Samsung to charge $4.99/month for SmartThings API Oct 2026

Samsung will begin charging for access to its SmartThings smart home application programming interface (API) starting in October 2026, a move that will impose new costs on independent developers and users of third-party automation platforms. The company announced a new tiered fee model that includes a personal plan costing $4.99 per month for non-commercial, individual developers.

The change will not affect consumers who exclusively use Samsung's official SmartThings mobile app to control compatible devices. However, it directly targets the open-source and do-it-yourself community that relies on the API to connect Samsung appliances and electronics to broader, platform-agnostic smart home systems. Popular integration platforms like Home Assistant, which allow users to manage devices from various brands through a single interface, will be impacted.

Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, confirmed the platform's integration will be affected and expressed disappointment with the decision. He stated that users will now face the choice of paying a recurring fee to access hardware they already own or seeking alternatives.

Samsung stated the new subscription revenue will fund...