Comparison

Control4 for OS 3 vs Alula Security

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Control4 for OS 3

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a personal interface for your smart home. Control all connected devices, including lights, thermostats, security, and media, with a redesigned, personalized experience. Requires a Control4 Smart Home OS 3 system.

Highlights
  • Personalized user interface
  • Control lights, thermostats, security
  • Manage music and video
  • Access favorites and room-specific settings
  • Intuitive volume control
  • Customizable room wallpapers
Features
Read full description

This Control4 app is specifically designed to be used with Control4 Smart Homes running OS 3. It turns your iPhone or iPad into your personal user interface to control all your smart home devices. ------------ NOTE: Prior to using this app, your Control4 system must be updated to Control4 Smart Home OS 3 or later. If you are unsure of the software version on your system, check with your Control4 Dealer or login to your Control4 account at control4.com. ------------ Smart Home OS 3 was thoughtfully redesigned to make it more personal and the smart home OS of choice for families. It enables you to check on the status and control your entire smart home including music, video, lights, thermostats, security system, cameras, door locks, garage doors, pools, and much more. New features in OS 3 • Favorites give you fast access to the devices and sources that you use most • Quickly personalize the interface right from the app • Each room can have its own favorites for fast access to the things you use most • Hide icons that are less important, but easily access them through the room menu • Swipe between favorite rooms to quickly navigate around the home • Filtering lets you see all lights, locks and shades, or just those that are on, unlocked or open • All-new Active Media Bar shows what’s currently playing and gives you fast control of media • Easily adjust volume through a new, intuitive volume slider control • Background wallpapers for each room can now be easily changed right from the app Visit Control4.com to learn more, find a showroom near you, or find a independent professional integrator.

About

Alula Security

This app provides smart home security and control, allowing users to set custom rules for real-time notifications and automate smart devices. It offers cloud video services for secure storage and remote access to camera feeds, simplifying home management and security.

Highlights
  • Real-time notifications for doors, windows, and motion
  • Event-based Scenes and Recipes for device automation
  • Customizable home security zone configurations
  • Cloud video storage and remote access
  • Support for a wide range of IP cameras
  • Intuitive and reliable smart control
Features
Read full description

About Alula At Alula, we believe that the best security solution is provided by the professional security dealer. And we know that today’s security customer expects more than just basic security. In order to deliver the best experience for the needs of today’s modern security customer, you need to design and develop the hardware, software, and services for a complete, end-to-end professional security system for the professional security dealer. The thoughtful technology in our products are designed to keep up with a changing world. Intuitive. Reliable. Innovative. Simplifying your business while saving you money. It’s what you deserve and what people expect. And we’re only scratching the surface of possibilities. Keeping people and property safe is your business. At Alula, creating the tools and support you need to do that, is in our DNA. It’s your home, you set the rules. The Alula App gives you what you deserve, reliability and control. Set rules for real-time notifications. Know instantly when doors and windows are opened or when motion is detected. 
 Technology at your pace With event based “Scenes” and “Recipes”, your smart devices can support your way of life. Adjust the entire atmosphere in your home based on your day to day routines. Lights, cameras, garage doors and thermostats can adjust to great you in the morning or when you arrive back home in the evenings. 
 Alula Home Security Zone Configurations Alula uses zones in coordination with armed modes and zone configurations to determine how your security system responds when a sensor or detector is triggered. Customize your own zone configurations. Cloud Video Services Alula Cloud is an easy-to-use and affordable cloud video solution designed for businesses and homeowners. Now your customers can keep an eye on their home or business with the comfort of knowing their video is securely stored and can be retrieved from anywhere. - Cost Effective: ​​Why purchase expensive hardware storage, especially if there are multiple sites that need surveillance. Easily manage all camera from one platform. - Easy to Use: ​​Built for users who do not want to bother with complicated and expensive systems, with simple setup for dealers. - Flexible Camera Support: ​​Alula Cloud video works with the largest number of leading IP Cameras. Select the right camera for each customer.

Screenshots

Control4 for OS 34 screens
Alula Security4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Alula Security at 4.8 against Control4 for OS 3's 3.1. Alula Security also leads on ratings volume (27K vs 570) and review sentiment (43% vs 22%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Alula Security holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alula Security has 27K ratings behind it against 570, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Control4 for OS 3's written reviews are positive against 43% of Alula Security's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, Alula Security every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Control4 for OS 3 versus Alula Security: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl4 for OS 3Alula Security
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (570 ratings)4.8 (27K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.0% of reviews42.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings57027K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size207 MB273 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSnap One, LLCAlula Holdings, LLC

Customer experience

Control4 for OS 3

All ratings570 ratings
Positive46.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative45.8%
Written reviews273 reviews
Positive22.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative70.3%

Alula Security

All ratings27,364 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews220 reviews
Positive42.7%
Neutral10.5%
Negative46.8%

User reviews

Control4 for OS 3

From 570 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Responsive and fast
  • 🌟 Elegant and modern UI
  • 🔒 Robust security features
  • 👍 Customizable and personalized
  • 🎨 Improved visual design

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • ⏱️ Slow load times and reconnections
  • 🔌 Unreliable connectivity
  • 🤖 Lacking integration with smart home platforms
  • 💰 Expensive and costly to maintain

Alula Security

From 27K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Reliable security system
  • 👍 Convenient remote access
  • 👍 Useful notifications
  • 🚀 Simple and versatile operation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Delayed notifications and camera feeds
  • 🐛 Unreliable app performance
  • 🐛 Blank screens and login issues

Bugs and requests

Control4 for OS 3

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Intercom and doorbell issues
  • Thermostat controls not working as expected
  • Inability to connect to the system remotely
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Unexpected app crashes and freezes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Apple Watch app support
  • Better integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Improved voice control and Alexa integration
  • More customization options for users
  • Faster and more responsive app performance

Alula Security

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Notification count not clearing
  • Camera feeds not loading in landscape mode
  • App freezing when phone is horizontal
  • Incompatibility with iOS 17
  • Inability to reset password

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Customizable notification sounds
  • Ability to record video before/after motion events
  • Thermostat scheduling
  • Apple Watch and CarPlay integration

In-app purchases

None

Control4 for OS 3

No in-app purchases

None

Alula Security

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Control4 for OS 3 free?
Control4 for OS 3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Alula Security free?
Alula Security is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Control4 for OS 3 or Alula Security?
Alula Security is rated higher. Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.1 out of 5 from 570 ratings, while Alula Security averages 4.8 from 27K ratings.
Do Control4 for OS 3 or Alula Security have ads?
Neither Control4 for OS 3 nor Alula Security shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control4 for OS 3 or Alula Security?
Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, and Alula Security every 2 weeks. Most recently, Control4 for OS 3 was updated on September 23, 2026 and Alula Security on September 24, 2026.

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