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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Matter vs Thread

Matter logo

Matter

IoT & Smart Home

Unified smart home connectivity standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thread logo

Thread

IoT & Smart Home

IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices

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.; Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
  • They diverge on capability: Matter covers Unified Standard, Thread covers IPv6 Mesh.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Matter and Thread actually diverge.

Attributes where Matter and Thread differ
AttributeMatterThread
PlatformsMatter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local controlThread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs
Founded20212014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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
  • Google Home
  • Alexa
  • SmartThings

Only in Thread

  • IPv6 Mesh
  • Self-Healing
  • Secure
  • Low Power
  • Matter
  • Smart devices
  • Smart home hubs
  • Thread devices support

Both cover

  • HomeKit

What people use each for

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

Matter

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

Thread

  • Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot Matter
  • Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Matter
  • Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot 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.

Thread

  • Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
  • Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
  • Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
  • Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
  • The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
  • Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees

Pricing, plan by plan

Matter

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

Thread

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • IPv6 mesh
    • Secure
    • Self-healing

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 Thread if

  • You need ipv6 mesh.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
  • You also want self-healing.
Thread review

Questions people ask

Is Matter or Thread better?
Neither clearly leads. Matter starts at Free and Thread at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Matter or Thread?
Matter starts at Free and Thread at Free.
Does Matter or Thread run on more platforms?
Matter runs on Matter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local control. Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
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 Thread is typically brought in for.
What can Matter do that Thread cannot?
Matter covers Unified Standard, Multi-Admin, Secure Communication, Interoperable. Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Both handle HomeKit.
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