Samsung will soon start paying for access to its smart home API

Since October this year Samsung will be available various payment options to access its SmartThings API, including a $4.99 monthly plan for “non-commercial, individual developers.”

It may not be the producers who pay the price. Some smart home users may be disappointed by the rule change if they directly access the SmartThings API to control their smart home, or use third-party tools that do the same. “Using the Home Assistant integration they will affected by their changes and they will fall under their ‘self-interest,’” wrote Paulus Schoutsen, the founder of Open-source smart home Assistantin a blog post.

Samsung said the new pricing will allow it to “invest more in business features that our partners and users have been asking for,” including stability, new integrations, and revitalizing its Developer Center.