Imagine being able to control your entire home with just your voice or a few taps on your smartphone. That’s the magic of smart home apps, which have completely transformed how we interact with our living spaces.
Take me, for instance. Thanks to Siri on my iPhone, I can adjust the thermostat, turn lights on or off, and even arm my home security system – all without lifting a finger. And you know what’s even better? These nifty apps have helped me save a pretty penny on my electricity bills over time. Who knew being lazy could be so cost-effective?
While smart home apps undoubtedly make life more convenient, it’s crucial to remember that not all apps are created equal. Some are simply better than others. That’s why today, we’ll be reviewing the absolute best, must-have smart apps for your home.
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Must-have smart home apps
Apple Home
Credit: Apple
If you’re already on team Apple, then Apple Home is the smart home app designed for Apple fans. It works with all iOS and macOS devices, including laptops, smartwatches, iPhones, and hundreds of third-party smart home devices.
While several of Apple Home’s features require a smart hub, you can use your iPhone or MacBook as an Apple Home smart hub. Additionally, you can set up schedules for your smart home devices with Apple Home. You can create “scenes” that affect the lighting, temperature, or other settings of your enabled smart home devices throughout your house.
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Vivint
Credit: Vivint
Our top pick for a smart home app is the one developed by Vivint, a trusted name in home security and automation. Their app, available for both iPhone and Android, is a user-friendly tool that allows you to control a wide range of devices. Including but not limited to lights, smart plugs, security cameras, motion detectors, and smart locks, all through your smartphone’s Wi-Fi connection.
Credit: Vivint
Vivint’s smart home features are wide and include smart locks, motion detectors, cameras, and built-in artificial intelligence, all while adjusting them to your routines. All of Vivint’s wireless equipment works together to prevent break-ins and capture high-quality and clear security footage. They also provide one of the best customer service jobs in the home security industry. You can always call Vivint and talk to a real person, and someone is always on the other line waiting to help.
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Read more about our Vivint review here
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Amazon Alexa
Credit: Amazon
Amazon Alexa is one of the most popular voice assistants on the market, but did you know that it is compatible with a wide range of smart home devices? Thanks to its wide compatibility, you can use Amazon Alexa to control lights, home security cameras, doorbells, and even a smart vacuum.
Alexa is simple to use. Just say “Alexa” to activate the voice control feature and give it any commands you want for your smart devices. In addition to being a control center for your smart home, Alexa can also type text messages for you or play your favorite tunes, all with a simple voice command.
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Samsung SmartThings
Credit: Samsung
Samsung’s SmartThings app allows you to control many smart home devices, from security systems to your washing machine and dryer set. SmartThings by Samsung doesn’t require a dedicated hub, and it’s easy to set up and start.
SmartThings works with a wide range of smart home products, including products not produced by Samsung. The app works with products like the Google Nest or smart home releases from Netgear and Eccobee. SmartThings is universal, working on both Android and iPhone devices to control SmartThings hardware and compatible devices. Samsung offers a wide collection of plugs, hubs, and sensors, but you can also use SmartThings with devices such as Philips Hue lightbulbs.
SmartThings allows users to set up automation in the app, so you can automate motion sensors, cameras, curtains, or any other smart device in your home that’s paired with Samsung SmartThings. The automation process makes it simple to turn on the lights at a particular time, such as when you get home from work, and arm the security system whenever you leave the house or retire for the night.
Google Assistant 
If you prefer the Google ecosystem over Amazon, consider using Google Assistant as your go-to smart home app. Similarly to Alexa, Google Assistant is compatible with a wide range of third-party devices and apps. You can set up schedules easily on Google Assistant, allowing you to set parameters for your air conditioning, lights, or other smart home-enabled devices.
Getting set up with Google Assistant is easy. The app will scan all your nearby devices connected to the same Wi-Fi connection, making it a breeze to set up. It’s also available on iPhones and Android smartphones. Google Assistant can be used to control your security cameras, send text message alerts and reminders, or turn on lights and speakers.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Smart home apps have become essential tools for simplifying our daily lives and making our homes more efficient and convenient. With top apps like Vivint, Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home, users can easily control a wide range of smart home devices, set schedules, and create personalized scenes to suit their preferences.
As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative features and integrations in the world of smart home apps. By investing in these must-have applications, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of a truly connected and intelligent living space, ultimately saving time, money, and energy.
Are there any smart home apps you use that didn’t make the list? Let us know below in the comments.
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