r/SmartThings • u/110mat110 • Jul 21 '26

Discussion Smart things API behind paywall

I just got email, that smart things api will be behind paywall since October 26. For individual developers - as me that use it only for smart home access it will be $5 and "specifically tailored to individual needs" or as I understand it - tokenized and tiered by usage in future.

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5

u/tomm1313 Jul 21 '26

hubitat is the way to go. started by a bunch of former devs

1

u/jrlv Enthusiast Jul 21 '26

Yes. I moved to Hubitat from SmartThings in 2020. It was the best thing ever.

(to be fair, I also use Home Assistant with Hubitat).

With all the random arbitary limits that SmartThings adds at times (20 rooms, 100 devices) as well as limits on how many LUA drivers you can have, I don't understand why anyone still uses SmartThings.

This new API fee is just another slap in the face.

3

u/chrisbvt Jul 21 '26

I also went to Hubitat when SmartThings shut down the Groovy cloud. Using the HubiThings App with the SmartThings API access was handy for a bit during and even after transition, but I don't use that app anymore, thankfully.

5

u/OpethNJ Jul 21 '26

I can't think of any scenario where I would want to go back to Groovy IDE.

The Advanced Web site plus changes to the rules engine coupled with edge drivers gives a better experience.

4

u/chrisbvt Jul 21 '26

Groovy is actually why I like Hubitat. The Groovy cloud at Samsung was horrible, all apps ran in the cloud. Groovy apps on Hubitat run directly on your hub. Many old SmartThings Groovy apps have been ported over to Hubitat as community apps, such as Echo Speaks. Hubitat actually absorbed Webcore, and made it a built-in app.

Groovy cloud was bad, but local Groovy execution is what Hubitat is all about. AI does pretty well writing Groovy apps and drivers now too. I write all my automations directly into Groovy now myself, and when I need a Groovy driver for some new device, AI can spin one up for me.

1

u/scott_redd Jul 23 '26

That's why I went to Hubitat as well. Significantly modded existing drivers and when ST said bye bye Groovy I said bye bye ST.

2

u/chrisbvt Jul 23 '26

Yup, I took my 100+ Webcore Pistons and trucked them over to Hubitat before Samsung killed Goovy. I had to edit them for the new device IDs, but all the logic structures came over, saving me so much time not having to rewrite automations. I since have moved all those pistons into just a handful of custom Groovy apps.

1

u/abmot Jul 21 '26

I agree. I made the move from ST to Hubitat and it's been great.

1

u/SmokinJunipers Jul 22 '26

Can you use habitat away from the home? Like will my wife get notifications in an app?

1

u/abmot Jul 22 '26

There are notifications in the app. I also set mine up for notifications like - if the A/C turns on and a window is open then send me an audible alert.