Control4 vs Savant vs Crestron
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Home with Luxury Automation Solutions: Enhancing Comfort, Security, and Efficiency
Boca Tech and Automations’ Expert Insights on Choosing the Right Smart Home Automation System
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Control4 vs Savant vs Crestron
When you look at home automation solutions, it’s clear that homeowners tend to focus on control systems like Control4, Savant, and Crestron. These three control OS companies dominate the conversation. However, Boca Tech and Automation’s CEO, Jeff Galea, and the VP of Business Development, Ron Lennox, argue that many consumers ask the wrong questions when learning about control solutions. The debate often centers on which control system is “better”, but when focusing too much on this part, consumers miss the bigger picture.
Jeff explains that the control system is only part of the overall home automation equation. Issues with home automation setups are often blamed on the control system, but they are more likely to be caused by the devices connected to it, the quality of the network, or the installation process. “You can screw up a Control4 system just as easily as a Crestron or Savant Home Automation system. The control system won’t fix a bad installation, what matters is integration, installation, and long-term support.” – he emphasizes.
In this article, we’ll discuss the control system landscape, highlighting Jeff and Ron’s insights, and explore Control4 vs. Savant vs Crestron — in terms of features and their broader role within luxury home automation.
Control Systems in Home Automation: Not the Problem You Think
Many people blame the control system for issues in their home automation setups, but as Jeff explains, this is a misunderstanding. Control systems like Control4, Savant, and Crestron are a small part of a home automation project, yet they receive the most attention because they are the most visible. Homeowners tend to interact directly with the control system, so they blame the control system when something goes wrong — whether it’s a TV not working, the network going down, or an audio system malfunctioning. Jeff emphasizes that the control system is rarely at fault. “People want to blame the control system, but 90% of the time, it’s something else—like the network or a poorly integrated device”.
Jeff likens this to judging a car by its dashboard: “The dashboard shows you the speedometer, the fuel level, the blinkers, and so on. But it isn’t the car, and the control system isn’t the smart home.” In other words, the control system is simply the interface for interacting with various devices in your home—it’s the “steering wheel,” not the engine.
Evolution of Control Systems: From Custom Programming to Plug-and-Play
One of the most significant changes in the world of home automation is how control systems have evolved over the years. In the early days, systems like AMX and Crestron were the main players, and everything had to be custom programmed for each home. This bespoke programming approach was not only expensive but also time-consuming.
Jeff recalls, “We used to spend tens of thousands of dollars on programming labor just to get one house up and running. Each house was like writing a new website from scratch. Even if two houses were similar, you’d still have to custom program everything.” This approach worked for years, but it was costly and inefficient.
Today, systems like Control4, Crestron Home, and Savant have transitioned to pre-packaged apps and configurations. These modern control systems don’t require the same level of custom programming because they come with built-in libraries of drivers. “We lean toward Control4 because they have the biggest library of drivers,” says Jeff. “It saves us time, and we don’t have to charge clients for custom development. We configure the system using pre-existing drivers.” This shift has made home automation more accessible and affordable for a broader range of homeowners.
Choosing the Right Control System: It’s Not Just About Features
When selecting a control system, several factors must be considered: compatibility with existing and future devices, support, maintenance, and, of course, cost. However, Jeff and Ron caution against focusing too much on the control system itself. The real key, they argue, is picking a system that will work well with the other components in your home automation setup.
“People focus too much on the control system when they should be thinking about the entire home technology footprint,” says Ron. “The control system is just one piece of the puzzle.”
That’s why Control4 often stands out for Boca Tech and Automation. Its product-agnostic nature means it is easier to future-proof a home automation system. “Control4 doesn’t care what brand your devices are—it works with almost everything,” says Ron. “That flexibility is key because it allows us to design the system how we want, knowing that it will still control everything.”
While Savant and Crestron also offer robust control options, they have more limitations. Savant, for example, has more stringent licensing rules, and Crestron requires more custom development for new products. “Savant is great, but when new technology comes out, you often need to upgrade licenses, and it’s not always clear what you need to do,” explains Jeff.
Professional Installation: The Key to Success
At Boca Tech and Automation, Jeff and Ron stress that professional installation is the most critical factor in the success of a home automation system. No matter how good the control system is, the system won’t function properly if the installation is done poorly.
“It’s like plumbing,” Jeff says. “You can have the best Moen faucet in the world, but if the plumber installs it wrong, it will leak. It’s the same with home automation. A great control system won’t fix a bad installation.”
Professional installers set up the system and provide long-term support and maintenance, ensuring that the system continues to function smoothly as new devices are added or updated. Ron adds, “You don’t want someone who jams in the system and walks away. You need a partner who will stick with you for the long haul, making adjustments and updates as your system evolves.” This ongoing support is crucial, especially as technology changes and new devices are introduced into the home.
Control4 vs Savant vs Crestron: Head-to-Head Comparisons
Now that we’ve established that the control system isn’t the most crucial part of the equation let’s compare the systems themselves—keeping in mind the broader context of installation, integration, and long-term support.
Who Competes with Control4?
The competition between Crestron vs Control4 vs Savant is a hot topic. Control4 is often seen as the most versatile option, and for good reason. With its extensive library of drivers, Control4 is more product-agnostic than Crestron and Savant.
While Savant home automation is known for its luxurious, design-driven systems, and Crestron Home excels at large-scale customization, Control4’s flexibility stands out. This makes Control4 a strong competitor for homeowners who need a scalable, customizable solution that doesn’t lock them into specific devices or require extensive custom programming.
Is Control4 Better than Crestron?
