When clients ask us which smart home system they should install, they usually mention three names: Control4, Crestron, and Savant. These are the big three in professional home automation. All three can control lighting, climate, security, audio, video, and more from a single interface. All three require professional installation and programming. And all three cost significantly more than consumer DIY solutions like Alexa or Google Home.
So which one is right for your home? After working with all three platforms across hundreds of installations in Denver, Parker, and the surrounding areas, here is our honest take on each system, including when each makes sense and where each falls short.
Control4: The Best Balance of Value and Capability
Control4 is the most popular professional automation platform, and for good reason. It offers an exceptional balance of capability, reliability, ease of use, and cost. Control4 runs locally on your network (no cloud dependency), supports over 15,000 third-party devices, and has the largest dealer network in North America. If something goes wrong, you will have no trouble finding support.
- Cost: $5,000 to $30,000 for whole-home systems (most competitive)
- Ease of use: Intuitive apps and touchscreens that anyone can learn
- Reliability: Local processing means it works even when the internet is down
- Integration: 15,000+ compatible devices (more than Crestron or Savant)
- Dealer network: Largest in the industry, easy to find support anywhere
- Scalability: Start small and expand over time without replacing equipment
Control4 is the system we recommend to 80% of clients. It does everything most homeowners need without the complexity and cost of Crestron or the limitations of Savant. It integrates seamlessly with Sonos, Lutron, Nest, Ring, and virtually every other smart device you might own.
Pro tip: Control4 is ideal for homes where reliability, ease of use, and long-term support are priorities. If you want a system that just works, day after day, without fuss, Control4 is the answer.
Crestron: Maximum Capability, Maximum Complexity
Crestron is the Rolls-Royce of home automation. It can do absolutely anything, integrate with any device, and scale to the largest, most complex installations imaginable. Commercial buildings, luxury yachts, and multi-million-dollar estates run Crestron because it has no ceiling on capability.
But that capability comes at a cost. Crestron systems typically run 30 to 50% more than equivalent Control4 installs. Programming is more complex, which means higher labor costs and longer installation times. The dealer network is smaller, so finding local support can be harder. And the user interface, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve.
- Cost: $15,000 to $80,000+ for whole-home systems (30-50% higher than Control4)
- Complexity: Requires specialized programming, longer installation times
- Reliability: Rock-solid, but more complex to troubleshoot
- Integration: Comprehensive, can integrate with virtually anything
- Dealer network: Smaller, support can be harder to find
- Best for: Luxury estates, commercial projects, clients who want maximum control
We recommend Crestron for clients with very large homes (10,000+ square feet), complex integration requirements (whole-estate systems with gatehouses, pools, gyms), or commercial projects where budget is secondary to capability. For most residential clients, Crestron is overkill and not worth the premium.
Savant: Beautiful Interface, Limited Integration
Savant burst onto the scene with a gorgeous, Apple-inspired interface that made Control4 and Crestron look dated. The Savant app is beautiful, intuitive, and feels modern. The company has strong ties to Apple (Savant was founded by former Apple engineers) and integrates seamlessly with iOS devices.
The downside? Savant has significantly fewer third-party integrations than Control4. If a device is not officially supported, integrating it with Savant can be difficult or impossible. The dealer network is also smaller, which can make finding service and support harder, especially outside major metro areas.
- Cost: $10,000 to $40,000 for whole-home systems (comparable to Control4)
- User interface: Beautiful, intuitive, Apple-inspired design
- Reliability: Generally solid, but more cloud-dependent than Control4
- Integration: Limited compared to Control4 (fewer third-party devices)
- Dealer network: Smaller, less support availability
- Best for: Apple-centric households, clients who prioritize aesthetics
Savant is a great choice if you love Apple products, want a beautiful interface, and your integration needs are straightforward (Sonos, Lutron, basic devices). If you plan to integrate niche devices, older equipment, or want maximum flexibility, Control4 is the safer bet.
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Ease of Use: Savant > Control4 > Crestron (Savant has the most intuitive interface)
- Cost: Control4 < Savant < Crestron (Control4 is most affordable)
- Integration: Control4 > Crestron > Savant (Control4 supports the most devices)
- Reliability: Control4 = Crestron > Savant (Control4 and Crestron are local, Savant is hybrid)
- Dealer Network: Control4 > Crestron > Savant (Control4 has the most dealers)
- Scalability: Control4 = Crestron > Savant (Control4 and Crestron scale better)
Our Recommendation
For 80% of homeowners, Control4 is the right choice. It offers the best combination of capability, reliability, cost, and long-term support. It is the Toyota of smart home systems: not flashy, but incredibly reliable and well-supported.
Choose Crestron if you have a very large home, complex requirements, or commercial needs where maximum capability matters more than cost.
Choose Savant if you are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, aesthetics are a top priority, and your integration needs are straightforward.
Pro tip: Still unsure? Schedule a consultation. We will walk you through each system, show you live demos, and help you choose the platform that makes the most sense for your home and budget.
What About DIY Systems Like Alexa or Google Home?
Consumer DIY platforms like Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit are great for basic automation (turning on lights, adjusting thermostats). They are inexpensive and easy to set up. But they have serious limitations: limited device support, no local processing (they stop working when the internet goes down), inconsistent reliability, and no professional programming or support.
Professional systems like Control4, Crestron, and Savant cost more upfront but deliver rock-solid reliability, professional installation, lifetime support, and the ability to integrate virtually any device into a cohesive system. If your home is your largest investment, it deserves a professional solution.