Particle
Particle is an integrated IoT platform providing the hardware, connectivity, and software tools you need to build, connect, and manage fleets of edge devices at any scale.
Samsara
Samsara is a comprehensive physical operations platform that integrates real-time data from sensors and cameras to help you improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of your commercial fleets.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Particle | Samsara |
|---|---|---|
| Website | particle.io | samsara.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Particle
Particle provides an all-in-one infrastructure to help you move from a single IoT prototype to a massive fleet of connected devices. Instead of stitching together separate hardware, cellular SIMs, and cloud services, you get a unified platform that handles everything from device connectivity to over-the-air firmware updates. You can focus on building your specific application while the platform manages the complex underlying communication protocols and security layers.
The platform is designed for engineers and product teams across industries like environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and smart city infrastructure. Whether you are connecting a few sensors over Wi-Fi or deploying thousands of cellular tracking units globally, you can monitor device health and push code updates remotely through a centralized console. This integrated approach reduces the technical hurdles of IoT, allowing you to launch connected products faster and more reliably.
Samsara
Samsara provides a unified platform to manage your physical operations by connecting fleet telematics, industrial sensors, and AI-driven cameras. You can track your vehicles in real-time, monitor driver behavior to prevent accidents, and automate your compliance logging without manual paperwork. The system centralizes data from your entire operation, allowing you to see exactly where your assets are and how they are performing at any given moment.
By using this platform, you can significantly reduce fuel costs, minimize vehicle downtime through predictive maintenance, and lower insurance premiums by proving driver safety. It is designed for mid-market and enterprise organizations across industries like construction, logistics, and field services. You get a scalable solution that grows with your fleet while providing the deep visibility needed to streamline complex daily workflows.
Overview
Particle Features
- Over-the-Air Updates Deploy new firmware to your entire fleet of devices simultaneously without ever needing physical access to the hardware.
- Device Cloud API Interact with your physical hardware through standard REST APIs to trigger functions or read sensor data from your web apps.
- Connectivity Management Manage cellular data plans and Wi-Fi credentials across your fleet from a single dashboard with global roaming support.
- Particle Console Monitor the real-time health, connection status, and event logs of every device in your deployment through a visual interface.
- Logic Engine Create automated workflows and data routing rules to send your device information to external tools like Azure or AWS.
- Edge ML Support Run machine learning models directly on your edge devices to process data locally and reduce your bandwidth consumption.
Samsara Features
- Real-Time GPS Tracking. Monitor your entire fleet's location in real-time with high-frequency updates to improve routing and customer ETAs.
- AI Dash Cams. Protect your drivers and reduce liability with intelligent cameras that detect distracted driving and provide instant video evidence.
- Electronic Logging (ELD). Automate your Hours of Service compliance with a user-friendly app that eliminates manual logs and reduces DOT violations.
- Vehicle Diagnostics. Track engine health and fault codes remotely so you can schedule maintenance before a breakdown occurs on the road.
- Asset Tracking. Secure your trailers and heavy equipment with solar-powered trackers that provide visibility into location and utilization rates.
- Site Visibility. Manage your facilities remotely by connecting your existing security cameras to the Samsara cloud for AI-powered search.
Pricing Comparison
Particle Pricing
- Up to 100 devices
- 100k Standard Data Operations
- Community support access
- Standard OTA updates
- Cellular and Wi-Fi support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 1,000 devices
- 5M Standard Data Operations
- Premium OTA features
- Email support
- Advanced fleet health tools
Samsara Pricing
Pros & Cons
Particle
Pros
- Seamless integration between hardware and cloud software
- Excellent documentation and active developer community
- Reliable over-the-air firmware update capabilities
- Quick setup process for cellular connectivity
Cons
- Hardware costs can be higher than generic components
- Significant price jump from free to paid tiers
- Proprietary ecosystem limits some hardware flexibility
Samsara
Pros
- Real-time tracking updates much faster than competitors
- Intuitive mobile app for drivers and managers
- Consolidated view of all assets in one dashboard
- Excellent video quality from AI dash cameras
Cons
- Hardware installation requires significant upfront time
- Long-term contracts can be difficult to exit
- Premium pricing compared to basic GPS trackers