A software development kit (SDK) is provided royalty-free,[13][14] though the ability to commission a finished product into a Matter network in the field mandates certification and membership fees,[15][16] entailing both one-time, recurring, and per-product costs.[17] This is enforced using a public key infrastructure (PKI) and so-called device attestation certificates.[15]
Matter-compatible software updates for many existing hubs became available in late 2022,[18][19][20] with Matter-enabled devices and software updates starting to release in 2023.[21]
Background
In December 2019, Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung SmartThings and the Zigbee Alliance announced the collaboration and formation of the working group of Project Connected Home over IP. The goal of the project is to simplify development for smart home product brands and manufacturers while increasing the compatibility of the products for consumers.[22][23]
The standard operates on Internet Protocol (IP) and functions via one or more controllers that connect and manage devices within your local network, eliminating the need for multiple proprietary hubs. Matter-certified products are engineered to operate locally and do not depend on an internet connection for their core functions.[24] Leveraging IPv6 addressing,[25] the standard facilitates seamless communication with cloud services. Its goal is to facilitate interoperability among smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services, employing a specific suite of IP-based networking technologies such as mDNS and IPv6.[26] By adhering to a network design that operates at the Application Layer of the OSI 7 layer model, Matter differs from protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave and theoretically can function on any IPv6-enabled network. Presently, official support is limited to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and the wireless mesh network Thread.[27]
Versions
Updates to the standard are planned to occur biannually.[28]
Version 1.1 of the specification was published on 18 May 2023. Although a new version, it did not include any new categories, only bug fixes and enhancements to existing SDK, API and devices.[31]
Version 1.2 of the specification was published on 23 October 2023. This version added nine new device types (refrigerators, portable air conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washers, robotic vacuum cleaners, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, air quality sensors, air purifiers, and fans). It also provides revisions and additions to existing categories, improvements to the specification and SDK, and certification and testing tools.[32]
Version 1.3 of the specification was published on 8 May 2024. This version added support for water and energy management devices as well as appliance support for ovens, microwave ovens, cooktops, extractor hoods, laundry dryers, and Matter-casting media players. Scenes and command-batching were also added.[33]
Version 1.4 of the specification was released on 7 November 2024, introducing an expanded focus on electricity-related areas, including batteries, solar systems, home routers, water heaters, and heat pumps. It also featured enhancements to existing areas, such as increased support for electric vehicle chargers, along with significant improvements to Threads devices. [34]
Version 1.4.1 of the specification was released on 7 May 2025. This minor version adds NFC onboarding and multi-device setup.[35]
For future versions, the working group has been working on support for ambient motion and presence sensing, environmental sensing and controls, closure sensors, energy management, Wi-Fi access points, cameras, and major appliances.[28]
Supported devices
CSA maintains the official list of Matter-certified products,[36] and restricts use of the Matter logo to certified devices. Matter product certification is also stored on the CSA's Distributed Compliance Ledger (DCL),[37] which publishes attestation information about certified devices.
Lights, locks, outlets, switches, sensors (contact), thermostats, and window coverings[47]
Amazon Echo smart speakers, Echo Pop, Echo Dot, and Echo Dot with Clock (third-gen and newer)
No
Echo Studio
No
Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 (second-gen and newer)
No
Echo Show 10 (third-gen)
No
Echo Input, Flex, and Plus (v2)
No
Echo (4th-gen)
Yes
Eero Pro 6E, Pro 6, 6 Plus, 6, PoE 6, and PoE Gateway
Yes
Echo Show 8 (third-gen)
Yes
Eero Max 7
Yes
Benefits
The primary goal of Matter is to improve interoperability for the current smart home ecosystem. CSA and its members aim for the Matter logo to become ubiquitous and for consumers to instantly recognise it as a smart home device that will "just work".[48]
There are numerous other benefits that Matter brings when compared to the current smart home ecosystem:[citation needed]
Local control
Multi-admin control
More competition among smart home manufacturers
Lower technical overhead for IoT device developers
See also
KNX – an open standard (see EN 50090, ISO/IEC 14543) for commercial and residential building automation
Thread – low-power mesh protocol designed for battery-powered devices, which Matter uses as one of its supported transport layers
Zigbee and Z-Wave – wireless mesh protocols for home automation, can be used with Matter and a compatible bridge
Amazon Alexa – Amazon's smart assistant and home control system
