These two are the workhorses of British trade decorating, and honestly you won't go far wrong with either. But they're not the same proposition.
Dulux is the bigger beast by miles — 2,092 colours in the FiniSpec library against Crown's 193. The depth is in the neutrals (335), then blues (265) and greens (262), with an LRV range running from 1.2 right up to 92.3. So if you want a near-black for a moody snug — something like Night Jewels 1 — or a rich metallic accent like Pharaohs Gold 2, Dulux has the breadth to deliver. The Heritage range (we treat Dulux Heritage separately) lifts the game further on pigment quality.
Crown is the leaner, more focused option. 193 colours, strongest in neutrals (33), greys (32) and whites (27). Where Crown genuinely shines is its whites — Pure Brilliant White and Bright White are clean, reliable trade staples, and Crown's LRV range tops out at a full 100 on the brightest whites. For ceilings, woodwork undercoats and a crisp white scheme, Crown is cracking value and goes on beautifully.
Now the "but what about" question: which lasts better on the wall? In practice, both brands' mid-tier trade emulsions wear similarly — coverage, scrubbability and opacity are close enough that the decision comes down to colour range and price, not durability. Crown's trade matt has a loyal following among professional decorators for a reason.
My honest steer: if you've got a defined colour in mind — especially a deep or characterful one — go Dulux for the sheer choice. If you're doing a clean, white-led job, or you want fewer decisions and a tidy budget, Crown is the smart pick.
Practical tip: whichever you choose, get a tester pot and paint a big A2 board, then move it round the room across the day. Brand loyalty means nothing if the colour goes dodgy in your light.