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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs SmartThings

LIFX logo

LIFX

IoT & Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartThings logo

SmartThings

IoT & Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartThings has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and SmartThings actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and SmartThings differ
AttributeLIFXSmartThings
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub
Founded20121938

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 LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • 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

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot SmartThings
  • Gaming setupnot SmartThings
  • Photography lightingnot SmartThings
  • Smart homenot SmartThings

SmartThings

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

Where each one falls short

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

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

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

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

SmartThings

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

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX 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 LIFX or SmartThings better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX 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, LIFX or SmartThings?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for SmartThings.
Does LIFX or SmartThings run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. 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. LIFX starts at On request.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what SmartThings is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that SmartThings cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Both handle IOS support, Android 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.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

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

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
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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