Comparison

Luma Surveillance vs CG Installer Control

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

Head to head
About

Luma Surveillance

Monitor your security cameras remotely with live video streaming, easy playback, and recording capabilities. Manage multiple devices, customize views, and capture important moments from your tablet or mobile device.

Highlights
  • Live video viewing (single/split screen)
  • Search and playback recordings
  • Capture snapshots and record video
  • Unified app for NVRs and DVRs
  • Customize grid views
  • Remote PTZ camera control
  • Audio support (model dependent)
Features
Read full description

The Luma Surveillance app makes it easy to check on what matters – anytime, anywhere. Watch live video, easily search, play back, and save recordings, or take a snapshot all from your tablet or mobile device. • One unified app for all Luma products – including both NVRs and DVRs • Enjoy crystal-clear live viewing of a single or split screen (4, 9, or 16 channels simultaneously) in both portrait and landscape modes with convenient pinch to zoom • Switch between high or standard resolution depending on your remote connection • Customize your grid views for multi-device management – Drag and drop cameras where you’d like them, even across multiple DVRs/NVRs • Easily scan timeline and playback to find recordings and events • Instantly capture snapshots or record videos with a tap of your finger • Add snapshots and video to your photo library for safe keeping or to share with family, friends, or colleagues • Listen or speak to whoever is on the other end (Audio support varies by camera model) • Remotely control pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras • Swipe to quickly and easily switch between cameras

About

CG Installer Control

This app is for authorized dealers to install, test, and manage Cellgate access control systems. It enables remote control of gates and access points via cellular networks and the internet, supporting various power sources and environments.

Highlights
  • Install Cellgate devices
  • Test device functionality
  • Control property access
  • Remote management via mobile
  • Supports cellular and internet
  • Works with various gate types
Features
Read full description

Notice: You NEED a Dealer account with CellGate before you can use this application. This Application is designed and intended for the sole use by CellGate Access Control and Monitoring Dealers to assist in the installation/maintenance of cellgate products. The CG Installer Control App allows for the installation, testing, and control of Cellgate Devices. Built specifically for use with cellular networks and the internet, the CG Installer Control system allows you to Install and control access to your properties 24 hours a day, directly from your mobile phone or any internet connection. Working with manual or automatic gates and powered by solar or AC, the CellGate system can operate in a variety of environments such as Farms and Ranches, Oil and Gas Sites, Residences, Deer Leases and Self-Storage Facilities.

Screenshots

Luma Surveillance2 screens
CG Installer Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CG Installer Control at 3.7 against Luma Surveillance's 1.8. CG Installer Control also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 11 months). Luma Surveillance's advantage is ratings volume (291 vs 3) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CG Installer Control holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luma Surveillance has 291 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Luma Surveillance ships an update every 11 months, CG Installer Control every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Luma Surveillance versus CG Installer Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLuma SurveillanceCG Installer Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (291 ratings)3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews4.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings291 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWirepath Home Systems, LLCGouldin Technologies LLC

Customer experience

Luma Surveillance

All ratings262 ratings
Positive19.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative77.1%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive4.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative91.3%

CG Installer Control

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Luma Surveillance

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • App freezes and requires restart to load cameras
  • Remote playback feature non-functional
  • Login issues and authentication failures
  • App crashes when viewing multiple DVRs simultaneously
  • Crashes when switching to 32 camera view
Show 12 more
  • WiFi connectivity fails despite strong internet
  • App only works with cellular data, not WiFi
  • Buffering and 'No Data' errors during playback
  • Recent update wiped out clipped files
  • Screen orientation flips unexpectedly during playback
  • App incompatible with latest iOS versions
  • Battery drains to zero during playback
  • Night camera feeds show nothing
  • App stuck in infinite loop
  • Playback stops when switching between cameras
  • Time zone playback limitations
  • Motion detection sends only email alerts with garbled images

Requested features

14 requests
  • Complete app redesign from scratch
  • Mac OS native support
  • Pinch-to-zoom functionality
  • VCR-like playback controls (skip forward/backward)
  • Motion-detected clip auto-population
Show 9 more
  • Video export to phone capability
  • Sound on video reviews
  • Push notifications for motion detection
  • Improved landscape/portrait orientation handling
  • Faster camera feed loading
  • Better grid view quality settings
  • Multi-DVR simultaneous viewing support
  • Simplified login process
  • Better technical support responsiveness

CG Installer Control

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Luma Surveillance

No in-app purchases

None

CG Installer Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Luma Surveillance free?
Luma Surveillance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CG Installer Control free?
CG Installer Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Luma Surveillance or CG Installer Control?
CG Installer Control is rated higher. Luma Surveillance averages 1.8 out of 5 from 291 ratings, while CG Installer Control averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Luma Surveillance or CG Installer Control have ads?
Neither Luma Surveillance nor CG Installer Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Luma Surveillance or CG Installer Control?
Luma Surveillance ships an update every 11 months, and CG Installer Control every 3 months. Most recently, Luma Surveillance was updated on November 1, 2026 and CG Installer Control on November 3, 2026.

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