Tado checks the payment model for basic apps of smart heating thermostats

Smart home users are used to being able to switch on and off your devices free of charge via the app. The manufacturers usually pack the smartphone access to the basic functions as a free addition to the hardware purchase. This custom may change if Tado puts a previously unsuccessful marketing test into business practice. Apparently, the Munich provider of smart controls for radiators, air conditioning units and heat pumps of the customers are considering calculating one euro for the basic app operation every month.

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Payment subscription due to high operating costs?

In the community forum A customer reports from Tado that an information window at the TADO online shop at the TADO online shop pointed out to him. According to this, Tado wanted to charge a fee of one pound of sterling per household for access to the Tado app from May 1, 2025. A reddit userwho located in the Netherlands, posted a smartphone screenshot in which he was offered a corresponding “basic” subscription for one euro per month. The change to a payment model should apply from February 19, 2025.

As the reason for the new fee, Tado cited increased costs of the company in both information windows. In the post from UK, the manufacturer pointed out that operating the thermostats via the applications of Apple Home, Google Home and Amazon Alexa would remain free, so operation without running costs would remain possible. But that would be a weak consolation. Because with the additional services mentioned, the temperature can only be changed manually and automated with small-scale if-then rules. They do not offer a heating phase editor like the Tado app.

According to Tado, only one test

But apparently Tado is not serious: a forum admin from Tado answered the post for the info window from the UK and emphasized that it was one of the regular marketing tests with which the manufacturer was with the behavior of customers researched. The announcement of the information window has remained without consequences, and there was no subscription. Anyone who took part in the test run would have kept unrestricted access to the Tado app without the surcharge mentioned. Nevertheless, many Tado customers are worried from this test run. They question the costs of the smart technology with which you can safely plan.

Requesting money for basic apps would be an industry-wide novelty. Tado is already one of the very few smart home companies that charge optional fees for certain automatic extras. Tado demands 3.99 euros a month or 29.99 euros a year for the auto-assist function. It reduces the heating while a window is open to ventilation or you have left the house. If you don't book Auto Assist, just a push message reminds you to lower the temperature using the app. With practically all other thermostat providers, these automatics are also free of charge.