Comparison

Control4 for OS 2 vs Control4 for OS 3

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 2

Transform your smart home devices into a unified command center. Control audio, video, lighting, climate, security, and more from your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Access your system remotely with an optional subscription.

Highlights
  • Smart home control center
  • Audio and video management
  • Lighting control and scenes
  • Climate control
  • Security system monitoring
  • Remote access
  • Apple Watch integration
Read full description

The Control4 app turns your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad into the ultimate command center for your Control4 smart home automation system. ------------ PLEASE NOTE: Prior to using this app, you need a Control4 controller and automation system running Control4 OS 2.7.2 or later (2.10 recommended) at your home or business. If you are unsure of the software version on your system, please check with your Control4 dealer or login to your Control4 account at https://customer.control4.com for more information. ------------ On your iPhone and iPad, use the Control4 app and enjoy the convenience of controlling and viewing the status of your entire smart home, including audio, video, lights, thermostats, security system and cameras, door locks, sensors, pools, and much more. Quickly browse your own music collection or find a favorite track on streaming music services like Rhapsody--and listen in one room or across every room in your home. Adjust your lights with interactive dimmers or use a lighting scene as a single button press to control lights across multiple rooms. Fire up the heater on your pool or spa. Open garage doors or an electric gate, or use the app to unlock a deadbolt on a door. Connect to your system at home over your own Wi-Fi network. You can also use the app to access and manage your home from virtually anywhere in the world using 3G/4G or remote Wi-Fi networks when the app is enabled with a Control4 4Sight subscription. Highlighted Features on iPhone and iPad: • Audio playback and distribution • Video control and distribution • Lighting control and scene editing (scene editing is only available on the iPad) • Heating and air conditioning control • Security system management and camera viewing • Feedback from sensors and control through relays • Cover art for movies and music • Playlist management • Anywhere Access (4Sight subscription required, contact your dealer) Use your Apple Watch to quickly control the most often used features of your Control4 system, including: • Custom action buttons • Audio and video control • Temperature • Lighting (including scenes) • Door locks and garage doors. NOTE: Apple Watch support requires watchOS 2 or later and a Control4 controller and automation system running Control4 OS 2.8.1 or later at your home or business.

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.

Screenshots

Control4 for OS 24 screens
Control4 for OS 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Control4 for OS 3 at fortnightly against Control4 for OS 2's every 2 months. Control4 for OS 2's advantage is iOS requirement (13.6 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Control4 for OS 2 against 3.1 for Control4 for OS 3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 198 and 570 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 23% and 22% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Control4 for OS 2 ships an update every 2 months, Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on July 30, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Control4 for OS 2 versus Control4 for OS 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterControl4 for OS 2Control4 for OS 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (198 ratings)3.1 (570 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.7% of reviews — better22.0% of reviews
Number of ratings198570 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size255 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSnap One, LLCSnap One, LLC

Customer experience

Control4 for OS 2

All ratings198 ratings
Positive47.0%
Neutral6.6%
Negative46.5%
Written reviews150 reviews
Positive22.7%
Neutral8.7%
Negative68.7%

Control4 for OS 3

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

User reviews

Control4 for OS 2

From 198 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works perfectly
  • 🚀 High quality product
  • 🚀 Great app
  • 🚀 Solid release
  • 🚀 Awesome

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frustrating to use
  • 🐛 Laggy
  • 🐛 Terrible system
  • 🐛 Clunky and outdated
  • 🐛 Slow to connect

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

Bugs and requests

Control4 for OS 2

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Tunein stations not streaming
  • Insteon driver not working properly
  • Crashes when opening security cameras

Requested features

6 requests
  • When > then feature
  • Large volume button
  • Keyboard for searching
  • Apple Watch app
  • Dark mode
Show 1 more
  • Advanced analytics dashboard

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

In-app purchases

None

Control4 for OS 2

No in-app purchases

None

Control4 for OS 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Control4 for OS 2 free?
Control4 for OS 2 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, Control4 for OS 2 or Control4 for OS 3?
Control4 for OS 3 is rated higher. Control4 for OS 2 averages 3.0 out of 5 from 198 ratings, while Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.1 from 570 ratings.
Do Control4 for OS 2 or Control4 for OS 3 have ads?
Neither Control4 for OS 2 nor Control4 for OS 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Control4 for OS 2 or Control4 for OS 3?
Control4 for OS 2 ships an update every 2 months, and Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. Most recently, Control4 for OS 2 was updated on July 30, 2026 and Control4 for OS 3 on September 23, 2026.

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