Savant vs. Control 4: Which Home Automation System Is Right for You?

Smart home automation systems are prevalent nowadays. However, choosing the appropriate system can take time and effort for most people. So, in this article, a comparison between Savant and Control 4 will be shown, the two leading smart home automation systems. Please make the right choice after reading this article.

Overview of Savant and Control 4

Savant and Control 4 are popular home automation systems but have some apparent distinctions. This part will discuss some basics of the two smart systems.

What is Savant?

Savant is a complete integrated solution suite developer and manufacturer that provides the foundation for modern home and business automation. Savant's Apple-based platforms address the control, audio/video, telephony, digital display, energy management, and media integration needs of today's most advanced environments.
 
By partnering with Apple, Savant leverages the familiarity and intuitiveness of the iPad and iOS devices to meet today's consumers' control and automation needs.

What is Control 4?

Control 4 is a provider of automation and networking systems for homes and businesses, offering customizable, unified smart home systems for controlling connected devices such as lighting, audio, video, climate control, intercom, and security, with the ability to integrate all smart home devices into one easy-to-use control panel.

Quick Comparison Between Savant and Control4

Savant and Control 4 are versatile smart automation systems, and it is hard to distinguish which is the best. The main difference between them lies in their operating systems. Savant operate over iOS system while Control 4 is based on Linux. Take a quick look at the comparison table.

Key Differences Between Savant and Control 4

Apart from the operating system, Savant also differs from Control 4 in the following aspects.

Operating system

Savant's system is based on iOS, while Control 4's is based on Linux, which gives Savant an advantage in updates and new features since Apple rolls out iOS updates much faster than Control 4 releases new versions of its operating system. So Savant is better suited for IOS apps, and Control 4 is better suited for apps other than IOS.

Pricing

Savant systems start at $2,500 for a basic starter kit, but a complete system can cost as much as $30,000. It all depends on your home's size and your project's complexity. A basic starter kit for a Control 4 system costs at least $1,500. However, you may pay more than $10,000 for a complete system.

User Interface

The user interface is one of the most important aspects of any home automation system. Savant's user interface is designed for the iPhone or iPad, and Control 4's user interface can be controlled from a touchscreen, remote control, or smartphone app.

Features and Capabilities

Savant

• Smart Home Control: Savant allows homeowners to control their home's lighting, climate, security, and energy usage from a single app. It will enable users to easily manage TV, audio, and video content from a single platform.
• Customizable Systems: Savant's home automation systems are highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the plan to their needs and preferences.
• Scalable Systems: Savant's systems are scalable to your needs, meaning you can add new features and devices as your needs change.

Control 4

• Customizable Settings: Control 4's solutions offer a personalized experience by enabling customers to design scenes and settings that suit their lifestyles.
• Remote Access: You can adjust your home's lighting, climate, security, and energy use even when not there.
• Expandability: Control 4's system is extendable, similar to Savant's, allowing you to add new features and gadgets as your needs evolve.

Ideal Applications for Savant and Control 4

Savant and Control 4 can be an excellent catalyst for our lives by connecting with different smart devices.

Home Theater

Savant and Control 4 systems are compatible with smart cinema systems, which can automatically adjust the lighting to suit the movie in the home theater. The system also connects to air conditioning and home shading systems to create a theater ambiance through changes in light and temperature to enhance the experience.

Home Security

Security is one of the most advanced technological features a smart home system offers. That means you can use your home system to activate or deactivate your home security system remotely. The good news is that both Savant and Control 4 have integrated electronic doors, locks, and security cameras. However, Control 4's system can be compatible with more electronic locks than the Savant.

Lighting and Shade

Savant and Control 4 both can control all of your lights and curtains. In fact, not only can you turn off every lamp in your home when you go to bed, but you can also control individual window shades to come down at the right time by changing preset scenes based on your mood or time of day.

