Comparison

SecureSmart vs Xthings Home(formerly U home)

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SecureSmart

Control your home security system remotely. Receive real-time notifications for events like door openings or motion detection. Automate smart devices with custom scenes and recipes to match your daily routines.

Highlights
  • Remote security system control
  • Real-time event notifications
  • Customizable zone configurations
  • Smart device automation (scenes/recipes)
  • Cloud video storage
  • Flexible IP camera support
Features
Read full description

About Alula At Alula, we believe that the best security solution is provided by the professional security dealer. And we know that today’s security customer expects more than just basic security. In order to deliver the best experience for the needs of today’s modern security customer, you need to design and develop the hardware, software, and services for a complete, end-to-end professional security system for the professional security dealer. The thoughtful technology in our products are designed to keep up with a changing world. Intuitive. Reliable. Innovative. Simplifying your business while saving you money. It’s what you deserve and what people expect. And we’re only scratching the surface of possibilities. Keeping people and property safe is your business. At Alula, creating the tools and support you need to do that, is in our DNA. It’s your home, you set the rules. The Alula App gives you what you deserve, reliability and control. Set rules for real-time notifications. Know instantly when doors and windows are opened or when motion is detected. Technology at your pace With event based “Scenes” and “Recipes”, your smart devices can support your way of life. Adjust the entire atmosphere in your home based on your day to day routines. Lights, cameras, garage doors and thermostats can adjust to greet you in the morning or when you arrive back home in the evenings. Alula Home Security Zone Configurations Alula uses zones in coordination with armed modes and zone configurations to determine how your security system responds when a sensor or detector is triggered. Customize your own zone configurations. Cloud Video Services Alula Cloud is an easy-to-use and affordable cloud video solution designed for businesses and homeowners. Now your customers can keep an eye on their home or business with the comfort of knowing their video is securely stored and can be retrieved from anywhere. - Cost Effective: Why purchase expensive hardware storage, especially if there are multiple sites that need surveillance. Easily manage all camera from one platform. - Easy to Use: Built for users who do not want to bother with complicated and expensive systems, with simple setup for dealers. - Flexible Camera Support: Alula Cloud video works with the largest number of leading IP Cameras. Select the right camera for each customer.

About

Xthings Home(formerly U home)

Manage all your smart home devices from a single app. Control smart locks, cameras, lights, and more, with features for automation, security alerts, and shared access. Experience enhanced connectivity and privacy in a unified ecosystem.

Highlights
  • Unified smart device management
  • Scene automation and routines
  • Shared home access and permissions
  • Real-time security alerts
  • Control smart locks, lights, cameras, and sensors
  • Two-way intercom functionality
Features
Read full description

Xthings Home (formerly U home) is your all-in-one solution for smart home automation and security. Redesigned with a unified Xthings ecosystem, the app offers more powerful device management, smoother connectivity, and stronger privacy protection—while keeping the familiar features you love. With Xthings Home, you can easily manage all your smart devices from one place. Control ULTRALOQ smart locks, UTEC Matter-enabled lighting and power devices, Ulticam security cameras, and more. Lock or unlock doors, add users, view live camera feeds, use two-way intercom, adjust lighting, and automate your daily routines with ease. Smart Device Management Control all supported devices—including smart locks, smart lights, switches, plugs, cameras, and sensors—directly from the app. Enjoy quick setup, stable connectivity, and real-time status updates. Scene Automation Create custom automations that work across your devices. For example: “When I arrive home → unlock the door + turn on porch lights.” Build a smart home that adapts to your lifestyle. Shared Home Access Invite family members, roommates, or trusted guests. Share device access securely and manage permissions with granular control. Real-Time Security Alerts Receive instant notifications for lock activities, motion detection, door access events, automation triggers, and more—keeping your home protected at all times. Welcome to the New Xthings Home • U home has officially upgraded to Xthings Home • Developer changed to Xthings Industry LLC • All your existing devices, settings, and history remain intact • Improved performance, onboarding, and cloud reliability Experience the next generation of smart home convenience and security with Xthings Home.

Screenshots

SecureSmart4 screens
Xthings Home(formerly U home)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Xthings Home(formerly U home) at 52% against SecureSmart's 22%. Xthings Home(formerly U home) also leads on ratings volume (8.1K vs 158) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Xthings Home(formerly U home) holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xthings Home(formerly U home) has 8.1K ratings behind it against 158, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of SecureSmart's written reviews are positive against 52% of Xthings Home(formerly U home)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SecureSmart ships an update every 2 weeks, Xthings Home(formerly U home) every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SecureSmart versus Xthings Home(formerly U home): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecureSmartXthings Home(formerly U home)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (158 ratings)4.6 (8.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.1% of reviews52.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1588.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size273 MB150 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlula Holdings, LLCXTHINGS INDUSTRY LLC

Customer experience

SecureSmart

All ratings158 ratings
Positive82.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive22.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative72.1%

Xthings Home(formerly U home)

All ratings8,069 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews496 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral12.3%
Negative35.7%

User reviews

SecureSmart

From 158 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works great for customers
  • 👍 Integration with Alula
  • 👍 Convenient remote arm/disarm
  • 👍 Useful for programming/alerts
  • 👍 Love the keypad feature

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Does not connect to alarm
  • 🐛 Cannot arm/disarm alarm
  • 🐛 Keypad removed from app
  • 🐛 Update not user-friendly

