Tool profile
Particle: cost, fit and limits
Particle is an IoT platform for connected hardware that combines cellular and Wi-Fi modules, a Device OS, a cloud with a web IDE, CLI and over-the-air updates, and Edge ML deployment, and its site says it has been acquired by Digi.
What to know first
Particle's pricing page shows a Free plan at USD 0 per month with 100 devices, 100K data operations and 6 months of location data retention, plus an Enterprise plan with custom data options, enterprise-grade security and compliance and discounted modules. The paid plan cards did not render on the page we read. The site also lists Tachyon, a 5G single board computer with an AI accelerator.
Particle at a glance
| Maker | Not stated on the vendor pages, Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free for 100 devices; paid prices not published on the pages read |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI IoT Platforms in 2026, rank 9 of 13 |
| Website | particle.io/ |
Who Particle is best for
Hardware startups prototyping cellular products
The Free plan covers 100 devices and EtherSIM lists coverage on more than 350 carriers, so a team can test a connected product in several countries without a separate SIM contract.
Teams deploying machine learning at the edge
Edge ML models can be deployed and upgraded on devices through the platform, and the Tachyon board adds an AI accelerator for heavier on-device workloads.
Fleets that need field diagnostics
Vitals helps debug connectivity problems in the field and an Event Bus delivers real-time messages, which speeds up troubleshooting of remote units.
Particle plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | USD 0 per month, forever | For prototyping and personal projects: 100 devices, 100K data operations and 6 months of location data retention. |
| Connectivity (EtherSIM) | Not published on the pages read | EtherSIM with coverage on more than 350 carriers and a multi-radio transport option, priced separately on a basis not shown on the pages read. |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | Customized data options, enterprise-grade security and compliance, discounted or free modules and gateways, and professional services. |
Checked November 2026.
What Particle does
- Device Cloud and Device OS
- A web IDE, a CLI and Device OS support over-the-air updates, so firmware can be changed in the field without a visit to each unit. Try it on a sample of your own device readings first.
- Edge ML
- Edge ML models can be deployed and upgraded on devices, which moves inference to the sensor side instead of streaming every raw reading to the cloud.
- Tachyon 5G board
- Tachyon is described as a 5G single board computer with an AI accelerator, aimed at projects that outgrow a small microcontroller. Try it on a sample of your own device readings first.
- Vitals and Event Bus
- Vitals debugs connectivity issues in the field and the Event Bus carries real-time messages, so a support engineer can see why a device dropped off. Try it on a sample of your own device readings first.
- EtherSIM connectivity
- EtherSIM lists coverage on more than 350 carriers with a multi-radio transport option, plus Wi-Fi, satellite and LoRaWAN connectivity named on the site. Try it on a sample of your own device readings first.
How Particle handles your data
The pricing page states 6 months of location data retention on the Free plan and describes the Enterprise plan as offering enterprise-grade security and compliance, but it names no certification. The pages we read did not identify the company behind the service beyond a banner saying Particle has been acquired by Digi, and they did not state a hosting region, a retention period for device events or whether customer data trains any model. Enterprise buyers should request the compliance documents and the post-acquisition data processing terms in writing.
Where Particle falls short in practice
- Paid cards not readable. Only the Free and Enterprise headings were present in the page we read, so limits and prices for any middle plan are unknown and a growing team cannot budget without a quote.
- Acquisition noise. The pricing page carries a notice that Particle has been acquired by Digi, and the pages read do not describe changes to plans, support or hardware availability.
Works with
Alternatives to Particle
Particle: common questions
Is Particle free?
Yes, the pricing page lists a Free plan at USD 0 per month, forever, for prototyping and personal projects with 100 devices, 100K data operations and 6 months of location data retention. Beyond this, our November 2026 reading of the Particle pages found nothing more.
What does Particle Enterprise include?
The Enterprise plan lists customized data options, enterprise-grade security and compliance, discounted or free SoMs and gateways, and professional services. Its price is a custom quote, and the pages read do not name certifications. Beyond this, our November 2026 reading of the Particle pages found nothing more.
Does Particle support machine learning on devices?
The site says Edge ML models can be deployed and upgraded on devices, and it markets the Tachyon 5G board with an AI accelerator. It does not list supported model formats in the text we read. Beyond this, our November 2026 reading of the Particle pages found nothing more.
Has Particle been acquired?
The pricing page states that Particle has been acquired by Digi. The pages read do not explain how plans, support or hardware are affected, so ask the vendor before signing a long contract. Beyond this, our November 2026 reading of the Particle pages found nothing more.
What connectivity does Particle offer?
The site lists Wi-Fi, cellular, satellite and LoRaWAN connectivity, and EtherSIM coverage on more than 350 carriers with a multi-radio transport option. Particle on Linux is also named for Linux devices. Beyond this, our November 2026 reading of the Particle pages found nothing more.