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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Control4 vs Make

Control4 logo

Control4

IoT & Smart Home

Premium integrated control system for smart homes and buildings

From
$1000/project
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Make logo

Make

Remote Work

The platform for the new way of working

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Make has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Control4 requires professional installation and dealer network, with no self-install option; Make free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • They diverge on capability: Control4 covers Integrated Control, Make covers Visual workflow builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Control4 and Make actually diverge.

Attributes where Control4 and Make differ
AttributeControl4Make
Starting price$1000/projectFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMobile (iOS, Android), Web, In-home hubWeb
CategoryIoT & Smart HomeRemote Work
Founded20032013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Make

  • Visual workflow builder
  • Webhooks
  • API connectors
  • Conditional logic
  • Data transformation
  • Error handling
  • Scheduling
  • Team collaboration

What people use each for

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

Control4

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

Make

  • Automating integrations between 3,000+ pre-built applicationsnot Control4
  • Building AI agents and workflow automation without extensive codingnot Control4
  • Enterprise automation with GDPR, SOC 2 Type II compliancenot Control4
  • Rapid deployment of automations from concept to livenot 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

Make

  • Free tier limited to 1,000 credits per month
  • Free tier restricted to 2 active scenarios maximum
  • Free tier enforces 15-minute minimum scheduling interval
  • Credit-based model means costs scale with usage volume, not just features

Pricing, plan by plan

Control4

$1000/project

No published plan breakdown. See the Control4 review.

Make

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Make review.

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 Make if

  • You need visual workflow builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want webhooks.
Make review

Questions people ask

Is Control4 or Make better?
Neither clearly leads. Control4 starts at $1000/project and Make at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Control4 or Make?
Make has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1000/project for Control4 and Free for Make.
Does Control4 or Make run on more platforms?
Control4 runs on Mobile (iOS, Android), Web, In-home hub. Make runs on Web.
Can I use Make for free?
Yes. Make has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Control4 starts at $1000/project.
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 Make is typically brought in for.
What can Control4 do that Make cannot?
Control4 covers Integrated Control, Lighting, Climate, Security. Make covers Visual workflow builder, Webhooks, API connectors, Conditional logic.

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
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
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
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