IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Thread vs Arduino Cloud
Thread
IoT & Smart Home
IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices
- 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: Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- They diverge on capability: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | Thread | Arduino Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Platforms | Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard |
| Founded | 2014 | 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 Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- HomeKit
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
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.
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot Arduino Cloud
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Arduino Cloud
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot Arduino Cloud
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Thread
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Thread
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Thread
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Thread
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Thread
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
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
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
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 Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
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 Thread or Arduino Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread 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, Thread or Arduino Cloud?
- Thread starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free.
- Does Thread or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Thread best used for?
- Thread is most often used for low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices, interoperable device networking underneath matter, certifying wireless products for network interoperability. Of those, low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices and interoperable device networking underneath matter are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.