CentroControl vs SmartThings
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CentroControl
This app allows you to control various IP-enabled home devices, from lighting and heating to AV systems and cameras. It requires some technical setup using PC software or a pre-defined project. Customize your interface and create custom menus for commands.
- Control IP-enabled devices
- Customizable user interface
- Apple Watch menu structure
- Supports HDMI matrices, AV receivers, lighting systems, and IP cameras
- Two-way feedback for devices
- Requires PC software for setup
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Home Automation / Control System app. ** Please Note - some technical 'know how' is required to set this app up correctly using our Windows-only PC software or using a pre-defined project created by a DemoPad installer - please see www.demopad.com or contact your DemoPad installer before downloading ** This app is free if controlling a single generic 3rd party IP device, and/or if your system includes at least one DemoPad Centro hardware device. Otherwise an In App Purchase is required to unlock the app for use with 3rd party devices. CentroControl is a powerful home automation & control app which enables communication with various IP enabled devices. Our DemoDesigner PC software is used by installers to configure user interface screens & set up commands to be sent to external equipment. There is complete flexibility with the user interface. It is also possible to create a custom menu structure for commands using Apple Watch. You can communicate with almost any IP device, including the following: HDMI Matrices AVoIP systems AV Receivers HDL Lighting / Heating Systems Lutron Homeworks / GrafikEye Systems Rako Lighting Systems Crestron systems Global Cache units - infra-red, RS232, contact closure interfaces Keene Electronics IR units Insteon Fibaro IP camera servers - for displaying live camera feeds Legrand MyHome / Arteor control systems Clipsal CBus Lighting systems Lightwave RF iLight / iLumin Lighting Systems RTSP video feeds and many other IP devices...with custom 2-way feedback
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
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SmartThings at 4.6 against CentroControl's 3.8. SmartThings also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (854K vs 14). CentroControl's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 31%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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. CentroControl sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SmartThings asks for nothing beyond the download.
SmartThings holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 854K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of CentroControl's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
CentroControl ships an update every 3 months, SmartThings monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | CentroControl | SmartThings |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (14 ratings) | 4.6 (854K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 30.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 854K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #4 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 887 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Demopad Software Ltd | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
CentroControl
SmartThings
Bugs and requests
CentroControl
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or 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
In-app purchases
CentroControl
- Allow Multiple 3rd Party Devices$149.99
SmartThings
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CentroControl free?
Is SmartThings free?
Which has better reviews, CentroControl or SmartThings?
Do CentroControl or SmartThings have ads?
Which is updated more often, CentroControl or SmartThings?
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