Softwr

Smart Home · head to head

SmartThings vs ThingWorx

SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ThingWorx logo

ThingWorx

Smart Home

Enterprise IoT platform by PTC for industrial and smart solutions

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartThings has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control; ThingWorx thingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SmartThings and ThingWorx actually diverge.

Attributes where SmartThings and ThingWorx differ
AttributeSmartThingsThingWorx
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings HubCloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing
Founded19381985

Identical on both: 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 SmartThings

  • Multi-Brand Support
  • Device Control
  • Automations
  • Cloud Backup
  • 500+ device types
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • IFTTT integration

Only in ThingWorx

  • Rapid App Development
  • Real-Time Analytics
  • Device Connectivity
  • Scalable
  • Industrial protocols
  • Mobile app
  • REST API
  • Third-party systems

What people use each for

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

SmartThings

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

ThingWorx

  • Connecting industrial equipment and machines to an IIoT platformnot SmartThings
  • Building operator dashboards and digital work instructions for manufacturingnot SmartThings
  • Remote monitoring and service of connected productsnot 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

ThingWorx

  • ThingWorx is now part of Velotic, a separate industrial software company spun out from PTC
  • No pricing is published; the product page routes to Contact Us with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
  • The platform is sold as an industrial IIoT suite to enterprises rather than being self-serve

Pricing, plan by plan

SmartThings

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

ThingWorx

On request
  • Professional$5000/month
    • App development
    • Analytics
    • Connectivity
  • Enterprise$25000/month
    • Advanced features
    • 24/7 support
    • Custom solutions

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.
SmartThings review

Choose ThingWorx if

  • You need rapid app development.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
  • You also want real-time analytics.
ThingWorx review

Questions people ask

Is SmartThings or ThingWorx better?
Neither clearly leads. SmartThings starts at Free and ThingWorx at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SmartThings or ThingWorx?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SmartThings and On request for ThingWorx.
Does SmartThings or ThingWorx run on more platforms?
SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. ThingWorx runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid, Edge computing.
Can I use SmartThings for free?
Yes. SmartThings has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ThingWorx starts at On request.
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 ThingWorx is typically brought in for.
What can SmartThings do that ThingWorx cannot?
SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. ThingWorx covers Rapid App Development, Real-Time Analytics, Device Connectivity, Scalable.

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
Share

Related pages

More on SmartThings

More on ThingWorx

Keep looking

Other head to heads