URC vs Control4 vs Savant vs RTI: Which Smart Home Platform Is Right for You?
- Anton T.
- Jul 28
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 29
One Home, Many Choices
When it comes to smart home control, one size never fits all. Whether you're managing home theater lighting, multi-room audio, or security scenes, your control system needs to feel effortless and tailored. That’s why homeowners often find themselves comparing URC vs. Control4 vs. Savant vs. RTI—four powerful platforms that each promise a smarter, more connected home. But which one is truly right for your lifestyle?
In this guide, we’ll break down the strengths and specialties of each, show how they pair with intelligent automation systems like Loxone, and explain how Heyo Smart helps homeowners design systems that blend reliability, performance, and elegance—without compromise.
Meet the Players: URC vs Control4 vs Savant vs RTI
What Each Platform Does Best
Before diving into specs and interfaces, it helps to understand the core identity of each platform. While all four—URC, Control4, Savant, and RTI—can control lighting, audio, video, and more, they’re designed with different strengths in mind. And when paired strategically with Loxone, some of their limitations can be overcome entirely.
URC (Universal Remote Control)
URC’s Total Control® platform goes far beyond universal remotes. It’s a fully integrated smart home ecosystem that includes elegant handheld remotes, touchscreens, keypads, mobile apps, and even voice control. With Total Control, homeowners can manage audio, video, lighting, climate, security, and motorized shades—all from one unified system.
URC shines in home theaters and AV-rich homes, offering low-latency control, IR, IP, and RS-232 compatibility, and support for two-way device feedback. Its accelerator software allows certified professionals to program powerful, responsive, and customized control environments, including smart scenes and conditional logic.
Best of all, URC plays well with others: it can act as the control surface for Loxone automation, giving homeowners tactile and visual control of scenes like “Movie Night,” “Away,” or “Entertain,” while Loxone handles the behind-the-scenes automation of lighting moods, temperature, and even access control.
Control4
Control4 delivers a polished smart home experience built around sleek touchscreens, an intuitive app, and seamless integration with AV and lighting systems. It appeals to homeowners who enjoy direct interaction and prefer one cohesive ecosystem for everyday control. Though its approach centers on user command rather than full automation, its visual design and reliability continue to make it a trusted choice in connected living.
Savant
Positioned as a luxury brand, Savant is known for its modern design, fluid interface, and native Apple HomeKit support. It excels in homes where aesthetics and simplicity matter most—especially when paired with high-end AV systems, ambient lighting, and motorized shades. Savant’s focus is user experience, though it may require custom programming for advanced automation logic.
RTI (Remote Technologies Inc.)
RTI is often misunderstood as “just a remote control company,” but it’s actually a comprehensive automation and control platform. Its true strength lies in custom integration—giving professionals granular control over lighting, shades, AV, HVAC, and more, all under one interface.
RTI’s Integration Designer software enables highly personalized user experiences with flexible control logic that rivals larger systems. It’s especially powerful in large homes, commercial environments, and advanced AV installations—think media walls, multi-zone audio/video, and synchronized lighting.
Its professional-grade remotes, wall panels, and mobile app allow for full-system control, not just AV. However, because of its deep customization potential, RTI systems often require expert programming to unlock their full functionality.
Where Loxone Fits In
Unlike the others, Loxone is not an AV-first control system. It’s an automation powerhouse—designed to control lighting moods, heating/cooling, shades, access, energy use, and even security. But it can integrate with URC or RTI to let a remote trigger
Interface & User Experience
A smart home platform is only as good as its interface. Whether you're adjusting volume, dimming lights, or triggering a whole-home scene, the way you interact with your system shapes how much you enjoy using it. In this comparison of URC vs Control4 vs Savant vs RTI, we’ll explore how each platform approaches the user experience—and what that means for daily living.
URC
URC’s Total Control interface is clean, responsive, and highly customizable—especially when professionally programmed. Homeowners can use handheld remotes, in-wall touchscreens, or the URC Mobile App to control their environment. It’s designed to feel like a true AV controller, with fast feedback and no lag, which is ideal for media rooms or when pairing with Loxone lighting or automation scenes.
Control4
Control4 has one of the most polished user interfaces in the industry. With a unified look across touch panels, remotes, and mobile apps, it offers excellent usability for the whole family. Scenes like “Good Morning” or “All Off” can be activated easily, and its Composer Home Edition software lets homeowners tweak settings and schedules on their own—great for those who want some DIY control after installation.
Savant
Savant’s interface is sleek, visual, and designed to impress. Its TrueImage technology lets you control lights, shades, and music by tapping images of your actual room—creating a uniquely visual control experience. The Savant Pro app also integrates with Apple devices naturally, appealing to design-conscious and iOS-focused households.
RTI
RTI systems can be made to look and function however you want, thanks to the powerful Integration Designer platform used by professionals. While not DIY-friendly, the result is often a completely tailored interface, from custom floorplan layouts to branding and icons unique to your home. RTI excels when paired with large, complex AV environments or in spaces where every button and scene needs to match the homeowner’s rhythm.
