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Crestron vs Amazon Alexa

Crestron logo

Crestron

Software

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
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: 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.; 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
  • They diverge on capability: Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Crestron and Amazon Alexa differ
AttributeCrestronAmazon Alexa
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screensEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS
Founded19711994

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 Crestron

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

Only in Amazon Alexa

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

What people use each for

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

Crestron

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

Amazon Alexa

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

Where each one falls short

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

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.

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Crestron

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

Amazon Alexa

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Crestron or Amazon Alexa better?
Neither clearly leads. Crestron starts at On request and Amazon Alexa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crestron or Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Crestron and Free for Amazon Alexa.
Does Crestron or Amazon Alexa run on more platforms?
Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens. Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
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 Crestron best used for?
Crestron is most often used for conference room automation, building management, campus-wide control, corporate av. Of those, conference room automation and building management are not what Amazon Alexa is typically brought in for.
What can Crestron do that Amazon Alexa cannot?
Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability. Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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