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# Google Cloud IoT Core vs ThingSpeak Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Cloud IoT CoreThingSpeak[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**Google Cloud IoT Core** [

4.1/5(30)

](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-iot-core/reviews#reviews)

**ThingSpeak** [

4.3/5(15)

](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
No pricing available

**ThingSpeak**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
3 months

Based on 5 responses

**ThingSpeak**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
11 months

Based on 6 responses

**ThingSpeak**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
$$$$$

**ThingSpeak**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
11%

**ThingSpeak**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
Not enough data

**ThingSpeak**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Google Cloud IoT Core**
Not enough data

**ThingSpeak**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_690e90c5de441951cf5715b08b1d5420/arduino-ide.png "Product Avatar Image")

Arduino IDE

](https://www.g2.com/products/arduino-ide/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/integrations)

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

9.0

9.018

**ThingSpeak**

9.0

9.014

Ease of Use

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

7.7

7.718

**ThingSpeak**

8.3

8.314

Ease of Setup

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

8.6

8.615

**ThingSpeak**

8.7

8.79

Ease of Admin

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

9.0

9.016

**ThingSpeak**

7.5

7.58

Quality of Support

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

8.3

8.318

**ThingSpeak**

8.6

8.614

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

9.0

9.016

**ThingSpeak**

7.9

7.97

Product Direction (% positive)

**Google Cloud IoT Core**

8.7

8.718

**ThingSpeak**

7.3

7.313

Features

Show 4 feature categories with incomplete data

IoT Analytics Platforms[Hide 39 FeaturesShow 39 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Sources

Pre-Built Connectors

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance and Stability

Not enough data

Not enough data

Analytics

Queries

Not enough data

Not enough data

Dashboards

Not enough data

Not enough data

Visualizations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Insights

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Visualization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Metrics

For IoT Devices

Not enough data

Not enough data

Operational Performance

Not enough data

Not enough data

Environmental Conditions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Resource Usage

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Configuration Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Synchronization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting & Statistics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Asset Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Reporting

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Extraction

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Collection

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Data

Not enough data

Not enough data

Trend Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multiple Data Sources

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Predictive Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Big Data Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Visual Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts/Escalation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

ETL

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Connectivity Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Status Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

IoT Device Management Platforms[Hide 10 FeaturesShow 10 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Recognition

Device Discovery

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Types

Not enough data

Not enough data

Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Monitoring

Device Status

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts & Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Provisioning

Remote Configuration

Not enough data

Not enough data

Event Triggering

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Diagnostics & Repair

Not enough data

Not enough data

Firmware Updates

Not enough data

Not enough data

IoT Platforms[Hide 42 FeaturesShow 42 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

 Application Design

Interface

Not enough data

Not enough data

Templates

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Workflows

Not enough data

Not enough data

Testing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Hardware Support

Not enough data

Not enough data

Application Deployment

Not enough data

Not enough data

 Application Control

Data Migration

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Syncronization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Lifecycle Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Predictive Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Visual Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Data

Not enough data

Not enough data

Workflow Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Connectivity Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Configuration Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Storage Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Event Triggered Actions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Event Logs

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Import/Export

Not enough data

Not enough data

Asset Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Prototype Creation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Connectors

Not enough data

Not enough data

Secure Data Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Visualization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Role-Based Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

IoT Security Solutions[Hide 12 FeaturesShow 12 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Connected Device Security

Vulnerability Assessment

Not enough data

Not enough data

Identity Lifecycle

Not enough data

Not enough data

Threat Protection

Not enough data

Not enough data

Behavior Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Incident Response

Not enough data

Not enough data

IoT Network Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

OTA Updates

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts & Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Platform

Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Hardware

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![Google Cloud IoT Core](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c51d2c2e5f85fe45126eb818f748267/google-cloud-iot-core.png "Google Cloud IoT Core")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-iot-core/reviews)

Google Cloud IoT Core

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

48.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

31.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

20.7%

[![ThingSpeak](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566615/thingspeak.svg "ThingSpeak")](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/reviews)