Where Loxone Fits In
Loxone’s interface is clean and minimalist, accessible via app, browser, wall-mounted Touch switches, or custom interfaces. It’s built to disappear—letting automation run most daily tasks in the background. But when you need control, Loxone’s app delivers real-time feedback and deep scene customization.
Used alongside URC or RTI, Loxone serves as the automation brain, while the other platforms provide high-touch user interfaces.
AV Control & Entertainment Integration
For many homeowners, the first interaction with smart home tech begins with audio and video—whether it's dimming the lights before a movie, playing TIDAL across every room, or creating a “Good Night” scene that powers everything down. Here's how each platform handles AV control, and how they can complement Loxone for complete home integration.
URC
AV is where URC truly shines. Its Total Control system offers robust, low-latency control of TVs, projectors, receivers, matrix switches, and audio systems. With support for two-way device communication, URC gives homeowners feedback on volume levels, inputs, and playback status. It's a go-to choice for Dolby Atmos theaters, multi-zone audio, and hidden AV racks—and when paired with Loxone, users can enjoy full automation scenes with tactile control.
Example: One tap on a URC remote can trigger Loxone to dim lights, lower the temperature, close shades, and start your AV sequence.
Control4
Control4 is built with AV at its core. From media distribution and multi-room audio to streaming integration with TIDAL and Spotify, Control4 supports almost every entertainment feature natively. It’s ideal for families who want all AV and environmental control in one ecosystem. Control4’s remotes and interfaces handle everything from input switching to full-room scenes, and the system scales beautifully across large homes.
Savant
Savant leads in luxury AV integration, offering studio-quality multi-room audio and intuitive scene creation. Its AV interfaces are fluid and highly visual, and it’s a favorite for design-conscious users who don’t want to see the tech. Savant’s high-performance audio systems (including its own hardware) deliver a true audiophile experience—perfect for Dolby Atmos listening rooms or modern AV lounges.
RTI
RTI is often the secret weapon in large-scale AV projects. Its matrix routing, custom button mapping, and feedback-rich remotes make it ideal for complex systems like video walls, multi-room sports bars, or homes with advanced automation sequences. RTI's deep customization makes it a favorite among professional AV installers, especially where broadcast-quality control is required.
Loxone Integration
While Loxone isn't a universal AV controller, it plays a key role in smart scenes, environmental triggers, and automation logic. With Loxone:
Your AV system can respond to motion or door sensors
Audio can sync with lighting and climate changes
You can automate “Energy Saving” modes when rooms aren’t in use
You can even incorporate Dolby Atmos music into your daily scenes
Heyo Smart often designs systems where URC or RTI handles AV, while Loxone manages the rest—delivering an experience that feels seamless and intentional.
Lighting, Climate, and Automation Control
While audio/video control is often the star of the show, true smart home comfort lies in how well your system handles lighting, climate, and everyday automation. Here’s how these platforms manage your environment—and where Loxone stands apart.
URC
URC Total Control supports lighting, shade, and climate control via direct integrations or third-party drivers. It excels when lighting is scene-driven—think “Dinner,” “Movie,” or “Wake Up.” While URC isn’t a native automation system, it plays nicely with others: Heyo Smart often combines URC with Loxone, using the remote or touchscreen to trigger complex scenes powered by Loxone behind the scenes.
Control4
Control4 has a strong lighting and climate control foundation. Its ecosystem includes wired and wireless lighting modules, thermostats, motorized shades, and scene control. Control4 is ideal for homeowners who want an integrated look and feel across lighting, media, and comfort—but with more automation potential than Savant or RTI alone.
Savant
Savant approaches lighting and climate as part of a luxury experience. Their Pro Lighting and Multistat thermostats are beautifully designed and responsive, with scene control that’s easy to manage through the app or remote. It’s less customizable than Control4 or Loxone, but highly intuitive for daily use.
RTI
RTI supports environmental control through drivers and partner systems. Its real power is in customizing scenes and triggers for AV environments (e.g., lights dim when projector starts). Like URC, it thrives when paired with a true automation engine like Loxone to handle logic-based control, schedules, and energy optimization.
Loxone’s Automation Edge
This is where Loxone excels. As a logic-based automation system, Loxone natively controls:
120V & 24V lighting systems and DALI/DMX
Smart HVAC and humidity systems
Automated shades and ventilation
Solar, energy management and EV charging controls
Security and Surveillance combination
Smart triggers from motion, temperature, CO2, light levels, and more
Energy savings through occupancy-based scenes and presence detection
In hybrid systems, Loxone is often the automation brain, while URC, RTI, or Control4 serve as user-facing control layers. Heyo Smart often recommends this approach to give homeowners elegant interfaces and robust automation—without compromise.
Installation, Customization, and Support
Choosing a smart home platform isn’t just about features—it’s also about who installs it, how much customization you want, and what kind of support you’ll need long term. Here’s how URC, Control4, Savant, RTI, and Loxone compare when it comes to setup and service.
