Comparison

My Observer® Mobile vs Control4

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

Head to head
About

My Observer® Mobile

Control your Observer Communicating HVAC system remotely. Manage comfort and efficiency from anywhere with internet access. Orchestrates the operation of your entire Observer system.

Highlights
  • Remote HVAC system management
  • Comfort and efficiency optimization
  • Wi-Fi enabled wall control operation
  • Internet-based access
  • System orchestration
Features
Read full description

The Observer® Communicating Wall Control orchestrates the operation of the entire Observer Communicating HVAC system, providing you with the optimum mix of comfort and efficiency. Whether you have just the wall control, or the entire Observer system, this mobile app will allow you to manage your Wi-Fi® capable Observer wall control from anywhere that has Internet service. Manage your Observer® comfort system remotely with the My Observer Mobile App.

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

My Observer® Mobile4 screens
Control44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Control4 at 3.5 against My Observer® Mobile's 1.5. Control4 also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months) and review sentiment (38% vs 12%). My Observer® Mobile's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, 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

Control4 holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 76 and 72 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 12% of My Observer® Mobile's written reviews are positive against 38% of Control4's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

My Observer® Mobile ships an update every 12 months, Control4 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
My Observer® Mobile versus Control4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMy Observer® MobileControl4
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (76 ratings)3.5 (72 ratings) — better
Positive reviews12.2% of reviews38.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings76 — better72
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS6.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB253 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInternational Comfort Products CorporationSnap One, LLC

Customer experience

My Observer® Mobile

All ratings76 ratings
Positive10.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative85.5%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive12.2%
Neutral6.1%
Negative81.6%

Control4

All ratings72 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative34.7%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive38.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative55.9%

Bugs and requests

My Observer® Mobile

Reported bugs

43 issues
  • Unable to connect
  • Doesn't send updates
  • Shows old data
  • Won't sync
  • App doesn't connect
Show 38 more
  • Shows old screen
  • Unstable
  • No support
  • No longer works
  • App has been abandoned
  • Thermostat freaked out
  • Current status never updates
  • Changes don't save
  • Requires Adobe Flash Player
  • Less responsive
  • Cannot sign in
  • App freezes
  • Doesn't follow settings
  • Out of date firmware/software
  • Constantly delete/reinstall needed
  • Landscape mode only
  • App settings revert
  • Stuck on old data
  • Not working
  • Useless
  • Can't close on iPhone X
  • Constantly signing out
  • Junk interface
  • Only updates every few days
  • Desktop site won't work
  • App support phone number limited
  • Buggy
  • Functions not complete
  • Cannot set fan from Low to Auto
  • Furnace doesn't start after app adjustment
  • Reads old holds
  • Server errors
  • Strange problem with email/photos
  • Error can't connect to server
  • Connectivity issues
  • Server problems
  • Mobile access not always available
  • Expired SSL cert

Requested features

17 requests
  • New app with modern design
  • Improve ease of use
  • Add Vacation mode
  • Add dark mode
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard
Show 12 more
  • Update app for iPhone X
  • Add Alexa integration
  • Add push notifications
  • Developer API support
  • Support for HVAC advanced/installer menu
  • Quick Home/Away modes
  • Over-the-air updates
  • Scale interface better across screen sizes
  • Direct button for advanced functions
  • Improve fan indicator accuracy
  • Update app for new iPhones
  • Add Apple Watch support

Control4

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

My Observer® Mobile

No in-app purchases

None

Control4

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is My Observer® Mobile free?
My Observer® Mobile 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, My Observer® Mobile or Control4?
Control4 is rated higher. My Observer® Mobile averages 1.5 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while Control4 averages 3.5 from 72 ratings.
Do My Observer® Mobile or Control4 have ads?
Neither My Observer® Mobile nor Control4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, My Observer® Mobile or Control4?
My Observer® Mobile ships an update every 12 months, and Control4 fortnightly. Most recently, My Observer® Mobile was updated on October 19, 2026 and Control4 on October 21, 2026.

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