Samsung Sets Paid Access for SmartThings API in 2026

Samsung is ending free access to its SmartThings API starting October 2026. Until then, developers can continue using it without interruption.

From October, individual developers face a $4.99 monthly fee for non-commercial API use. Commercial users will encounter new paid tiers tailored to business needs. Samsung says this revenue will fund enterprise-grade features that partners and users have demanded.

The SmartThings API links third-party apps and platforms to Samsung’s smart home ecosystem. It supports over 460 million registered users and powers applications ranging from short-term rental platforms to energy management and custom dashboards.

To help developers manage their usage, Samsung is launching a new Developer Center hub. It will include an API Usage Dashboard with flexible time-series data for tracking call volumes. This addition reflects growing demands for transparency and control in API consumption.

The announcement triggered mixed reactions. Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen expressed disappointment, noting users now face a “cloud paywall” for access. Home Assistant itself offers an alternative, albeit one requiring technical skill and lacking full device bundles or customer support.

Meanwhile, Samsung continues pushing smart home interoperability. It supports Matter 1.5 and weighs adding Matter 1.6, which improves multi-platform control and security. Matter 1.6’s Joint Fabric feature allows multiple controllers to co-administer a network, enhancing device cooperation and security coverage.

Samsung’s partnership with IKEA aims to democratize smart homes. IKEA’s Matter-over-Thread devices connect directly to SmartThings without a hub. Together, they promote affordable, seamless integration with features like SmartThings Family Care for monitoring loved ones and environmental tracking to optimize sleep.

Thread technology powers a low-latency, resilient mesh network that improves battery life. The collaboration includes a tactile scroll wheel remote to control lighting and blinds, highlighting Samsung’s push toward user-friendly multi-brand smart home infrastructure.

SmartThings offers a free app and hubs starting at $79.99, with warranties up to 10 years on some products. It remains a cost-effective choice for smart home enthusiasts, though it falls short of providing a fully integrated all-in-one solution.

The move to paid API access signals Samsung’s intent to monetize its vast ecosystem while investing in higher-tier features. Developers and commercial partners will need to budget for this change starting October 2026—or find alternatives before then.