# BG Smart vs OpenST

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BG Smart at none against OpenST's 2. BG Smart also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). OpenST's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OpenST sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. BG Smart asks for nothing beyond the download.

BG Smart ships an update every 2 months, OpenST every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BG Smart | OpenST |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 214 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Luceco plc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449578711) | [FBeasleySoftware](https://appshunter.io/developer/337083652) |

## What reviewers say

### BG Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bg-smart/id6468932964)

Control your smart lighting with ease. Set timers, create custom scenes, and manage multiple devices from a single interface. Enjoy hands-free operation with voice assistants.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth setup, Wi-Fi connected control, Automated timers, Custom scene creation, Voice control integration, Unified device management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### OpenST

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openst/id6772773979)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BG Smart free?

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

### Is OpenST free?

OpenST is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do BG Smart or OpenST have ads?

Neither BG Smart nor OpenST shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BG Smart or OpenST?

BG Smart ships an update every 2 months, and OpenST every 3 days. Most recently, BG Smart was updated on September 18, 2026 and OpenST on September 24, 2026.

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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.*