ThingSpeak
ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for collecting, visualizing, and analyzing live data streams.
What ThingSpeak 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 can store up to eight fields. Channels are private by default, with the option to make them public; access to private data and apps is protected by resettable API keys. Users can schedule MATLAB code hosted by ThingSpeak without a separate MATLAB license, while the React and TimeControl apps support responses to channel conditions and scheduled computations. The platform also offers near-real-time stream processing, custom dashboards, and machine learning tools. MathWorks describes uses including IoT prototyping, proof-of-concept systems, and hosted production for small- to medium-sized systems. The free plan is non-commercial and includes four channels, three million messages per year, and a 15-second update interval. Free users have a 20-second MATLAB execution limit, and TimeControl cannot schedule MATLAB Analysis more often than every five minutes.
Good
- Devices connect through REST or MQTT APIs.
- Free plan includes four channels and three million annual messages.
- MATLAB code can run without a separate MATLAB license.
- Channels can be made public or kept private.
Watch out
- Free use is limited to non-commercial purposes.
- Free MATLAB execution is limited to 20 seconds.
- TimeControl schedules analysis no more often than every five minutes.
- Free updates use a 15-second interval.
Who it suits
ThingSpeak suits people building IoT prototypes and proof-of-concept systems, as well as small- to medium-sized systems hosted in production. It is also relevant for academic research and teaching through its Academic license.
Verdict
ThingSpeak connects device data collection with hosted analysis and visualization. Its free tier has clear limits on use, channels, message volume, and execution time.
Plans and prices
From ThingSpeak's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Non-commercial use · 3 million messages/year · 4 channels · 15-second update interval |
| Academic | — | Academic research and teaching · 33 million messages per unit/year · up to 250 channels per unit · 1-second update interval · Annual license, purchased in units |
| Home | — | Personal use only · 33 million messages per unit/year · up to 10 channels per unit · 1-second update interval · Annual license, purchased in units |
| Standard | — | Commercial, government, or organizational use · 33 million messages per unit/year · channel allowance depends on license units · Annual license, purchased in units |
| Student | — | For use with courses offered at a degree-granting institution · Annual license; pricing not stated on the page |
The facts
Each one read from ThingSpeak's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Actions
- The platform provides React and TimeControl apps for responding to channel conditions and scheduling computations.checked 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Analytics
- Users can schedule and run MATLAB code hosted in the ThingSpeak web service without a separate MATLAB license.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Channels
- Each ThingSpeak channel can store up to eight fields of data.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Listed integrations include LoRaWAN, The Things Network, Senet, Libelium, Beckhoff, and Particle devices.checked 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ThingSpeak is a cloud IoT analytics platform for aggregating, visualizing, and analyzing live data streams.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Channels store data privately by default, and users can choose to make data public or private.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Academic license includes standard MathWorks support, while its free option includes community support.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1984checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Natick, Massachusetts, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
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