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Smart Home · head to head

Crestron vs SmartThings

Crestron logo

Crestron

Smart Home

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartThings logo

SmartThings

Smart Home

Samsung's intelligent IoT platform for smart homes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartThings has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Crestron no published pricing or pricing tiers; no specific product prices disclosed.; SmartThings cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • They diverge on capability: Crestron covers Enterprise Control, SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Crestron and SmartThings actually diverge.

Attributes where Crestron and SmartThings differ
AttributeCrestronSmartThings
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screensiOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub
Founded19711938

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

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 SmartThings

  • Multi-Brand Support
  • Device Control
  • Automations
  • Cloud Backup
  • 500+ device types
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • IFTTT integration

What people use each for

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

Crestron

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

SmartThings

  • Smart home controlnot Crestron
  • Automation routinesnot Crestron
  • Device integrationnot Crestron
  • Remote monitoringnot Crestron

Where each one falls short

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

Crestron

  • No published pricing or pricing tiers; no specific product prices disclosed.
  • The pricing page only announces a 10% global price increase effective March 1, 2022, without listing actual prices.

SmartThings

  • Cloud-dependent with no offline operation; requires internet and Samsung servers for all device control
  • Cloud communication adds latency compared to local hubs; device response delays up to one second
  • Confusing app transition between SmartThings Classic and SmartThings Connect with certain automations only working in one app
  • API changes requiring paid subscriptions starting October 2026 break third-party integrations like Home Assistant

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

SmartThings

Free
  • Basic (SmartThings app)Free
    • Device control and automation
    • Support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Matter

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 SmartThings if

  • You need multi-brand support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
  • You also want device control.
SmartThings review

Questions people ask

Is Crestron or SmartThings better?
Neither clearly leads. Crestron starts at On request and SmartThings at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Crestron or SmartThings?
SmartThings has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Crestron and Free for SmartThings.
Does Crestron or SmartThings run on more platforms?
Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens. SmartThings runs on iOS, Android, Web, SmartThings Hub.
Can I use SmartThings for free?
Yes. SmartThings 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 SmartThings is typically brought in for.
What can Crestron do that SmartThings cannot?
Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability. SmartThings covers Multi-Brand Support, Device Control, Automations, Cloud Backup.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Crestron: How much do Crestron products cost?

Crestron does not publish specific product pricing or pricing tiers on their website. Customers must contact Crestron directly for pricing information on AV control systems and related products.

Source
SmartThings: Does SmartThings work offline?

No, SmartThings requires internet and Samsung servers to function. It cannot operate offline; all device control depends on cloud connectivity.

Source
Crestron: What was Crestron's most recent price change?

Crestron implemented a 10% global price increase effective March 1, 2022 on all products and services. Orders placed before March 1, 2022 that shipped by December 31, 2022 were honored at prior pricing. No retroactive increases applied to existing orders.

Source
SmartThings: Which communication protocols does SmartThings support?

SmartThings natively handles Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Matter protocols simultaneously through mesh networking.

Source
SmartThings: What is the cost of SmartThings API access for developers?

Starting October 2026, non-commercial developers using SmartThings API for third-party integrations like Home Assistant must pay $4.99/month. Free access continues through Q3 2026.

Source
SmartThings: Does SmartThings support voice assistants?

Yes, SmartThings is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.

Source
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