Autoconnecto vs ThingsBoard

This page helps teams evaluate Autoconnecto against ThingsBoard (open-source or cloud). It is written for buyers, integrators, and engineers—not as a claim that one product wins every scenario.

Try Autoconnecto: app.autoconnecto.in · Docs: docs.autoconnecto.in

At a glance

Topic	ThingsBoard	Autoconnecto
Model	Open-source (self-host) + ThingsBoard Cloud / PE	Managed multi-tenant SaaS (India), optional white-label
Hosting	You operate servers, DB, broker—or use TB Cloud	Fully hosted: app.autoconnecto.in / api.autoconnecto.in
Pricing	Infra cost + license (PE) or TB Cloud tiers	INR plans (Free → Enterprise); see Pricing
Dashboards	Rich widget ecosystem, mature	Rich widget library, real-time first
Control after device reboot	Depends on configuration; stale UI is a known operator pain	Designed around shared → client attribute feedback loop
Time to first dashboard	Higher if self-hosting stack	Lower for SaaS signup + Solutions templates
ESP32 / MQTT	Supported via standard MQTT/HTTP	First-party Autoconnecto SDK (MQTT-WSS, attributes, RPC)
Customization	Deep rule engine, large community	Rule chains, alarms, assets, tenant branding (Growth+)

When ThingsBoard may be the better fit

• You must self-host on-premises with full control of every VM and no external SaaS dependency.
• You already run ThingsBoard at scale with trained staff and custom rule chains you do not want to migrate.
• You need a specific ThingsBoard PE feature tied to their commercial edition and ecosystem.

When Autoconnecto may be the better fit

• You want a managed platform in India with INR billing and fast signup—not a DIY server assembly project.
• Operators must trust control widgets after power cycles—you care about confirmed hardware state on the dashboard.
• You are an OEM or integrator shipping a branded experience (white-label on Growth / Enterprise).
• You are starting a new fleet or greenfield product and prefer SaaS time-to-value over operating EMQX + Postgres + UI yourself.
• You standardise on ESP32 and want a maintained SDK aligned with the cloud topic contract.

Control model comparison (important for evaluators)

ThingsBoard supports attributes, RPC, and dashboards extensively; many deployments work well. A recurring operational issue across IoT platforms—including TB in the field—is: after reboot, the UI may not match hardware until someone acts again.

Autoconnecto product design emphasises:

1. Shared attributes = desired state (retained on MQTT).
2. Device applies and publishes client attributes = confirmed state.
3. On boot, device re-reads shared attributes and re-confirms—dashboard syncs without a new operator command.

If your RFP lists “stateful control” and “post-outage UI accuracy,” test both platforms with the same reboot scenario.

Connectivity

Both platforms support MQTT-centric device integration. Autoconnecto additionally documents:

• MQTT over WSS (device SDK default)
• Device WebSocket channel
• HTTP telemetry and batch
• Integration webhooks (e.g. LoRa / ChirpStack)

See Device connectivity and Developer: MQTT ingest.

Migration mindset

Moving from ThingsBoard usually involves:

• Remapping device credentials and topic conventions
• Rebuilding dashboards (widgets differ; Solutions templates can accelerate)
• Porting rule logic to Autoconnecto rule chains
• Running parallel ingest during a pilot

We recommend a 90-day pilot on Free or Starter before committing fleet scale. Contact founder@autoconnecto.in for enterprise migration discussion.

Next steps

1. Create a free account
2. Read What is Autoconnecto?
3. Connect one device via the ESP32 SDK
4. Email founder@autoconnecto.in or call +91 92121 00555 for a guided evaluation