# Element4 ProControl vs UniFi Protect

The clearest difference is review sentiment: UniFi Protect at 52% against Element4 ProControl's 0%. UniFi Protect also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). Element4 ProControl's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Element4 ProControl ships an update every 4 months, UniFi Protect every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element4 ProControl | UniFi Protect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (76K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unifi-protect/id1392492235/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **76K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **52.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 113 MB | 270 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Element4](https://appshunter.io/developer/1083837869) | [Ubiquiti Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/683620863) |

## What reviewers say

### Element4 ProControl

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element4-procontrol/id1083837870)

Control your gas fireplace with ease. Adjust flame height, set schedules, and manage various functions like lighting and fan speed. Enjoy personalized comfort with intuitive modes and multilingual support.

**Highlights:** Manual flame height adjustment, Automatic thermostat control, Programmable on/off schedules, Countdown timer for auto shut-off, Control lights, fan, and secondary burner, ECO mode and LED lighting control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### UniFi Protect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unifi-protect/id1392492235)

Access your camera security system from your mobile device. Stream live feeds, manage devices, and download recordings. Offers cloudless storage and customizable alerts for residential and commercial users.

**Highlights:** Adopt and manage Protect devices, Stream low-latency livestreams, Download localized recordings, Cloudless recording storage, Timelapse footage scrubbing, Personalized security notifications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🔒 Secure local storage
- 💡 Powerful AI detection features
- 👍 Seamless integration with Unifi ecosystem

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔋 Slow to connect and load video
- 🔒 Requires cloud account for remote access
- 🔍 Limited customization options
- 🔍 Inconsistent experience across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Geofencing not working as expected
- Doorbell audio/video not syncing properly
- Frequent disconnections from cameras
- Playback issues and video not loading
- Notifications not reliable or timely

**Requested features**

- Add option to snooze/silence notifications
- Improve video scrubbing and playback controls
- Integrate with Apple HomeKit
- Add custom notification sounds
- Enhance multi-view and layout options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element4 ProControl free?

Element4 ProControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is UniFi Protect free?

UniFi Protect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Element4 ProControl or UniFi Protect have ads?

Neither Element4 ProControl nor UniFi Protect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element4 ProControl or UniFi Protect?

Element4 ProControl ships an update every 4 months, and UniFi Protect every 3 weeks. Most recently, Element4 ProControl was updated on September 29, 2026 and UniFi Protect on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*