Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular as technology continues to advance and make our lives easier.
With a smart home, you can control everything from your lights and temperature to your security system from a single device.
SmartApps are IoT applications on the SmartThings platform that enables automation of home devices.
One of the most essential parts of a smart home is a smart dashboard. A smart dashboard allows you to control all your smart home devices from one central location, without having to constantly switch between different apps on your phone.
If you’re looking to create a smart home, finding the right smart dashboard is crucial. To help with your search, this article will provide you with information on some of the best smart dashboards available on the market.
After thorough research, including watching videos, reading articles, and reviewing customer feedback, four top-performing smart dashboards have been selected.
The article will delve into the cost, user experience, free trial period, automation capabilities, and ease of access of each of the four products.
By providing you with an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of each dashboard, we aim to assist you in making an informed decision on which smart dashboard best fits your needs and preferences.
| SharpTools.io Dashboard – The Ideal Automation Solution | SharpTools.io is a web-based control panel that offers a visually appealing and intuitive interface to control smart home devices connected to SmartThings, Home Assistant, or Hubitat. It features a Rule Engine for automation creation, customization options, and a 14-day trial period, but requires an annual fee of $30. |
| ActionTiles Dashboard – Most User-Friendly | ActionTiles is a user-friendly web-based platform that offers robust customization options for home automation. It is compatible with SmartThings and offers a 14-day free trial period, but has an annual cost of $28.99. |
| HousePanel Dashboard – Most Customizable and Open-Source | HousePanel Dashboard is a customizable, open-source web platform for home automation accessible from any smart device with an internet connection, but requires technical knowledge and may not have a visually appealing interface. It is compatible with popular smart home solutions and is free to use. |
| webCoRE Dashboard – Ideal for Technical Enthusiasts | webCoRE is a free, open-source home automation platform with a unique rule engine and compatibility with SmartThings, but requires technical knowledge and has a simple interface design. It offers numerous customization options for creating automation commands. |
| Before installing a SmartThings panel, it’s important to consider the following factors: | Ease of Use Customization Connectivity and Device Support Universal Software Sensor Options Supported Protocols |
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SharpTools.io Dashboard – The Ideal Automation Solution
SharpTools.io offers an intuitive, web-based control panel with a wealth of customization options. With visually appealing graphics and the ability to access the dashboard from any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, SharpTools.io offers a seamless user experience.
This powerful dashboard can connect to SmartThings, Home Assistant, or Hubitat, and offers the ability to set a list of preferred devices for easy access.
The standout feature of SharpTools.io is its Rule Engine, which allows for creating automation commands without the need for coding.
Image Credit: Reddit
For example, you can set up an automation that alerts you if your garage door is left open for too long, or even create custom “If this, then that” automation, such as locking the main door if it is not closed and locked within 10 minutes.
SharpTools.io also offers a free 14-day trial period, giving users the opportunity to experience their premium services before making a purchase. Customization options include the ability to choose images and color themes to personalize the user interface.
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Wide compatibility with popular smart home automation platforms
- Extensive customization options for personalized dashboards
- Powerful automation and rules engine for complex routines
Cons:
- Subscription-based pricing model
- The learning curve for advanced features and automation capabilities
- Dependence on stable Internet connectivity
- Potential limitations in device compatibility
ActionTiles Dashboard – Most User-Friendly
ActionTiles is a robust alternative to the SharpTools.io dashboard, offering similar features. Like SharpTools.io, it is a web-based platform that does not require any downloads.
Customization is at the forefront of ActionTiles, allowing you to tailor the dashboard to your home automation needs.
Creating automation commands is made easy with the option to create them directly on the dashboard.
ActionTiles supports numerous dashboards and even allows you to add multiple locations to each dashboard.
Getting started is simple, all you need is to create an ActionTiles account and connect it to your internet service. The platform is secure and you can rest assured your privacy is protected.
ActionTiles is also reviewed and certified by SmartThings, offering compatibility between the two platforms for a seamless user experience.
A free 14-day trial period is offered so you can test the product before committing to a purchase.
Pros:
- Easy setup and configuration
- Customizable and flexible layouts
- Responsive and mobile-friendly design
- Advanced features and integration with popular smart home platforms
Cons:
- Limited widget and tile options
- The learning curve for advanced configuration
- Lack of native device support
- No offline mode
HousePanel Dashboard – Most Customizable and Open-Source
The HousePanel Dashboard is a customizable, web-based home automation platform that can be run locally on your device.
It can be accessed from any smart device with an internet connection, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Being an open-source platform, it is completely free to use, although it requires some technical know-how to tweak and make the most of it.
This means that it may not be ideal for those new to the home automation space.
However, for those who are already tech-savvy, the HousePanel Dashboard provides a lot of flexibility and freedom to customize it to your exact needs.
It is compatible with popular smart home solutions, including SmartThings, Hubitat, and ISY995, and the latest version is easy to install for optimal performance.
You can also control the appearance of the dashboard and add multiple users, each of whom can customize and save their own version.
