IoT & Smart Home · head to head
SmartThings vs Home Assistant
SmartThings
IoT & Smart Home
Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Home Assistant
IoT & Smart Home
Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first
- 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; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Home Assistant covers Local Control.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SmartThings and Home Assistant actually diverge.
| Attribute | SmartThings | Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | open-source |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub | Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows |
| Category | IoT & Smart Home | Unknown |
| Founded | 1938 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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
- Routines
- IFTTT integration
- IOS support
Only in Home Assistant
- Local Control
- Privacy First
- Automation Engine
- Custom Integrations
- 150+ integrations
- Mobile App
- REST API
- Linux support
Both cover
- Voice Control
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
SmartThings
- Smart home controlnot Home Assistant
- Automation routinesnot Home Assistant
- Device integration
- Remote monitoringnot Home Assistant
Home Assistant
- Home automationnot SmartThings
- Energy monitoringnot SmartThings
- Security systemsnot SmartThings
- Device integration
Both are used for device integration, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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
Home Assistant
- Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
- A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
- The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
- Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection
Pricing, plan by plan
SmartThings
Free- Basic (SmartThings app)Free
- Device control and automation
- Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter
Home Assistant
Free- Community EditionFree
- Unlimited devices
- Full automation
- Local control
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 Home Assistant if
- You need local control.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want privacy first.
Questions people ask
- Is SmartThings or Home Assistant better?
- Neither clearly leads. SmartThings starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SmartThings or Home Assistant?
- SmartThings starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free.
- Does SmartThings or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
- SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- 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 Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
- What can SmartThings do that Home Assistant cannot?
- SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations. Both handle Voice Control.
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