ThingSpeak

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

33.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

40.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

26.7%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

48.3%

33.3%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

31.0%

40.0%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

20.7%

26.7%

Reviewers' Industry

[![Google Cloud IoT Core](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c51d2c2e5f85fe45126eb818f748267/google-cloud-iot-core.png "Google Cloud IoT Core")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-iot-core/reviews)
Google Cloud IoT Core

Computer Software

13.8%

Information Technology and Services

10.3%

Education Management

10.3%

Apparel & Fashion

6.9%

Hospital & Health Care

6.9%

Other

51.7%

[![ThingSpeak](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566615/thingspeak.svg "ThingSpeak")](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/reviews)
ThingSpeak

Information Technology and Services

46.7%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

13.3%

Real Estate

6.7%

Financial Services

6.7%

Design

6.7%

Other

20.0%

FAQs

## Cloud IoT Core vs ThingSpeak FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between ThingSpeak vs Cloud IoT Core?

ThingSpeak stands out for its higher G2 rating and ease of use, while Cloud IoT Core is favored for ease of administration and business engagement.

| [ThingSpeak](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/reviews) | [Cloud IoT Core](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-iot-core/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (15 reviews) | 4.1/5 (30 reviews) |
| 8.7 | 8.6 |
| 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Simple real-time data collection and MATLAB analytics integration | Integrated big-data analytics and ML services |

### How do the pricing models of ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core compare?

ThingSpeak is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Cloud IoT Core.

- **ThingSpeak:** In recent reviews, many highlight ThingSpeak as a flexible and inexpensive solution, especially for small to medium projects, with a free version available for basic needs.
- **Cloud IoT Core:** Reviewers frequently mention that Cloud IoT Core can become expensive, particularly for small businesses, despite its pay-as-you-go model and potential savings for certain workloads.

### What are the best alternatives to ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core?

The top three alternatives to ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core are IBM Watson IoT Platform, Azure IoT Hub, and Datadog.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ThingSpeak](https://www.g2.com/products/thingspeak/reviews) | 4.3/5 (15 reviews) | Flexible and inexpensive, with a free version for basic needs | Simple real-time data collection and MATLAB analytics integration |
| [Cloud IoT Core](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-iot-core/reviews) | 4.1/5 (30 reviews) | Can become expensive for small businesses, but offers pay-as-you-go flexibility | Integrated big-data analytics and ML services |
| [IBM Watson IoT Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-watson-iot-platform/reviews) | 4.5/5 (22 reviews) | — | — |
| [Azure IoT Hub](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-iot-hub/reviews) | 4.3/5 (44 reviews) | — | — |
| [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) | 4.4/5 (726 reviews) | — | — |

### Which IoT Analytics Platforms features should I prioritize when comparing ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core?

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, ease of setup, quality of support, ease of administration, and analytics capabilities when comparing ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core.

- **Ease of Use:** ThingSpeak scores 8.3, Cloud IoT Core scores 7.7.
- **Ease of Setup:** ThingSpeak scores 8.7, Cloud IoT Core scores 8.6.
- **Quality of Support:** ThingSpeak scores 8.6, Cloud IoT Core scores 8.3.
- **Ease of Admin:** ThingSpeak scores 7.5, Cloud IoT Core scores 9.0.
- **Analytics Capabilities:** ThingSpeak integrates with MATLAB for advanced analytics, while Cloud IoT Core offers integration with big-data and ML services.

### What are the pros and cons of ThingSpeak vs Cloud IoT Core?

ThingSpeak's headline strength is its simplicity and MATLAB integration, while Cloud IoT Core excels in big-data and ML service integration.

- **ThingSpeak strengths:** Simple real-time data collection, visualization, and analysis; straightforward setup; strong MATLAB analytics integration; flexible for small to medium projects; cost-effective for basic needs.
- **ThingSpeak trade-offs:** Free version has limited data update rates and features; interface is basic and less customizable; learning curve for beginners; less suitable for large-scale or advanced industrial applications; security concerns due to lack of encryption.
- **Cloud IoT Core strengths:** Integrated with Google’s big-data analytics and ML services; supports both MQTT and HTTP protocols; scalable and fully managed; strong for enterprise and hybrid solutions; flexible pay-as-you-go pricing.
- **Cloud IoT Core trade-offs:** Can be expensive for small businesses; higher learning curve; interface not always user-friendly; additional costs for advanced analytics (e.g., BigQuery); documentation can be daunting for beginners.

