# Alarm.com vs Control4 for OS 3

The clearest difference is rating: Alarm.com at 4.7 against Control4 for OS 3's 3.0. Alarm.com also leads on ratings volume (141K vs 573). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Alarm.com holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alarm.com has 141K ratings behind it against 573, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 23% and 22% positive.

Alarm.com ships an update every 4 weeks, Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alarm.com | Control4 for OS 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (141K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmcom/id315010649/reviews)** | [3.0 (573 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control4-for-os-3/id1320153814/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **141K** | 573 |
| Positive reviews | **22.8% of reviews** | 21.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 443 MB | 207 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alarm.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/315010652) | [Snap One, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/417819127) |

## What reviewers say

### Alarm.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmcom/id315010649)

Connect and protect your home or business with a unified system. Remotely control security, locks, lights, and cameras, and receive intelligent alerts for crime, fire, or water damage. Automate routines and manage your property from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Remote property control, Intelligent alerts and live video, Security automation, Smart lock and light control, Video camera monitoring, Two-way doorbell communication

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and intuitive app
- 🔒 Provides good security and monitoring
- 👍 Easy to use and control home devices
- 💡 Helpful for remote home management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues and app crashes
- 🔋 Unreliable notifications and alerts
- 👎 Poor customer service and technical support
- 🕰️ Slow response times for arming/disarming

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent display of system status
- Inability to update WiFi settings remotely
- Unexpected resets of user preferences
- Delayed or missing video recordings

**Requested features**

- Customizable notification sounds
- Ability to bypass specific sensors
- Improved video quality and reliability
- Integration with other smart home platforms


### 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alarm.com free?

Alarm.com is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Control4 for OS 3 free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Alarm.com or Control4 for OS 3?

Alarm.com is rated higher. Alarm.com averages 4.7 out of 5 from 141K ratings, while Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.0 from 573 ratings.

### Do Alarm.com or Control4 for OS 3 have ads?

Neither Alarm.com nor Control4 for OS 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alarm.com or Control4 for OS 3?

Alarm.com ships an update every 4 weeks, and Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. Most recently, Alarm.com was updated on October 18, 2026 and Control4 for OS 3 on October 15, 2026.

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