If you’re planning a luxury smart home installation, you’ll almost certainly encounter two names above all others: Crestron and Savant. Both are professional-grade control platforms used in the world’s most sophisticated residences. Both require certified integrators. And both are significantly better than consumer platforms like Control4 or Amazon Alexa.
So which one is right for your home? Here’s how GWI — an authorized dealer and installer of both — thinks about this decision.
The Short Answer
Crestron is the integrator’s platform — infinitely customizable, rock-solid reliable, the standard for large-scale and technically complex installations. Savant is the client’s platform — more intuitive interface, beautiful hardware design, and a superior out-of-the-box experience for clients who want elegance over configurability.
Interface & Daily Use
Savant wins here. The Savant app is consistently rated as the most intuitive and beautiful interface in the industry. Scenes are visual. Navigation is logical. Clients who’ve never used a smart home system can figure it out in minutes. Savant’s physical keypads are also designed with a luxury aesthetic that complements high-end interiors.
Crestron’s interface is powerful but more utilitarian. Custom touchpanel designs can be stunning — but that customization requires significant programming investment. The default Crestron interface is functional, not beautiful.
Reliability & Performance
Crestron wins here. Crestron processors are legendary for uptime. In mission-critical installations — commercial AV, government facilities, broadcast — Crestron is the standard for a reason. For residential clients who cannot tolerate system downtime, Crestron’s reliability track record is unmatched.
Savant has improved significantly in recent years and is highly reliable for residential use. But when integrators are discussing which platform to recommend for a technically complex, high-uptime estate, Crestron is the default choice.
Customization
Crestron wins decisively. Crestron’s programming language (SIMPL and C#) allows integrators to build virtually any custom function. Complex conditional logic, custom drivers for unusual equipment, highly specific automation rules — Crestron can do it. Savant’s programming environment is more constrained, which makes it easier to program consistently but limits what’s possible at the edges.
Cost
Both platforms are premium investments. As a rough comparison:
- Savant systems typically run $30,000–$120,000 for a luxury residence
- Crestron systems typically run $40,000–$200,000+ for comparable scope
- Both require certified integrators — GWI is authorized for both
GWI’s Recommendation
We recommend Savant for clients who prioritize a beautiful, intuitive daily experience and want their family members to use the system confidently. We recommend Crestron for technically complex installations, commercial applications, and clients who need maximum customization and long-term reliability for mission-critical systems.
In either case, the platform is only as good as the programming behind it. A brilliantly programmed Savant system outperforms a poorly programmed Crestron system every time.