### Is ThingSpeak or Cloud IoT Core better for small businesses?

ThingSpeak is the better fit for small businesses, with reviewers highlighting its flexibility and cost-effectiveness for smaller projects.

- **ThingSpeak:** Reviewers describe it as flexible and inexpensive, particularly suitable for small to medium projects and educational use.
- **Cloud IoT Core:** Reviewers note that while it is scalable and powerful, its pricing can be a barrier for small businesses and it is more often recommended for enterprise or hybrid solutions.

### Which IoT Analytics Platforms platform has better integrations?

Reviewer sentiment does not favor either ThingSpeak or Cloud IoT Core for integrations, as no recent reviews cite specific third-party integrations for either platform.

- **ThingSpeak:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **Cloud IoT Core:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.

### How do ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core compare on customer support?

ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core are rated in near-parity for Quality of Support, with scores of 8.6 and 8.3 respectively, indicating similar reviewer satisfaction.

- **ThingSpeak:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful, with some noting prompt responses and others mentioning a need for more beginner-friendly guidance.
- **Cloud IoT Core:** Reviewers mention helpful customer service and accessible documentation, but some cite a need for improved onboarding and more user-friendly support resources.

### Which is easier to implement, ThingSpeak or Cloud IoT Core?

ThingSpeak and Cloud IoT Core are rated in near-parity for Ease of Setup, with scores of 8.7 and 8.6 respectively, indicating similar implementation experiences.

- **ThingSpeak:** Reviewers highlight straightforward setup and quick connection of devices, though some mention a learning curve for advanced features.
- **Cloud IoT Core:** Reviewers note easy sign-up and deployment, but also mention a higher learning curve for non-technical users and complex documentation for beginners.

Alternatives

**Google Cloud IoT Core Alternatives**

 ![IBM Watson IoT Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_9e5ad2ad75db73e55b63412baac06fc8/ibm-watson-iot-platform.png "IBM Watson IoT Platform")

[
IBM Watson IoT Platform
](/products/ibm-watson-iot-platform/reviews)

 ![Azure IoT Hub](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-iot-hub.jpg "Azure IoT Hub")

[
Azure IoT Hub
](/products/azure-iot-hub/reviews)

 ![Azure IoT Central](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1836b6ac5e42625f11e0d5cdead1872e/azure-iot-central.jpg "Azure IoT Central")

[
Azure IoT Central
](/products/azure-iot-central/reviews)

 ![Datadog](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1498834114/datadog.svg "Datadog")

[
Datadog
](/products/datadog/reviews)

**ThingSpeak Alternatives**

 ![IBM Watson IoT Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_9e5ad2ad75db73e55b63412baac06fc8/ibm-watson-iot-platform.png "IBM Watson IoT Platform")

[
IBM Watson IoT Platform
](/products/ibm-watson-iot-platform/reviews)

 ![Datadog](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1498834114/datadog.svg "Datadog")

[
Datadog
](/products/datadog/reviews)

 ![ThingsBoard](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d97e82cbfad4621f5dab1995eec0c65e/thingsboard.jpg "ThingsBoard")

[
ThingsBoard
](/products/thingsboard/reviews)

 ![AWS IoT Analytics](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476508/aws-iot-analytics.svg "AWS IoT Analytics")

[
AWS IoT Analytics
](/products/aws-iot-analytics/reviews)

## Google Cloud IoT Core vs ThingSpeak

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found ThingSpeak easier to use and set up. However, Google Cloud IoT Core is easier to administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Google Cloud IoT Core overall.

- Google Cloud IoT Core and ThingSpeak both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that ThingSpeak is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Google Cloud IoT Core over ThingSpeak.