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SmartThings vs TP-Link Kasa

SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Smart Home

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control; TP-Link Kasa plus plan only covers one camera per subscription
  • They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SmartThings and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.

Attributes where SmartThings and TP-Link Kasa differ
AttributeSmartThingsTP-Link Kasa
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings HubIOS, Android, Web
Founded19381996

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 SmartThings

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

Only in TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • No Hub Required
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

Both cover

  • 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 TP-Link Kasa
  • Automation routinesnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Device integrationnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Remote monitoringnot TP-Link Kasa

TP-Link Kasa

  • Home security camera recording and playbacknot SmartThings
  • Smart home automation monitoringnot SmartThings
  • Pet and baby monitoringnot SmartThings
  • Outdoor property surveillancenot 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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Plus plan only covers one camera per subscription
  • No free trial mentioned for paid tiers
  • Premium plan requires annual commitment discount to reach $100/year pricing
  • Video retention limited to 30 days even on paid plans

Pricing, plan by plan

SmartThings

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

TP-Link Kasa

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Live streaming
    • Push-to-talk
    • Activity zones
  • Plus$3/month
    • 30 days of video history
    • Manual clip recording
    • Video sharing
  • Premium$10/month
    • Covers up to 10 cameras
    • All Plus features
    • Snapshots with alerts

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 TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want no hub required.
TP-Link Kasa review

Questions people ask

Is SmartThings or TP-Link Kasa better?
Neither clearly leads. SmartThings starts at Free and TP-Link Kasa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SmartThings or TP-Link Kasa?
SmartThings starts at Free and TP-Link Kasa at Free.
Does SmartThings or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub. TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web.
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 TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
What can SmartThings do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling. Both handle IOS support, Android support, Web 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
TP-Link Kasa: Does Kasa Care offer a free plan?

Yes, Kasa's free tier includes live streaming, push-to-talk, activity zones, and activity notifications at no cost.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

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

Source
TP-Link Kasa: What's the difference between Kasa Plus and Premium?

Plus costs $3/month and provides 30 days of video history per camera. Premium costs $10/month and covers up to 10 cameras with all Plus features. Premium is billed at $100/year vs Plus at $30/year per camera.

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
TP-Link Kasa: Can Premium cover all my cameras?

Yes, Kasa Premium covers up to 10 cameras under one $10/month subscription, making it more economical than Plus for multiple devices.

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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