot runs on IOS, Android. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
- Yes. Arduino Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SwitchBot starts at On request.
- What is SwitchBot best used for?
- SwitchBot is most often used for retrofit automation, curtain control, ac control, simple automation. Of those, retrofit automation and curtain control are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can SwitchBot do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
- SwitchBot covers Button automation, IR control, Schedules, Sensors. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.