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Our verdict on the smart-home platform we use to tie security devices together
Who it's for: tinkerers and mixed-brand smart homes who want to tie security sensors, cameras, locks and lights together and automate them from one app.
This assessment is editorial and based on hands-on testing combined with research into the platform's documentation, supported-device lists and owner feedback. Features, app design and pricing can change — verify the current details and device compatibility before you buy.
Samsung SmartThings is the platform we reach for when a home already has a mix of brands and the goal is to make them work as one security layer. It is not a single gadget and it is not a monitored alarm — it's the hub-and-app that coordinates everything. Its standout strength is breadth: SmartThings speaks Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave and Matter, so contact sensors, motion sensors, cameras, smart locks, plugs and lights from many manufacturers can sit under one roof. For people who don't want to be locked into a single vendor's kit, that flexibility is the whole appeal.
The payoff is automation. Instead of separate apps that don't talk to each other, you build routines: arm the contact and motion sensors at bedtime, flash the lights and sound a smart siren if something trips while you're away, or have a smart lock auto-lock and notify you. With the SmartThings hub (or a Samsung appliance with one built in), Z-Wave and Zigbee devices run locally, so core automations keep working even if your internet hiccups. That local fallback is exactly what you want from anything doing a security job.
The honest caveats are the flip side of its flexibility. SmartThings can self-monitor and ping your phone, but it does not, by itself, dispatch a professional monitoring center — if you want 24/7 contracted response, pair it with a monitored service. Getting the most out of it also takes some setup and a willingness to tinker, and because it supports so many devices, compatibility varies; always confirm a specific sensor or lock is supported before buying. For the right user — someone building an integrated, multi-brand smart home — it's one of the most capable hubs you can choose. For someone who just wants a turnkey alarm, a dedicated kit is simpler.
| Type | Smart-home platform + hub (security layer) |
| Protocols | Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter |
| Hub | SmartThings hub or built-in (Samsung devices) |
| App | SmartThings app (free) |
| Automation | Routines, scenes, sensor-triggered actions |
| Monitoring | Self-monitoring + phone alerts (no pro dispatch alone) |
| Local control | Yes, for hub-connected Z-Wave/Zigbee devices |
| Ecosystem | Multi-brand sensors, locks, cameras, lights |
| Indicative price | ~$130 hub · app free |
A polished, easy-to-use ecosystem that pairs tightly with Nest cameras, doorbells and the Nest Protect. The pick if you value simplicity and a clean app over maximum protocol breadth and deep tinkering.
View on AmazonA local-first hub aimed at power users who want automations to run entirely on-device with no cloud dependency. The pick if privacy and offline reliability matter more than a beginner-friendly app.
View on AmazonWant the full picture? See how SmartThings compares head-to-head in our best smart-home security systems comparison →
It is primarily a smart-home platform that you can use to build a security layer. SmartThings ties together sensors, cameras, locks and lights from many brands and lets you automate them — for example, arming contact sensors at night or triggering lights and a siren when motion is detected. It is the hub-and-app layer that coordinates devices, not a monitored alarm contract on its own.
It depends on your devices. Many Wi-Fi and cloud devices connect to the SmartThings app directly with no hub. But to run Z-Wave and Zigbee sensors and locks — and to keep automations running locally if the internet drops — you want the SmartThings hub (or a Samsung device with a built-in hub). For a resilient security setup, the hub is the safer choice.
SmartThings supports Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave and Matter devices, which is what makes it so flexible — you can mix sensors, locks, plugs and lights from many manufacturers. It also works alongside voice assistants. That broad compatibility is its biggest strength, though it also means you should confirm a specific device is supported before buying it.
Not exactly. SmartThings can self-monitor your home and send alerts to your phone, but it does not by itself dispatch a professional monitoring center to call you and the authorities. If you want 24/7 professional response, pair your smart-home setup with a monitored service or choose a system that includes monitoring. SmartThings excels at automation and self-monitoring, not contracted dispatch.
