Alarm Relay vs Control4
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Alarm Relay
Control your entire home security system, cameras, lights, and other connected devices remotely. Receive instant notifications for alarms or system changes, and view live video feeds from your cameras. Requires an existing account with the service.
- Remote arm/disarm of security system
- Real-time alarm notifications
- Live video streaming from cameras
- Control Z-Wave home automation devices
- Text and email alerts
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Alarm Relay gives you complete control over your security system, cameras, lights, locks, thermostats and other connected devices from anywhere in the world. Key Features: Arm and disarm your home security system from anywhere Receive text and/or email notifications in the event of an alarm, or when the system is disarmed Watch and record live video through your home security cameras Control your home automation-enabled Z-Wave devices PLEASE NOTE: To access this app, you must have an account set up with Alarm Relay.
Control4
Manage your smart home devices, including lighting, security, and entertainment, from a single, intuitive interface. Customize your home screen and create personalized routines for seamless automation. Integrates with Apple HomeKit for Siri voice control.
- All-in-one home screen control
- Customizable favorites and widgets
- Personalized routines and scenes
- Multiroom entertainment management
- Live camera views
- Apple HomeKit integration
- Smart notifications
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Easily manage your smart home with a sleek, intuitive interface. Control lighting, shades, music, security, and more—all from one place. Customize your home screen and create personalized routines for quick, seamless access. Now with enhanced features, including Siri voice control through Apple HomeKit. Contact a Control4 integrator to experience Control4 X4 today. NOTE: Prior to using this app, your Control4 system must be updated to Control4 X4 or later. If you are unsure of the software version of our system, check with your Control4 Integrator or log into your Control4 account at control4.com. A Smarter, More Personalized Experience • All-in-One Home Screen – Your central hub for controlling your favorite devices. Manage lighting, motorized shades, music, video, thermostats, security, cameras, door locks, garage doors, and more. See real-time status updates, access favorite devices, and control everything with ease. • Customizable Favorites – Pin the devices and controls you use most for instant access. • Quick Actions & Widgets – Resize, reorder, and organize widgets for seamless control over lighting, security cameras, and more. Personalized to You • Routines & Scenes – Save time by automating your day with pre-set routines for the morning, evening, or any moment in between. • Timers & Schedules – Set outdoor lights to turn on at sunset, TVs to turn off at bedtime, or security to arm at a set time. • Multiroom Entertainment – Control music and video in every room from one app. Play your favorite streaming services or set TVs to turn on when you walk in. Easy Control, Inside and Out • Live Camera Views – Monitor security cameras in real time and receive instant alerts. • Apple HomeKit Integration – Control your space with Siri, Apple Widgets, and CarPlay.* apple store only • Smart Notifications – Stay informed with alerts for doorbell rings, motion sensors, or security events. With the Control4 App, your space works the way you want it to — simplifying your life with effortless control. Download today and experience personalized automation like never before! *HomeKit, Siri, CarPlay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Control4 at fortnightly against Alarm Relay's every 5 months. Control4 also leads on ratings volume (75 vs 13). Alarm Relay's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 39%) and iOS requirement (6.1 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Alarm Relay holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Control4 has 75 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Alarm Relay's written reviews are positive against 39% of Control4's.
Alarm Relay ships an update every 5 months, Control4 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Alarm Relay | Control4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (13 ratings) — better | 3.5 (75 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 39.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 75 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 6.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 40 MB | 258 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alarm Relay | Snap One, LLC |
Customer experience
Alarm Relay
Control4
In-app purchases
Alarm Relay
No in-app purchases
Control4
No in-app purchases









