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Software · head to head

Crestron vs HOMER Energy

Crestron logo

Crestron

Software

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Software

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy 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.; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: Crestron covers Enterprise Control, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crestron and HOMER Energy actually diverge.

Attributes where Crestron and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeCrestronHOMER Energy
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screensWindows, Web
Founded19712009

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 HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

What people use each for

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

Crestron

  • Conference room automationnot HOMER Energy
  • Building managementnot HOMER Energy
  • Campus-wide controlnot HOMER Energy
  • Corporate AVnot HOMER Energy

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Crestron
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Crestron
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Crestron
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Crestron
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot 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.

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

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

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

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 HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Questions people ask

Is Crestron or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. Crestron starts at On request and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crestron or HOMER Energy?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Crestron and Free for HOMER Energy.
Does Crestron or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens. HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy 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 HOMER Energy is typically brought in for.
What can Crestron do that HOMER Energy cannot?
Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis.
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