SmartThings vs Kwikset
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SmartThings
Unify and manage all your smart home devices from a single application. Connect hundreds of brands, create custom scenes and routines, and control your home remotely. Monitor energy usage and even get meal planning assistance.
- Connect and control devices from multiple brands
- Create custom scenes and routines
- Remote home monitoring and control
- Automated notifications and status updates
- Voice control with Google Assistant
- Energy tracking and saving features
- Smart cooking and meal planning assistance
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Quickly and easily connect and control your smart home devices through SmartThings. SmartThings is compatible with 100s of smart home brands. So, you can control all of your smart home gadgets in one place, including your Samsung Smart TV and smart home appliances. With SmartThings, you can connect, monitor and control multiple smart home devices quicker and easier. Connect your Samsung smart TVs, smart appliances, smart speakers and brands like Ring, Nest and Philips Hue - all from one app. Then control your smart devices using voice assistants including Google Assistant [Key Features] - Control and check in on your home from wherever you are - Connect your smart devices across many different brands to work together by setting ‘scenes’ - Build routines that are set on time, weather, and device status, so your home runs smoothly in the background - Allow shared control by giving access to other users - Receive status updates about your devices with automated notifications - Talk to your devices using Google Assistant - Track, monitor and save money on energy with SmartThings Energy. See how much your home and compatible Samsung devices cost to run, and try various energy saving features, such as AI saving mode, or schedule devices to run during off peak hours. - Receive recipe recommendations by scanning meal kits, wine, and meat. Plan, shop and prep meals with the help of SmartThings Cooking ※ Some features may not be available in all countries. [App requirements] Some mobile devices may not be supported. - iOS 17.0 or later / iPhone XR or later / iPad 6 or later ※ App permissions The following permissions are required for the app service. For optional permissions, the default functionality of the service is turned on, but not allowed. [Optional access permissions] • Apple Health : Used to sync with Apple Health data to give you better Family Care insights • Apple Music : Used to read music album information • Bluetooth : Used to scan for nearby devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) • Camera: Used to scan QR codes so you can easily add members and devices to SmartThings • Contacts : Used to get phone numbers of your contacts to send text message notifications • Location : Used to locate your devices, create routines based on your location, and scan for nearby devices using Wi-Fi • Local Network : Used to find Wi-Fi connected devices • Microphone: Used to add certain devices to SmartThings using high-frequency sounds • Notification : Used to provide notifications about SmartThings devices and features • NFC : Used to check information about devices that you intend to connect • Photos : Used to play photos and videos on SmartThings devices • Voice recognition : Used to convert voice to text
Kwikset
Control and monitor your smart locks remotely, manage guest access with custom codes, and receive instant security alerts. Integrate with popular smart home ecosystems for enhanced automation and peace of mind.
- Remote lock monitoring and control
- Guest access code management
- Instant activity and security alerts
- Multi-home and lock management
- Smart home ecosystem integration (Wi-Fi, Matter)
- Encrypted data security
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At Kwikset, we understand that the locks you choose to protect your home is a decision you do not take lightly. That is why we do not take shortcuts when it comes to quality, because we know that a better lock means better peace of mind. Remote Access Control Monitor the status of your locks and manage your home's access seamlessly from anywhere at any time. Trusted Access Management Share app access with guests or create scheduled or one-time access codes for keyless entry. Instant Activity Alerts Receive instant notifications anytime someone accesses your home, or when invalid codes are entered, or lock tampering occurs. Intuitive Home Management Easily configure and manage multiple homes and locks for complete control. Seamless Integration with Smart Ecosystems Add your lock via Wi-Fi to your preferred smart home ecosystems, including Google Home or Amazon Alexa, or amplify automation through IFTTT. Kwikset’s new Halo Select lock is Matter and Wi-Fi compatible, giving you the same Wi-Fi options as our other Halo locks. With Matter, you can connect to Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and other Matter hubs via Thread. Matter features may differ from ecosystem to ecosystem. You can check out www.kwikset.com/matter for more information. Security and Peace of Mind Kwikset provides unparalleled security while safeguarding your privacy. All data shared between the lock, the server, and the Kwikset app is encrypted, and our servers are exclusively hosted in the US. Our goal is to provide you with the utmost convenience, trust, and safety for your smart living experience. The Kwikset App is compatible with all Kwikset Halo and Kwikset Aura smart locks. Kwikset®, a trusted leader in residential security and a registered trademark of ASSA ABLOY Americas Residential Inc., an ASSA ABLOY Group Company
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SmartThings at monthly against Kwikset's every 3 months. SmartThings also leads on chart position (#5 vs #194) and ratings volume (845K vs 58K). Kwikset's advantage is review sentiment (48% vs 31%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Kwikset holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 845K ratings behind it against 58K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of SmartThings's written reviews are positive against 48% of Kwikset's.
SmartThings ships an update monthly, Kwikset every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.
| Parameter | SmartThings | Kwikset |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (845K ratings) | 4.8 (58K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 30.7% of reviews | 47.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 845K — better | 58K |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #5 — better | #194 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 887 MB | 356 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC. |
Customer experience
SmartThings
Kwikset
User reviews
SmartThings
From 845K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Remote control functionality
- 📚 Laundry cycle recommendations
- 🤖 Automation and scheduling capabilities
- 🔧 Customizable settings
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
- ⏱️ Slow and laggy performance
- 🔍 Difficulty connecting and configuring devices
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking
Kwikset
From 58K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure access
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Helpful for short-term rentals
- 👍 Great design
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Unreliable app performance
- 🐛 Firmware update challenges
- 🐛 Difficult setup and pairing
Bugs and requests
SmartThings
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to add or remove devices
- Inconsistent device status updates
- Notifications not working as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to control TV without remote
- Improved photo/artwork management for Frame TV
- More advanced automation and scheduling options
- Better integration with other smart home platforms
Kwikset
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes and freezes
- Inability to update firmware
- Inconsistent lock status reporting
- Pairing failures with Bluetooth and WiFi
Requested features
4 requests- Customizable notifications
- Ability to manage multiple locks
- Scheduled auto-lock feature
- Integration with smart home platforms
In-app purchases
SmartThings
No in-app purchases
Kwikset
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmartThings free?
Is Kwikset free?
Which has better reviews, SmartThings or Kwikset?
Do SmartThings or Kwikset have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartThings or Kwikset?
Which is more popular, SmartThings or Kwikset?
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