InstallAssist vs URC Mobile 2.5
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
InstallAssist
This app streamlines the process of adding Z-Wave devices to a smart home system without requiring an internet connection. It allows for quick installation of devices in the field, eliminating the need to contact technical support. Once internet service is activated, the system automatically discovers and integrates other smart home components.
- Add Z-Wave devices offline
- Quick field installation
- Automatic device discovery
- Integrates with ClareHome system
- Eliminates need for tech support calls
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The Clare Controls Install Assistant App is designed for quickly adding Z-Wave devices to a home that does not have an internet connection or a project in Fusion. This App makes it possible to add Z-Wave devices to the ClareHome system with a CLIQ.mini in the field. Calling tech support is a thing of the past. After the homeowner activates their preferred internet service, ClareHome will connect to our cloud server to create the account and auto-discover other devices such as audio, thermostats, cameras, and more.
URC Mobile 2.5
Transform your smartphone or tablet into a powerful handheld controller for your home automation system. Effortlessly manage entertainment, lighting, security, and climate control from any location. Enjoy secure and intuitive control with a swipe, tap, or rotation.
- Smartphone/tablet as handheld controller
- Control entertainment, lights, security, thermostats
- Remote access from anywhere in the world
- Access multiple home locations
- Secure and intuitive control interface
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Leverage the power of your smartphone or tablet by turning it in to an amazing handheld controller for your URC® Total Control® 2 home automation system. Right from your mobile device easily control and monitor things such as entertainment, lights, security systems, thermostats and more in fast, new ways. Swipe, tap and rotate your way to securely control your equipment! This app gives you full control of all the features and full functionality afforded by a Total Control 2 system installation and more from multiple locations! Your main home and your vacation home can all be accessed from within one app. This version of URC Mobile requires a Wi-Fi connection to the local area network that is host to the Master Base Station / Central Processor and other system devices. Control is possible within the home or from anywhere in the world where internet or cell phone access is available. PLEASE NOTE: An installed Total Control 2 system is required to enjoy and access the features above. A new app installation or reset of the app requires the iOS device to be on-site with the Total Control Base Station. For more information please visit: https://www.urc-automation.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: InstallAssist at 5.0 against URC Mobile 2.5's 3.4. InstallAssist also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). URC Mobile 2.5's advantage is ratings volume (145 vs 4). On price, update cadence, 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.
InstallAssist holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: URC Mobile 2.5 has 145 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
InstallAssist ships an update every 2 months, URC Mobile 2.5 every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.
| Parameter | InstallAssist | URC Mobile 2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 3.4 (145 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 24.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 145 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 83 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Clare Controls | Universal Remote Control |
Customer experience
InstallAssist
URC Mobile 2.5
Bugs and requests
InstallAssist
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
URC Mobile 2.5
Reported bugs
75 issues- Never stays connected
- Always have to restart and reinstall
- System cannot be found
- Problem reappears
- Intermittent, some days it works
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- Clunky, unoptimized app
- Does not connect well
- Looks like app hasn't been updated
- Not working for iPhone
- Unable to access features
- Latest version buggy
- App opens 4-5 times
- Not very responsive
- Controls open delayed
- React slowly
- Frequent connection issues
- Completely useless 95% of the time
- Very buggy
- Always gives an error
- Try again does nothing
- Stopped working with latest Apple update
- Screen freezes, doesn't respond
- Unreliable, rarely works first time
- Screen never shuts down
- Stops phone from sleeping
- Problem on home screen
- Unexpected response from base station
- Horrible system, breaks down constantly
- Brutal, crashes all the time
- Not intuitive
- Glitch or failure
- Super glitchy
- Screens change without prompting
- Crashes constantly
- Poorly programmed
- System not updated often enough
- Not working with iOS 16
- Freezes often
- Not just one screen, all of them
- App auto closes
- Needs work
- Cannot see all devices on iOS
- Delays
- Frequent rebooting of the app
- Dimming light switches don't cooperate
- Terrible, has to be reset every day
- Once happy, now cannot recommend
- Discontinued media streaming device
- Amp out of warranty
- App only good for on/off
- System not found error
- System Update error
- Rendered whole system unusable
- Error messages all over the place
- Unresponsive and useless
- Cannot change volume
- App crashes every 5-7 mins
- So 2010, clunky connecting
- Awful app
- Worst app ever
- Loses connection every night
- Worse system EVER
- Highly unstable
- Do not buy URC
- Frustrated for ever
- Not managed to make it work
- Buttons do not work
- Bad, won't start
- Slow and unresponsive
- Graphics are old school
- Worst customer service
- Terrible, clunky, not user friendly
- Many bugs
- Needs testing and polish
- Lutron and Sonos interfaces unusable
Requested features
5 requests- Widgets
- Siri Shortcuts
- Add own images
- See Doorbird from mobile app
- Change background without service call
In-app purchases
InstallAssist
No in-app purchases
URC Mobile 2.5
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is InstallAssist free?
Is URC Mobile 2.5 free?
Which has better reviews, InstallAssist or URC Mobile 2.5?
Do InstallAssist or URC Mobile 2.5 have ads?
Which is updated more often, InstallAssist or URC Mobile 2.5?
Other comparisons
