The short answer
Tractian sells its own wireless sensors (vibration, ultrasound, temperature, RPM over 4G/LTE, certified for Class 1 Div 1 hazardous locations) with a CMMS, priced by custom quote per asset. InduQT does not sell sensors: you fit off-the-shelf ones (Shelly, ESP32, Bluetooth tags, 4–20 mA, or the PLC’s own data) over MQTT, and InduQT’s AI learns each machine’s normal and explains events from its manual, at a published price per machine with unlimited users. Choose Tractian for hazardous areas and a fully managed hardware programme; choose InduQT to start small and cheaply on equipment in safe areas, with data you may already have.
- Tractian sensor connection: 4G/LTE, “no need for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or IT infrastructure”, battery 3–5 years (Tractian).
- Tractian hazardous areas: “Class 1 Div 1 (ATEX, IECEx, NFPA compliant)” (Tractian). InduQT’s guides use uncertified sensors: safe areas only.
- Tractian price: “asset-based pricing”, custom quote; no prices published. InduQT: free for 3 machines, Fleet Starter US$49 a month for 3 machines plus US$12 each, unlimited users.
- Third-party sensors, MQTT and OPC UA input: not published by Tractian. InduQT reads MQTT, OPC UA, Azure IoT Hub, Excel/CSV and an HTTPS ingest API.
| Tractian | InduQT | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Its own wireless vibration + ultrasound sensor; electrical and process monitoring products | None sold. Off-the-shelf sensors you buy (US$15–150 per machine), PLC data or Excel history |
| Connectivity | 4G/LTE from the sensor; no Wi-Fi or IT infrastructure needed | MQTT, OPC UA, Azure IoT Hub, HTTPS ingest, Excel/CSV; a bridge on a Raspberry Pi sends outbound only |
| Hazardous areas | Certified Class 1 Div 1 (ATEX, IECEx, NFPA compliant) | Not with the sensors in our guides; reads data from your certified instruments via OPC UA/MQTT |
| Pricing | Custom quote, asset-based; not published | Published: free (3 machines), US$49/month (3 machines + US$12 each), US$399/month per site for live connectors |
| Users | Not published | Unlimited on every plan |
| Maintenance software | CMMS and maintenance app included in its platform | No CMMS; investigations, manuals and confirmed fixes per machine; works inside Claude |
| Setup | “Most customers are fully operational within 14 days” | Self-serve in an afternoon with the guides; free setup with a 12-month plan |
| On-premises option | Not published | InduQT IQ Enterprise on your servers with local AI models |
Read this first
When Tractian is the better choice
- Machines in classified hazardous areas (Zone 1/2, Class 1 Div 1/2), where only certified sensors are allowed.
- You want one vendor to supply, install and support the sensors, the analytics and the CMMS.
- No reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet near the machines, and you want cellular sensors with multi-year batteries.
- You need detailed vibration and ultrasound analysis on critical rotating equipment.
When InduQT is the better choice
- You are starting out: a few machines, a small budget, and you want to see value before committing.
- The data is already there: in a PLC, an energy meter, a home-grown system or Excel shift logs.
- You want to choose and own the sensors, or you already have some (Shelly, Bluetooth tags, 4–20 mA transmitters).
- Many people need access: InduQT has unlimited users on every plan.
- You use Claude (or another MCP client) and want to ask about your machines in plain language.
What a first project costs
For three machines in a safe area, InduQT plus off-the-shelf sensors typically costs US$150–400 in hardware once and nothing a month on the Basic plan; ten machines on Fleet Starter are US$133 a month. Tractian does not publish prices, so ask them for a quote for the same assets. Our sensor-cost calculator lets you put your own numbers side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Does InduQT work with Tractian sensors?
Not directly: Tractian does not publish an MQTT or OPC UA output. If its API can export readings, they can be posted to InduQT’s ingest API.
Is a US$30 sensor as good as a dedicated vibration sensor?
No. A DIY accelerometer gives an overall vibration trend, which is the earliest warning for most pumps and fans; dedicated sensors add spectra, ultrasound and certifications. Many plants start with the trend and add dedicated sensors on their critical machines.
Is InduQT available in the Gulf, India, Greece and the UK?
Yes. It is self-serve everywhere, and we offer free setup on annual plans.