# LG ThinQ vs SmartThings

The clearest difference is monetization model: SmartThings at free against LG ThinQ's free with in-app purchases. SmartThings also leads on ratings volume (845K vs 234K) and chart position (#6 vs #18). 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 LG ThinQ against 4.6 for SmartThings. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 234K and 845K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of LG ThinQ's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's.

LG ThinQ ships an update every 3 weeks, SmartThings monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LG ThinQ | SmartThings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (234K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lg-thinq/id993504342/reviews) | [4.6 (845K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 234K | **845K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.1% of reviews | **30.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #18 | **#6** |
| Size | 713 MB | 887 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [LG Electronics, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382800716) | [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/359580642) |

## What reviewers say

### LG ThinQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lg-thinq/id993504342)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

Control and manage your LG smart home appliances from anywhere. This app offers smart care, automation, energy monitoring, and direct access to troubleshooting and service requests for your connected devices.

**Highlights:** Remote appliance control, Smart home automation routines, Energy consumption monitoring, Product troubleshooting and service booking, AI-powered chat support, Downloadable appliance apps

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 📢 Helpful notifications
- 🔍 Useful diagnostics
- 🔋 Energy monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🤖 Limited functionality
- 🔒 Privacy concerns
- 🕰️ Slow app performance
- 🤷‍♀️ Confusing setup

**Reported bugs**

- Unreliable device connections
- Inaccurate temperature/status reporting
- Inability to clear notification history
- Forced location tracking
- Account/login problems after updates

**Requested features**

- Remote start/stop for appliances
- Customizable wash/dry cycles
- Automatic clock adjustment
- Integrated smart home features
- Improved notification management


### SmartThings

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

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Lifestyle, #120 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 LG ThinQ free?

LG ThinQ 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, LG ThinQ or SmartThings?

LG ThinQ and SmartThings are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 234K and 845K ratings respectively.

### Do LG ThinQ or SmartThings have ads?

Neither LG ThinQ nor SmartThings shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LG ThinQ or SmartThings?

LG ThinQ ships an update every 3 weeks, and SmartThings monthly. Most recently, LG ThinQ was updated on October 18, 2026 and SmartThings on October 17, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LG ThinQ or SmartThings?

LG ThinQ currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and SmartThings at #6. 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.*