openHAB vs Control4

Struggling to choose between openHAB and Control4? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

openHAB is a Home & Family solution with tags like open-source, home-automation, iot, zwave, zigbee, mqtt, philips-hue, google-assistant.

It boasts features such as Open source and free, Supports many home automation protocols and standards, Works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and more, Rule-based automation engine, Web-based UI and mobile apps, Add-ons for hundreds of devices and technologies, Active community support and documentation and pros including Free and open source, Very flexible and extensible, Integrates many devices and systems, Powerful automation engine, Large device support via add-ons, Self-hosted, no reliance on cloud services, Can be hosted on low-power devices like Raspberry Pi.

On the other hand, Control4 is a Home & Family product tagged with home-automation, lighting-control, av-control, climate-control, security, central-controller.

Its standout features include Whole home automation, Voice control integration, Remote access and control, Scheduling and scenes, Multi-room audio, Video distribution, Lighting control, Climate control, Security integration, Intercom integration, and it shines with pros like Comprehensive smart home platform, Sleek touchscreens, Professional installation, Works with many third-party devices, Customizable and expandable.

Feature	openHAB	Control4
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Home & Family	Home & Family

Product Overview

openHAB

Description: openHAB is an open source home automation software that integrates different home automation systems and technologies into one uniform interface. It works with Z-Wave, ZigBee, MQTT brokers, Philips Hue, Google Assistant, and more.

Control4

Description: Control4 is a home automation system that allows users to control lighting, audio/video, climate, security, and more from a central controller or mobile device. It integrates various connected devices and systems into one platform.

Key Features Comparison

openHAB Features

• Open source and free
• Supports many home automation protocols and standards
• Works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and more
• Rule-based automation engine
• Web-based UI and mobile apps
• Add-ons for hundreds of devices and technologies
• Active community support and documentation

Control4 Features

• Whole home automation
• Voice control integration
• Remote access and control
• Scheduling and scenes
• Multi-room audio
• Video distribution
• Lighting control
• Climate control
• Security integration
• Intercom integration

Pros & Cons Analysis

openHAB

Pros

• Free and open source
• Very flexible and extensible
• Integrates many devices and systems
• Powerful automation engine
• Large device support via add-ons
• Self-hosted, no reliance on cloud services
• Can be hosted on low-power devices like Raspberry Pi

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Requires technical expertise to set up and configure
• Fragmented documentation
• UI is not the most intuitive
• Limited out-of-the-box functionality
• Requires tinkering to integrate some devices

Control4

Pros

• Comprehensive smart home platform
• Sleek touchscreens
• Professional installation
• Works with many third-party devices
• Customizable and expandable

Cons

• Expensive
• Requires professional installation
• Some limitations with third-party devices
• Monthly fees for remote access
• Closed ecosystem

Pricing Comparison

openHAB

• Open Source

Control4

• Subscription-Based
• Custom Pricing