Samsung to charge $4.99/month for SmartThings API access

Samsung plans to introduce paid access tiers for its SmartThings API beginning in October 2026, a move that will affect not only developers but also advanced smart home enthusiasts who rely on the platform for custom integrations.

The new pricing structure includes a $4.99 monthly plan designated for "non-commercial, individual developers," according to details first reported by The Verge. While Samsung frames the change as targeting developers, the practical impact extends to regular users who access the SmartThings API directly for more sophisticated smart home controls or through third-party automation tools.

Home Assistant users face new costs

One significant casualty of the pricing change will be users of Home Assistant, the popular open-source smart home platform. Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, confirmed in a blog post that the platform's SmartThings integration will fall under Samsung's new "personal plans" category, meaning users will need to pay the monthly fee to maintain their existing setups.

Home Assistant allows users to create unified smart home systems that combine devices from multiple manufacturers. Many users have incorporated Samsung SmartThings-compatible devices into their Home Assistant configurations, relying on API access to control these products alongside equipment from other brands.

Samsung cites enterprise improvements

Samsung justifies the new pricing model as necessary to fund platform enhancements. The company stated the revenue will enable it to "invest heavily in the enterprise-grade features our partners and users have been asking for." Planned improvements include stability upgrades, additional integrations with other platforms, and a redesigned Developer Center hub.

The pricing announcement arrives as smart home platforms increasingly seek sustainable business models beyond hardware sales. However, charging for API access that was previously free represents a shift that could fragment the smart home ecosystem, particularly for users who have built custom automation systems around open standards and interoperability.

Why it matters

This pricing change highlights a growing tension in the smart home industry between platform monetization and the open ecosystem many power users prefer. For businesses developing smart home products or services, Samsung's move signals that API access—once considered a standard feature to encourage adoption—may become a revenue stream. Companies building on third-party platforms should anticipate similar changes and factor API costs into their business models. The decision also underscores the risk of vendor lock-in for consumers who invest heavily in proprietary ecosystems.

The details were first reported by The Verge, based on Samsung's announcement to developers.