IoT & Smart Home · head to head
SmartThings vs Google Home
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Google Home
IoT & Smart Home
Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
- They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Google Home covers Google Assistant.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SmartThings and Google Home actually diverge.
| Attribute | SmartThings | Google Home |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub | iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS |
| Founded | 1938 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 SmartThings
- Multi-Brand Support
- Device Control
- Automations
- Cloud Backup
- 500+ device types
- IFTTT integration
- Wearables support
Only in Google Home
- Google Assistant
- Multi-Room Audio
- 10,000+ devices
- Nest products
- Chromecast
- Third-party apps
- Smart Displays support
Both cover
- Voice Control
- Routines
- IOS support
- Android support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot Google Home
- Automation routinesnot Google Home
- Device integrationnot Google Home
- Remote monitoringnot Google Home
Google Home
- Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot SmartThings
- Viewing Nest camera feedsnot SmartThings
- Creating automation routinesnot SmartThings
- Managing household device settingsnot SmartThings
- Voice control via Google Assistantnot SmartThings
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Google Home
- Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
- Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
- Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product
Pricing, plan by plan
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
Google Home
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Google Home if
- You need google assistant.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
- You also want multi-room audio.
Questions people ask
- Is SmartThings or Google Home better?
- Neither clearly leads. SmartThings starts at Free and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SmartThings or Google Home?
- SmartThings starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
- Does SmartThings or Google Home run on more platforms?
- SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
- Can I use SmartThings for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is SmartThings best used for?
- SmartThings is most often used for smart home control, automation routines, device integration, remote monitoring. Of those, smart home control and automation routines are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
- What can SmartThings do that Google Home cannot?
- SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Multi-Room Audio, 10,000+ devices, Nest products. Both handle Voice Control, Routines, 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.
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