Comparison

DoorBird 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

DoorBird

See, hear, and speak to visitors at your door from anywhere in the world. Receive instant notifications for doorbell presses and motion detection, ensuring you never miss a visitor or delivery. Securely unlock doors, garages, or gates remotely.

Highlights
  • Live HDTV video with night vision
  • 2-way audio communication
  • Worldwide mobile access
  • Push notifications for visitors and motion
  • Remote door, garage, or gate unlocking
  • Visitor history
  • Geofencing
Features
Read full description

The DoorBird App provides mobile access to DoorBird IP Video Door Stations. Using the app, you can see and hear your visitors in real time, speak with them or unlock the door. When visitors press your doorbell, you receive a push notification on your iPhone or iPad and can immediately answer your door – from anywhere in the world. The DoorBird can also send instant alerts when a visitor triggers the built-in motion sensor. No matter if you are at home or not, you will never miss a visitor or a delivery. DoorBird's innovative IP technology was developed in Germany and is continuously improved through regular app and hardware updates. The system works in your local network (LAN) as well as outside of your home network environment without range limitation and securely encrypted over the Internet. DoorBird App Features for IP Video Door Stations: • Live HDTV video (ultra wide-angle camera lens, night vision) • 2-way audio communication • Worldwide mobile access to DoorBird IP Video Door Stations • Push notifications on your iPhone or iPad when the doorbell is pushed or the motion sensor is triggered • Configurable motion sensor • Free visitor history • Secure door, garage or gate opener via the app • Different ringtones for push notifications • Geofencing • App is optimized for portrait and landscape format • WiFi and Ethernet (PoE) • Smart Home and NVR compatible

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

DoorBird4 screens
Control4 for OS 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DoorBird at 4.5 against Control4 for OS 3's 3.0. DoorBird also leads on ratings volume (29K vs 576) and review sentiment (37% vs 22%). 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

DoorBird holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DoorBird has 29K ratings behind it against 576, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of DoorBird's written reviews are positive against 22% of Control4 for OS 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DoorBird ships an update every 3 weeks, Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DoorBird versus Control4 for OS 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDoorBirdControl4 for OS 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (29K ratings) — better3.0 (576 ratings)
Positive reviews37.0% of reviews — better21.8% of reviews
Number of ratings29K — better576
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBird Home Automation GmbHSnap One, LLC

Customer experience

DoorBird

All ratings29,063 ratings
Positive85.8%
Neutral4.0%
Negative10.2%
Written reviews489 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative48.7%

Control4 for OS 3

All ratings573 ratings
Positive46.4%
Neutral7.7%
Negative45.9%
Written reviews275 reviews
Positive21.8%
Neutral7.6%
Negative70.5%

User reviews

DoorBird

From 29K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great product and service
  • 🔒 Reliable security features
  • 🚀 Easy installation and setup

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Slow app response and connectivity issues
  • 🔇 Poor audio quality and speaker volume
  • 📽️ Low camera quality and limited field of view
  • 🕰️ Significant delays in notifications and video feed

Control4 for OS 3

From 576 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

DoorBird

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent connectivity and sync issues
  • Unreliable device pairing and setup process

Requested features

4 requests
  • Siri/Google Assistant integration for voice control
  • Improved push notification system with audible alerts
  • Local storage option for video recordings
  • Simplified app interface and settings

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

DoorBird

No in-app purchases

None

Control4 for OS 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DoorBird free?
DoorBird 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, DoorBird or Control4 for OS 3?
DoorBird is rated higher. DoorBird averages 4.5 out of 5 from 29K ratings, while Control4 for OS 3 averages 3.0 from 576 ratings.
Do DoorBird or Control4 for OS 3 have ads?
Neither DoorBird nor Control4 for OS 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DoorBird or Control4 for OS 3?
DoorBird ships an update every 3 weeks, and Control4 for OS 3 fortnightly. Most recently, DoorBird was updated on October 28, 2026 and Control4 for OS 3 on October 26, 2026.

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