The platform decision is one of the most consequential choices in any smart home project — it determines your system's capabilities, its longevity, its interface, and who can service it. Here is an honest assessment of the professional platforms we use and recommend.
Control4
Control4 is the most widely deployed professional smart home platform in North America, and for good reason. It offers an exceptional combination of capability, reliability, and value. The ecosystem is enormous — thousands of certified device drivers, a mature programming environment, and a large dealer network for support anywhere you travel. The user interface, particularly the Control4 app and OS3 touchscreens, is elegant and intuitive.
Best for: Luxury homes in the $1.5M–$5M range, families with multiple technology users, clients who want comprehensive integration at a strong value point.
Crestron
Crestron represents the highest tier of residential automation — and commercial-grade performance. Crestron systems are programmed in a proprietary language that requires specialist training, which is why Crestron installations are more expensive and more rare. The performance ceiling is essentially unlimited. Response times are faster. The integration depth with professional AV equipment is unmatched. Crestron is the platform of choice for projects where no compromise is acceptable.
Best for: Estate-scale projects above $5M in value, dedicated home theaters requiring reference-grade performance, clients who use Crestron in their commercial environments and expect the same at home.
Savant
Savant has carved a strong position in the ultra-luxury segment with a particular emphasis on interface elegance. The Savant app is arguably the most beautifully designed in the professional category. Savant has deep roots in the Apple ecosystem and appeals to clients who prioritize aesthetics and simplicity as much as capability.
Best for: Design-forward homes where aesthetic consistency matters, Apple-centric households, clients who prioritize interface refinement.
Lutron (Lighting)
Lutron is not a full-home automation platform — it is the undisputed leader in professional lighting and shading control. We design Lutron Homeworks into virtually every luxury integration we complete, regardless of which automation platform handles the broader system. Lutron's Clear Connect wireless protocol is the most reliable in the industry. Their keypads are beautiful, their scenes are flawless, and their track record spans decades.
How We Choose
Platform selection depends on property scale, budget, the client's technical appetite, and what they value most. We present options, explain tradeoffs honestly, and make a recommendation we would be comfortable standing behind in five years. We do not push clients toward platforms because of margin — we recommend what serves each project best.