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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Matter vs SmartThings

Matter logo

Matter

IoT & Smart Home

Unified smart home connectivity standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartThings logo

SmartThings

IoT & Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Matter the Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Matter page on 1 January 2023 confirmed Matter itself is a free, open IP-based connectivity standard with no license fee to implement; manufacturers instead pay a separate certification fee to certify individual devices.; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • They diverge on capability: Matter covers Unified Standard, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Matter and SmartThings actually diverge.

Attributes where Matter and SmartThings differ
AttributeMatterSmartThings
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsMatter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local controliOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub
Founded20211938

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Matter

  • Unified Standard
  • Multi-Admin
  • Secure Communication
  • Interoperable
  • All major ecosystems
  • HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • Alexa

Only in SmartThings

  • Multi-Brand Support
  • Device Control
  • Automations
  • Cloud Backup
  • 500+ device types
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • IFTTT integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Matter

  • Cross-ecosystem compatibilitynot SmartThings
  • Future-proof devicesnot SmartThings
  • Simplified setupnot SmartThings
  • Local controlnot SmartThings

SmartThings

  • Smart home controlnot Matter
  • Automation routinesnot Matter
  • Device integrationnot Matter
  • Remote monitoringnot Matter

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Matter

  • The Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Matter page on 1 January 2023 confirmed Matter itself is a free, open IP-based connectivity standard with no license fee to implement; manufacturers instead pay a separate certification fee to certify individual devices.

SmartThings

  • Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
  • Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
  • API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant

Pricing, plan by plan

Matter

Free
  • Open StandardFree
    • Unified connectivity
    • Cross-platform
    • Local control

SmartThings

Free
  • Basic (SmartThings app)Free
    • Device control and automation
    • Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter

Which should you pick?

Choose Matter if

  • You need unified standard.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Matter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local control.
  • You also want multi-admin.
Matter review

Choose SmartThings if

  • You need multi-brand support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
  • You also want device control.
SmartThings review

Questions people ask

Is Matter or SmartThings better?
Neither clearly leads. Matter starts at Free and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Matter or SmartThings?
Matter starts at Free and SmartThings at Free.
Does Matter or SmartThings run on more platforms?
Matter runs on Matter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local control. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
Can I use Matter for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Matter best used for?
Matter is most often used for cross-ecosystem compatibility, future-proof devices, simplified setup, local control. Of those, cross-ecosystem compatibility and future-proof devices are not what SmartThings is typically brought in for.
What can Matter do that SmartThings cannot?
Matter covers Unified Standard, Multi-Admin, Secure Communication, Interoperable. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?

No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.

Source
SmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?

Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.

Source
SmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?

Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.

Source
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