# SmartHQ vs SmartThings

The clearest difference is ads: SmartThings at none against SmartHQ's shown. SmartThings also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (31% vs 17%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 SmartHQ against 4.6 for SmartThings. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 845K ratings behind it against 88K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 17% of SmartHQ's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's.

SmartHQ ships an update every 4 weeks, SmartThings monthly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartHQ | SmartThings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (88K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthq/id992883749/reviews) | [4.6 (845K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 88K | **845K** |
| Positive reviews | 17.4% of reviews | **30.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #73 | **#7** |
| Size | 259 MB | 887 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1203332547) | [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/359580642) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartHQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthq/id992883749)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

Control and monitor smart appliances from multiple brands in one app. Receive notifications, update software, and personalize settings. Get expert help and track energy usage.

**Highlights:** Remote appliance control, Appliance notifications, Software updates, Personalized settings, Voice integration, Energy/water usage monitoring, AI cooking recipes, Product registration, Expert assistance, Proactive service alerts

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth and easy to connect
- 👍 Convenient notifications
- 👍 Helpful for laundry efficiency
- 👍 Automation and scheduling
- 👍 Integrated with Amazon

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Account verification issues
- 🐛 Connectivity problems
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🐛 Limited functionality
- 🐛 Intrusive data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Account verification loop
- Inability to connect appliances to WiFi
- Crashes and freezes
- Inaccurate cycle tracking
- Disconnection issues

**Requested features**

- Allow setting favorites as default
- Provide more granular control over appliance settings
- Integrate with smart home platforms
- Add more customization options
- Improve notification controls


### SmartThings

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Lifestyle, #183 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 SmartHQ free?

SmartHQ 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, SmartHQ or SmartThings?

SmartHQ and SmartThings are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 88K and 845K ratings respectively.

### Do SmartHQ or SmartThings have ads?

SmartHQ shows ads; SmartThings does not.

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

SmartHQ ships an update every 4 weeks, and SmartThings monthly. Most recently, SmartHQ was updated on October 16, 2026 and SmartThings on October 16, 2026.

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

SmartHQ currently peaks at #73 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.*