Particle

particle.io
Cloud Infrastructure
Few Days

An Integrated IoT Platform-as-a-Service

How to Replace Particle

Overview

Particle is an IoT platform-as-a-service that enables developers to embed intelligence into devices anywhere with integrated connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and application development tools. It provides edge-to-cloud infrastructure for deploying and managing software on intelligent devices, from microcontrollers to AI-accelerated edge computers. The platform handles wireless connectivity, data automation, device management, and application development in a unified ecosystem.

Features

40 features across 8 categories

AI/ML(1)

Edge MLAIPremium

Machine learning model deployment and execution on edge devices

Application Development(6)

Blueprints

Pre-built templates and patterns for common IoT use cases

Command Line Interface (CLI)

Developer command-line tool for device management and development

Drivers and Libraries

Collection of drivers and libraries for device development

REST API

RESTful API for accessing platform functionality

Web IDE

Browser-based development environment for coding Particle applications

Workbench

IDE-integrated development environment for Particle applications

Cloud Infrastructure(7)

Data Pipeline

Cloud data pipeline for processing and routing device data

Event Bus

Cloud infrastructure component for handling real-time data events

Integrations

Third-party integrations for connecting to external services

Ledger

Data storage and synchronization mechanism for device state

Location Data Retention

Cloud storage of location data with configurable retention periods

Location Fusion

Cloud infrastructure component for location tracking and fusion

Logic

Cloud-based logic execution for data processing and automation

Edge Infrastructure(3)

Bare Metal Runtime

Runtime environment for executing code on microcontrollers and edge devices

OTA Software Updates

Over-the-air software and model updates deployable to any device from KB-scale microcontrollers to GB-scale edge computers

Particle on Linux

Support for running Particle on Linux-based devices and edge computers

Management and Oversight(5)

Configuration

Device configuration management

Console

Single portal for monitoring and managing all devices, software, and data

InsightsPremium

Analytics and insights into device performance and usage

Software Releases

Management of software releases and versions across device fleet

VitalsPremium

Connectivity vitals and system health monitoring

Network and Connectivity(9)

5G Connectivity

5G wireless connectivity abstraction layer

EtherSIM

Embedded SIM connectivity solution for cellular devices

EtherSIM+Premium

Enhanced embedded SIM connectivity solution with additional features

LoRaWAN Connectivity

LoRaWAN wireless connectivity abstraction layer

LTE Connectivity

LTE wireless connectivity abstraction layer

Multi-Radio TransportPremium

Ability to transport data across multiple radio types seamlessly

Particle.publish()

API method for publishing data from devices to cloud

Satellite Connectivity

Satellite wireless connectivity abstraction layer for remote areas

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi wireless connectivity abstraction layer

Security(5)

Device ProtectionPremium

Security features for protecting devices from threats

Encryption

Edge-to-cloud encryption for secure data transmission

Multi-Factor AuthenticationPremium

MFA security feature for account protection

Single Sign-On (SSO)Premium

Enterprise SSO authentication integration

SOC 2 CompliancePremium

SOC 2 Type II compliance certification

Also in: Hugging Face, Notion, Airtable

Supported Devices(4)

Development Kits

Hardware development kits for getting started with Particle

Gateways

Gateway devices for network connectivity and edge processing

Single-Board Computers (SBCs)

Single-board computer support including Tachyon 5G SBC with AI accelerator

System-on-Modules (SoMs)

Integrated system-on-module components for device manufacturers

Pricing

Free

Free
  • 100 devices
  • 100K Data Operations per month
  • Edge computing
  • OTA software updates
  • Drivers and libraries
  • Network & connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, LoRaWAN)
  • Particle.publish()
  • Encryption
  • Data automation features (Data pipeline, Ledger, Logic, Location Fusion, REST API, Integrations)
  • Console
  • Software releases
  • Configuration
  • Edge-to-cloud encryption
  • Community support
  • Online device store
  • 3 day location data retention

Basic

$299/month per block
  • 100 devices per block
  • 720K Data Operations per month per block
  • Monthly billing
  • Edge computing
  • OTA software updates
  • Network & connectivity
  • Particle.publish()
  • Encryption
  • Data automation features
  • Console
  • Software releases
  • Configuration
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • SOC 2 compliance
  • Email support
  • Online device store
  • Volume discounts available
  • 90 day location data retention

Plus

$599/month per block
  • 100 devices per block
  • 5M Data Operations per month per block
  • Monthly billing
  • Edge computing
  • OTA software updates
  • Edge ML
  • Device protection
  • Multi-radio transport
  • Network & connectivity
  • Data automation features
  • Console
  • Software releases
  • Configuration
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • SOC 2 compliance
  • Email support
  • Online device store
  • Volume discounts available
  • 90 day location data retention

Professional

Custom
  • Custom configuration
  • Includes Basic or Plus packages at discounted rates
  • Premium support options
  • Premium connectivity options
  • 6+ months location data retention
  • Discounted or free SoMs and gateways
  • Annual billing
  • Priority device inventory
  • Negotiated pricing
  • Optional custom web integrations
  • Optional premium carrier support (Verizon)
  • Uptime SLA
  • Optional single sign-on

Enterprise

Custom
  • Custom configuration
  • Customized Data Operations packages
  • Dedicated support team
  • Particle Watchdogs
  • Certification, design, and implementation services
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance features
  • Discounted or free SoMs and gateways
  • Annual billing
  • Reserved inventory
  • Negotiated pricing
  • Optional custom web integrations
  • Optional premium carrier support (Verizon)
  • Uptime SLA
  • Single sign-on (SSO)
  • Optional Particle Watchdogs
  • Optional implementation services
  • Optional certification-as-a-service
  • Optional design & engineering services
  • 6+ months location data retention

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Particle

Monthly$299/mo
Yearly$3.6k/yr
5-Year Total$17.9k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~5 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyEasy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $3.3k
SaaS
$3.6k
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $10k
SaaS
$10.8k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $16.7k
SaaS
$17.9k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 40 features at easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Particle alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 40 features.

Buy Particle

Monthly cost$2,990/mo
3-year total$107,640
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Better Value
Development cost$36,000
Maintenance$540/mo
3-year total$55,440
Dev time~3 months

Building could save ~$52,200 over 3 years.

Estimates based on 40 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.