Samsung will begin charging for access to its SmartThings API starting in October. The move introduces a $5 monthly plan aimed at “non‑commercial individual developers,” while the standard SmartThings app remains free. Developers who rely on third‑party platforms such as Home Assistant will now face an extra cost to control Samsung‑connected devices.

The fee targets software creators rather than everyday consumers, but it ripples into the open‑source smart‑home community. Home Assistant founder Paulus Schoutsen called the change a “kick in the pants” for users forced to choose between a subscription and their custom setups. Samsung argues the revenue will fund “enterprise‑grade features” demanded by partners.

A new Developer Center is slated to launch alongside the pricing shift, promising usage metrics and optimization tools. Access to the SmartThings API stays free for now, but the subscription adds another line to the growing list of smart‑home fees. Users of third‑party integrations should expect their monthly bills to climb.