Protocol comparison

Zigbee vs Matter

Zigbee and Matter are both maintained by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, and Matter over Thread uses the same IEEE 802.15.4 radio at 2.4 GHz as Zigbee. The main difference is the network layer: Zigbee has its own non-IP stack and needs a Zigbee coordinator or hub, while Matter is an IP-based application layer that runs over Thread, Wi-Fi or Ethernet and is designed so one device can be controlled by several ecosystems at once. Both have alliance certification programmes, and certified products are listed publicly. For shading motors and blind controllers, which one fits depends on the hub or controllers already in the home and the platforms the user wants to use.

Key differences

Differences between Zigbee vs Matter, each with its source
	Zigbee	Matter	Source
Steward	Connectivity Standards Alliance	Connectivity Standards Alliance (Thread radio layer: Thread Group)	csa-iot.org
Radio	IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz; Sub-GHz (800 MHz Europe, 900 MHz North America) added from Zigbee PRO 2023	Thread (IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz), Wi-Fi or Ethernet	csa-iot.org
IP-based	No; own network and application layers	Yes; runs over IPv6	csa-iot.org
Topology	Mesh; mains-powered devices route	Thread mesh with border routers; Wi-Fi devices join the router	threadgroup.org
Hub or controller	Zigbee coordinator (hub or gateway)	Matter controller; Thread devices also need a Thread border router	csa-iot.org
Multiple ecosystems	One coordinator per network	Multi-admin: one device can be added to several controllers	csa-iot.org
Certification	Zigbee certification programme, public product listing	Matter certification programme, public listing and Distributed Compliance Ledger	csa-iot.org
Window covering support	Window covering device type in the Zigbee cluster library	Window covering device type, part of Matter 1.0; Matter 1.5 reworked closures (shades, drapes, awnings, gates, garage doors)	csa-iot.org

Steward

Zigbee: Connectivity Standards Alliance
Matter: Connectivity Standards Alliance (Thread radio layer: Thread Group)
Source: csa-iot.org

Radio

Zigbee: IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz; Sub-GHz (800 MHz Europe, 900 MHz North America) added from Zigbee PRO 2023
Matter: Thread (IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz), Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Source: csa-iot.org

IP-based

Zigbee: No; own network and application layers
Matter: Yes; runs over IPv6
Source: csa-iot.org

Topology

Zigbee: Mesh; mains-powered devices route
Matter: Thread mesh with border routers; Wi-Fi devices join the router
Source: threadgroup.org

Hub or controller

Zigbee: Zigbee coordinator (hub or gateway)
Matter: Matter controller; Thread devices also need a Thread border router
Source: csa-iot.org

Multiple ecosystems

Zigbee: One coordinator per network
Matter: Multi-admin: one device can be added to several controllers
Source: csa-iot.org

Certification

Zigbee: Zigbee certification programme, public product listing
Matter: Matter certification programme, public listing and Distributed Compliance Ledger
Source: csa-iot.org

Window covering support

Zigbee: Window covering device type in the Zigbee cluster library
Matter: Window covering device type, part of Matter 1.0; Matter 1.5 reworked closures (shades, drapes, awnings, gates, garage doors)
Source: csa-iot.org

In our catalogue

67 products list Zigbee in our catalogue. See them →
24 products list Matter in our catalogue. See them →

When to choose which

Existing Zigbee hub. If the home already runs a Zigbee coordinator, for example a smart-home hub or gateway with Zigbee radio, Zigbee motors join that network without extra infrastructure.

Several ecosystems or no hub yet. If the user wants the same blinds in more than one platform, for example Apple Home and Google Home, Matter's multi-admin design addresses that directly. Matter over Thread needs a Thread border router, which is built into some smart speakers, hubs and routers.

Battery motors. Both Zigbee and Thread support low-power end devices; check the motor's stated battery life and reporting interval rather than the protocol name.

Bridges. Some hubs expose Zigbee devices to Matter controllers through a bridge, so a mixed home is possible; features passed through the bridge depend on the bridge.

Check the public certification listing for the exact model in either case.

Protocol pages

Sources

No brand or lab has paid to appear on this page. Neutrality policy