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Software · head to head

Z-Wave Alliance vs Arduino Cloud

Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arduino Cloud logo

Arduino Cloud

Software

Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID; Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Z-Wave Alliance and Arduino Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Z-Wave Alliance and Arduino Cloud differ
AttributeZ-Wave AllianceArduino Cloud
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
PlatformsZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless meshArduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard
Founded20012005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

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.

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Arduino Cloud
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Arduino Cloud
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot Arduino Cloud

Arduino Cloud

  • Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Z-Wave Alliance

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

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 Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

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.
Arduino Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Z-Wave Alliance or Arduino Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Z-Wave Alliance 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, Z-Wave Alliance or Arduino Cloud?
Z-Wave Alliance starts at Free and Arduino Cloud at Free.
Does Z-Wave Alliance or Arduino Cloud run on more platforms?
Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh. Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Z-Wave Alliance best used for?
Z-Wave Alliance is most often used for sub-ghz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lighting, long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildings, building interoperable certified smart home products. Of those, sub-ghz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lighting and long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildings are not what Arduino Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Z-Wave Alliance do that Arduino Cloud cannot?
Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable. Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security.
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