Samsung plans to begin charging non-commercial individual developers $5 per month for access to the SmartThings API from October 2026, while exploring additional ways to monetize the platform. The change will not affect people using Samsung’s native SmartThings app to control connected devices at home.
Developer access becomes paid
Samsung confirmed the developer fee in June, and the latest reporting indicates that the company is continuing preparations for the change. The charge applies to API access rather than ordinary use of SmartThings by consumers, creating a new cost for individuals building integrations around the platform.
Business fees under review
Korean media reports that Samsung is also evaluating fees for organizations that depend on SmartThings. Potential users of a paid business offering include energy companies and commercial operators, including accommodation businesses that use the platform to manage heating and cooling systems. The source does not establish that these additional charges have been finalized.
A large installed base
Samsung last disclosed more than 460 million registered SmartThings users worldwide in June. That figure includes the platform’s broader user base and does not indicate how many people or organizations would use paid API access. Samsung’s planned developer fee and possible enterprise charges therefore represent separate monetization routes rather than a change to the consumer app itself.
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Source: Samsung pushes ahead with plans to make money from SmartThings API
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