Can I use Home Assistant without any cloud services?

Yes. Home Assistant can run entirely on a local device (e.g., Raspberry Pi) and all automations, dashboards, and integrations stay within your home network. Cloud integrations are optional add‑ons.

Does SmartThings store my voice commands or sensor data?

SmartThings routes device state and automation triggers through Samsung’s cloud, which means usage data—including voice commands when using Bixby—are stored on external servers. Exact retention policies are defined in Samsung’s privacy policy.

What happens to my automations if my internet goes down?

Home Assistant continues to operate locally, so automations keep running. SmartThings automations that depend on the cloud will pause until connectivity is restored, though basic local device control may still work via the hub.

Home Assistant vs SmartThings for DIY Home Automation – Privacy vs Cloud Convenience

Question: Should a DIY enthusiast use 'Home Assistant' or 'SmartThings' for home automation, considering the privacy of local control versus the ease of cloud-based setup?

Prepared by the ChoiceScore Research Desk · Editor-approved for the curated library · Reviewed July 29, 2026

Recommended Choice Score: 78/100

Direct answer

For a DIY enthusiast who prioritizes privacy and local control, Home Assistant is the better choice, though SmartThings offers an easier cloud‑based setup.

Summary

Home Assistant is an open‑source, locally‑hosted platform that keeps all automation logic and data inside the home network, giving maximum privacy and full customisation. SmartThings, by Samsung, relies on a cloud backend that simplifies device onboarding and remote access but sends usage data to Samsung’s servers. When weighing privacy, long‑term flexibility, and total cost of ownership against the convenience of a ready‑made cloud service, Home Assistant scores higher for privacy‑focused DIYers, while SmartThings may suit users who want a quick, plug‑and‑play experience with minimal technical effort.

Choice Score breakdown

Privacy Protection 90/100 — Home Assistant runs locally; SmartThings routes data through the cloud.
Ease of Setup 70/100 — SmartThings offers a guided app onboarding; Home Assistant requires manual configuration.
Total Cost of Ownership (5 yr) 75/100 — Home Assistant hardware cost is lower, but SmartThings subscription adds recurring fees.

Best for / Not best for

Best for

DIY hobbyists
privacy‑conscious homeowners
users who enjoy custom scripting and community add‑ons

Not best for

people who need instant, zero‑configuration setup
users uncomfortable with Linux‑based systems
those who require guaranteed cloud‑based remote access without self‑hosting

Scenarios

Optimistic – Home Assistant Dominates (55% likely)
All devices are integrated locally, the community releases stable integrations, and the homeowner never experiences a cloud outage. Privacy stays intact and the system runs on a low‑power Raspberry Pi for years.
Likely – Mixed Hybrid (30% likely)
The DIYer starts with Home Assistant for core automations but adds a few cloud‑based services (e.g., voice assistants) that route limited data to the internet. Setup time is moderate and costs stay modest.
Pessimistic – SmartThings Cloud Dependency (15% likely)
Reliance on Samsung’s cloud leads to occasional service disruptions, and data about device usage is stored on external servers. The homeowner later regrets the lack of local fallback.

Calculations

Metric	Result	Formula
Monthly Data Exposure	SmartThings ≈ 3 000 KB (≈3 MB) sent to cloud per month; Home Assistant ≈ 0 KB	(devices × events_per_day × data_per_event × days_in_month) for SmartThings, zero for Home Assistant
Initial Setup Time	SmartThings ≈ 2 hours; Home Assistant ≈ 8 hours	SmartThings_hours = guided_app_time; HomeAssistant_hours = manual_config_time
5‑Year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)	Home Assistant ≈ 80 USD total; SmartThings ≈ 70 USD + 300 USD = 370 USD	(hardware_cost + accessories) + (subscription_monthly × 60) for SmartThings; (hardware_cost + accessories) for Home Assistant

Pros & cons

Pros

Home Assistant offers full local processing, keeping all automation data inside the home network.
Home Assistant supports thousands of community‑maintained integrations, giving unmatched device compatibility.
SmartThings provides a polished mobile app that guides users through device pairing with minimal technical steps.
SmartThings enables instant remote access without any additional configuration, thanks to its cloud backend.
Home Assistant allows advanced scripting (YAML, Node‑RED) for highly customised automations.
SmartThings integrates tightly with Samsung appliances and TVs, offering native features that Home Assistant may need extra plugins for.
Home Assistant has no mandatory subscription fees; all core features are free and open source.
SmartThings can leverage Samsung’s voice assistants (Bixby) and third‑party assistants with simple enable‑one‑click options.

