SmartThings works. For now. But Samsung keeps changing the platform, removing features, and forcing cloud dependencies. If you're tired of surprises every time they push an update, Home Assistant gives you something SmartThings never will: control over your own smart home.
SmartThings isn't dying like Google Assistant. But the platform has been slowly frustrating its most loyal users for years. Here's why people are making the move.
SmartThings processes everything through Samsung's servers. When their cloud goes down (and it does), your lights, locks, and automations stop working. Home Assistant runs locally, so your smart home works even without internet.
Samsung killed Groovy, forced everyone to Edge drivers, and keeps changing how integrations work. Home Assistant is open source with a clear, community-driven roadmap. No corporate strategy meetings deciding your smart home's fate.
SmartThings automations are basic. No templates, no conditions beyond simple if/then, no real scripting. Home Assistant gives you YAML automations, Node-RED, and a visual automation editor that can handle complex logic.
SmartThings barely tracks device history. Home Assistant stores everything locally: temperature trends, energy usage, motion patterns, door open/close logs. Your data, on your hardware.
Good news: most SmartThings devices use standard protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi. That means they'll work with Home Assistant directly. Here's a breakdown of common setups.
| Device / Protocol | Works with HA? | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Zigbee devices (Aqara, IKEA, Sengled) | Yes, fully | Pair directly with a Zigbee coordinator (like a SONOFF dongle). No SmartThings hub needed. |
| Z-Wave devices (locks, sensors, switches) | Yes, fully | Z-Wave JS integration. Need a Z-Wave USB stick. Exclude from SmartThings first, then include in HA. |
| Wi-Fi devices (TP-Link, Shelly, Tuya) | Yes, fully | Connect through native integrations or local control (Tuya Local, Shelly). No hub needed. |
| Samsung SmartThings sensors | Yes, Zigbee | Samsung's own sensors are Zigbee. Pair them directly with a Zigbee coordinator in HA. |
| SmartThings hub (as bridge) | Optional | You can integrate the SmartThings hub into HA as a bridge during migration. But most people ditch it eventually. |
| SmartThings automations / scenes | Rebuild needed | No direct export. You'll recreate them as HA automations. More powerful, but it takes some time. |
| Matter devices | Yes, fully | Home Assistant has native Matter support. Any Matter device works in both platforms during transition. |
| Cloud-only integrations (Ring, Ecobee) | Yes, natively | HA has direct integrations for most cloud services. Often better than SmartThings' implementation. |
List everything connected to SmartThings. Note the protocol each device uses (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, or cloud). Our free scan can help you sort this out automatically.
Install HA on a Raspberry Pi, mini PC, or Home Assistant Green. Get a Zigbee coordinator and/or Z-Wave stick if your devices need them. Budget around 50 to 100 euros for hardware.
Start with Wi-Fi devices (easiest, just add integrations). Then Zigbee (unpair from SmartThings, pair to HA). Z-Wave last (exclude, then include). Run both systems in parallel during the switch.
Recreate your SmartThings automations in HA. The visual editor handles most cases. For complex logic, YAML and Node-RED open up possibilities SmartThings never had.
You don't have to rip out SmartThings overnight. Home Assistant has a native SmartThings integration that lets you control your SmartThings devices from HA while you migrate.
The SmartThings hub has a built-in Zigbee and Z-Wave radio. You can't reuse those radios in Home Assistant. You'll need dedicated USB coordinators. Here's what works best.
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus is the community favorite. Around 25 euros, rock-solid with ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT. Supports 200+ devices on a single coordinator.
Alternatively, the ConBee II or SkyConnect (which adds Thread/Matter support) are solid choices too.
Zooz ZST39 LR or Aeotec Z-Stick 7 are the go-to options. Both support Z-Wave Long Range and work with the Z-Wave JS integration.
Important: exclude each Z-Wave device from SmartThings before including it in Home Assistant. The device can only have one controller.
Run a free device scan to see exactly which of your smart home devices are compatible with Home Assistant and get a personalized migration plan.
Free scan takes 2 minutes. Full migration reports from €19.
Yes. Home Assistant has an official SmartThings integration that lets you control devices still connected to your SmartThings hub. It works through Samsung's cloud API, so there's a slight delay. Most people use this as a bridge during migration and eventually move all devices to local control.
Almost certainly not. The vast majority of devices that work with SmartThings also work with Home Assistant. Zigbee devices, Z-Wave devices, Wi-Fi devices, and Matter devices all transfer. The only things you might lose are Samsung-proprietary features or integrations that rely specifically on the SmartThings platform.
There's no automatic export. You'll need to recreate your automations in Home Assistant. The good news: HA's automation engine is far more powerful. Things that required workarounds or weren't possible in SmartThings become straightforward. The visual automation editor handles most common scenarios.
For a typical home with 20 to 40 devices, expect a weekend for the initial setup and device migration. Rebuilding automations can take another few evenings, depending on complexity. The bridge strategy lets you take your time without any downtime.
A Raspberry Pi 4/5 (around 50 to 80 euros), a Home Assistant Green (99 euros), or any old mini PC. Add a Zigbee USB coordinator (25 euros) if you have Zigbee devices, and a Z-Wave stick (35 euros) if you have Z-Wave devices. Total cost: 75 to 150 euros for most setups.