IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Arlo vs SmartThings
Arlo
IoT & Smart Home
Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only SmartThings has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- They diverge on capability: Arlo covers Wire-Free, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arlo and SmartThings actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arlo | SmartThings |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub |
| Founded | 2018 | 1938 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Arlo
- Wire-Free
- 4K Video
- AI Detection
- Color Night Vision
- Alexa
- Google Home
- HomeKit
- SmartThings
Only in SmartThings
- Multi-Brand Support
- Device Control
- Automations
- Cloud Backup
- 500+ device types
- Voice Control
- Routines
- IFTTT integration
Both cover
- IOS support
- Android support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arlo
- Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot SmartThings
- Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot SmartThings
- Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot SmartThings
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot Arlo
- Automation routinesnot Arlo
- Device integrationnot Arlo
- Remote monitoringnot Arlo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arlo
- Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
- Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
- 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
- Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
- Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends
SmartThings
- Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
- Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
- Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
- API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant
Pricing, plan by plan
Arlo
On request- Arlo Secure$2.99/month
- 30-day cloud
- AI detection
- 1 camera
- Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
- Unlimited cameras
- 24/7 recording
- E911
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
Which should you pick?
Choose Arlo if
- You need wire-free.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
- You also want 4k video.
Choose SmartThings if
- You need multi-brand support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- You also want device control.
Questions people ask
- Is Arlo or SmartThings better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arlo starts at On request and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arlo or SmartThings?
- SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Arlo and Free for SmartThings.
- Does Arlo or SmartThings run on more platforms?
- Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
- Can I use SmartThings for free?
- Yes. SmartThings has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arlo starts at On request.
- What is Arlo best used for?
- Arlo is most often used for wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight cameras, cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detection, professionally monitored home security through the arlo app. Of those, wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight cameras and cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detection are not what SmartThings is typically brought in for.
- What can Arlo do that SmartThings cannot?
- Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?
No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.
SourceSmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?
SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.
SourceSmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?
Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.
SourceSmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?
Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Source