Which Matter hub do I need?
To control your Atios installation through Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Samsung SmartThings, you need a Matter Controller (also called a "hub") on your network. The hub is what executes scenes, schedules, and remote access — and it's what you point your phone at when you want to control things from outside the home.
This guide lists the hubs that work with each ecosystem so you can pick the right one for your setup.
If you're not sure what a Matter Controller is or how it differs from a Matter Bridge, start with What is Matter?.
Pick by ecosystem
One ecosystem is enough — but you can pick more than one
You only need one of these hubs to control your Atios installation. If your household already has, for example, an Apple HomePod for music, you don't need to buy anything else.
Thanks to Matter's multi-admin feature, the same Atios device can be added to multiple ecosystems simultaneously — for example, Apple Home and Google Home in the same household.
Apple Home
| Hub | Notes |
|---|---|
| Apple HomePod (any version) | Full-size or smart speaker; doubles as a music player |
| Apple HomePod mini | Compact; same Matter Controller features |
| Apple TV 4K | If you already have one for streaming, no extra purchase needed |
Google Home
| Hub | Notes |
|---|---|
| Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) | Display + Matter Controller |
| Google Nest Hub Max | Larger display variant |
| Google Nest Wifi Pro | Mesh router that doubles as a Matter Controller |
Amazon Alexa
| Hub | Notes |
|---|---|
| Echo (4th generation or newer) | Smart speaker; check the model is current |
| Echo Hub | Wall-mountable display, dedicated to smart home |
| Echo Show 8 (3rd generation) | Display + speaker |
Samsung SmartThings
| Hub | Notes |
|---|---|
| Samsung SmartThings Station | Compact Matter Controller |
| Samsung SmartThings Hub v3 | Standalone hub |
| Aeotec SmartThings Hub | Third-party hub officially supported by SmartThings |
Other Matter Controllers
If you don't want to commit to one of the four big ecosystems, you have alternatives:
- Home Assistant — open-source platform that runs on a Raspberry Pi, Home Assistant Yellow, or any spare PC. Acts as a Matter Controller and unifies devices from many ecosystems.
- Homey Pro — dedicated smart home hub that supports Matter as one of many protocols.
These are typically used by people who want a single home automation hub independent of any vendor.
What about Thread?
Some Matter devices use Thread instead of Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Thread is a low-power mesh network for battery-powered devices like sensors, and it requires a Thread Border Router to connect into your Matter network.
Most Matter hubs from Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung also act as Thread Border Routers — so adopting Thread devices later doesn't require additional hardware.
Atios devices use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, not Thread. You don't need a Thread Border Router for the Atios KNX Bridge or SmartCore itself.
Network requirements
Whichever hub you choose, plan for:
- A stable Wi-Fi network in the room where the hub lives (or Ethernet for Apple TV / Nest Wifi Pro / SmartThings Hub)
- Internet for remote access and firmware updates — not required for local control once the hub is set up
- One free port on your network switch if you plan to use Ethernet for the hub or for the Atios device itself (PoE recommended for the KNX Bridge)