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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

SmartThings vs TP-Link Kasa

SmartThings logo

SmartThings

IoT & Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

IoT & Smart Home

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

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; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
  • They diverge on capability: SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.

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
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings HubIOS, Android, Web
Founded19381996

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 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

  • Energy monitoringnot SmartThings
  • Automationnot SmartThings
  • Voice controlnot SmartThings
  • Budget smart homenot 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

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

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

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way support

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 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 On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SmartThings or TP-Link Kasa?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for SmartThings and On request for TP-Link Kasa.
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?
Yes. SmartThings has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TP-Link Kasa 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 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
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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