Original topic:
SmartThings API no longer free
(Post creation time:
07-21-2026 02:59 PM
)
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Bloodtick_Jones
Asteroid
I purchased Samsung appliances in part because they worked with SmartThings and could be integrated with platforms like Home Assistant. Charging a monthly fee for personal API access changes the value of products customers have already purchased.
I understand there are costs associated with running an API, but basic personal access should remain included for owners of Samsung appliances. At a minimum, Samsung should consider a free tier with reasonable limits for normal home use.
This decision will absolutely factor into my future appliance purchases. I hope the appliance division understands that this is not just a developer issue. It affects the usefulness and long-term value of Samsung hardware.
https://community.smartthings.com/t/a-new-enhanced-smartthings-api-experience/309947
AAbbott
Honored Contributor
07-21-2026 03:42 PM
in
The way I read this is it does not apply to users of the Smart Things platform and have devices and appliances that connect. It appears to apply only to developers of apps and devices that connect to Smart Things. Unless you are a developer, I do not believe you have to worry.
"To note, this update does not affect the millions of SmartThings users who use the SmartThings App with thousands of WWST partner devices."
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Bloodtick_Jones
Asteroid
07-21-2026 04:13 PM
in
It applies to anyone using the API outside the SmartThings app. That includes developers building apps or devices, but it also affects regular users who connect SmartThings to third-party platforms such as Home Assistant or Hubitat.
psel
Asteroid
07-23-2026 03:18 PM
in
I see the advise seems to be free here.
This thread is for owners who actually rely on these integrations. If you don't use third-party platforms, this change obviously doesn't affect you. Those of us who do are voicing our legitimate concerns here so Samsung understands how this impacts existing and new owners.
userJyCsHqhfv2
Constellation
07-28-2026 05:32 AM
in
Reading this comment, it (respectfully) seems that you may not have a full grasp over some of the topics that you mention. Would like to provide some context:
1) Matter is not an app as you refer to it but a connectivity standard. This is similarly to if you were to try and say that WiFi, Bluetooth, or your USB cable is an "app". It is a defined set of rules that various manufacturers and developers must follow to allow for interoperability.
2) While the language used by Samsung refers to developers, the published change has no effect on the developers of apps such as Home Assistant. It has an affect on end users of the apps.
3) Regarding your mention of '"local control" over your appliances then prepare to pay for the use'. Firstly, SmartThings does not allow local control over your purchased appliances, only cloud control. This is not a technical limitation, but a business decision to only provide cloud control. It is true that cloud control isn't truly free, and that someone has to pay for it. However, Samsung has the opportunity to allow users to access the appliances that were payed for locally, which would result in absolutely no cost or maintenance to Samsung, but they choose not to.
Hope this clears up some of your confusion and happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding Samsung's purposeful doublespeak to cause confusion on this.
And for anyone from Samsung, I would be happy to be proven wrong if you can provide paying customers with an actual local access to their purchased appliances.
Thanks,
Catspots
Constellation
08-31-2026 08:09 PM
in
I understand that running a cloud infrastructure costs money.
But when I purchased my appliances the API was free for me to use. The expectation is that running the cloud for SmartThings is priced in the price of the appliance.
I am happy to pay for "local control". I already pay for my server and internet connection. What we want, is for Samsung / Smart Things to open the API on the appliance in the local network. Other manufacturers do it. In my home I use Shelly Devices and AC units where I have full access to their API. I don't need to use the Shelly Cloud or the cloud of the AC unit manufacturer to read device values or trigger actions on them.
The SmartThings APP will continue to have free access to the API. This means: Samsung SmartThings is using their control position to gain an unfair advantage over third party software developers like Home Assistant and me.
masonreed11
Cosmic Ray
07-24-2026 10:01 AM
in
noisymime
Constellation
08-3-2026 01:39 AM
in
For those of us who use home integration systems that aren't SmartThings (Eg Home Assistant, Hubitat) having to using SmartThings in the first place was already a bit of a pain. It was something Samsung required because they didn't make any other means of accessing their smart devices.
To turn around and then want to charge for something we didn't really want in the first place is just to add insult to injury.
If Samsung don't want the costs of supporting a smart device ecosystem on their cloud, then either don't sell products advertising it or make local access possible. This is exactly why we need things like Matter. I won't hold my breath, but I truly hope Samsung are working on making local access possible if they're going to go down this route.