For years, protocol fragmentation was the IoT industry's biggest headache — devices from different manufacturers simply refused to work together. The Matter standard was created precisely to solve this problem. It is an open communication standard designed to make smart devices work together regardless of brand and ecosystem. In this article we explain what the Matter standard is, how it works with the Thread network, and what it means for makers of IoT solutions.
In short: Matter is an open application-layer standard that provides interoperability for smart home and IoT devices, most often running over the Thread network — thanks to it, hardware from different manufacturers works together locally, even without the cloud.
What is the Matter standard?
Matter is an open, royalty-free interoperability standard for Internet of Things devices, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance with the support of Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. Its main goal is to ensure that products from different vendors communicate with one another in a consistent and secure way.
In practice, the Matter standard operates at the application layer — it defines a common "language" that describes what a given device is (a bulb, a sensor, a lock) and what functions it has. As a result, a single controller can handle hardware from many brands without additional bridges and integrations. For companies, this means the end of costly maintenance of separate integrations for each platform, and a real simplification of the supply chain and technical support. At the same time, the standard is gaining ever-broader support from manufacturers worldwide.
Thread — the network Matter relies on
Matter is not itself a radio network — it uses existing transport layers: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread. Thread is the most interesting piece of this puzzle for battery-powered devices.
Thread is an energy-efficient mesh network based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard — the same one used by Zigbee. In a mesh network, every mains-powered device acts as a router and forwards packets onward, which increases range and reliability. The network has no single point of failure, and communication happens natively over IPv6, which simplifies cloud integration. Unlike a traditional star topology, the failure of a single node does not shut down the entire installation, which is critical in commercial facilities.
Why IoT interoperability has been a problem until now
Before the Matter standard appeared, the smart-device market resembled the Tower of Babel. Manufacturers used their own protocols and clouds, and the user often had to install a separate app for each piece of hardware.
The most common pains of fragmentation were:
- a lack of cooperation between devices from different brands within one ecosystem,
- dependence on the manufacturer's cloud and the risk of losing functionality once it is shut down,
- complex deployments requiring multiple gateways,
- an inconsistent approach to security and updates,
- higher integration costs on the manufacturer's and installer's side.
What benefits does the Matter standard bring?
Adopting Matter translates into real benefits both for end users and for the companies designing devices.
For the user
Simpler setup (QR-code pairing), local operation without dependence on the internet, and freedom of choice — the same lock or sensor works with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa simultaneously.
For the manufacturer
A single certification instead of many integrations, a shorter time to market, and access to the entire ecosystem of the largest platforms. This lowers costs and technology risk.
Matter in practice — applications in buildings and hospitality
Although Matter is mainly associated with the smart home, its potential in the commercial segment is enormous. In smart buildings and hotels it makes it possible to tie together control of lighting, air conditioning, blinds, and access control in one coherent system. A good example of an edge device in such an ecosystem is our Perrugi smart lock.
For hospitality facilities this means less dependence on a single vendor and easier expansion of the installation with new devices. The local operation of the Thread network also increases reliability — room control works even during a temporary outage of the internet connection.
How do you implement the Matter standard in an IoT product?
Implementing Matter is not just a marketing decision but, above all, a hardware and firmware project. The key steps include:
- selecting a radio chip that supports Thread or Wi-Fi (see our guide ESP32 vs STM32),
- integrating the Matter stack into the device firmware,
- implementing secure provisioning and X.509 certificates,
- providing OTA updates compliant with the standard's requirements,
- passing the certification process at the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
At this stage it is worth working with a team experienced in electronics and firmware design, because stability, security, and successfully passing certification all depend on the quality of the implementation.
Matter and device security
Security was built into the Matter standard from the ground up. Every device must have a unique certificate attesting to its authenticity (Device Attestation Certificate), which makes it impossible to impersonate hardware from a trusted manufacturer.
Communication is encrypted by default, and the process of joining a device to the network (commissioning) uses a secure key exchange. Thanks to this, the Matter standard eliminates many classic vulnerabilities — we write more about this in our article on IoT security best practices.
Versions and evolution of the Matter standard
The Matter standard is developed through periodic updates that expand the list of supported device categories and improve its operation. Successive releases have added support for devices such as cameras, robot vacuums, and advanced energy-management systems.
For manufacturers this means that investing in Matter is future-proof — hardware designed today will gain new capabilities as the ecosystem evolves. It is worth designing firmware with OTA updates in mind, however, so that successive versions of the standard can be rolled out without replacing devices.
Challenges worth keeping in mind
Despite its many advantages, adopting the Matter standard comes with certain challenges. The maturity of individual implementations varies, and some advanced device functions may still require additional, proprietary extensions that go beyond the standard.
The choice of the right hardware and border router — which connects the Thread network with the rest of the infrastructure — also matters; here an edge computing approach can help. A well-planned architecture at the design stage helps avoid costly fixes later.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the Matter standard replace Zigbee and Z-Wave?
Not necessarily right away. Matter operates at the application layer and can coexist with existing protocols through bridges. In the longer term, however, it will take over the role of the main interoperability standard.
Does Matter require an internet connection?
No. One of its greatest advantages is local operation — devices communicate within the home or building network without needing to connect to the cloud, which improves speed and privacy.
Which devices can use Matter?
The standard covers ever-broader categories: lighting, sensors, locks, thermostats, blinds, sockets, and cameras. The list of supported device types is being expanded systematically.
The Matter standard, together with the Thread network, is genuinely changing the rules of the game in the IoT world — it simplifies integration, increases reliability, and gives manufacturers access to the largest ecosystems. If you are planning to deploy Matter-compatible devices or considering modernizing your IoT product, get in touch with us — we will help design hardware and firmware ready for the new interoperability standard.
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