What’s the Best Home Automation System in 2018?

Home automation equipment can contribute to the safety of your home through cameras, motion detectors, and water leak sensors, or it can add a layer of convenience and control through automatic lighting adjustments, remote access to your thermostat, and more. Our top ten home automation systems include options for professional systems, DIY systems, and security-based systems with a home automation twist.

How we came up with our top ten home automation companies

We considered over 50 different factors in the selection process for our top ten recommendations. We looked at the range of available products within each system, ratings and reviews, pricing and transparency, monthly contract details, and much more. These rankings reflect the companies that are best in class.

• Samsung SmartThings – 1st
• HomeSeer – 2nd
• Nest – 3rd
• Savant – 4th
• Frontpoint – 5th
• Crestron – 6th
• Vivint – 7th
• Iris – 8th
• Control4 – 9th
• ADT Pulse – 10th

Check out our full comparison table to see how all ten companies stack up against one another.

#1 Samsung SmartThings

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Samsung SmartThings is a DIY home automation system at a decently affordable price without any installation, activation, or monthly monitoring fees. It includes automation options for lights, power outlets, and HVAC, along with smoke, water leak, door, garage, and window sensors. The DIY aspect of the system makes it easy for you to install or relocate yourself, and you can control and monitor it all from your smartphone.

The SmartThings Hub is the center of the system. There are three kits (a lighting kit and two home automation kits) available to get you started, or you can build your own system piece by piece. The SmartThings Hub can connect to many other automation products using Z-Wave or ZigBee frequencies or your home Wi-Fi—this compatibility sets it above hubs that use only one frequency. Plus, the latest app release includes a feature called Smart Home Monitor, which allows you to receive custom alerts about your home from anywhere.

Even though SmartThings is a DIY system, you can add live security monitoring through Scout Alarm to your account for an additional $20 a month. You can contact customer service through several methods, including live chat, phone, email, and FAQs, and receive helpful, non-salesy information and answers to your questions. The low cost, compatibility, and extensive automation options make SmartThings our top recommended home automation company for 2018.

Pricing

The pricing on everything was direct and easy to find, giving SmartThings full marks for transparency.

• The SmartThings Hub is $99 on Amazon.
• Starter kits range from $149.99 to $249 and include a Hub.
• Most of the additional products range from $40 to $50 per item, with 2- or 5-packs available at a discount.
• You can add professional monitoring by Scout Alarm to your account for $20 per month (7-month minimum contract).

#2 HomeSeer

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HomeSeer earned a spot near the top of the list because its controller is compatible with an incredibly extensive list of home automation products, and it can connect to more frequencies than any other company we’ve researched. We love the dedicated HomeSeer IFTTT channel, which lets you completely customize your scenes. The controllers (which come with the HomeSeer software pre-installed) are a bit pricier than many other DIY hubs, but you have the option of purchasing just the software at a comparable cost to turn your home computer into a hub.

Because its main products are the HomeSeer controllers and related computer software, HomeSeer has very few of its own compatible devices (such as thermostats, sensors, locks, lighting, etc.), so you’ll have to purchase those items separately from a third party.

Another minor reason HomeSeer didn’t make our top spot is that in-person customer support is limited—for example, product support via telephone is free for only the first 30 days. However, HomeSeer offers extensive online support through manuals, quick-start guides, and a message board. Also, the warranty on hardware is just one year, whereas we like to see warranties of at least two to three years for such high-tech, pricey equipment.

Because the HomeSeer system requires DIY setup and programming, it may not be for everyone, but if you’re serious about automating your home, it’s one of the best options in terms of value and customization.

Pricing

• Controller options range from $199.95 to $1,199.95.
• HS3 software is $249.95 but includes only basic drivers and plug-ins.
• HS3PRO software is $599.95 and includes all software plug-ins for compatible devices.

