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Smart Home Comparison

Control4 Alternative:
Same Power, Better Value

Love the idea of whole-home automation but not the $20,000+ price tag? There's a better way. Home Assistant delivers enterprise-grade smart home control without the dealer lock-in.

Why Control4 Owners Are Switching

Control4 is a capable system, but the ownership experience leaves a lot to be desired.

Dealer-Only Programming

Every change to your system—from adding a device to adjusting automation rules—requires a certified dealer visit, often at $150+/hour.

You never truly own your system

Proprietary Lock-In

Control4 uses proprietary protocols, meaning you can only use Control4-certified devices, limiting your choices and increasing costs.

Restricted device selection

Ongoing License Fees

4Sight subscription ($100+/year) required for remote access to your own home. Additional fees for cloud services and updates.

$100+/year just for remote access

High Upfront Costs

Average Control4 installations range from $10,000-$50,000+ depending on home size. The hardware is marked up significantly through the dealer channel.

$10,000-$50,000+ installation

Dealer Dependency

If your dealer goes out of business or you move, finding support can be challenging. Your system knowledge walks out the door with them.

No dealer = no support

Side-by-Side Comparison

See how Home Assistant stacks up against Control4.

Feature
Control4
Home Assistant
Remote Access
$100+/year (4Sight)
Free (Nabu Casa optional at $6.50/mo)
System Changes
Dealer required ($150+/hr)
DIY or we help for free (30-day support)
Device Compatibility
Control4-certified only
2,000+ brands supported
Upfront Cost (3BR home)
$15,000-$25,000
$3,000-$8,000
5-Year Total Cost
$17,000-$28,000+
$3,000-$8,000
Cloud Dependency
Required for full features
100% local capable
System Ownership
Dealer-controlled
You own everything

Why Home Assistant Wins

Same Capabilities, Fraction of the Cost

Home Assistant controls lighting, climate, cameras, locks, audio/video—everything Control4 does. The difference? You're not paying for dealer markup and proprietary hardware.

True Ownership

Make changes yourself through an intuitive interface, or call us anytime. No service contracts, no hourly fees for simple adjustments.

Future-Proof

Home Assistant is open-source with a massive community. When new smart home tech comes out, support usually follows within weeks—not years.

Works Without Internet

Your automations run locally. If your internet goes down, your smart home keeps working. Can't say the same for Control4's cloud features.

Already Have Control4?

We help Control4 owners migrate to Home Assistant. Keep your existing devices where possible, ditch the subscription fees, and gain true ownership of your system.

Common Questions

Can Home Assistant do everything Control4 does?

Yes. Lighting scenes, climate control, audio/video, cameras, locks, shades—Home Assistant handles it all. For advanced audio/video distribution, we use professional-grade equipment that matches or exceeds Control4's capabilities.

Is Home Assistant reliable enough for a luxury home?

Home Assistant runs on enterprise-grade hardware and operates 100% locally—meaning it keeps working even if your internet goes down. We've installed it in homes ranging from 2,000 to 10,000+ square feet.

What if I need help after installation?

Every installation includes 30 days of free support. After that, you can make changes yourself (it's surprisingly easy), or contact us for additional help. No contracts, no recurring fees unless you want them.

Can I migrate from Control4 to Home Assistant?

In most cases, yes. Many devices (especially Z-Wave, Zigbee, and IP-based devices) can be migrated. We'll evaluate your system and give you an honest assessment of what can be kept and what needs replacement.