Comparison

Alarm.com vs FreeControl

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

Head to head
About

Alarm.com

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
Currently charting
Read full description

Keep your home or business connected, protected and one step ahead with Alarm.com. Our technology connects your security, locks, lights, video cameras and more into a single system that protects you from crime, fire, carbon monoxide and even water damage. Our all-in-one app for iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch makes it easy to: • Control your entire property remotely • Know what’s going on with intelligent alerts and live video feeds • Automate your daily security routine and other time-consuming tasks Our Apple Watch-supported features make connecting with home or work as easy as checking the time, with alerts, video clips and a full range of smart controls accessible right on your wrist. Note: This app requires a compatible system and an interactive Alarm.com service plan. Feature availability varies based on system, equipment, and service plan. Visit www.alarm.com for more information. Our smarter home security features include: • Control your security panel, locks, lights and more from anywhere • Get alerts when people enter and leave, or when there’s unexpected activity • Watch live and recorded video from indoor and outdoor cameras • Customize your video alerts to see specific activity only • Talk to visitors through your doorbell camera and unlock your door from the same screen • Use Scenes commands to activate multiple devices with one touch Our smarter business security features include: • Arm or disarm your security panel across multiple locations • Get alerted if the store opens late or an employee accesses a restricted area • Get smarter video alerts that highlight specific types of activity • Automate your lights, locks, thermostats and more • Track and manage access to multiple properties • Buzz open your access control doors from the Doorbell Call screen • Respond to alarm events and alert emergency personnel Dependable in emergencies and helpful every day, Alarm.com is the all-in-one solution for the connected, protected home or business.

About

FreeControl

Remotely monitor and control your security system from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Receive intruder alarms with event images for visual verification, view live streaming video from IP cameras, and arm/disarm your system on demand.

Highlights
  • Remote arm/disarm
  • Intruder alarm notifications
  • Event image verification
  • Live IP camera streaming
  • On-demand video viewing
Features
Read full description

FreeControl enables you to remotely monitor and control your security System from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. With FreeControl you can arm/disarm your system, receive intruder alarms together with event images for visual verification of alarms, view streaming video from IP cameras on demand and more. Pricing is subject to change without prior notice.

Screenshots

Alarm.com4 screens
FreeControl3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Alarm.com at none against FreeControl's 8. Alarm.com also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months) and chart position (#207 vs unranked). FreeControl's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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. FreeControl sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $21.49 per year. Alarm.com asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alarm.com ships an update every 4 weeks, FreeControl every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Alarm.com versus FreeControl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlarm.comFreeControl
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (141K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews23.0% of reviews — better12.8% of reviews
Number of ratings141K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#207 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size438 MB412 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlarm.comRISCO Group

Customer experience

Alarm.com

All ratings141,304 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews1,084 reviews
Positive23.0%
Neutral11.5%
Negative65.5%

FreeControl

Written reviews109 reviews
Positive12.8%
Neutral14.7%
Negative72.5%

Bugs and requests

Alarm.com

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

FreeControl

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Alarm.com

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

FreeControl

Subscriptions8
  • Plus 11 Month trial$21.491 Year
  • Plus 1 Connect$39.991 Year
  • Plus 21 Month trial$42.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Plus 1 Audio Connect$48.901 Year
  • Plus 31 Month trial$64.991 Year
  • Plus 6$85.991 Year
  • Plus 101 Month trial$149.991 Year
  • Plus 10+1 Month trial$234.991 Year

Questions

Is Alarm.com free?
Alarm.com is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FreeControl free?
FreeControl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Alarm.com or FreeControl have ads?
Neither Alarm.com nor FreeControl shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alarm.com or FreeControl?
Alarm.com ships an update every 4 weeks, and FreeControl every 3 months. Most recently, Alarm.com was updated on September 27, 2026 and FreeControl on September 23, 2026.

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