# Nest vs SmartThings

The clearest difference is monetization model: SmartThings at free against Nest's free with in-app purchases. SmartThings also leads on chart position (#7 vs #88). Nest's advantage is ratings volume (2.6M vs 809K) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). 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 Nest against 4.6 for SmartThings. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.6M and 809K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 24% of Nest's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's.

Nest ships an update every 2 months, SmartThings monthly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nest | SmartThings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (2.6M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nest/id464988855/reviews) | [4.6 (809K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6M** | 809K |
| Positive reviews | 24.2% of reviews | **31.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #88 | **#7** |
| Size | 240 MB | 961 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Nest Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/464988858) | [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/359580642) |

## What reviewers say

### Nest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nest/id464988855)

**Currently charting:** #88 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

Control your smart home devices, including thermostats, security systems, cameras, and smoke detectors, all from a single app. Receive alerts, manage schedules, and automate actions based on your presence.

**Highlights:** Remote thermostat control, Arm/disarm security system, Live camera feeds, Smoke/CO alerts, Automated actions, Visitor notifications

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Reliable security features
- 📽️ Good video quality
- 🔔 Useful alerts and notifications
- 🌐 Convenient remote access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- ⏱️ Slow app performance
- 🔒 Overly complex setup and login process
- 💰 Expensive subscription required for full functionality
- 🔋 Battery life issues with cameras

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent home/away detection
- Thermostat schedule resets unexpectedly
- Smoke detector false alarms
- Camera feed freezes or fails to load

**Requested features**

- Improved scheduling and automation options
- Better integration with other smart home devices
- More customization options for alerts and notifications
- Offline viewing and recording capabilities


### SmartThings

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Lifestyle, #202 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nest free?

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

### Is SmartThings free?

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

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

Nest and SmartThings are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2.6M and 809K ratings respectively.

### Do Nest or SmartThings have ads?

Neither Nest nor SmartThings shows ads.

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

Nest ships an update every 2 months, and SmartThings monthly. Most recently, Nest was updated on September 25, 2026 and SmartThings on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Nest or SmartThings?

Nest currently peaks at #88 in the App Store charts, and SmartThings at #7. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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