Samsung to Charge for SmartThings API Access Starting October
A $5 monthly fee will apply to non-commercial individual developers, affecting third-party integrations like Home Assistant.
"Users face another cloud paywall," said Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen, expressing disappointment over the change.
What’s Changing?
Samsung announced it will begin charging for access to the SmartThings API, its smart home automation platform, starting in October. The new fee structure introduces a $5 monthly plan for "non-commercial individual developers."
Who Is Affected?
- Individual developers using the API for non-commercial projects.
- Users of third-party smart home platforms such as Home Assistant, which rely on the API to control Samsung-connected devices.
The standard SmartThings app users are unaffected. This change specifically impacts those who manage their devices through custom smart home controls or external tools.
Samsung’s Justification
Samsung stated the fees will fund investment in "enterprise-grade features" and support the development of integrations and expanded capabilities. The company also announced plans for a new Developer Center hub, which will provide usage data and points for code optimization.
Timeline
Access to the SmartThings API remains free until October. After that, developers who do not subscribe will lose API access.