Smart Home · Platform Comparison

Crestron vs Control4 vs Savant: choosing the right platform.

2026-09-24 · Obsidian Audio Video · Houston

The three major smart home platforms — Crestron, Control4, and Savant — all do the same fundamental thing: control lighting, audio, video, shades, climate, and security from a single interface. But they approach it differently, target different markets, and have different strengths.

Crestron

• Strengths: Unlimited scale, deep integration, wired reliability, multi-processor support.
• Weaknesses: Most expensive, requires certified programming, overkill for simple installations.
• Best for: Large estates (8,000+ sq ft), homes with complex AV needs, commercial installations.
• Typical cost: $40,000–$150,000+ for a full home system.

Control4

• Strengths: Moderate cost, large dealer network, good integration with consumer devices.
• Weaknesses: Less flexible than Crestron, limited to a single processor.
• Best for: 3,000–8,000 sq ft homes, homeowners who want professional without the Crestron price.
• Typical cost: $15,000–$50,000 for a full home system.

Savant

• Strengths: Beautiful app, best audio streaming integration, good value at mid-tier.
• Weaknesses: Smaller dealer network, fewer third-party integrations.
• Best for: 3,000–10,000 sq ft homes, design-conscious homeowners, homes where audio is a priority.
• Typical cost: $20,000–$60,000 for a full home system.

How to choose

• Budget under $50K: Control4 or Savant
• Budget $50K–$100K: Savant or Crestron
• Budget $100K+: Crestron
• Want the simplest app: Savant
• Want the most integrations: Crestron
• Want the easiest service: Control4 (largest dealer network)

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