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Blynk vs SmartThings

Blynk logo

Blynk

Smart Home

IoT cloud platform with mobile app builder for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blynk the free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • They diverge on capability: Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blynk and SmartThings actually diverge.

Attributes where Blynk and SmartThings differ
AttributeBlynkSmartThings
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsIOS, Android, Web, Any IoT deviceiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub
Founded20121938

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Blynk

  • Mobile App Builder
  • No-Code Interface
  • Real-Time Control
  • Cloud Storage
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Mobile app
  • Cloud platform

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.

Blynk

  • Connecting IoT hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile appnot SmartThings
  • Over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devicesnot SmartThings
  • Automations triggered by device datanot SmartThings
  • White-label device apps for a hardware productnot SmartThings
  • Prototyping connected devices before committing to infrastructurenot SmartThings

SmartThings

  • Smart home controlnot Blynk
  • Automation routinesnot Blynk
  • Device integrationnot Blynk
  • Remote monitoringnot Blynk

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blynk

  • The free tier covers 5 devices, 1 user, 100,000 messages and one week of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered all the way up, reaching 12 months only on Enterprise
  • Automations and webhooks are rationed, from 5 scenarios and 1 webhook on free to 100 or more on Production
  • Over-the-air update campaigns are capped by tier, at 2 shipments on free and Starter
  • Production plans run from $199 to $1,099 a month depending on device count

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

Blynk

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5 devices, 1 user
    • 1 week data retention
    • 100,000 messages/month
  • Starter$29/month
    • 10 devices, 1 user
    • 1 month data retention
    • 10,000,000 messages/month
  • Prototype$99/month
    • 50 devices and users
    • 6 months data retention
    • Unlimited messages/month
  • Production$199/month
    • 100-1000 devices and users
    • 12 months data retention
    • Unlimited messages/month

SmartThings

Free
  • Basic (SmartThings app)Free
    • Device control and automation
    • Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter

Which should you pick?

Choose Blynk if

  • You need mobile app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device.
  • You also want no-code interface.
Blynk review

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.
SmartThings review

Questions people ask

Is Blynk or SmartThings better?
Neither clearly leads. Blynk starts at Free and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blynk or SmartThings?
Blynk starts at Free and SmartThings at Free.
Does Blynk or SmartThings run on more platforms?
Blynk runs on IOS, Android, Web, Any IoT device. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
Can I use Blynk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Blynk best used for?
Blynk is most often used for connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app, over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices, automations triggered by device data, white-label device apps for a hardware product. Of those, connecting iot hardware to a hosted dashboard and mobile app and over-the-air firmware updates to fleets of devices are not what SmartThings is typically brought in for.
What can Blynk do that SmartThings cannot?
Blynk covers Mobile App Builder, No-Code Interface, Real-Time Control, Cloud Storage. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blynk: How much does Blynk cost?

Free plan available; Starter is $29/month; Prototype is $99/month; Production ranges $199-1,099/month; Enterprise has custom pricing.

Source
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.

Source
Blynk: What device and user limits does Blynk have?

Free plan supports 5 devices and 1 user. Starter supports 10 devices and 1 user. Prototype supports 50 devices and users. Production supports 100-1,000 devices and users. Enterprise offers custom limits.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.

Source
Blynk: How long does Blynk retain data?

Free plan retains data for 1 week. Starter for 1 month. Prototype for 6 months. Production for 12 months. Enterprise can customize retention period.

Source
SmartThings: 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.

Source
Blynk: What message limits apply to Blynk plans?

Free plan includes 100,000 messages/month. Starter allows 10 million messages/month. Prototype and Production tiers include unlimited messages.

Source
SmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?

Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.

Source
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