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Best Apps Like SmartThings in 2026

Find the best Samsung SmartThings alternatives for smart home control, automation, and device management.

Why People Look for Samsung SmartThings Smart Home Hub Alternatives

Cloud dependency means automations can fail during Samsung server outages or internet drops.
The 2022 app redesign removed features that power users relied on, drawing sustained criticism.
Samsung's focus on its own Galaxy and SmartThings-branded devices means other brands can feel like second-class citizens.
Advanced automation logic requires the IDE or third-party tools like SharpTools, adding complexity.

6 Best Alternatives to Samsung SmartThings Smart Home Hub

Each app below addresses a specific gap in Samsung SmartThings Smart Home Hub's offering. We picked them based on real user review patterns and feature differentiation.

Home Assistant

Open-source smart home with local control and full privacy.

Home Assistant runs entirely on local hardware, eliminating cloud dependency. It supports more device protocols and integrations than SmartThings but requires technical setup.

Power users who want local control and maximum integration breadth. Free; Nabu Casa cloud from $6.50/month
Explore Home Assistant data →

Apple Home

HomeKit smart home control built into iOS and macOS.

Apple Home offers tight Apple ecosystem integration with strong privacy guarantees. It only supports HomeKit-certified devices but provides a simple, reliable experience.

Apple users wanting a simple, privacy-focused smart home. Free with Apple devices
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Google Home

Smart home hub for Google, Nest, and third-party devices.

Google Home provides a unified dashboard for Nest cameras, thermostats, doorbells, and compatible third-party products with voice control via Google Assistant.

Android users heavily invested in the Google/Nest ecosystem. Free
Explore Google Home data →

Amazon Alexa

Voice-first smart home control with thousands of integrations.

The Alexa app supports routines, device groups, and a visual home dashboard. It integrates with over 100,000 smart home products and is beginner-friendly.

Voice control and broad device support for all skill levels. Free app; Echo hardware from $29.99
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Hubitat Elevation

Local smart home hub with cloud-free automation.

Hubitat processes all automations locally on its hub hardware, providing SmartThings-level device compatibility without cloud dependency.

SmartThings users who want local processing without full DIY. Hub from $149.95
Explore Hubitat Elevation data →

Tuya Smart

IoT platform for Tuya-compatible smart home devices.

Tuya Smart (and its white-label variants like Smart Life) manages a vast range of budget smart home devices. It is cloud-based and less polished but covers devices not supported by other platforms.

Managing budget smart home devices across multiple brands. Free
Explore Tuya Smart data →
How we found these alternatives

SmartThings' cloud dependence and app redesign frustrations have driven users toward local-control platforms and competing ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A Samsung account is required to use the SmartThings app. Your device data and automations are stored in Samsung's cloud infrastructure.

Yes, with a SmartThings Hub (v2, v3, or Aeotec hub). The hub connects Zigbee and Z-Wave devices locally while syncing automation status to the cloud.

SmartThings does not natively support HomeKit. Some HomeKit devices have dual compatibility with SmartThings via their own apps or integrations, but the two ecosystems are largely separate.

App Vulture tracks App Store rating trends, update frequency, and user review sentiment. The alternatives listed here consistently score well on recent user satisfaction and active development.

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