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Amazon Alexa vs Crestron

Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Crestron logo

Crestron

Software

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music; Crestron crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Crestron covers Enterprise Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Alexa and Crestron actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Alexa and Crestron differ
AttributeAmazon AlexaCrestron
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOSControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens
Founded19941971

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

Only in Crestron

  • Enterprise Control
  • Powerful Programming
  • Extensive Integration
  • Reliability
  • 5000+ devices
  • Custom protocols
  • Web/Mobile apps
  • Touch panels

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot Crestron
  • Smart shoppingnot Crestron
  • Entertainmentnot Crestron
  • Home securitynot Crestron

Crestron

  • Conference room automationnot Amazon Alexa
  • Building managementnot Amazon Alexa
  • Campus-wide controlnot Amazon Alexa
  • Corporate AVnot Amazon Alexa

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

Crestron

  • Crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

Crestron

On request
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Programming tools
    • Device control
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$10000/month
    • Large deployments
    • Custom solutions
    • Enterprise support

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Choose Crestron if

  • You need enterprise control.
  • You work on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
  • You also want powerful programming.
Crestron review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Alexa or Crestron better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Alexa starts at Free and Crestron at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Alexa or Crestron?
Amazon Alexa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Amazon Alexa and On request for Crestron.
Does Amazon Alexa or Crestron run on more platforms?
Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS. Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
Can I use Amazon Alexa for free?
Yes. Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Crestron starts at On request.
What is Amazon Alexa best used for?
Amazon Alexa is most often used for voice-controlled home, smart shopping, entertainment, home security. Of those, voice-controlled home and smart shopping are not what Crestron is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Alexa do that Crestron cannot?
Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability.
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