Which Other Smart Home Control Panel Makers Are Competitors to Brilliant NextGen?

As smart home automation becomes increasingly mainstream, many homeowners are exploring intelligent wall panels that centralize control of lighting, climate, security, entertainment, and more. Brilliant NextGen has emerged as a notable brand in this space, offering sleek touch screen panels with built-in Alexa, scene control, and integration capabilities. However, it’s not alone. This article explores the top competitors to Brilliant’s smart home control panels and introduces a rising challenger — Portworld — that’s redefining value and customization in the industry.

1. Control4 (Snap One)

Control4 is a premium home automation solution known for its high-end customization through authorized dealers. Their control panels offer full integration with AV systems, security, lighting, and thermostats.

Pros: Professional-grade; fully customizable; excellent integrations
Cons: Expensive; requires certified installation
Target Audience: Luxury homes and fully integrated smart properties

2. Crestron Home

Crestron has long been associated with commercial AV, but their Crestron Home platform also offers advanced residential control panels. Touch screens range in size and can be flush-mounted throughout the home.

Pros: Extremely robust; customizable UI; enterprise-level security
Cons: Very costly; best suited for high-end custom installations
Ideal For: Custom smart homes, smart buildings, large estates

3. Walli by Fibaro

Walli is Fibaro’s answer to stylish smart home wall control, offering Z-Wave-enabled switches with LED rings and integration into the Fibaro Home Center platform.

Pros: Compact, elegant design; strong ecosystem; Z-Wave support
Cons: Limited to modular functions; no touchscreen interface
Good For: Modular smart home systems; European market

4. VIMAR View and By-Me Systems

Italian brand VIMAR combines electrical components and smart control panels with aesthetics. Their touch panels are part of the By-Me automation system, often found in modern European architecture.

Pros: Elegant design; works with KNX or proprietary systems
Cons: Niche market; not widely available in North America
Recommended For: High-end residential and hotel applications

5. Wink Relay (Discontinued but Influential)

Wink Relay was once a popular Android-based touchscreen panel that supported multiple smart devices. Though discontinued, it remains a point of reference in UI/UX simplicity.

Legacy Note: Many DIYers still repurpose Wink panels
Lesson Learned: Consumer demand is strong for open-platform smart panels

6. Amazon Echo Show (Wall-Mounted Use)

While not a control panel in the traditional sense, some users wall-mount Echo Show 8 or 10 to function as home hubs. With Alexa Routines and Smart Home Dashboards, these devices mimic smart control panel behavior.

Pros: Affordable; voice-first; supports many devices
Cons: Not designed for wall installation; limited hardwired control
Suitable For: Budget smart homes; renters; voice-centric households

7. Orro Smart Living System

Orro provides smart switches with built-in sensors and voice capabilities, offering an elegant way to automate lighting and scenes without requiring wall-mounted screens.

Pros: Adaptive lighting; elegant interface; native voice support
Cons: No large display; limited deep device control
Ideal Use: Smart lighting and energy-conscious homes

8. Portworld: A Customizable Smart Panel Alternative

Unlike fixed, prebuilt systems from competitors, Portworld offers fully customizable Android-based smart control panels in various screen sizes (notably 4-inch and 5-inch), with robust OEM/ODM support. These panels are ideal for integrators, property developers, and brands that want to offer white-labeled or tailor-made smart home solutions.

Why Portworld Stands Out:

Custom UI/UX: Full control over interface and user flow
Processor Options: Rockchip, MTK, Intel, Snapdragon, etc.
Multiple OS Support: Android, Linux, Windows
Connectivity: PoE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RS485, CAN
Use Cases: Smart homes, apartments, hotels, commercial spaces
BSP/SDK Expertise: Software development support ensures compatibility

Whether you’re developing a smart living community, creating an integrated property automation platform, or replacing older systems like 41A7563, Portworld enables smart panels that match your design and functionality needs precisely.