#3 Nest

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Nest isn’t technically a full home automation system, but it often provides a core component for DIY home automation systems. Nest offers DIY equipment, though a professional installation option is available upon request (expect installation fees to be in the $100 to $300 range). Nest products include a learning thermostat that will program itself around your schedule; a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector; and both indoor and outdoor security cameras. All of these devices can send you notifications and be controlled through the Nest app (iOS and Android), and the devices will automatically connect to each other through the app without any additional programming.

The Nest app is compatible with dozens of products if you want to expand your home’s automation scope to include lighting, power, door locks, entertainment, and more. Nest offers 24/7 phone support, as well as email and chat options during business hours. Because it is a DIY system, the only subscription option is for a video storage service called Nest Aware (10-day or 30-day video history) that you can add to the purchase of a Nest Cam. Overall, Nest’s high-quality line of home automation and security products is a good place to start building your own DIY automation system.

Pricing

• Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) is $249 on Amazon.
• Nest Protect smoke/carbon monoxide alarm (2nd generation) is $99 on Amazon.
• Nest Cam is $199 on Amazon.
• Nest Aware subscription is $10/$30 per month or $100/$300 per year after a free 30-day trial.

The rest of the pack

Read through our reviews of the rest of our top ten best home automation companies: Savant | Frontpoint | Crestron | Vivint | Iris | Control4 | ADT Pulse

#4 Savant

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Savant is traditionally a high-end company with a complete range of whole-home automation options. However, in the last few years, the company has added some more accessible and affordable options to broaden its customer base. For example, for $499 you can receive the automation hub (or “Host”) and the Savant Remote to program and control whatever entertainment system you already have in place. The remote works with hundreds of thousands of devices and is available in retail stores with easy setup instructions online. (If you are wary of any DIY programming, professional installation is available in some areas.)

On the other end of things, for large-scale home automation projects you’ll need to contact a Savant Pro dealer and receive a custom bid for the scope of your project, but plan on prices starting upwards of $1,000 per room. It’s pricey, but high value. Savant offers automation for almost anything you can think of—indoor/outdoor lights, heating/cooling, appliances, door locks, garage doors, security features, home entertainment, etc.—and is compatible with a fairly wide range of products. For a surprisingly long time, Savant’s system worked only on iOS devices, but it is now compatible with Android devices as well. The system can use Z-Wave, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi connectivity, which makes it compatible with a wider range of products than some competitors.

Savant earns our #4 spot (and the highest rank of any professional home automation system) because it offers high-quality equipment and professional service while also providing users with a DIY option.

Pricing

• $499 for the Savant Remote and Host to control your existing audio/video system.
• $99 for a lamp control outlet so you can program the lighting settings from your remote.
• Home automation requires a bid from a dealer, but prices generally start at $1,000 per room.

#5 Frontpoint

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Frontpoint ranks among the top-rated home security companies in our annual best home security system rankings, and it also offers some home automation features. Frontpoint successfully straddles the line between DIY installation and professional monitoring by working with customers over the phone to create a custom plan.

Frontpoint charges no installation fees or activation fees, and monthly fees stay the same for the life of the three-year contract. All of Frontpoint’s equipment has a three-year warranty, and plans come with a 30-day trial period during which you can cancel the service for a full refund. Its customer service team is friendly and helpful without being pushy.

Frontpoint is a great option if you’re sure you want home security features, but if you’re just looking to automate your home, the monthly monitoring fees likely mean Frontpoint (and other home security companies) likely isn’t the right choice for you.

Pricing

• $49.99 per month for the Ultimate package, which includes home automation capabilities.
• Prices for thermostats and door locks vary by the individual manufacturer.
• Customers can receive $300 off the initial equipment purchase with qualifying credit.

#6 Crestron

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Crestron is another high-end professional home automation company with an additional range of services for businesses, schools, hotels, and government buildings. Crestron partners with (and is therefore compatible with) over 100 product companies. The company offers several central hub options, but the Crestron Pyng controller and app are cloud-based to make customizing your home and programming your settings simpler and easier for both you and for the installer.

