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Smart homes in 2025 are shaped by the rise of Matter interoperability and Thread mesh networking, with controller roles now built into mainstream platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. This update revisits Savant, Wink Hub 2, Logitech Harmony Companion, and Control4—clarifying current pricing/subscriptions, availability status, and how each fits alongside today’s Matter/Thread ecosystems and energy-aware features introduced in recent Matter releases.
The 4 Best Home Automation Systems
- Savant – Best for professionally installed, Apple-friendly customization; optional cloud/remote features via subscription
- Wink Hub 2 – Legacy DIY hub requiring a $4.99/month service; consider modern controllers (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings) for new setups
- Logitech Harmony Home Control – Discontinued line maintained for existing users; new buyers should consider platform remotes or native TV/streamer controls
- Control4 – Best for pro-grade whole-home integration; updated Connect/Assist service tiers
| Prices Starting At | Contract Length | Trial Period | |
| Savant | Quote-based via dealers; optional Savant Essentials commonly listed around $10/month or $120/year (details) | Monthly or annual subscription options for cloud/remote features; dealer service plans vary | No public free trial posted (verify with dealer) |
| Wink Hub 2 | Service requires $4.99/month; hardware widely discontinued | Month-to-month subscription required for most functionality | No free trial listed (Wink FAQ) |
| Logitech Harmony Companion | Discontinued; no current MSRP (secondary-market only) | None; no subscription (cloud service maintained) | N/A |
| Control4 | Quote-based; Control4 Connect $14.99/month or $149/year; optional Assist from $899/year (Connect) (Assist) | Connect monthly or annual; Assist annual subscriptions | No free trial listed (Connect) |
*Data updated 2025
Savant
Contracts & Pricing
Savant systems are specified and installed by local dealers, with equipment and labor quoted per project. For remote access and cloud-enabled features, Savant promotes an optional consumer plan often referred to as Savant Essentials—commonly listed around $10/month or $120/year per home; confirm inclusions and pricing on the official Savant Essentials page or with your integrator. There are no long-term hardware contracts.
Given the bespoke nature of dealer-installed systems, total cost depends on scope (controllers, AV, lighting, shades, energy features) and programming time. For many households, a subscription is only required for out-of-home access and cloud features, similar in concept to other platforms’ remote services.
Customer Service
Service quality for dealer-installed systems is shaped by the local integrator. Industry-wide in 2024–2025, national customer-experience benchmarks report mixed results—overall CX quality stagnated or declined in the U.S., per Forrester’s 2024 CX Index, and live-assisted channels continue to outperform bots/self-service for complex issues, according to J.D. Power. Consumers increasingly expect fast resolution with seamless escalation to a human when needed (Zendesk 2025 CX Trends). Vet dealer reviews, responsiveness, and support plans before contracting.
Compatibility note: Savant does not publish that its controllers act as Matter controllers or Thread Border Routers. In mixed ecosystems, integrators commonly rely on platform hubs that natively provide these roles—Apple Home hubs (HomePod/Apple TV) (Matter/Thread), Google Nest hardware (Matter + Thread BR), and eligible Amazon Echo/eero hardware (Matter over Wi‑Fi/Thread). Bridges can incorporate legacy devices (e.g., Aqara Hub M3 for Zigbee into Matter) or advanced local control via Home Assistant’s Matter integration. Recent Matter releases added appliance and energy features, broadening cross-platform scenes and management (Matter 1.3; 1.4).
Wink Hub 2
Contracts & Pricing
Wink introduced a mandatory subscription that remains in effect: $4.99 per month for access to automations, integrations, and remote control (Wink Subscription FAQ). New retail availability of Wink Hub 2 hardware is limited/discontinued at major outlets; existing users can continue service with the monthly plan.
There is no current MSRP from Wink for new hub hardware. The subscription is billed monthly and cancellable per Wink’s FAQ; no long-term equipment contracts are advertised.
Customer Service
Wink historically appealed to DIY users thanks to multi-protocol radios and app-based control. As with many tech services, satisfaction depends on timely support and system stability. Broad 2024–2025 benchmarks show customers still value fast access to human agents for complex issues (J.D. Power), while overall CX quality across industries has been mixed (Forrester).
The Wink Hub 2 supports Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and Lutron Clear Connect. It pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but not Apple HomeKit. Wink predates Matter/Thread and does not list them among supported transports; for new purchases, consider controllers that natively act as Matter controllers and Thread Border Routers (e.g., Apple Home hubs, Google Nest hardware, Amazon Echo/eero, or SmartThings) (Apple; Google; Amazon; SmartThings).
