Comparison

UniFi Protect vs Control4

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

Head to head
About

UniFi Protect

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
Read full description

UniFi Protect brings the full functionality of our web-based camera security application to your mobile device. Adopt and manage your Protect devices, stream low-latency livestreams, and download localized recordings directly to your phone. Designed for residential and commercial use, UniFi Protect also allows you to: - Maintain complete data privacy with Cloudless recording storage. - Quickly scrub through hours of Timelapse footage to pinpoint the exact moments you're looking for. - Personalize security notifications based on a wide variety of individual, vehicular, and atmospheric-based detections.

About

Control4

Manage your smart home devices like lighting, music, and security from a single, intuitive interface. Customize your home screen and create automated routines for seamless control. Integrates with Apple HomeKit for Siri voice commands.

Highlights
  • All-in-one home screen control
  • Customizable favorites and widgets
  • Automated routines and scenes
  • Multiroom entertainment management
  • Live camera views and security alerts
  • Apple HomeKit and Siri integration
Features
Read full description

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

UniFi Protect4 screens
Control44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: UniFi Protect at 4.8 against Control4's 3.6. UniFi Protect also leads on ratings volume (74K vs 70) and review sentiment (52% vs 39%). 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

UniFi Protect holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: UniFi Protect has 74K ratings behind it against 70, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of UniFi Protect's written reviews are positive against 39% of Control4's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UniFi Protect ships an update every 3 weeks, Control4 fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
UniFi Protect versus Control4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniFi ProtectControl4
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (74K ratings) — better3.6 (70 ratings)
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews — better39.4% of reviews
Number of ratings74K — better70
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size249 MB252 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUbiquiti Inc.Snap One, LLC

Customer experience

UniFi Protect

All ratings73,501 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews966 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative35.5%

Control4

All ratings70 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative32.9%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive39.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative54.5%

Bugs and requests

UniFi Protect

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Control4

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

UniFi Protect

No in-app purchases

None

Control4

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is UniFi Protect free?
UniFi Protect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Control4 free?
Control4 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, UniFi Protect or Control4?
UniFi Protect is rated higher. UniFi Protect averages 4.8 out of 5 from 74K ratings, while Control4 averages 3.6 from 70 ratings.
Do UniFi Protect or Control4 have ads?
Neither UniFi Protect nor Control4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, UniFi Protect or Control4?
UniFi Protect ships an update every 3 weeks, and Control4 fortnightly. Most recently, UniFi Protect was updated on September 24, 2026 and Control4 on September 24, 2026.

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