# SmartThings vs ConnectLife

The clearest difference is monetization model: SmartThings at free against ConnectLife's free with in-app purchases. SmartThings also leads on ratings volume (848K vs 17K) and chart position (#7 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SmartThings against 4.7 for ConnectLife. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 848K ratings behind it against 17K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 31% of SmartThings's written reviews are positive against 26% of ConnectLife's.

SmartThings ships an update monthly, ConnectLife every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartThings | ConnectLife |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (848K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904/reviews) | **[4.7 (17K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectlife/id1519398796/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **848K** | 17K |
| Positive reviews | **30.6% of reviews** | 26.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 887 MB | 340 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/359580642) | [ConnectLife, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600872348) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartThings

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904)

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Lifestyle, #175 Top Free (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Remote control functionality
- 📚 Laundry cycle recommendations
- 🤖 Automation and scheduling capabilities
- 🔧 Customizable settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
- ⏱️ Slow and laggy performance
- 🔍 Difficulty connecting and configuring devices
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to add or remove devices
- Inconsistent device status updates
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- 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


### ConnectLife

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectlife/id1519398796)

Effortlessly manage and monitor your smart home appliances from any location. This app offers remote control, status insights, and helpful wizards for daily chores. It also includes recipe inspiration and direct access to aftersales support.

**Highlights:** Remote appliance monitoring, Appliance control from anywhere, Smart wizards for chores, Recipe suggestions for ovens, Aftersales support and FAQs, Instant notifications

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 🚀 Responsive app
- 🚀 Awesome app!
- 🚀 Smart / Wi-Fi air conditioner

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work
- 🐛 Constantly requires accepting terms and conditions
- 🐛 Unreliable connection
- 🐛 Glitchy
- 🐛 Slow to respond

**Reported bugs**

- Endless loop of agreeing to terms and conditions
- Fails to list available WiFi networks
- Displays incorrect power consumption data
- Randomly turns on air conditioner
- Loses connection to air conditioner

**Requested features**

- Add timer function
- Add dimmer function
- Add ability to share device with multiple users
- Add HomeKit and Matter support
- Add energy usage monitoring


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartThings free?

SmartThings is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ConnectLife free?

ConnectLife is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmartThings or ConnectLife?

ConnectLife is rated higher. SmartThings averages 4.6 out of 5 from 848K ratings, while ConnectLife averages 4.7 from 17K ratings.

### Do SmartThings or ConnectLife have ads?

Neither SmartThings nor ConnectLife shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartThings or ConnectLife?

SmartThings ships an update monthly, and ConnectLife every 6 weeks. Most recently, SmartThings was updated on October 21, 2026 and ConnectLife on October 21, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*