Comparison

Control4 for OS 3 vs Pentair Pool

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

Pentair Pool

Manage your swimming pool system, monitor water chemistry, and receive instant status updates from a single dashboard. Control connected Pentair pool devices remotely for energy efficiency and peace of mind. Receive alerts for equipment or pool conditions to avoid costly service calls.

Highlights
  • Remote pool system control
  • Water chemistry monitoring
  • Instant status updates
  • 24/7 device monitoring
  • Equipment alerts
  • Energy-efficient solutions
Features
Read full description

Pentair Home is Now Pentair Pool! It's the same great app with a new name and logo. You'll continue to enjoy the functionality you know and love with a modern, refined look. Your app will continue functioning as it always has — seamlessly and reliably! Rule the Pool with Smart, Connected Pentair Products All in One Place The Pentair Pool app and its range of connected products makes managing your pool easier than ever. Control your swimming pool system, monitor water chemistry, and access instant status updates from one easy-to-use dashboard on your smart device. Enjoy energy-efficient solutions and peace of mind with remote monitoring anytime, anywhere. With the Pentair Pool app, you can: + Receive alerts sent directly to your phone and, if you choose, to your trusted pool professional. + Monitor your connected Pentair pool devices remotely, 24/7, to ensure peak performance. + Easily see when equipment or pool conditions need attention to avoid unnecessary and costly service calls. Compatible Pentair Pool & Spa Products: + IntelliCenter® Pool Control System + IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed & Flow Pump + IntelliVibe Pool & Spa Lights + IntelliSync® Pool Pump Control + ChemCheck® Water Quality Monitoring System + IntelliConnect® Pool Control System + Prowler® 930W Robotic Pool Cleaner + Color Sync™ Controller for Color LED Pool Lights Note: Product alerts, professional connectivity, and features are dependent on user settings and device capabilities. Internet connection, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth® may be required. Some features may not be supported on all smart devices. Terms of Service and Privacy Notice apply.

Screenshots

Control4 for OS 34 screens
Pentair Pool4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pentair Pool at 4.6 against Control4 for OS 3's 3.1. Pentair Pool also leads on ratings volume (23K vs 570) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Control4 for OS 3's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, 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

Pentair Pool holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pentair Pool has 23K 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 30% of Pentair Pool's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, Pentair Pool monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Control4 for OS 3 versus Pentair Pool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl4 for OS 3Pentair Pool
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (570 ratings)4.6 (23K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.0% of reviews29.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings57023K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size207 MB149 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSnap One, LLCPentair, Inc.

Customer experience

Control4 for OS 3

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

Pentair Pool

All ratings23,257 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews423 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral10.2%
Negative60.0%

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

Pentair Pool

From 23K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 📊 Good data and monitoring features
  • 💡 Helpful customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues
  • 🔒 Limited user permissions and control
  • 🤯 Frustrating setup and migration process

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

Pentair Pool

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Inaccurate sensor readings
  • Scheduling and automation issues
  • Inability to delete or modify existing configurations

Requested features

4 requests
  • More scheduling and automation options
  • Improved integration with other smart home devices
  • Better data visualization and reporting
  • Ability to create user profiles and access controls

In-app purchases

None

Control4 for OS 3

No in-app purchases

None

Pentair Pool

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 Pentair Pool free?
Pentair Pool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Control4 for OS 3 or Pentair Pool?
Pentair Pool is rated higher. Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.1 out of 5 from 570 ratings, while Pentair Pool averages 4.6 from 23K ratings.
Do Control4 for OS 3 or Pentair Pool have ads?
Neither Control4 for OS 3 nor Pentair Pool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control4 for OS 3 or Pentair Pool?
Control4 for OS 3 ships an update fortnightly, and Pentair Pool monthly. Most recently, Control4 for OS 3 was updated on September 23, 2026 and Pentair Pool on September 24, 2026.

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