ThingSpeak
ThingSpeak: A focused IoT analytics platform for small prototypes and MATLAB-centered projects. Ranked #21 of 24 in IoT Analytics Software by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial; best for small prototypes using MATLAB analytics.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial
- Best forSmall prototypes using MATLAB analytics
- Free planYes
- Founded1984 · Natick, Massachusetts, USA
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes 3 million messages per year and up to 4 channels
- REST and MQTT APIs support connected devices and telemetry collection
- MATLAB analytics, machine learning, charts, alerts, and scheduled actions
Where it doesn't
- The verified device limit is 10, narrowing larger deployment use cases
- Platform coverage is narrower than broader enterprise IoT deployments
- Standard purchase options are temporarily unavailable
Our verdict on ThingSpeak
ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform from MathWorks for collecting, storing, visualizing, and analyzing live data from connected devices and equipment. It fits small prototypes, education, and small to medium-sized sensor-driven systems, including environmental, energy, and smart-farming projects. Data is stored in private or public channels, while REST and MQTT APIs support device connectivity. MATLAB analysis, custom visualizations, machine learning, and statistical-toolbox support make it especially relevant for teams already working in MATLAB or Simulink.
Pricing is organized by use case and capacity. The Free plan is for small non-commercial projects and includes 3 million messages per year, up to 4 channels, and a 15-second minimum update interval. Standard supports commercial, government, and revenue-generating use, with 33 million messages per unit per year, up to 250 channels per unit, and a one-second update interval. Academic has the same listed capacity for academic research and teaching. Student is intended for courses at degree-granting institutions, while Home is for personal use and provides 33 million messages per unit per year, up to 10 channels per unit, and a one-second update interval. The published plans use annual, unit-based licensing and direct purchase contact.
Its strongest fit comes from the combination of near-real-time processing, automatic charts, scheduled analytics through TimeControl, and condition monitoring with React. ThingHTTP adds third-party web-service integration, and the ecosystem includes Arduino, Particle devices, ESP8266, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, LoRaWAN, The Things Network, Senet, Libelium, Beckhoff, Salesforce, and Twilio. The narrower platform coverage and verified 10-device limit make it less suitable for larger analytics deployments. Choose ThingSpeak for compact IoT projects that benefit from MATLAB-based analysis; consider a broader platform when device scale and deployment coverage are primary requirements.
Your product? Our editors can test ThingSpeak in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
ThingSpeak pricing
All 5 ThingSpeak plans and prices →
ThingSpeak fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Device limit | 10 devices |
| Data retention | Not verified |
| Stream processing | Near-real-time |
| Custom dashboards | Yes |
| SQL querying | Not verified |
| Anomaly detection | Not verified |
| Machine learning tools | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 14 integrations: MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino, Particle devices, ESP8266, ESP32 … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | thingspeak.mathworks.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
ThingSpeak integrations
ThingSpeak lists 14 integrations on its own site.
- MATLAB
- Simulink
- Arduino
- Particle devices
- ESP8266
- ESP32
- Raspberry Pi
- LoRaWAN
- The Things Network
- Senet
- Libelium
- Beckhoff
- Salesforce
- Twilio
See all ThingSpeak integrations →
Alternatives to ThingSpeak
- Apache IoTDBA strong open-source choice for SQL-driven, high-throughput IoT analytics.9.3
- InfluxDBA mature, flexible time-series platform for IoT, observability, and real-time analytics.9.2
- TDengineA broad industrial time-series platform with a valuable free tier and high paid pricing.9.0
See all ThingSpeak alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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