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ThingSpeak
Natick, Massachusetts, USA
What it is
ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for collecting, visualizing, and analyzing live data streams. Devices can send information through REST or MQTT APIs, with listed libraries for Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, Particle, and Raspberry Pi. Each channel stores up to eight data fields, and channels remain private unless users make them public. Users can schedule MATLAB code hosted by the ThingSpeak web service without a separate MATLAB license. React and TimeControl apps support responses to channel conditions and scheduled computations. The platform offers near-real-time stream processing, custom dashboards, and machine learning tools. MathWorks describes it for IoT prototypes, proof-of-concept systems, and hosted production involving small- to medium-sized systems. The Free plan costs nothing for non-commercial use, four channels, three million messages yearly, and 15-second updates. MATLAB execution and scheduling have stated time and frequency limits.
For and against
For
- REST and MQTT device APIs
- Up to eight fields per channel
- Scheduled MATLAB without separate license
- Custom dashboards and machine learning
- Free plan available
Against
- Free plan is non-commercial
- Free users have 20-second MATLAB limit
- Analysis scheduling cannot exceed every five minutes
- Free plan allows four channels
The verdict
ThingSpeak combines device connectivity, channel storage, visualization, and hosted analysis in one web service. Its free option is constrained, but the listed tools cover common IoT prototyping and smaller production needs.
Who it suits
ThingSpeak suits people building IoT prototypes, proof-of-concept systems, or small- to medium-sized hosted deployments. It also fits users who need API-connected data collection and MATLAB-based analysis.
Plans and prices
Free
Non-commercial use · 3 million messages/year · 4 channels · 15-second update interval
Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
Academic
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
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
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
For use with courses offered at a degree-granting institution
Read 4 Oct 2026 · thingspeak.mathworks.com
On the record
- Actions
- The platform provides React and TimeControl apps for responding to channel conditions and scheduling computations.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Analysis scheduling limits
- TimeControl cannot schedule MATLAB Analysis more frequently than every five minutes, and channel MATLAB visualizations update after ten minutes.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Analytics
- Users can schedule and run MATLAB code hosted in the ThingSpeak web service without a separate MATLAB license.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Channels
- Each ThingSpeak channel can store up to eight fields of data.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Listed integrations include LoRaWAN, The Things Network, Senet, Libelium, Beckhoff, and Particle devices.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy and access
- The MathWorks privacy policy says access to private ThingSpeak data and apps is protected by API keys that users can reset.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for aggregating, visualizing, and analyzing live data streams.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Channels store data privately by default, and users can choose to make data public or private.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Academic license includes standard MathWorks support, while its free option includes community support.thingspeak.mathworks.com · read 4 Oct 2026
