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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Matter vs Z-Wave Alliance

Matter logo

Matter

IoT & Smart Home

Unified smart home connectivity standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

IoT & Smart Home

Wireless communication protocol 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.; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: Matter covers Unified Standard, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Matter and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where Matter and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeMatterZ-Wave Alliance
PlatformsMatter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local controlZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded20212001

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
  • All major ecosystems
  • HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • Alexa
  • SmartThings

Only in Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant
  • Z-Wave devices support

Both cover

  • Interoperable

What people use each for

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

Matter

  • Cross-ecosystem compatibilitynot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Future-proof devicesnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Simplified setupnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Local controlnot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Matter
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Matter
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot 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.

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

Pricing, plan by plan

Matter

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

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 Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is Matter or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. Matter starts at Free and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Matter or Z-Wave Alliance?
Matter starts at Free and Z-Wave Alliance at Free.
Does Matter or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
Matter runs on Matter-enabled devices, All major hubs, Cloud, Local control. Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
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 Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can Matter do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
Matter covers Unified Standard, Multi-Admin, Secure Communication, All major ecosystems. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Smart home hubs. Both handle Interoperable.
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