URC
URC systems must be installed and programmed by certified professionals, especially Total Control setups. Customization is deep—particularly for AV-heavy environments—but typically requires a knowledgeable integrator like Heyo Smart to ensure the system is stable, scalable, and responsive. URC is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a high-end, responsive interface without DIY complexity.
Control4
Control4 is also a dealer-installed system, with many customization options available through its Composer Pro software (for pros) and Composer Home Edition (for homeowners). It’s one of the most accessible systems post-installation, allowing homeowners to tweak lighting scenes, schedules, and audio preferences without always needing an installer.
Savant
Savant is highly polished but installer-dependent. While the app is intuitive, deeper programming (like integrating third-party devices or adding complex logic) requires a dealer. Savant is a great fit for luxury homeowners who want something beautiful and dependable, with limited need for ongoing adjustments.
RTI
RTI systems require expert programming using Integration Designer, which allows unmatched customization but offers little room for user-side changes. It’s ideal for AV pros and homeowners who want precision and power, but may not be ideal for those who prefer to update or expand their system without a pro’s help.
Loxone
Loxone requires a trained partner for setup, but once installed, it’s built for low-maintenance, high-performance automation. Most of the intelligence—like lighting schedules, presence detection, and energy-saving logic—runs in the background. The app allows end users to adjust settings, but much of the beauty of Loxone lies in not needing to think about your tech once it’s dialed in.
Where Heyo Smart Fits In
Heyo Smart is certified in URC and Loxone and collaborates regularly with builders, designers, and AV specialists to create hybrid systems. We help homeowners:
Choose the right platform or platform combination
Handle installation and programming
Offer ongoing support—even remotely
Align AV control with true smart automation
Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading an existing setup, Heyo Smart makes sure your smart home works the way it should—beautifully and reliably.
Which Smart Home Platform Is Right for You?
With so many great platforms available, the real question isn’t “Which one is best?”—it’s “Which one is best for you?” Here’s how to think through the choice based on your needs, lifestyle, and vision for your home.
Choose URC if...
You want precise AV control, beautifully responsive remotes, and a flexible ecosystem that pairs well with deeper automation platforms like Loxone. URC excels in home theaters, Dolby Atmos rooms, and multi-room audio. It’s also a great option for homeowners who want a high-end experience without locking into one brand for everything.
Bonus: Heyo Smart can help you use URC remotes to control Loxone lighting moods, climate, ceiling stars, or even activate an “Entertain” scene with just one tap.
Choose Control4 if...
You want a polished all-in-one ecosystem with strong support and easy access to user customization. Control4 shines in medium to large homes where the family wants to manage lighting, AV, and climate from a single interface. It’s a strong blend of capability and convenience, especially when aesthetics matter.
Choose Savant if...
You’re design-forward, Apple-native, and want luxury tech that blends in. Savant delivers a high-end experience with minimal friction—ideal for modern homes, upscale apartments, or anyone who wants AV, lighting, and scenes that just work. If you want your control system to look as good as your home, Savant is worth considering.
Choose RTI if...
You have a complex home theater, multi-zone AV setup, or commercial-like control needs—and you want deep customization. RTI is a pro-level platform built for tailored experiences. It’s especially useful in large estates or environments where control precision and custom interfaces matter most.
Consider pairing RTI with Loxone if you want high-end AV control plus automation intelligence for lighting, climate, and energy.
Choose Loxone if...
You want a home that runs itself—automatically adjusting lights, climate, access, and security based on how you live. Loxone is ideal for homeowners who prioritize efficiency, comfort, and control without micromanagement. When paired with a front-end AV system like URC, Loxone can create a seamless, intelligent lifestyle experience.
Still Not Sure? Let’s Design It Together
At Heyo Smart, we specialize in creating hybrid systems that combine the best features of multiple platforms. Whether you’re starting new or upgrading an older system, we help you:
Compare your options based on how you live
Design a smart home that balances tech, style, and performance
Integrate platforms like URC and Loxone for ultimate functionality
Get support—locally or remotely, nationwide
The Right Smart Home System is the One That Works for You
In today’s world of connected living, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you choose URC, Control4, Savant, RTI, or Loxone, the right system should match your lifestyle, aesthetic, and expectations for comfort and control. Some platforms shine in AV control, others in automation—and with the right design, they can work together beautifully.
At Heyo Smart, we don’t just install smart systems—we help homeowners make smarter decisions. From lighting and climate to whole-home AV and Dolby Atmos listening rooms, we specialize in blending automation with experience. We’ll help you choose the right mix of platforms, program it to perfection, and support you every step of the way.
Ready to build a smart home that feels effortless? Whether you're searching for “URC installer near me,” curious about Control4 vs. Savant, or need to upgrade your lighting and AV setup, Heyo Smart is here to help—locally or remotely, wherever you are.
Let’s design a smarter, more elegant home—together. Reach out to Heyo Smart today.