SmartThings vs PowderScout
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
PowderScout
Find ideal ski and snowboard trips by ranking resorts based on snow forecasts, trip costs, travel logistics, and pass coverage. Compare destinations for specific trip windows and receive alerts for matching opportunities.
- Ranked resort comparison
- Snowfall forecasts
- Estimated trip cost
- Pass coverage integration
- Customizable alerts
- Discover value trips
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PowderScout helps skiers and snowboarders find ideal trips by ranking resorts based on forecasted snow, estimated trip cost, travel logistics, lift access, and pass coverage. Instead of checking weather forecasts, flight prices, drive times, lift tickets, and season pass rules one resort at a time, PowderScout brings the key trip-planning factors into one ranked list. Choose your starting location, enter your trip dates, and compare mountain destinations based on what matters most: where the snow looks best, how much the trip may cost, how hard it is to get there, and whether your passes let you ski or ride for free. PowderScout can help you: • Compare mountain resorts for a specific trip window • See recent and forecasted snowfall for 200+ destinations • Estimate total trip cost, including travel and lift access • Account for supported passes and custom pass usage • Filter and sort resorts based on your priorities • Create highly specific alerts based on your own trip preferences • Discover stronger-value mountain trips that might otherwise be overlooked PowderScout alerts are designed for travelers who know exactly what they’re waiting for. Set alerts around your preferred dates, starting location, resorts, snowfall thresholds, cost limits, pass coverage, and other trip criteria, then get notified when a matching opportunity appears. PowderScout is built for flexible mountain travelers, storm chasers, pass holders, and anyone trying to make smarter decisions about when and where to ski or ride. Forecasts, prices, and resort operations can change, so always confirm key details before booking. Whether you’re chasing powder, stretching your pass value, or just trying to pick the best mountain for your next trip, PowderScout gives you a faster way to compare your options. Basic functionality is free. PowderScout Pro is $25/year, auto-renewing. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use: https://powderscout.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://powderscout.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartThings at none against PowderScout's 1. SmartThings also leads on ratings volume (858K vs 2) and chart position (#6 vs unranked). PowderScout's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. PowderScout sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $25.00 per year. SmartThings asks for nothing beyond the download.
PowderScout holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 858K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | SmartThings | PowderScout |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (858K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 30.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 858K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #6 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 887 MB | 39 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | ALEXANDER MAXWELL MEYER |
Customer experience
SmartThings
PowderScout
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
PowderScout
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SmartThings
No in-app purchases
PowderScout
- PowderScout Pro$25.001 Year
Questions
Is SmartThings free?
Is PowderScout free?
Which has better reviews, SmartThings or PowderScout?
Do SmartThings or PowderScout have ads?
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