Presentation of KNX ETS6 software: Prices and versions

After a long delay, the new version of the KNX ETS6 Software presented on 28.09.2021. It will be quite a while before the software for controlling smart home buildings (houses and apartments) reaches the market. Until then and beyond, the ETS5 KNX software is the best choice for setting up and programming KNX in any building.

The following dates for ETS6 have been set:

Presentation KNX ETS6

Workshops in Germany: Q1/2 2022

First release: Q4 2021

First update: early 2022

ETS version history (KNX ETS)

ETS1: 1992 to 1996 (4 years)

ETS2: 1996 to 2004 (8 years, support until the end of 2008)

ETS3: 2004 to 2010 (6 years, support until the end of 2014)

ETS4: 2010 to 2014 (4 years, support until the end of 2019)

ETS5: 2014 until today

ETS6: Presentation on 28.09.2021, in the market Q4/2021

ETS5 software versions and prices

The ETS software has been available in five different versions for some time now: Demo, Lite, Inside, Professional and Supplementary. The ETS5 Demo version can be used by KNX beginners with a maximum of 5 components – i.e. actuators and sensors.

ETS5 Lite is sufficient for creating a small semi-detached house (Smart Home with KNX) or a small apartment with a maximum of 20 components (actuators and sensors).

Although ETS5 Inside offers up to 255 KNX devices (components), it has too many limitations: Such as project export/import (e.g. no professional graphical visualization possible) and working with plug-ins.

The ideal basis for building a house with KNX as the networking system is ETS5 Professional. It can be used to create and program any number of houses (projects) with any number of participants/components. In addition to this version, two further ETS5 Supplementary versions can be used at very good conditions.

A special KNX software version for private builders has been available since the beginning of April 2021: ETS5 Home. It supports up to 64 KNX devices/components and only a single KNX line. This means that ETS5 Home remains for smaller private homes and buildings, while ETS5 Professional is still intended for business use and any building.

In view of the small price difference between the ETS5 Home and the ETS5 Professional (during special promotions), it is only worth purchasing the ETS5 Home in rare cases.

License

ETS5 Demo

ETS5 Lite

ETS5 Home

ETS5 Professional

ETS5 Supplementary*

Components

unlimited

Price in €

free of charge

200 Euro

440 Euro

1190 Euro

150 Euro

Special price €**

–

60 Euro

270 Euro

550 Euro

150 Euro

USB dongle

Yes

*requires an ETS5 Professional version, only two versions available per account

**requires a special promotion in the form of discount codes or vouchers or a bulk order

ETS5 to ETS6 software upgrades

The prices for a software upgrade from ETS5 to ETS6 are reasonable at between 150 and 350 euros. Basically, nothing changes in the parameterization and KNX programming, so that the ETS5 version can still be used for many years (!) and is compatible.

When is it worth switching from ETS5 to ETS6?

The KNX software ETS6 is not yet available on the market. It will be officially launched in the fourth quarter of 2021. Even after the launch, it will probably still be a few weeks before the ETS6 software is available for download and license purchase.

For the time being, we recommend using the current ETS5 software and purchasing it as a KNX dongle license. Even beyond this period (until at least 2025), the KNX ETS5 software will still be the perfect solution for building projects. This applies to both private builders and electricians who want to program their homes/buildings with KNX.

If you want to familiarize yourself very quickly with the topic of“KNX programming smart home“, take a look at our Video course incl. click instructions “A KNX smart home in 8 hours” to.

What does the upgrade from ETS5 to ETS6 cost?

In the past, upgrading the ETS4 Professional software to ETS5 Professional cost around 350 euros (net). In between, there were always special promotions where the ETS5 upgrade was offered at preferential prices from 150 euros (net). An upgrade from ETS5 Professional to the new ETS6 Professional costs 350 euros net (as of September 2021). Everyone should decide for themselves whether this is always necessary for every application. Experienced users will be satisfied with ETS5 for a long time to come.

Expected versions of ETS6

License

ETS6 Demo

ETS6 Lite*

ETS6 Home*

ETS6 Professional

ETS6 Supplementary

Components

unlimited

Price (net)

free of charge

approx. 200 Euro

approx. 350 Euro

approx. 1000 Euro

n/a

Special price

–

approx. 150 Euro

approx. 200 Euro

650 to 750 Euro

n/a

USB dongle

Yes

*Limited version, will be released in Q4 2021 (as of November 2021)

Differences between ETS5 and ETS6? First look at ETS6

A look at the beta/developer version of the upcoming ETS6 version shows that improvements have essentially been made to the graphical user interface (usability). It should be quicker and easier to create a KNX project and access the individual areas. Konnex also assumes that more components with radio transmission – i.e. in accordance with the “KNX RF” standard – will come onto the market in the coming years. After all, most existing buildings can still be retrofitted with KNX RF.

If you then switch from ETS5 to ETS6, you will not notice any differences in the data structure and the essential functions. This is a very important point. There is also no reason It is not advisable to rush to switch from ETS5 to ETS6, even if the new software looks a little more stylish and tidy.

ETS5 Supplementary: Full version with dongle for 150 euros

The cheapest option for purchasing a full version of ETS5 is the ETS5 Supplementary: a full version with dongle, which has the same functionality as ETS5 Professional, is available for around 150 euros. However, you need someone to purchase an ETS5 Supplementary in addition to the full version of ETS5 Professional at your own expense. Conclusion: Find someone who will order a “second version” for a client at a special price.

Comparison of KNX software versions: ETS3 to ETS6

ETS3

ETS4

ETS5

ETS6

Operating system

Windows XP

√

Windows 7 (32 bit)

√

Windows 7 (64 bit)

√

Windows 10 (64 bit)

√

Mac OS X (64 bit)

Functions

Auto-update

√

Database management

√

Product import

√

Interfaces

RS232 interface

√

USB interface

√

TCP/IP interface

√

KNX RF (radio)

√

Copy protection

Host ID (File)

√

Dongle (USB)

√

Frank Völkel & Smartest Home Team

Since 2007, we have been testing KNX components for functionality and practical suitability in order to use only the best products in our customers' homes and villas