Smart City is an emergent strategy and solution for the urbanization problems and the investments in its worldwide market are rapidly. However, the Smart City maturity models are discussed in very few scientific research papers and it is uncertain whether the existing maturity models can fulfil their proposed objectives. Also, there is a limitation in determining the next future level and providing a guidance to progress between the maturity levels. This paper aims to review and compare between the existing smart city maturity models using Pöppelbuß & Röglinger’s design framework toward creating consciousness of the need for comprehensiveness when developing a maturity model. © 2019 Institution of Engineering and Technology. All rights reserved.