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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Control4 vs Hubitat Elevation

Control4 logo

Control4

IoT & Smart Home

Premium integrated control system for smart homes and buildings

From
$1000/project
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

IoT & Smart Home

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Control4 requires professional installation and dealer network, with no self-install option; Hubitat Elevation limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Control4 covers Integrated Control, Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Control4 and Hubitat Elevation actually diverge.

Attributes where Control4 and Hubitat Elevation differ
AttributeControl4Hubitat Elevation
Starting price$1000/project$189.95/one-time
PlatformsMobile (iOS, Android), Web, In-home hubLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)
Founded20032016

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Control4

  • Integrated Control
  • Lighting
  • Climate
  • Security
  • Entertainment
  • 1000+ devices
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile app

Only in Hubitat Elevation

  • Local Processing
  • Rule Machine
  • Z-Wave Plus
  • Zigbee 3.0
  • Dashboard
  • Voice assistants
  • Custom apps
  • MQTT

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Control4

  • Whole-home automationnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Commercial building controlnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Custom installationnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Luxury smart homenot Hubitat Elevation

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Control4
  • Local controlnot Control4
  • Complex rulesnot Control4
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Control4

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Control4

  • Requires professional installation and dealer network, with no self-install option
  • Limited device compatibility; works best with Control4-certified ecosystems
  • Subscription required for remote access and advanced features
  • System complexity requires technical knowledge or ongoing dealer support

Hubitat Elevation

  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • Requires purchase of hub hardware; no free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Control4

$1000/project

No published plan breakdown. See the Control4 review.

Hubitat Elevation

$189.95/one-time
  • Hub Hardware$189.95/one-time
    • Z-Wave Plus 800 and Zigbee 3.0
    • Matter 1.5 support
    • Local automation engine
  • Cloud Backup (optional)$30/year
    • Cloud backup of automations
    • Automatic backups
  • Remote Admin (optional)$36/year
    • Remote access via cloud
    • Mobile app remote control

Which should you pick?

Choose Control4 if

  • You need integrated control.
  • You work on Mobile (iOS, Android), Web, In-home hub.
  • You also want lighting.
Control4 review

Choose Hubitat Elevation if

  • You need local processing.
  • You work on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
  • You also want rule machine.
Hubitat Elevation review

Questions people ask

Is Control4 or Hubitat Elevation better?
Neither clearly leads. Control4 starts at $1000/project and Hubitat Elevation at $189.95/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Control4 or Hubitat Elevation?
Control4 starts at $1000/project and Hubitat Elevation at $189.95/one-time.
Does Control4 or Hubitat Elevation run on more platforms?
Control4 runs on Mobile (iOS, Android), Web, In-home hub. Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
What is Control4 best used for?
Control4 is most often used for whole-home automation, commercial building control, custom installation, luxury smart home. Of those, whole-home automation and commercial building control are not what Hubitat Elevation is typically brought in for.
What can Control4 do that Hubitat Elevation cannot?
Control4 covers Integrated Control, Lighting, Climate, Security. Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Control4: What devices can Control4 control?

Control4 controls connected home devices including lighting, audio, video, climate control, locks, intercoms, and security systems. Compatibility varies by device brand and integration type.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat require a cloud connection or subscription?

No. All automations and device control run locally without cloud dependency. Hubitat does not require subscriptions for core features; optional cloud backup ($30/year) and remote admin ($36/year) are available.

Source
Control4: Does Control4 require a subscription?

Control4 systems work locally without subscription, but the Connect service subscription adds remote access and premium features. Connect pricing varies; as of 2026, base Connect is optional.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: How many devices can Hubitat control?

The Hubitat Elevation Model C-8 supports 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands through Zigbee, Z-Wave 800 Long Range, Matter 1.5, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi protocols.

Source
Control4: Is professional installation required for Control4?

Yes. Control4 systems are professionally installed and configured by certified Control4 dealers. Installation complexity and cost depend on system scope and home size.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit?

Yes. Hubitat integrates with Alexa and Google Home for voice control, and also supports Apple HomeKit via direct integration for HomeKit devices.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: What is the difference between the C-7 and C-8 models?

The C-8 ($189.95) features Z-Wave Plus 800, Zigbee 3.0, and expanded memory for handling complex automation. The C-7 is an older model with fewer protocol options and lower performance.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Can I access my hub remotely?

Yes. Local area network (LAN) access is always available. Remote access via the Hubitat mobile app and cloud services requires an optional subscription ($36/year for remote admin).

Source
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