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Savant vs Z-Wave Alliance

Savant logo

Savant

Software

Premium customizable automation and control system

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Savant pricing is not published; requires consultation with dealer; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: Savant covers Customizable, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Savant and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where Savant and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeSavantZ-Wave Alliance
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, MobileZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded20052001

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 Savant

  • Customizable
  • Multi-Room Control
  • Beautiful Interface
  • Premium Build
  • 1500+ devices
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile app
  • Touchscreens

Only in Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

What people use each for

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

Savant

  • Smart home automationnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Climate controlnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Lighting and audio-visual managementnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Energy management and monitoringnot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Savant
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Savant
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot Savant

Where each one falls short

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

Savant

  • Pricing is not published; requires consultation with dealer
  • Requires professional installation and dealer network

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

Pricing, plan by plan

Savant

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Savant review.

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

Which should you pick?

Choose Savant if

  • You need customizable.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want multi-room control.
Savant review

Choose Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is Savant or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. Savant starts at On request and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Savant or Z-Wave Alliance?
Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Savant and Free for Z-Wave Alliance.
Does Savant or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
Savant runs on Web, Mobile. Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Yes. Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Savant starts at On request.
What is Savant best used for?
Savant is most often used for smart home automation, climate control, lighting and audio-visual management, energy management and monitoring. Of those, smart home automation and climate control are not what Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can Savant do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
Savant covers Customizable, Multi-Room Control, Beautiful Interface, Premium Build. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.
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