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Samsung SmartThings is not a single-brand app. It is a control layer that connects Samsung hardware with a large range of third-party devices and lets you automate across them. Its strongest case is breadth and interoperability. Whether it is “smarter” than Apple Home is a judgment, and the way to test it is with the devices and routines you actually own.
What SmartThings is, and what it is not
SmartThings is best understood as an ecosystem and control layer. Samsung describes support for a broad base of third-party brands and several device connection standards, including Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and local-area-network devices such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet products. In other words, a SmartThings setup does not have to be built around Samsung appliances.
The October 2026 update in numbers
Samsung announced the SmartThings Now app update on October 5, 2026. The company’s own figures and feature claims are summarised below, with the qualification that matters for each one.
| Item | What Samsung reports | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Registered users | 470 million | An independent count; this is a Samsung-reported platform figure. |
| Certified brands | More than 430 Works with SmartThings certified brands | That every product from every brand offers every feature. |
| Matter version | Matter 1.6 | Rollout and eligibility can vary by device and app environment. |
| Local control speed | Approximately 30% faster response than cloud-based control | A universal result. Samsung says this comes from its controlled tests and real performance may vary by environment. |
The same announcement added support for energy meters, closures, irrigation devices, and soil sensors. It also redesigned the Home tab and introduced personalised “SmartThings Now” cards. Samsung says these features are rolling out, so check whether your app shows them before planning around them.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by SmartThings: Connect, monitor, and automate your home through the SmartThings app. Build a reliable, unified smart home using Samsung's proven ecosystem
- Matter + Zigbee Smart Home Hub: Supports the newest Matter standard plus Zigbee for lighting, sensors, plugs, switches, thermostats, and more - thousands of compatible devices. PLEASE NOTE: Z-Wave not supported
- Easy Setup with Wi-Fi or Ethernet: Get started in minutes using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection for apartments, houses, and expanding smart home systems - Z-Wave not supported
- Automations That Work for You: Create custom routines for security, lighting, comfort, and energy savings. Many local automations continue working even if your internet goes offline
- Wide Device Compatibility: Connect compatible smart devices from Aeotec and many other brands to build a unified system for lighting, voice control, energy management, and climate settings
Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of the SmartThings Team at Samsung Electronics, described the update as “another step in SmartThings’ ongoing efforts to move beyond a home experience where users search for and launch features.” That is a statement of Samsung’s product direction, not an independent view of how well the interface delivers it.
Local control: which hardware qualifies
Local control is the feature that makes a hub worth considering, because it lets some commands run inside your home rather than through the cloud. According to Samsung’s October 2026 list, eligible hardware includes:
- SmartThings Station
- SmartThings V2, V3, and V4 hubs
- Certain hub-enabled Samsung TVs and Family Hub products
The SmartThings app must be installed on Android or iOS. Samsung does not list every model in the announcement, so confirm your exact model and the device combination you plan to use before assuming local control will work.
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- Monitor and control compatible devices in your home using a single smartphone app for your phone
- Automate connected devices in your home and set them to turn on or off when doors are opened, people come and go, and much more
- Works with a wide range of smartphone compatible products
Matter 1.6 and multi-admin
Matter is the reason SmartThings can be a neutral hub for mixed-brand homes. Samsung explains that Matter’s multi-admin capability allows a supported device to be controlled from more than one platform and app at the same time. A Matter bulb or plug is therefore not automatically locked to one ecosystem, which is why a SmartThings setup need not be all-Samsung.
Multi-admin still depends on the device. A product can be Matter-certified and still expose only some of its functions on a given platform.
For older context, Samsung’s October 2022 Matter announcement said its platform supported Matter controller functionality on SmartThings Hub generations two and three and the Aeotec Smart Home Hub, alongside Zigbee, Z-Wave, and local-area-network devices. That is useful history, but the October 2026 announcement is the current reference for supported versions and features.