Xthings Home(formerly U home)

From 8.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great smartlock
  • 🚀 Reliable and easy to use
  • 🚀 Excellent device
  • 🚀 Excelente producto
  • 🚀 Capable lock that's easy to set up

Room to improve

  • 🔌 Application en français svp
  • 🔋 The only problem is that it does not have a warning for when battery is low
  • 🐛 Usuarios temporales
  • 🐛 Frustratingly Slow
  • 🐛 Wifi connection is useless

Bugs and requests

SecureSmart

Reported bugs

78 issues
  • App crashes after login
  • Does not connect after iOS 17 update
  • Cannot arm or disarm
  • Numbers too small, no color
  • Disarm button removed
Show 73 more
  • Doesn't work half the time
  • App went offline
  • Refuses to load on iPhone 7 Plus
  • FaceID authenticates but won't arm/disarm
  • App logged me out, won't let me log back in
  • Not compatible with iOS 11.2.6
  • Constantly offline, takes ten minutes to refresh
  • Little delay when arming/disarming
  • Arming/disarming via Face Unlock does not always work
  • Keypad lock code used every time
  • Locked me out of physical keypad
  • Slow to load real-time info
  • Takes 20-30 minutes to set/deactivate
  • App lags, very glitchy
  • Cannot tell if alarm is set until push notification
  • Nothing happens when trying to remotely turn on/off alarm
  • Almost never works for disarming or arming
  • Close and relaunch multiple times before functioning
  • Sporadically not working due to Do Not Disturb switch
  • Requires going in and out several times before connecting
  • Does not provide fully functional keypad
  • Cannot bypass zones or turn on chime
  • No audible sound when alarm activated
  • Paid for upgrade, works 5% of time
  • Slow to load, inconsistently arms and disarms, crashes
  • Extremely unreliable
  • Constantly says refreshing for hours
  • Says disarmed when armed and vice versa
  • Slow to connect and slow to never for viewing events
  • Slower than molasses, waits over a minute for response
  • So slow it appears not to work
  • Doesn't work on Droid, works on iPhone
  • Doesn't work most of the time
  • Doesn't work at all if signal not full strength
  • Constant authentication errors
  • Freezes badly, rebooting phone is routine
  • Displays alarm status disarmed all the time
  • Takes FOREVER to confirm arming/disarming
  • Requires restarting almost every time
  • Does not communicate with alarm panel well
  • Tells me alarm is off when it's not and vice versa
  • Sat in house and watched panel, tried to disarm with NO success
  • Shows home refreshing, reads disarming, nothing happens
  • 90% of the time, it's 'refreshing'
  • Sound setting for notifications doesn't work
  • Lots of bugs
  • Hangs up, doesn't authenticate properly
  • Seldom displays system status
  • Authentication errors, sometimes doesn't arm
  • Stopped working, refreshing and hangs
  • Very limited, no push notifications
  • Takes way too long to send commands
  • App crashes too often
  • Security keypad display does not display updated information without a manual refresh
  • App is extremely slow or hangs a lot
  • App hasn't worked at all, says "refreshing" then goes blank
  • Authentication error
  • Prettier but plagued with issues
  • Not being able to arm or disarm
  • Every key press just says "transmitting please wait" then nothing
  • Often shows an alarm panel state that is wrong
  • Displays that it is "Disarming..." when it is not
  • New version has problem with screen resolution on iPad
  • Missing numbers 3, 6, and 9 on iPad keypad
  • Screen doesn't scroll on iPad
  • Arming with TouchID arms it in stay mode
  • Shows devices refreshing on one of the two locks
  • Changing thermostat temp goes back to previous setting
  • Cannot get username/password sent
  • Automatically closes app and refuses to open
  • Syncing for the last 6 1/2 hrs
  • Push notifications not implemented correctly in iOS 8
  • App does not ask to accept push notifications on first start

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add progress bars or 'please wait' signs
  • Add audible sound for alarms
  • Add 4 function keys (ABCD)
  • Fix TouchID arming issue
  • Allow username/password reset
Show 4 more
  • Implement push notifications
  • Improve user interface for better readability
  • Add color to the interface
  • Bring back the disarm button

Xthings Home(formerly U home)

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Temporary users settings not saving
  • Admin login issues after updates
  • Inconsistent lock/unlock status reporting
  • Bluetooth connectivity problems
  • WiFi connectivity issues
Show 2 more
  • Fingerprint reader failures
  • Notifications not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Auto lock time extension
  • More customizable auto lock settings
  • Apple Home integration
  • Alexa/Google Home integration

In-app purchases

None

SecureSmart

No in-app purchases

None

Xthings Home(formerly U home)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SecureSmart free?
SecureSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Xthings Home(formerly U home) free?
Xthings Home(formerly U home) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SecureSmart or Xthings Home(formerly U home)?
Xthings Home(formerly U home) is rated higher. SecureSmart averages 4.3 out of 5 from 158 ratings, while Xthings Home(formerly U home) averages 4.6 from 8.1K ratings.
Do SecureSmart or Xthings Home(formerly U home) have ads?
Neither SecureSmart nor Xthings Home(formerly U home) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SecureSmart or Xthings Home(formerly U home)?
SecureSmart ships an update every 2 weeks, and Xthings Home(formerly U home) every 3 weeks. Most recently, SecureSmart was updated on October 13, 2026 and Xthings Home(formerly U home) on October 22, 2026.

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