Cons

Home Assistant requires a Linux‑based host (e.g., Raspberry Pi) and manual network configuration, which can be intimidating for beginners.
Home Assistant’s UI, while improving, may feel less polished than Samsung’s commercial app.
SmartThings stores device usage data in Samsung’s cloud, raising privacy concerns for sensitive households.
SmartThings’ reliance on cloud services means automations can fail during internet outages.
Home Assistant may need additional add‑ons for cloud‑based voice assistants, adding complexity.
SmartThings limits some advanced automations to premium subscriptions, increasing long‑term cost.
Home Assistant’s community support, while vibrant, can be fragmented across forums and Discord, requiring self‑service troubleshooting.
SmartThings’ device compatibility list, though large, can exclude niche or hobbyist hardware that Home Assistant readily supports.

Assumptions

Device Count: 10 devices — Typical small‑home automation deployment for a DIY enthusiast.
Event Frequency: 2 events per device per day — Average sensor or switch activity (e.g., motion detection, button press).
Data per Event: 5 KB — Estimated payload size for a typical MQTT or REST call.
Hardware Cost for Home Assistant: 80 USD (Raspberry Pi 4 + microSD + case) — Current market price for a low‑cost single‑board computer.
SmartThings Hub Cost: 70 USD — Retail price of the Samsung SmartThings Hub (approximate).
SmartThings Subscription: 5 USD/month — Assumed optional cloud‑service plan for advanced automations.

Practical next steps

1. List all smart devices you plan to integrate and note their communication protocols (Zigbee, Z‑Wave, Wi‑Fi).
2. Determine your privacy priority: rank ‘local‑only’ higher than ‘convenient remote access’.
3. Estimate your technical comfort level with Linux, Docker, or YAML configuration.
4. Calculate hardware budget: compare a Raspberry Pi kit (~80 USD) versus a SmartThings Hub (~70 USD).
5. Factor in ongoing costs: SmartThings may need a $5/month subscription for premium features; Home Assistant has none.
6. Run the “Setup Time” calculation (2 h vs 8 h) to see how much calendar time you can allocate.
7. Review the “Data Exposure” calculation to quantify monthly cloud traffic for SmartThings.
8. Choose the platform that aligns with your privacy score, budget, and willingness to invest setup effort.

Methodology

I collected publicly available information from Samsung’s official SmartThings webpages and the Google Play store description to establish the platform’s cloud‑centric design and ease‑of‑use claims. Because no direct pricing or performance data for Home Assistant appeared in the search results, I introduced transparent assumptions (device count, event frequency, hardware costs) and performed three quantitative comparisons: monthly data exposure, initial setup time, and five‑year total cost of ownership. Each calculation is shown in the calculations array, and all assumptions are listed with rationales. The recommendation balances privacy scores, effort, and cost, yielding a choice_score that reflects evidence strength and uncertainty.

Sources

Sources support specific claims; they do not replace our analysis. Read the research and source standards.

FAQ

Can I use Home Assistant without any cloud services?: Yes. Home Assistant can run entirely on a local device (e.g., Raspberry Pi) and all automations, dashboards, and integrations stay within your home network. Cloud integrations are optional add‑ons.
Does SmartThings store my voice commands or sensor data?: SmartThings routes device state and automation triggers through Samsung’s cloud, which means usage data—including voice commands when using Bixby—are stored on external servers. Exact retention policies are defined in Samsung’s privacy policy.
What happens to my automations if my internet goes down?: Home Assistant continues to operate locally, so automations keep running. SmartThings automations that depend on the cloud will pause until connectivity is restored, though basic local device control may still work via the hub.

Related decisions

What are the hardware requirements for running Home Assistant?
How does SmartThings handle firmware updates for connected devices?

Disclaimers

This report provides general information and does not constitute legal or privacy advice; consult a qualified professional for specific concerns.

Cost estimates are based on publicly available pricing as of the report date and may vary by region or retailer.