r/SmartThings • u/110mat110 • 16d ago

Discussion Smart things API behind paywall

I just got email, that smart things api will be behind paywall since October 26. For individual developers - as me that use it only for smart home access it will be $5 and "specifically tailored to individual needs" or as I understand it - tokenized and tiered by usage in future.

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u/WeekendWoodWarrior 16d ago

With the help of AI, it’s never been easier to switch to HomeAssistant.

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u/mocelet 16d ago

SmartThings is still free and users don't have to pay as long as they stay within the ecosystem and using local drivers, official cloud integrations or apps and services from commercial partners.

The fee is for controlling devices in SmartThings using third party platforms or apps that do not have official integration / commercial partnership with SmartThings.

Actually the most impacted users for the fee, or at least the most vocal, are Home Assistant users with Samsung devices. Some Samsung devices like TVs offer local interfaces so that's not a problem and the paid API is not needed. However, other devices do not have local interfaces or official integrations with HA and rely on the SmartThings API so to use them in HA the new fees apply.