Only a control center makes the KNX smart home really intelligent. We compare three KNX servers for DIN rail mounting and installation in a 19-inch rack. For almost 18 years, the top model among all home servers for KNX was the Gira Homeserver 4 (video course). It enables graphically sophisticated visualizations and (remote) control on all devices (smartphone, tablet and desktop). At the beginning of the KNX smart home era in the early 2000s, it was mainly used in high-quality smart home villas (blog post) as a control center.

The so-called middle class includes the Gira X1 Server (video course) and the Jung Smart Visu Server, which can also be used to implement good control systems (logics, scenes, etc.). What all KNX servers have in common is that they are predestined for use in a private detached house or villa of a KNX smart home or an apartment with high standards.

Three servers – same goal: controlling a family home

Before we go into detail, let’s take a look at the three KNX servers: The Gira X1 has been available on the market since 2016 and was introduced at the same time as the Gira Homeserver 4. The latter has been around since 2002 – back then as Gira Homeserver 2. Since its launch, the Gira X1 server has been one of the best-selling KNX servers on the market.

In contrast, the Jung Smart Visu Server leads a comparatively shadowy existence and is sold significantly less. The difference between the Gira Homeserver 4 and the two more compact Gira X1 and Jung Smart Visu Server: It comes in a compact server housing and therefore does not fit into the electrical cabinet like the other two KNX servers, which are intended for the top-hat rail.

Free software for server setup

What all three KNX servers have in common is that they can be set up and configured using their own software, which the manufacturers offer for download free of charge. This software is used to set up the KNX visualization on the various devices – whether smartphone, tablet or Windows PC – for all three candidates.

This is preceded by KNX commissioning, setup and KNX programming, which only works with the full version of the ETS5 or ETS6 software. The software for setting up the KNX visualization, which runs differently for all three candidates, has nothing to do with KNX programming.

Current status 2025: Software updates

If you want to set up and program your house completely yourself, we recommend our click guide: Program KNX Smart Home yourself in 8 hours. Click instructions for builders and electricians . Wer sich also die mühsame Zeit sparen will, indem er viele Monate für erste Gehversuche bei der KNX Programmierung verbringt, dem empfiehlt sich unsere Klick-Anleitung.

But back to our three KNX servers. The Gira X1 server is put into operation with the Gira GPA software and the KNX visualization is set up under Windows 10/11. Due to many requests from building owners, we have created our own click instructions (see“Programming the Gira X1 in 2 hours“, so that a “normal” house or apartment can be set up in 2 hours.

The Jung Smart Visu Server was introduced in 2016/2017 and the software has received many improvements through its updates. All three KNX servers have the current software version 2025 in common, so that each server can control an individual building and serve as a KNX visualization.