SmartThings is a powerful platform for connecting and managing devices across multiple properties. However, there are specific limits and definitions you need to know when scaling across buildings, portfolios, or enterprise use cases.

This article explains each key concept — Account, Location, Hub, Device, Node — how they relate to each other, and the limits you’ll encounter.

• Your SmartThings login identity (email + password). 
• Holds your locations, hubs, devices, and automations. 
• Limit: 10 locations per account. 
• If you need more than 10 locations, you must create an additional account.
  • Tip for creating extra accounts - Use Plus Addressing:The "email trick" of adding + followed by text (like +1 or +Facebook) before the "@" in your Gmail address is called Plus Addressing. This technique creates unique, virtual email addresses for different purposes, such as online registrations or filtering, without needing to create new accounts. All emails sent to these modified addresses are delivered to your main inbox, but you can use filters to sort them or track which services share your information by using a unique tag for each service.
    • Property@domain.com 
    • Property+Smartthings1@domain.com
    • Property+Smarthings2@domain.com
    • Property+Smarthings3@domain.com 
    • etc

• A container for devices, hubs, rooms, and automations.
• Think of a property (e.g., “Liberty Towers” or “Community Clubhouse”).
• Limit: 10 locations per account. 

• The physical SmartThings/Aeotec Hub that connects to Z-Wave, Zigbee, LAN, or Matter devices.
• Each location can have one primary hub, though multiple hubs can be added.
• Limit: ~300 devices per hub.

• The actual connected hardware: locks, thermostats, lights, motion sensors, etc.
• Devices are controlled through the hub and grouped by location.
• Limit: 300 devices per hub/location.

• A network address on the Z-Wave or Zigbee network.
• Each device is made up of 1 or more nodes (e.g., a multi-function device like a power strip may use multiple nodes).
• Limit: 232 nodes per hub (per Z-Wave spec).

• 1 Account → 10 Locations

• 10 Locations → 10 Hubs

• 10 Hubs → ~3,000 Devices (10 × 300)

• Devices → made up of Nodes (up to 232 per hub for Z-Wave devices)

Important: You cannot add more than 10 locations to a single account. If you try, you’ll see the error:

“You can’t add more than 10 locations to SmartThings. Remove a location and try again.”