Rank #3
- LOCAL PROCESSING FOR INSTANT RESPONSE: The Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro runs automations directly on the hub, not on remote servers, so lights, locks, thermostats, and routines keep working even when your internet goes down; this local-first architecture delivers near-instant response to every trigger without relying on remote servers to process commands; compatible with 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands, and device data stays at home for enhanced privacy
- WORKS WITH ALEXA, GOOGLE HOME, AND APPLE HOMEKIT: Connect your preferred voice assistant and start controlling your smart home from day 1; the C-8 Pro is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, so your existing ecosystem works alongside the hub without compromise; Ring camera integration adds a concrete layer of security awareness; approachable setup is supported by step-by-step documentation and an active online community ready to guide you through every stage
- MULTI-PROTOCOL SUPPORT WITH EXTENDED RANGE: A single hub covers Matter 1.5, Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range, Zigbee 3.0, and Bluetooth, so existing devices stay compatible without extra bridges or adapters; 800 Series Z-Wave and Zigbee 3.0 deliver improved reliability and mesh stability, backed by Z-Wave Alliance membership; 2 dedicated external antennas, one for Z-Wave and one for Zigbee, extend wireless reach in larger homes and device-dense environments where signal consistency is critical
- AI-ASSISTED AUTOMATION AND ADVANCED RULE ENGINE: The AI-assisted routine builder suggests and builds automations based on your connected devices, no programming required; Rule Machine enables multi-condition logic across lighting scenes, geofenced arrivals, layered security responses, and whole-home scheduling; when your family arrives after dark, the hub can unlock the door, activate pathway lights, and adjust the thermostat, turning complex sequences into reliable hands-free routines
- NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED AND CONTINUOUS UPDATES: Full platform functionality needs no recurring subscription; every automation, integration, and advanced feature is available from setup; continuous platform updates since 2018 have expanded compatibility without requiring new hardware; an active community of tech-savvy homeowners and DIY smart home builders shares custom apps, drivers, and automation blueprints for ongoing value; compact at 3.23 x 2.95 x 0.67 in and just 0.16 lb, it fits anywhere
Example one: IKEA Matter devices
On April 22, 2026, Samsung announced that 25 IKEA smart-home devices support Matter and can connect directly to a SmartThings hub. Previously, Samsung said, these devices needed an IKEA hub as well as a SmartThings hub. The named categories are:
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- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Air-quality sensors
- Motion sensors
- Door sensors
- Water-leak sensors
The caveats are part of the story. Samsung said availability and timing may vary by market. It also said that, as of April 20, 2026, lighting control was the only supported function for one element of the integration, with blind control planned for later. A device that connects does not mean every one of its functions works, so check the function you need before buying.
Example two: energy monitoring with Eve Energy
Samsung’s 2023 announcement of its partnership with Eve Systems described Eve Energy as a Matter-compatible smart plug and power meter. When connected to a compatible hub, it reports energy consumption through SmartThings. Samsung’s examples include tracking how much an appliance uses and feeding that data into routines or timers.
Rank #4
- Multi-Protocol Smart Hub with Matter Bridge – The M100 is a versatile smart hub compatible with Thread devices and Aqara Zigbee (** Not third-party Zigbee devices), supporting up to 20 Aqara Zigbee devices and 20 Thread devices. As a Matter Bridge, it connects Aqara Zigbee products to other smart home ecosystems, compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, etc. Note: Use a 5V⎓0.5A power adapter (not included) and keep the product continuously powered during use.
- Advanced Matter Bridging for Seamless Smart Home Integration – The M100 enables Aqara’s unique features, such as facial recognition and complex automation, to work across Home Assistant and other Matter ecosystems. Expand your smart home with Aqara or third-party Matter devices (requires a Matter-enabled hub). Currently supports lights, thermostats, plugs, switches, buttons, and various sensors (motion, light, door/window, temperature/humidity), with more devices to be added in the future.
- Local Automation for Reliable Performance – Supports local execution of automations for Zigbee and Matter devices, ensuring smooth operation even without Wi-Fi or cloud access. Enjoy millisecond-level response times for a more stable and reliable smart home experience. (Some automation, such as cloud push notification, will still require the cloud connection to be executed.)
- Flexible Power & Small Size – Features a universal USB-A port for power and data, allowing connection to power banks, wall outlets, PCs, or routers for a simple and quick setup. The Hub M100's shaft can be adjusted within a 210-degree range, making its placement extremely flexible.
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 for Faster & Security—This product supports a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 wireless network connection, which enables more efficient connections with advanced WPA3 security. Wi-Fi 6 ensures smoother performance even in high-traffic environments, allowing multiple devices to connect without compromising speed or reliability. Note: To ensure a stable connection, place the Hub M100 between 6 to 19 feet from the router.
That is a capability, not a promise. Samsung does not claim a particular bill reduction, and regional product support and availability should be verified before you buy.
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Not every home does. Use the table below to match your setup to what you would need to verify.
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|---|---|---|
| You already own eligible Samsung hardware | The existing Station, V2–V4 hub, eligible TV, or Family Hub | Whether your model appears on Samsung’s local-control list and runs the current app |
| One Matter smart plug for an appliance | A Matter-compatible plug plus the hub that the product requires | The exact plug model, your market, and the hub generation it needs |
| IKEA Matter devices | A SmartThings hub that supports direct connection | Your market, the device category, and whether the function you want (for example, blinds) is supported yet |
| Energy-monitoring plug | A compatible hub for consumption reporting | Regional availability and whether your hub supports energy data |
Comparing SmartThings with Apple Home
No independent, side-by-side test of SmartThings and Apple Home is cited here, so a fair comparison has to start from your own home. Work through these questions for each platform:
- Which of your devices are supported, and through which protocols?
- Does the platform require a hub for the devices you want, and which generation?
- Which functions work with local control, and which depend on the cloud?
- How flexible are the automations you rely on?
- Which apps and accessories does your household already use?
- Is the device or feature available in your country?
If SmartThings wins on those points, it is because it fits your devices and routines, not because the platform is universally superior.
The Bottom Line
SmartThings earns attention for its breadth: more than 430 certified brands, Matter 1.6 support, and local control on eligible hardware, all as reported by Samsung. Whether it is “smarter” than Apple Home depends on your devices and routines. Test your own setup against the checklist above rather than taking the superiority claim on trust.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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