Software · head to head
Thread vs Zigbee Alliance
Zigbee Alliance
Software
Low-power wireless standard for IoT and smart home
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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; Zigbee Alliance the Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Zigbee page on 4 January 2024 confirmed Zigbee is a protocol standard rather than a purchased product, with the Alliance's revenue coming from member dues and per-device certification fees rather than a software price list.
- They diverge on capability: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Zigbee Alliance covers Mesh Networking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and Zigbee Alliance actually diverge.
| Attribute | Thread | Zigbee Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs | Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms |
| Founded | 2014 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Secure
- HomeKit
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
- Thread devices support
- Apple Home support
Only in Zigbee Alliance
- Mesh Networking
- Scalable
- Smart home devices
- Hubs
- Controllers
- Integration platforms
- Zigbee devices support
- Smart home hubs support
Both cover
- Self-Healing
- Low Power
- Mesh networks support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot Zigbee Alliance
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Zigbee Alliance
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot Zigbee Alliance
Zigbee Alliance
- Smart lightingnot Thread
- Sensor networksnot Thread
- Home automationnot Thread
- Industrial monitoringnot Thread
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Zigbee Alliance
- The Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Zigbee page on 4 January 2024 confirmed Zigbee is a protocol standard rather than a purchased product, with the Alliance's revenue coming from member dues and per-device certification fees rather than a software price list.
Pricing, plan by plan
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
Zigbee Alliance
Free- Open SpecificationFree
- Low power mesh
- Self-healing
- Interoperable
Which should you pick?
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 secure.
Choose Zigbee Alliance if
- You need mesh networking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms.
- You also want scalable.
Questions people ask
- Is Thread or Zigbee Alliance better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread starts at Free and Zigbee Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Thread or Zigbee Alliance?
- Thread starts at Free and Zigbee Alliance at Free.
- Does Thread or Zigbee Alliance run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. Zigbee Alliance runs on Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Thread best used for?
- Thread is most often used for low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices, interoperable device networking underneath matter, certifying wireless products for network interoperability. Of those, low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices and interoperable device networking underneath matter are not what Zigbee Alliance is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that Zigbee Alliance cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Secure, HomeKit, Matter. Zigbee Alliance covers Mesh Networking, Scalable, Smart home devices, Hubs. Both handle Self-Healing, Low Power, Mesh networks support.