Related: Wink and Home Security
Logitech Harmony Companion
Contracts & Pricing
The Logitech Harmony Companion line is discontinued. Logitech maintains Harmony cloud services and support for existing customers “for as long as customers are using it.” There are no contracts or monthly fees; any current pricing is secondary-market only.
No current MSRP applies. Logitech continues operating the Harmony app/cloud for existing users at no charge, per its official statement.
Customer Service
Harmony hubs/remotes continue to control IR, Wi‑Fi, and Bluetooth devices in installed systems, and many households still rely on the Harmony app and hub workflow. Harmony does not introduce Matter/Thread controller roles; for new builds, consider native platform controllers (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings) or modern hubs that can bridge legacy devices into Matter (e.g., Home Assistant, SmartThings, Aqara Hub M3).
Logitech Harmony Companion is compatible with a wide range of entertainment devices and can work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant skills where supported. Logitech’s discontinuation does not affect existing users’ access to the Harmony cloud.
Related: Best Smart Hubs (Including Harmony Hub)
Control4
Contracts & Pricing
Similar to Savant, Control4 is dealer-installed and quote-based for hardware and labor. Cloud/remote features and updates are provided through Control4 Connect ($14.99/month or $149/year). Optional Control4 Assist plans add 24/7 expert support starting at $899/year (Assist Premium listed at $2,999/year). The older 4Sight branding has been superseded by Connect; no free trial is currently listed on the Connect page.
Project cost varies widely by design scope (lighting integration, AV distribution, security, shades, energy management) and programming. Subscriptions are separate from dealer maintenance plans, which vary by integrator.
Customer Service
Control4 emphasizes reliability and whole-home control with professional design and support. For end users who want direct, always-on help, the Assist program provides 24/7 access to Control4 experts (Assist). As a buying guidepost, broader 2024–2025 customer experience data shows live-assisted support remains the top-rated channel (J.D. Power), while overall CX across industries was flat-to-down year over year (Forrester), reinforcing the value of well-defined service pathways.
Compatibility note: Control4’s ecosystem is known for integrating many third-party subsystems via drivers and bridges. Control4 does not publicly claim its controllers are Matter controllers or Thread Border Routers; integrators often bridge Matter/Thread devices through platform hubs—Apple Home (HomePod/Apple TV), Google Home (Nest Hub/Wifi Pro), and Amazon Alexa/eero hardware (Matter over Wi‑Fi/Thread)—or use bridges like Aqara Hub M3 or Home Assistant. Matter’s recent releases expanded support for appliances, robot vacuums, and energy features to enable richer cross-platform automations (1.3; 1.4).
How We Chose the Best Home Automation Systems
Our 2025 refresh grounds every claim in current, public sources. We validated status and pricing on vendor pages for Control4 Connect/Assist, Wink’s subscription, Logitech Harmony’s update, and Savant Essentials. We mapped today’s interoperability to Matter 1.3/1.4 and platform controller roles documented by Apple, Google, Amazon, and SmartThings. To reflect service realities, we integrated 2024–2025 customer experience findings from Forrester, J.D. Power, and related sources. Only systems capable of coordinating multiple device categories across rooms and supporting current ecosystems were included, with guidance on modern alternatives where legacy products persist.
FAQs
How do I choose a home automation system?
Pick your primary ecosystem first—Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or SmartThings—so your core controller also functions as a Matter controller and, where relevant, a Thread Border Router (Apple; Google; Amazon; SmartThings). Prefer devices with Matter and Thread to maximize longevity. If you own Zigbee/Z‑Wave gear, plan on a bridge (e.g., Aqara Hub M3) or a hub that can integrate and expose them via Matter (Home Assistant).
How much does it cost to automate a home?
DIY smart homes can scale gradually: many platforms have no mandatory platform fee, and optional security monitoring generally runs about $10–$30/month with equipment purchased up front (Wirecutter; SimpliSafe; Ring). Dealer-installed systems are quote-based for hardware and labor and typically add subscriptions for cloud/remote features—for example, Control4 Connect is $14.99/month or $149/year with optional Assist from $899/year (Control4; Assist), and Savant commonly lists Essentials around $10/month or $120/year (Savant). Legacy Wink service is $4.99/month (Wink).
What are the benefits of home automation?
Modern platforms unify devices across brands, run routines locally for faster, more reliable control, and increasingly support energy-aware features. Recent Matter releases added and improved categories for major appliances, robot vacuums, water/energy management, and EV charging—enabling broader, cross-platform scenes and dashboards (Matter 1.3; 1.4). Vendors are also moving more intelligence on-device for privacy and responsiveness (e.g., Apple’s on‑device capabilities in Apple Intelligence).
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