Comparing SmartThings to other Ecosystems (Google, Amazon, Apple, etc)

Also, there is the issue of third-party standards.

Zigbee and Z wave are independent third-party alliances Which have created standardized protocols for Home Automation, which makes it much more likely that, say, a light switch from one vendor will be able to work With the hub from another.

You mentioned Wi-Fi: so far, although Wi-Fi has a standardized engineering protocol for the transmission of messages, it has not adopted a standardized home automation protocol for the content of what those messages might be. Each individual device manufacturer makes up their own message content. So a Wi-Fi light switch from one vendor will likely not work with another vendor’s app.

FAQ: WIFI Devices in ST? How can I integrate a WiFi or Bluetooth device that isn’t on the official compatibility list?