The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we interact with things around us, connecting everyday objects to the internet. IoT is transforming human lives in many ways and the technology continues to advance. One of the revolutionary use cases of the IoT technology is the smart home integration, which allows us to control the devices around us with just our smartphones. From lighting systems to doorbells, security cameras, home appliances, and entertainment systems, IoT is making our homes smarter. To make it easier to interact with and control multiple devices, the concept of smart hub was introduced. A smart hub allows you to control all your smart devices from a single app. Two such popular and widely used smart hub platforms are SmartThings and Home Assistant.

SmartThings

SmartThings is one of the most popular smart home platforms in the “Internet of Things” space, and a major player in the smart home ecosystem. SmartThings is more like a central hub for all your connected devices that makes it easy to control and manage your home automation environment. You can control your smart home devices through an easy-to-navigate user interface, such as a mobile app or voice assistant. SmartThings is like the brains of your smart home.

Home Assistant

Home Assistant is an open source home automation software system that acts as a smart home controller hub for all your smart devices in your home. It is a software that helps centralize some of the most common smart devices like sensors, gizmos, and gadgets that are available on the market. You can install Home Assistant on a range of devices and access it via a web-based user interface or a mobile app. It supports a wide range of devices and also allows you to customize the home automation environment to your specific needs and preferences.

Difference between SmartThings and Home Assistant

Connectivity

– SmartThings is like a central hub that allows you to interact with and control a host of smart home devices, including lighting systems, thermostats, security cameras, doorbells, home appliances, entertainment systems, and more. SmartThings is a cloud based platform that requires an internet connection and you can access it from anywhere you want. Home Assistant, on the other hand, is an open source self-hosted software system that requires a local server or a computer to operate, allowing you to have local control over the smart accessories in your home with no internet connection.

Ease of Use

– One of the best things about the SmartThings platform is its user-friendly interface, which makes it very easy for consumers to pick up and start using it. You can just buy the kit, install the devices, and pair them with the central hub, and you’re good to go. Home Assistant, on the other hand, is built using components contributed freely by its uses, which makes the system technologically sound and would require some technical expertise and programming knowledge to set up and customize. So, this round goes to SmartThings.

Integration

– When it comes to home automation, the most important thing is integration. This is where SmartThings definitely has a competitive edge over the Home Assistant. Being a major player in the home automation arena, SmartThings offers seamless native integration with a host of smart home devices, both from Samsung and third party manufacturers. Home Assistant, on the other hand, has lesser integrations with devices in terms of compatibility. Home Assistant, however, does offer a wider community-driven library of integrations and customizations.

Security/Privacy

– Although, SmartThings has better native integration support, it cannot stand up to the Home Assistant when it comes to security and privacy. Home Assistant is an open-source platform, which means users can view and modify the code to suit their needs. This also suggests that Home Assistant is a more privacy-focused platform since it allows users to have better control over their data. SmartThings, however, is a closed system meaning users do not have access to the underlying code.

SmartThings vs. Home Assistant: Comparison Chart

Summary

While SmartThings outperforms Home Assistant when it comes to integration, compatibility, and ease of use, Home Assistant offers greater customizing options and privacy. SmartThings is a major player in the smart home ecosystem and is a viable choice for beginners who would want a neat, easy to use platform. Home Assistant, on the other hand, is better suited for users who want better control and customizability over their smart home environment. At the end of the day, the ultimate choice between the two comes down to personal preferences and needs.

Is SmartThings being discontinued?

No, SmartThings is not being discontinued, at least not anytime soon. In fact, Samsung have been actively developing the platform to make it more powerful with new features and integrations.

Can you use SmartThings with Home Assistant?

Yes, you can do that with SmartThings. Home Assistant does offer a SmartThings integration that allows you to control your SmartThings devices via the Home Assistant user interface. 

Why did Samsung stop SmartThings?

Samsung hasn’t actually stopped SmartThings; in fact, they have been actively developing the platform to embed the SmartThings hub functionality into Samsung products.

Is SmartThings better than Google home?

Technically speaking, Google Home is not a smart hub; it’s more of a virtual assistant that assists users with a wide range of everyday tasks, like setting up reminders or alarms, playing music, checking the weather, and controlling smart devices. SmartThings is a comprehensive home automation system. So, the choice comes to specific needs and preferences of the user.

Who is the competitor of SmartThings?

There are many good alternatives to smartthings, including Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant, Hubitat Elevation, Wink, Google Home, etc.

Who took over SmartThings?

In 2014, Samsung acquired SmartThings, and in 2020, the company announced a new version of the SmartThings app with an updated UI.

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