When comparing Control4 vs Crestron, it’s essential to consider the scope of your project. Crestron is designed for high-end homes with complex automation needs, offering more customization options and scalability than Control4. However, with that power comes higher costs and a steeper learning curve.
According to Jeff, Crestron vs Control4 used to be a much tougher decision, but things have changed. “Crestron was the only option if you needed complex, custom programming. But today, Control4 can do almost everything Crestron can do at a fraction of the cost and complexity.”
The main advantage of Control4 is its plug-and-play integration of thousands of devices. This reduces the need for custom programming, making it a more affordable and user-friendly option for most homes.
Is Control4 Better than Savant?
The Savant vs Control4 debate often boils down to luxury versus practicality. Savant Systems are known for their focus on high-end design and aesthetics, offering a sleek, intuitive user interface. However, Savant’s limitations in device compatibility and licensing can make it harder to integrate with a wide variety of products.
Jeff explains, “Savant is great for luxury homes, but it’s not as flexible as Control4. Control4 doesn’t care what brand your devices are—it works with almost everything, which is key for long-term viability”.
Is Savant Better than Crestron?
When comparing the Savant home automation cost with Crestron, it’s clear that Savant offers a more affordable entry point into luxury home automation. However, Crestron still reigns supreme when it comes to sheer power and customization.
“Savant is focused more on luxury and design, while Crestron is all about control and customization,” explains Ron. “Crestron is the better choice if you need full control over a large, complex system.”
Crestron’s extensive customization comes with a higher price tag and more complexity, making Savant a better fit for those looking for luxury without the same level of control.
Is Savant Better than Control4?
When comparing Savant vs Control4, it’s essential to consider your priorities. If your focus is on aesthetics, high-end design, and luxury, Savant is hard to beat. However, if you’re looking for flexibility and compatibility with various devices, Control4 is the more practical choice.
Ron sums it up nicely: “Control4 works with virtually everything, which makes it the best option for a system that can grow and adapt over time.”
Who Are Savant Competitors?
While Savant competes primarily with Control4 and Crestron, it also faces competition from smaller players like RTI, Josh AI, and Elan. These systems cater to niche markets but don’t offer the same comprehensive solutions that Control4 and Crestron do.
Jeff points out that “most of these smaller systems aren’t as versatile or future-proof as Control4, especially when it comes to driver support and long-term integration”. Savant remains one of the top choices for luxury automation, but its limitations in device compatibility put it at a disadvantage compared to Control4.
Control4: The Flexible All-Rounder
Control4 is the most flexible and widely compatible control system on the market. This makes it an excellent choice for homeowners who want a system that can grow and evolve with their needs. Another key advantage of Control4 is its affordability. It’s generally less expensive than Crestron and Savant, both in terms of initial setup and ongoing maintenance. However, this doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features—Control4 can handle everything from lighting and HVAC to security and entertainment.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Control4?
The pros of Control4 are clear: it’s versatile and scalable, which makes it ideal for homeowners who want a system that can grow with their needs. The Control4 price list pdf reflects a wide range of pricing options, allowing users to choose between budget-friendly solutions or higher-end configurations.
However, Control4 does have its downsides. While it is more affordable than Crestron, it can still be costly when considering professional installation and maintenance. Additionally, as Jeff points out, “You can still screw up a Control4 system if it’s not installed properly. The control system can’t make up for poor installation.”
What Are the Disadvantages of Control4?
While Control4 is widely praised for its flexibility, a few disadvantages exist. The most significant downside is that, like any other luxury control system, it requires professional installation. While the system is designed to be user-friendly, its performance depends heavily on how well it is installed and maintained.
Another potential drawback is the cost of subscriptions for remote access and cloud-based services. While the basic features of Control4 work without a subscription, additional functionality—like controlling your system from your phone when you’re away from home—requires a subscription.
Ron compares this to other services like Ring or MyQ: “You can use the system without the subscription if you’re at home, but if you want remote access, you need to pay for the cloud service.” While some people are wary of subscription fees, Ron and Jeff agree that the cost is minimal compared to its convenience. “It’s a small price to pay for being able to control your home from anywhere,” says Jeff.
The Future of Control Systems: Will We Still Need Them?
One of the more interesting points Jeff made during the interview is that control systems, as we know them today, may not be around forever. As technology evolves, we may shift toward more direct integration between devices, with less reliance on centralized control systems.
“There will come a day when there are no control systems,” says Jeff. “Things will start to interact more directly.” In other words, the future of home automation may involve more smart devices communicating with each other without the need for a central hub like Control4 or Crestron.
But we’re not there yet. Control systems still play a critical role in managing home automation systems, especially in larger homes with multiple devices and complex setups. “The control system is necessary today, but over time, the role it plays may diminish as devices become more intelligent and interconnected,” Jeff adds.
Conclusion: The Real Key to a Successful Home Automation System
In the end, the question isn’t just whether Control4, Savant, or Crestron is “better.”, the real question is, what system will work best for your specific needs? And more importantly, who will install and maintain it? To learn more about how to choose your Luxury Home Automation integrator, read our blog How to Choose a Home Automation Company.
At Boca Tech and Automation, Jeff Galea and Ron Lennox emphasize that the success of a home automation system depends far more on the quality of the installation and the devices connected to the system than on the control system itself. “People get hung up on the control system, but it’s the installation, integration, and long-term support that really matter.” says Jeff.
Control4’s flexibility and compatibility make it a strong choice for most homeowners, while Savant and Crestron offer powerful options for more specific use cases. Regardless of which system you choose, one thing is clear: the quality of the installation will make or break your smart home experience.
Ready to take the next step in your luxury home automation experience? Contact Boca Tech and Automation to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll help you design a system that meets your needs today—and evolves with your home over time.