Hubitat Vs Smartthings Is It Finally Time To Ditch Samsung

For nearly a decade, Samsung’s SmartThings has been the go-to platform for DIY smart home enthusiasts—offering broad device compatibility, cloud-based automation, and seamless integration with major ecosystems like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. But in recent years, growing frustration over outages, lagging updates, and increasing reliance on the cloud have pushed many users to reconsider their loyalty. Enter Hubitat: a rising star built on local processing, speed, and privacy-first principles. As more homeowners prioritize stability and responsiveness, the question isn’t just whether Hubitat is better—it’s whether it’s finally time to ditch Samsung altogether.

The Decline of Trust in SmartThings

Samsung acquired SmartThings in 2014 with big promises: an open, flexible hub that could unify the fragmented smart home landscape. For several years, it delivered. The SmartThings app improved, device support expanded, and integrations with Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices made it a top choice for tinkerers and non-developers alike.

But starting around 2020, cracks began to show. Cloud outages became more frequent. Automations delayed by seconds—or failed entirely. Users reported broken routines after firmware updates. Customer support dwindled. Meanwhile, Samsung shifted focus toward its own branded devices (like SmartThings TVs and appliances), often at the expense of third-party developer tools and community-driven innovation.

“SmartThings used to feel like a community project with corporate backing. Now it feels like an afterthought in Samsung’s IoT strategy.” — Jason Reed, Smart Home Engineer & Podcaster

This erosion of trust has driven a quiet migration toward alternative hubs—most notably Hubitat Elevation.

Hubitat: Built for Control, Speed, and Privacy

Launched in 2018 by former SmartThings developers, Hubitat was designed as a direct response to the shortcomings of cloud-reliant platforms. Its core philosophy? Keep everything local unless absolutely necessary.

Unlike SmartThings, which routes most automations through the cloud—even simple ones like turning on a light when a motion sensor triggers—Hubitat processes rules directly on the hub. This means faster response times (often under 300 milliseconds), continued operation during internet outages, and reduced dependency on external servers.

Tip: If your smart home includes security sensors or lighting for nighttime safety, local execution ensures reliability even when your internet drops.

Hubitat also supports a wide range of protocols: Zigbee, Z-Wave, LAN-connected devices, and HTTP/MQTT APIs. While it doesn’t natively support Bluetooth or Matter yet, its extensibility via custom Device Type Handlers (DTHs) and Groovy-based programming gives advanced users granular control unmatched by consumer-grade hubs.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature	SmartThings (Samsung)	Hubitat
Processing Location	Mostly cloud-based	Fully local (on-hub)
Response Time	500ms – 3s (cloud latency)	100–300ms (local execution)
Internet Outage Resilience	Limited (many automations fail)	Full functionality retained
Setup Complexity	Beginner-friendly app	Moderate learning curve
Device Compatibility	Extensive (official + community)	Very good (community-driven)
Privacy	Data sent to Samsung servers	No data leaves your network
Mobile App Experience	Sleek, polished UI	Functional but dated design
Developer Access	Limited (closed ecosystem)	Full Groovy & API access

The trade-off is clear: SmartThings wins on ease of use and aesthetics; Hubitat wins on performance, reliability, and control.

Real-World Example: The Frustrated Family in Austin

Take Mark and Lisa from Austin, Texas. They’ve had a SmartThings Hub since 2017, managing 45 devices: lights, locks, thermostats, and water sensors. In early 2023, they experienced three separate cloud outages within six weeks. During one incident, their front door lock failed to auto-unlock when arriving home. Another time, a water leak alert didn’t trigger until hours later due to a backend delay.

After researching alternatives, they switched to Hubitat. Within a weekend, they migrated all devices using community drivers. “The first night, our bedroom lights turned on instantly when the motion sensor triggered,” Lisa said. “With SmartThings, there was always a noticeable lag. Now it feels like magic again.”

They still use the SmartThings app for monitoring via WebCore (a third-party automation engine), but all critical automations now run locally on Hubitat. Their internet went down during a storm last spring—lights, locks, and sensors kept working without interruption.

When Should You Make the Switch?

Switching platforms isn’t trivial. It requires time, technical comfort, and possibly re-pairing dozens of devices. But for certain users, the benefits far outweigh the effort.

✅ Consider migrating to Hubitat if:

• You rely on automations for safety or convenience (e.g., night lighting, door locks).
• You’ve experienced repeated SmartThings cloud outages.
• You value data privacy and dislike sending usage patterns to Samsung.
• You want faster, more predictable responses from your smart devices.
• You’re comfortable editing code or using community-created drivers.

❌ Stick with SmartThings if:

• You’re not technically inclined and prefer a plug-and-play experience.
• You heavily use Samsung-specific products (Family Hub fridge, Smart Monitor, etc.).
• Your automations are simple and infrequent.
• You depend on native Apple HomeKit or Matter integration (still limited on Hubitat).

Step-by-Step Migration Plan

Moving from SmartThings to Hubitat doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Follow this sequence:

1. Research compatibility: Confirm your devices are supported on Hubitat via the community forum or GitHub repositories.
2. Purchase and set up Hubitat: Connect the hub to your router via Ethernet. Access the web interface at http://[hub-ip-address].
3. Add key devices first: Start with Zigbee and Z-Wave devices—lights, switches, sensors. Use the built-in discovery tools.
4. Rebuild automations: Recreate essential rules using Rule Machine or App Mode. Test each one thoroughly.
5. Gradual transition: Run both hubs in parallel for a week. Disable SmartThings automations only after confirming Hubitat works flawlessly.
6. Finalize and optimize: Remove old SmartThings automations, rename devices consistently, and document your new setup.

Tip: Back up your Hubitat configuration regularly. Use the built-in backup tool or a script to save your settings externally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Hubitat with Alexa or Google Assistant?

Yes. Hubitat offers native integration with both via its “Amazon Echo Speaks” and “Google Assistant” apps. Devices appear in the respective apps and can be controlled by voice. Some features may require additional setup compared to SmartThings’ one-click linking.

Is Hubitat harder to set up than SmartThings?

Initially, yes. The mobile app is less intuitive, and adding unsupported devices often requires copying and installing custom code. However, once configured, it runs smoothly. Many users find the learning curve worth the long-term payoff in stability.

Will Samsung fix SmartThings’ reliability issues?

There’s little evidence of significant investment in core infrastructure improvements. While Samsung continues to add new compatible devices and push minor UI updates, fundamental architectural flaws—like cloud dependency—remain unaddressed. Community sentiment suggests stagnation.

Conclusion: Time to Take Back Control

The smart home should enhance your life—not introduce new points of failure. If you’ve grown tired of waiting for lights to respond, worrying about cloud outages, or feeling locked into a platform that no longer innovates, Hubitat offers a compelling alternative. It’s not perfect—the interface could use modernization, and Matter support is still evolving—but its foundation of local control, speed, and transparency aligns with what many users truly need.

SmartThings served us well in the early days of home automation. But as expectations rise and technology matures, clinging to legacy platforms risks undermining the very convenience they were meant to deliver. For those ready to prioritize performance over polish, Hubitat isn’t just an option—it’s a necessary evolution.

🚀 Ready to reclaim control of your smart home? Evaluate your current setup, test Hubitat with a single automation, and see the difference local processing makes. Share your journey in the comments below.