# Control4 for OS 3 vs UniFi Protect

The clearest difference is rating: UniFi Protect at 4.8 against Control4 for OS 3's 3.0. UniFi Protect also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 22%) and ratings volume (78K vs 577). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

UniFi Protect holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UniFi Protect has 78K ratings behind it against 577, 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 53% of UniFi Protect's.

Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, UniFi Protect every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Control4 for OS 3 | UniFi Protect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (577 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control4-for-os-3/id1320153814/reviews) | **[4.8 (78K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unifi-protect/id1392492235/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 577 | **78K** |
| Positive reviews | 21.8% of reviews | **52.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 212 MB | 270 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Snap One, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/417819127) | [Ubiquiti Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/683620863) |

## What reviewers say

### Control4 for OS 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control4-for-os-3/id1320153814)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### 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 Control4 for OS 3 free?

Control4 for OS 3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is UniFi Protect free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Control4 for OS 3 or UniFi Protect?

UniFi Protect is rated higher. Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.0 out of 5 from 577 ratings, while UniFi Protect averages 4.8 from 78K ratings.

### Do Control4 for OS 3 or UniFi Protect have ads?

Neither Control4 for OS 3 nor UniFi Protect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Control4 for OS 3 or UniFi Protect?

Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, and UniFi Protect every 3 weeks. Most recently, Control4 for OS 3 was updated on November 6, 2026 and UniFi Protect on November 9, 2026.

---

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