Other users are notified on their smartphones for enhanced security when they log in.
Pros:
- Free and open-source platform.
- Can be accessed from any smart device with an internet connection.
- Works with popular smart home solutions like SmartThings.
- Flexible and modular design
- Advanced automation and scripting capabilities
Cons:
- Not suitable for those new to home automation or without technical knowledge.
- Steeper learning curve
- Limited device compatibility
- Low visual appeal and may require coding skills to make the most of it.
- Potential stability issues
webCoRE Dashboard – Ideal for Technical Enthusiasts
webCoRE is a free open-source application that lets you create a dashboard for all your smart devices.
It has a unique rule engine feature and calls its scripts “pistons” written in an easy-to-understand pseudo-scripting language.
However, a decent amount of technical knowledge is required to fully utilize the platform’s potential.
webCoRE is compatible with SmartThings and has a thriving community constantly working to enhance its performance. It offers numerous options for customizing automation commands.
If you’re a tech enthusiast, this platform is free to use and offers free version updates over the web.
Pros:
- Free software.
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Flexible and extensible integration with various smart home platforms
- Visual programming interface for easier automation rule creation
- Active community for support and knowledge sharing
- Allows creating automation commands using the “If this, then that” logic.
Cons:
- The technical learning curve for advanced features
- Dependency on the SmartThings platform for integration
- Reliance on Internet connectivity for dashboard functionality
- Lack of a dedicated native mobile app
Performance and Reliability, as well as Security and Privacy, of the Four Dashboards
| Dashboard | Performance and Reliability | Security and Privacy |
|---|---|---|
| SharpTools.io Dashboard | Offers a responsive and fast performance. Users report smooth control and minimal delays. | Provides secure access through SSL encryption, ensuring data transfer is encrypted. Supports two-factor authentication for enhanced security. The platform has a strong focus on privacy and does not sell or share user data. |
| ActionTiles Dashboard | Generally offers reliable performance with minimal lag. Some users may experience occasional delays during heavy usage periods. | Implements SSL encryption for secure data transfer. Offers optional PIN or password protection for individual tiles or specific dashboards. Privacy policy states that user data is not sold or shared with third parties. |
| HousePanel Dashboard | Performance may vary based on hardware and setup. Users report good responsiveness and reliability overall. | Provides the option to secure the dashboard with a username and password. However, the level of security may depend on the user’s own server configuration. Privacy practices may vary based on server setup and user implementation. |
| webCoRE Dashboard | Performance largely depends on the underlying SmartThings platform. May experience delays or intermittent performance issues during peak usage. | Inherits the security and privacy measures of the underlying SmartThings platform. Utilizes SmartThings authentication, which offers secure access. Privacy practices align with SmartThings’ policies and may vary based on user implementation. |
Before Installing a SmartThings panel, It’s important to Consider the following factors:
- Ease of Use: The SmartThings panel should be user-friendly and easy to maintain, with a good suite of settings to customize your experience.
- Customization: The level of customization offered by the SmartThings panel, such as the number of tiles, arrangement, colors, fonts, and tile settings, should also be considered.
- Connectivity and Device Support: Check if the SmartThings panel supports the smart devices you own or plan to use in the future.
- Universal Software: Some SmartThings panels allow for a variety of smart devices to work seamlessly on a common smart hub by installing the required software.
- Sensor Options: Consider if the SmartThings panel offers universal sensors that can operate multiple smart devices.
- Supported Protocols: The SmartThings panel should be compatible with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Zigbee protocols. Wi-Fi is used for internet connectivity and can drain the battery, so ensure it is connected to a constant power source. Bluetooth is energy efficient and allows for communication between devices. Z-Wave and Zigbee form networks to expand the reach of smart devices, but they are not compatible with smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it worth purchasing a SmartThings control panel?
Ans: If you want to control multiple smart devices in your home using a single app, then the SmartThings control panel is a useful investment.
Q: What occurs when the internet connection is lost on a SmartThings Hub?
Ans: When the internet connection is lost on the SmartThings Hub, it is no longer connected to the router and cannot function without an internet connection.
Q: Can SmartThings work with Bluetooth devices?
Ans: Yes, SmartThings can work with Bluetooth devices such as speakers and headphones.
Q: Is there a monthly cost for using SmartThings?
Ans: No, there is no monthly fee for using SmartThings. You only need to pay for the devices that you connect to the SmartThings Hub.
Conclude
- The article provides information on four of the best smart dashboards available on the market.
- SharpTools.io, ActionTiles, HousePanel, and webCoRE. SharpTools.io is a user-friendly and highly customizable dashboard that allows users to create custom automation commands and is compatible with SmartThings, Home Assistant, or Hubitat.
- ActionTiles is also a user-friendly and customizable dashboard that is compatible with SmartThings and offers multiple automation options.
- HousePanel is a free and open-source dashboard that provides a lot of flexibility and freedom to customize but requires technical know-how.
- webCoRE is a free and open-source platform for technical enthusiasts that has a unique rule engine and a pseudo-scripting language.