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ThingSpeak

thingspeak.mathworks.com

Free plan WebAPI
Visit thingspeak.mathworks.com
Spec score 7.3 #17 of 24 in IoT Analytics Software

What it is

ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for collecting, visualizing and analyzing live data streams. Devices can send data through REST or MQTT APIs, and listed libraries support Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, Particle and Raspberry Pi. Each channel stores up to eight fields, with data private by default and an option to make channels public. Users can run scheduled MATLAB code hosted by ThingSpeak without a separate MATLAB license. React and TimeControl apps support responses to channel conditions and scheduled computations. The platform supports near-real-time stream processing, custom dashboards and machine learning tools. MathWorks describes its uses as IoT prototyping, proof-of-concept systems and hosted production for small- to medium-sized systems. The Free plan is free for non-commercial use, with four channels, three million messages per year and a 15-second update interval. MATLAB code execution is limited to 20 seconds for free users; TimeControl cannot schedule MATLAB Analysis more often than every five minutes, and channel visualizations update after ten minutes. Platforms listed are API and web.

Spec sheet

Purpose
ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for aggregating, visualizing, and analyzing live data streams.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Integrations
Listed integrations include LoRaWAN, The Things Network, Senet, Libelium, Beckhoff, and Particle devices.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Support
The Academic license includes standard MathWorks support, while its free option includes community support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Headquarters
Natick, Massachusetts, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Founded
1984Read 28 Sep 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Actions
The platform provides React and TimeControl apps for responding to channel conditions and scheduling computations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Analysis scheduling limits
TimeControl cannot schedule MATLAB Analysis more frequently than every five minutes, and channel MATLAB visualizations update after ten minutes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Analytics
Users can schedule and run MATLAB code hosted in the ThingSpeak web service without a separate MATLAB license.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Channels
Each ThingSpeak channel can store up to eight fields of data.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Device connections
Devices can send data using REST API or MQTT API, and ThingSpeak lists native libraries for Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, Particle, and Raspberry Pi.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Intended uses
MathWorks describes ThingSpeak as a platform for IoT prototyping and proof-of-concept systems, with hosted production use for small- to medium-sized systems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
MATLAB execution limits
MATLAB Analysis and Visualization code has a 60-second execution limit for Standard and Academic licenses and a 20-second limit for other license types, including free users.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Privacy and access
The MathWorks privacy policy says access to private ThingSpeak data and apps is protected by API keys that users can reset.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Sharing
Channels store data privately by default, and users can choose to make data public or private.Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Non-commercial use · 3 million messages/year · 4 channels · 15-second update interval Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Academic Price not published Annual license, purchased in units Academic research and teaching · 33 million messages per unit/year · up to 250 channels per unit · 1-second update interval Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Home Price not published Annual license, purchased in units Personal use only · 33 million messages per unit/year · up to 10 channels per unit · 1-second update interval Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Standard Price not published Annual license, purchased in units Commercial, government, or organizational use · 33 million messages per unit/year · channel allowance depends on license units Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Student Price not published Annual license; pricing not stated on the page For use with courses offered at a degree-granting institution Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com

Every ThingSpeak plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Accepts device data through REST and MQTT APIs
  • Supports libraries for Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi
  • MATLAB code runs without a separate MATLAB license
  • Channels are private by default
  • Free plan includes four channels

Limits

  • Free plan is for non-commercial use
  • Free users have a 20-second MATLAB execution limit
  • TimeControl scheduling is limited to every five minutes
  • Channel visualizations update after ten minutes

Who it suits

ThingSpeak suits people building IoT prototypes or proof-of-concept systems, as well as small- to medium-sized hosted production systems. Its free plan is restricted to non-commercial use.

Verdict

ThingSpeak combines device ingestion, channel storage and hosted MATLAB analysis, with a free option for non-commercial use.

Where Specifiction places it

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