Matter is the universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. It promises "buy once, control from any ecosystem" interoperability.

Overview

Matter is an application layer protocol that runs over WiFi, Thread, or Ethernet. It enables devices from any manufacturer to work with any major smart home platform.

Pros

Universal compatibility - Works with all major platforms
Local control - No cloud required for basic operation
Multi-admin - Control from multiple ecosystems
Open standard - Not locked to one company

Cons

Newer standard - Still maturing
Feature limitations - Some advanced features not yet supported

Supported Platforms

Apple HomeKit
Google Home
Amazon Alexa
Samsung SmartThings