Crestron requires professional installation from a third-party dealer, and the dealer will continue to maintain that system. However, because the PYNG-HUB is cloud-based, Crestron can do a lot of troubleshooting and adjusting remotely (which saves you the service fee of a visit). All of the Crestron products are high quality and provide you with endless options for customizing your home, which gives Crestron the #6 spot, but the high pricing and extra fees keep it from placing higher on our list.

Pricing

• Prices for equipment will be fairly standard, but the cost of installation and programming will depend on the dealer you work with and the scope of your project.
• Crestron PYNG-HUB is $599.
• Based on our research and general quotes, a basic automation setup will cost around $2,000–$4,000, with an average system running in the $8,000–$10,000 range.
• Prices can go up steeply depending on the level of automation you are looking for and the size of your home.

#7 Vivint

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Vivint is another home security company that offers home automation upgrades to its security packages in its upper-tier Smart Home package. It provides high-quality equipment, professional in-house installation (rather than through a third party), and 24/7 system monitoring, but those benefits come at a higher price.

Vivint’s home automation package starts at $49.99 per month for monitoring, plus the cost of equipment. If you choose to finance your equipment, you’ll have either a 42- or a 60-month contract. Vivint also has a less-than-stellar customer service reputation because of its aggressive sales tactics and an inflexible cancellation policy.

Vivint’s equipment is high tech and the mobile apps are highly rated. All of Vivint’s products are on the cutting edge of automated home security, making it easy to add in other home automation features such as a thermostat, doorbell camera, door lock, or garage door controller. Vivint’s systems are compatible with only a handful of other products, but those products include the Amazon Echo. In terms of quality of monitoring and equipment, Vivint is top of the line, but its strict cancellation policy and high equipment costs may be restrictive for some.

Pricing

• Automation package is $49.99 per month for 42 or 60 months (or month to month if you don’t finance).
• $549 for basic starter equipment.
• Financing (0% APR) is optional and will raise your monthly fee.
• $99 installation fee for outdoor camera.

#8 Iris

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The Iris home automation system, sold through Lowe’s, is a DIY system (though professional installation is available in some areas). Iris offers some starter kits—one focused on home security, the other focused on home automation—plus a wide range of compatible products that give you plenty of options as you customize your system. Iris uses both Z-Wave and ZigBee frequencies, in addition to Wi-Fi, to give you more connectivity options than several other companies on our list.

The equipment costs are temptingly low compared to other DIY systems, which earned Iris quite a few points and a higher ranking than some more expensive options. However, the downside is that you have to pay a monthly fee to make the system fully automated. The features you get with the monthly subscription are generally built in to other systems, so the fee feels unnecessary, though you can cancel at any time. Another drawback is that the equipment does not come with a warranty beyond the 90-day return policy offered by Lowe’s. Iris has received a flood of complaints with its recent updates, so before you buy, read our full Iris review for details.

Pricing

• The Iris Smart Hub is $59.99.
• The starter kits are $129 and $99.99; both include a Smart Hub.
• The basic plan is free and allows you to control your devices from your phone.
• The Premium Plan is $9.99 per month and gives you advanced ways to monitor your devices and create automatic events.
• Professional installation starts at $149.

#9 Control4

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Control4 offers consumers professionally installed residential home automation with a focus on entertainment, and offers as many customization options as there are homes. Its system is compatible with hundreds of other products, including security systems, so you can truly manage your entire home from your personal device (iOS or Android) or from one of its touchscreens. Official dealers manage all the installation and programming, so finding a reputable dealer is key to having a good experience. Installation time will vary by the dealer and the scope of your project—but expect it to take one to two days. There aren’t any monthly service fees, but there is a yearly $99 charge for the ability to remotely access your system.

Aside from the high cost of the system, the main complaint against Control4 is the lack of user control. For example, if you want to adjust the light settings for your rooms, you’ll have to contact the dealer to make those programming changes. Your dealer will often be able to do so remotely, but other times it will require a trip to your home with an additional service fee. Control4 has a good system, but the idea of being dependent on a third-party company for ongoing support may not be an attractive option.

