Control4 vs. Savant
Licensing & Subscription Fees

Both platforms have moved to annual subscription models — but the structures, transparency, and what's required versus optional have changed significantly in the past 12 months. This page reflects the current state as of April 2026.

Control4 Licensing — Current (2026)

Control4 launched its Control4 Connect subscription in April 2024 to replace the legacy 4Sight subscription. The model has since been revised significantly based on dealer feedback: as of November 12, 2025, Connect is now optional on all new X4 systems.

Control4 Connect — What's Free on X4 (No Subscription)

Applies to X4 systems. OS3 systems (installed prior to X4 rollout) have different feature gating — contact HTE for your specific system.

Control4 Connect — Optional Subscription Pricing

Customers pay Connect directly through the Control4 app. Billing is managed by Snap One / ADI, not HTE.

Control4 Assist — Optional Manufacturer Support (Separate from Connect)

Control4 Assist is a manufacturer-backed remote support service, separate from and in addition to Connect. HTE clients with an active ExpertCare plan receive direct HTE support and generally do not need Assist — but it's worth understanding for comparison.

Assist requires an active Connect subscription. Assist is optional and complements — not replaces — your HTE service relationship.

Control4 — Five-Year Cost Summary (Typical Full Home, X4 Platform)

All figures are end-user annual costs. HTE ExpertCare service plan pricing is separate — contact us for current rates.

Savant Licensing — Current (2026)

Savant's subscription model — Savant Essentials — has been in place since late 2021 and is required for systems running da Vinci 10.0 and higher. Unlike Control4, Essentials pricing is not published to homeowners. It is managed by HTE as your authorized dealer, and you will see subscription status in the Savant app and Home Manager portal — but pricing and renewal are handled on your behalf.

Savant Essentials — What's Included

Savant Third-Party Integration Licensing

This is the area where Savant's licensing model becomes more complex than Control4's. Certain third-party integrations — particularly Lutron lighting control — have historically required separate per-project license fees beyond the annual Essentials subscription. For homes using Savant-native lighting and audio, the total licensing cost can be lower. For homes using Lutron Homeworks or third-party distributed audio, additional licensing applies.

For most HTE Savant projects in the Hamptons and Manhattan, Lutron is the primary integration requiring a separate license. Contact HTE for a project-specific cost breakdown.

Savant — Five-Year Cost Scenarios

Savant Essentials dollar amounts are not disclosed publicly. HTE will provide exact figures as part of project scoping.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Platform Makes More Sense?

For most luxury homes in the Hamptons and Manhattan — where the technology footprint includes Lutron lighting, third-party audio (Sonos, Triad, AudioControl), and a wide range of AV brands — Control4's licensing model is more predictable and lower-cost over five years. The $249/year Connect subscription covers everything most clients want: remote access, Apple HomeKit, voice control, and platform updates, regardless of how many third-party devices are connected.

Savant makes the most economic sense when the entire ecosystem stays within Savant's native product line — Savant lighting, Savant audio, Savant energy. The moment the design introduces Lutron or third-party distributed audio, the Savant licensing picture becomes more expensive upfront, though it normalizes in subsequent years.

Neither platform is universally better. The right choice depends on your system design, which brands are already in your home, and your appetite for flexibility versus a curated Apple-like ecosystem. HTE installs both and can model the true five-year cost for your specific project before any commitment is made.