Energy Management

Savant and Control 4 systems are compatible with the smart thermostats, allowing for adequate distribution of the house's tap water, electricity, and other energies. Smart thermostats make it easier to regulate indoor temperatures while saving money and power.

Savant vs. Control 4: Pros & Cons

Savant and Control 4 have their advantages and downsides. You can choose the suitable systems based on your specific needs.

Savant: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compatibility with Apple devices: The great thing about Savant is that it makes it easy for any Apple user to control their home in an intuitive environment.
• Immersive experience: With the release of Remote x2, the Savant system ensures an immersive home control experience on touchscreens and handheld devices.
• Reliable power supply: Savant supports multi-zone audio technology powered by AVB, which means you can power your entire home from a single rack or multiple racks distributed throughout your home.

Cons:

• Limited compatibility: Savant needs compatibility once it exits the Apple ecosystem. Some popular alarm systems are incompatible with Savant, as are some popular thermostats and HVAC systems.

Control 4: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High-quality sound: You can play all your favorite music throughout the house using Control 4. The quality of the sound can be achieved with almost no delay. The system is compatible with well-known music apps, including Spotify, Pandora, and many more.
• Centralized entertainment control: Control 4 works flawlessly with all your entertainment systems. The universal remote with the system gives you total control over your systems, whether you're attempting to watch movies, television, or sports.
• Overall personalization: Control 4 is designed to make you feel at home at all times. Even when the system is fully installed, you can still adjust it to your specific needs.

Cons:

• Compatibility limitations: One of the drawbacks of Control 4 is its limited compatibility with specific devices and systems. While it can integrate with various popular smart home devices, it may only be compatible with some devices on the market.

• Challenging to begin: To take full advantage of its features, you must learn how to use it. The system can be complex, especially for those new to smart home technology.

Alternatives to Savant and Control 4

Besides Savant and Control 4, you can choose from other multifunctional and efficient smart systems, such as Crestron, Lutron, and Apple Homekit.

Crestron

The Crestron Control System is a smart home system developed by Crestron Electronics designed to simplify and streamline the operation of complex AV systems, allowing users to control multiple devices with a single touch. The core of the Crestron Control System consists of three main components: the Crestron Processor, the User Interface, and the Crestron Device.

Lutron

Lutron is a control system created by Lutron Electronics Company in Pennsylvania. It can connect with smart devices to create the perfect environment for any indoor space using dynamic lighting, dimming, and daylight management, automatically or manually adjusting the color of LED lights. It also intelligently manages shading in the house as well as energy.

Apple Homekit

Apple HomeKit is a software framework and communication protocol. It is developed by Apple that allows users to configure, communicate, and control smart home devices using Apple devices. It will enable users to discover such devices and configure them automatically.

FAQs

How much does the Savant system cost?

As of the time of writing this article, the Savant system is available at prices ranging from $5,000 to $1,000,000. The final cost can be affected by the size and level of your automation setup.

What is the best alternative to Control 4?

There are several alternatives to Control 4 in the market. You can choose the best one based on your specific needs. Some popular options include Amazon Lex, Samsung AR Emoji, Ooma, Axis Communications, Angi, Ingersoll Rand, Tuya Smart, Lutron, Ecobee, and Xfinity.

Which is better, Crestron or Savant?

Savant is an option if you don't need anything extravagant and are looking for a decent home automation product that can be used from a single app.
 
However, Crestron is a better solution if you need a substantial smart home installation with numerous customized features.

Can I install Savant myself?

A complete installation of Savant typically requires professional expertise. So, hiring a certified Savant installer or dealer with the knowledge and experience to set up the system correctly would be better.

Conclusion

The main differences between the two smart systems lie in the price and device compatibility. When choosing between Savant and Control 4, consider your needs and budget. If you're looking for a highly customizable system, Savant may be the better choice, and Savant is more friendly to the Apple ecosystem. However, if you're looking for a system that's easy to integrate with other devices and systems, Control 4 can be your best choice. I hope this article brings you some insights. Please leave comments below and share the article with your friends.