Pricing

• Pricing ranges according to the dealer and the scope of your project, so you’ll want to get several quotes to compare.
• Controllers cost $600, $1,000, or $2,000, depending on which one you need.
• One dealer quoted $85 per hour for installation and $95 per hour for programming the system.
• Expect to pay around $2,000 for a basic system, with costs quickly jumping to the $5,000–$8,000 range.
• Control4 quoted $11,000 or $12,000 as an average price.

#10 ADT Pulse

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 ADT is one of the largest home security companies, and it also offers home automation features that can work in conjunction with a security system. Its automation products include lighting, thermostats, door locks, and garage door openers, in addition to the cameras, sensors, smoke detectors, and water sensors available through ADT’s security systems.

Once the system is set up, you’ll be able to remotely monitor and control all of the connected devices through the free ADT Pulse app. Monthly monitoring starts at $49.99 per month, and you’ll also have to pay up-front equipment and installation costs, which will vary depending on your needs and location. Because ADT uses third-party installers, you’ll have to schedule an in-home evaluation with an ADT consultant in order to get a quote (or pricing information in general).

Customer reviews of ADT are mixed, with many consumers very pleased with its services and products, while many others expressed frustration with the inflexible cancellation policies and the lack of transparent pricing. Our experience showed that the ADT customer service reps were unable to give even a ballpark figure for expected costs and simply pointed us to an in-home consultation from the third-party companies for a quote. Overall, ADT  is a company to consider if you are looking for a professionally monitored security system that can also give you some automation control.

Pricing

• ADT Pulse monitoring with home automation features starts at $49.99.
• The activation fee is $25.
• Equipment costs will depend on what you decide to get. You can only receive a quote after a home evaluation with a consultant. From our research, it appears the equipment generally ranges from around $350 to $2,000.
• Installation fees will depend on your home and what is being installed.

Things to know before you buy

DIY vs. professional

A DIY automation system is one you piece together to fit your needs and program and install yourself. Every system has a central hub that you’ll need, and some DIY companies sell kits or packages to make it easier to connect devices to the hub. A professional system is installed by the company or through a third-party dealer. A professional system can automate much more than most DIY systems and gives you the assurance that all the devices will work together. A third option is to add home automation features to a security system that is professionally monitored.

Cost

A professionally installed system is going to cost much more than a system you purchase and install yourself. In addition to the cost of the equipment, there are installation fees, activation or programming fees, and a service fee every time your system needs a fix. DIY systems can add up as you add more devices, but there are no labor costs. Professionally monitored security systems that include home automation features will also include a monthly monitoring fee, in addition to equipment and installation costs.

Interconnectivity and compatibility

As you are shopping for home automation products, especially for an already established system, keep in mind that all the products must be compatible with each other for them to work together properly. Many systems use Z-Wave or ZigBee signals to communicate, while others employ different frequencies or even just the home’s Wi-Fi signal. The automation system’s central hub will determine which frequencies can be used.

Creating routines and automated functions

Once you have your system and all your devices in place, the next step is to program the pieces to work together. Some companies, particularly professional home automation companies, have integration features available or even built in. For DIY systems, we recommend using IFTTT, which stands for “If This Then That.” This free app allows you to create simple scenarios (or “recipes”) which are triggered based on the other applications you use. For example, you can create a “recipe” to set your thermostat to a lower temperature whenever you exit your home, or to turn on the lights ten minutes after sunset. The app runs in the background of your phone, so you don’t have to do anything other than set up your scenarios.

Best home automation systems recap

• Samsung SmartThings
• HomeSeer
• Nest
• Savant
• Frontpoint
• Crestron
• Vivint
• Iris
• Control4
• ADT Pulse

Take time to shop around—and enjoy!

As you begin combing through the home automation options that will work best for you and your home, take time to compare your options and pricing, especially if you’re considering a professionally installed system. Carefully evaluate what you need and how much you’re willing to invest—in terms of both money and time—before signing up for anything. Take into account the long-term costs and how long you plan to stay in your current home, as well as your comfort level with programming a system yourself. Once you’re ready to start shopping, have fun exploring the plentiful home automation options and planning your new setup.