# Hub Vs Dongle **URL:** \ **Category:** Devices & Integrations\ **Created:** [October 14, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468 "2023-10-14T00:12:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Element](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a698b9/32.png) [@Element](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Element)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/1 "2023-10-14T00:12:25Z")
Hi, I have a Frame 22 model, and I am looking for a smartthing hub or dongle. is there any limmitations in using a dongle rather than a full hub? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![RebelMagpie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/rebelmagpie/32/112523_2.png) [@RebelMagpie](https://community.smartthings.com/u/RebelMagpie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/2 "2023-10-14T01:03:47Z")
I’m interested in understanding the differences in these capabilities too. I have ordered a Frame TV, which has been delayed, but the dongle has been delivered. So I have a dongle, but no TV to test it on 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![JDRoberts](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jdroberts/32/56577_2.png) [@JDRoberts](https://community.smartthings.com/u/JDRoberts)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 1:23am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/3 "2023-10-14T01:23:40Z")
> [@Element](#): > > Hi, I have a Frame 22 model, and I am looking for a smartthing hub or dongle. > is there any limmitations in using a dongle rather than a full hub? > > Thanks As far as I know, the dongle models which are currently available do not support zwave. And I’m not sure if it acts as a Thread border router or not. > **[SmartThings Hub Dongle for TV | Samsung US](https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/television-home-theater-accessories/televisions/smartthings-hub-dongle-vg-stdb10a-za/)** > > The SmartThings Hub Dongle allows you to seamlessly connect your smart TV as a SmartThings Hub& control Zigbee devices. The Aeotec “works as a smartthings hub” Model _is_ a Thread border router and supports zwave as well as Zigbee and WiFi. The manufacturer sells it through Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-SmartThings-Gateway-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B08TWDNQ5Q?ref\_=ast\_sto\_dp](https://www.amazon.com/Aeotec-SmartThings-Gateway-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B08TWDNQ5Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp) The smartthings station is a new hub model. It does support both zigbee and Thread as well as Wi-Fi and it is also a thread border router. But it does not support zwave. [https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-SmartThings-Station-Wireless-EP-P9500TBEGUS/dp/B0BRNST1JB/](https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-SmartThings-Station-Wireless-EP-P9500TBEGUS/dp/B0BRNST1JB/) Other than the protocol differences, I believe they all work in a similar way with the smartthings app. So it really comes down to whether you want to be able to use zwave devices or not. ---
**Author:** ![AurElHA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/aurelha/32/182999_2.png) [@AurElHA](https://community.smartthings.com/u/AurElHA)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 4:44am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/4 "2023-10-14T04:44:21Z")
> [@JDRoberts](#): > > The smartthings station is a new hub model. It does support both zigbee and Zwave as well as Wi-Fi and it is also a thread border router. The Station doesn’t support z-wave, but does support Thread and Matter. ---
**Author:** ![Alwas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Alwas](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Alwas)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 5:23am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/5 "2023-10-14T05:23:56Z")
Yes there’s been many discussions in the forum about the Station not supporting Z-wave, including with ST staff 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![JDRoberts](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jdroberts/32/56577_2.png) [@JDRoberts](https://community.smartthings.com/u/JDRoberts)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/6 "2023-10-14T13:56:49Z")
> [@AurElHA](#): > > The Station doesn’t support z-wave, but does support Thread and Matter. Thanks for the correction! I was really tired yesterday, and misspoke. I have fixed my post above. Apologies for any confusion! ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Blackwell](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/mark_blackwell/32/169526_2.png) [@Mark\_Blackwell](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Mark_Blackwell)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/7 "2024-10-22T16:14:26Z")
I have two dongles attached to two 2022 Samsung TVs, but only one is operational as rather disappointingly unlike the hubs, dongles cannot currently work as a hub group. It is also not possible to back up to facilitate changing or upgrading hubs. Need to keep reminding Samsung that this needs to be fixed! ---
**Author:** ![Element](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a698b9/32.png) [@Element](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Element)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/8 "2024-10-22T22:03:08Z")
Just putting this here for someone who searches, the dongle is a “lite” version of a hub it has lower memory there is a limitation on how many edge drivers / devices you can have. as mentioned before by Mark, they wont work has hub groups or allowing to migrate devices to a new hub. its a good way to get started but you soon realize that it has its limitations. i would recommend, if you can get a hub. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Blackwell](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/mark_blackwell/32/169526_2.png) [@Mark\_Blackwell](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Mark_Blackwell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 10:20am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/hub-vs-dongle/271468/9 "2024-10-23T10:20:38Z")
Than you Element, no doubt all true, but it would certainly help if Samsung had some official clarification on this … I have not seen anything so far.