SmartThings Vs. Vera – Which Is the Better Option?
Both SmartThings and Vera are top performers in their market. If, however, you take into account, SmartThings’ compatibility in addition to its ease of use, then it becomes a better choice over Vera. That is not to say that Vera does not have great qualities of its own, like precise geofencing capabilities.
Smart homes are the vision for future living. With a smart home, you’re able to control everything, from lights to security, at the touch of a button or simple voice command. You can easily customize your home to your precise liking. You also don’t have to worry about its security, thanks to having remote access that allows you to monitor your home away from home.
At the heart of a great smart home, however, is a great smart hub. A smart hub integrates with all your smart appliances creating an ecosystem that works for you. It is what is responsible for monitoring and securing your home as well as the appliances. Over time a lot of brands have emerged, but among the top brands are SmartThings and Vera. Both have high-quality performance, but when it comes to picking one for your home, which one is the best choice?
In this article, we look at an in depth comparison of the two, in terms of what they have to offer, as well as their pros and cons, to help you decide.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences Between SmartThings and Vera?
| Features | Model | |
| Vera | SmartThings | |
| Supported Operating System | Android, IOS, and Microsoft | Android and IOS |
| Wi-Fi support | Yes | Yes |
| Ports | WAN and USB 2.0 | Ethernet, USB |
| Protocols | Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth | ZigBee, Z-Wave, IP |
| Range | 100ft. | 130ft. |
| Control Capacity | 125-200 devices | 200 devices |
| Compatibility | Average | High |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, Iris |
Vera Vs. SmartThings – How They Compare?
Design.
Although both devices are made of plastic, SmartThings compared with Vera is simpler. SmartThings design is understated and minimalistic, comes in the standard white color that many other hubs come in.
Vera, on the other hand, stands out in its sleek and modern design. Unlike most hubs, Vera comes in black options only. Compared to SmartThings, many users would say Vera is more elegant and eye-catching.
Set-Up.
Both are Do-It-Yourself (DIY) smart hubs. Their set-ups are simple and installation is straight forward. For further guidance or in case of questions, both come with very detailed manuals you can follow. The entire process takes under five minutes to complete.
Compatibility.
When it comes to compatibility, both devices can be said to be highly compatible depending on what aspects you are looking at.
In terms of protocols, Vera has more compatibility compared to SmartThings. Aside from ZigBee and Z-Wave, Vera also supports Bluetooth BLE and a direct Wi-Fi connection. SmartThings on the other hand supports ZigBee, Z-Wave, and IP but no direct Wi-Fi connection.
As for voice assistants, both smart hubs can work with Alexa and Google Assistant. However, SmartThings works better with Iris compared to Vera. Additionally, given that Samsung is an older brand, it has an advantage and that has it more compatible with more smart devices compared to Vera.
Mobile Application.
Vera and SmartThings both come with a functioning mobile application that helps control and monitor your smart home. Users however report a difference in the user experience.
SmartThings application offers configurations of several modes that help you customize your home more precisely. It’s functional and intuitive. Additionally, users haven’t reported a lot of glitches or bugs with the application.
Vera on the other hand also has a well-functioning application with great features to play around with. A great feature is geofencing, one that Vera excels at in terms of precision compared to competitors. However, some users have reported it crashing or freezing.
Vera Vs. SmartThings – A Detailed Overview.
SmartThings Overview
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With dimensions of 4.2×4.9×1.3, SmartThings comes in a simple minimalist design, that is easy to set up and a user-friendly mobile application. Supporting 3 protocols, (ZigBee, Zig-Wave, and IP), SmartThings is compatible with over 350 devices and can control up to 200 devices at a time. It also works with the main voice assistants, that is, Alexa, Iris, and Google Assistant.
While it can connect wirelessly over a range of about 130ft. but does not connect to the Wi-Fi directly. It requires an Ethernet cable to connect it to the router and cannot function without internet access. It also comes with an adapter and a back-up battery with a 2-hour life period. Lastly, in case of any damage, the hub has a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Affordable
- Compatible with over 350+ devices
- Flexible mobile Application
- A centralized control system
- User-friendly mobile application
Cons
- Supports 3 protocols
- Highly dependent on the internet
- Limited Bluetooth connectivity
- The simplistic and basic design
Vera
- Named "Top 6 Smart Home Hub" by Digital Trends
- The "brain" of your wireless smart home/security system works with most brands & models including Nest,...
Vera only comes in the color black and has a sleek and elegant design, which makes it stand out from the rest. Another feature that makes it stand out is the geofencing feature, which functions with more precision than the competitors.
It contains a fast processor with memory as large as 510MB. Can control up to 200 devices at a range of about 100ft. By supporting 5 protocols (ZigBee, Zig-Wave, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Veralink) it is also compatible with many devices.
Unlike SmartThings, Vera does not depend on an internet connection to function, it can act as a router. However, unlike SmartThings, it does not work well with Iris, one of the main voice assistance.
Pros
- Precise geofencing feature
- Direct Wi-Fi connection but does not depend on it to function.
- Easy set-up
- Supports 5 protocols
- Functional remote access
Cons
- No USB ports
- Does not work well with Iris
- A bit costly
Verdict: Which Is the Better Option?
Both devices have advantages that make them worth the consideration. However, if you pair compatibility with affordability and ease of use, then SmartThings takes the prize. Still, the best choice for you will depend on what your needs are and how well SmartThings meets these needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I have to pay a monthly fee to use SmartThings?
No, you do not. SmartThings is free to use. There could, however, be devices connected to the hub that does need a subscription.
2. Can I extend the range on My Vera?
You could increase the range of your Vera by getting a Wi-Fi extender or positioning your ZigBee and Zig-Wave devices at least 25ft apart.
