Apple Home vs URC Total Control
Apple Home
apple.comURC Total Control
urc-automation.comSide by side
| Figure | Apple Home | URC Total Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.2 (#11) | 7.6 (#21) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.3 (#12) | 7.5 (#24) |
| Camera integration | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | The Home app lets people control smart home accessories across Apple devices. | Total Control is a premium automation and control solution for residential and commercial installations. |
| Support | Apple provides instructions for adding accessories and links to troubleshooting and organization help. | URC lists weekday technical support hours of 9:00am–6:00pm EST and provides a toll-free U.S. support number. |
| Voice assistant support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
URC Total Control
- Total Control Essentials Packages (Silver, Gold, Platinum)$1,000, paid once
In their own words
Apple Home
Apple Home is a free app for controlling smart home accessories across Apple devices. Its Home tab groups accessories into categories such as Lights, Security, and Climate and displays their status. It supports compatible accessories for lighting, security, comfort, and entry, along with Matter, cameras, energy monitoring, and voice assistants. The app can show up to four cameras at once, while guest access can grant time-limited permissions for door locks, garage doors, and alarm systems. Accessories can be added by scanning a code or bringing an iPhone or iPad near them; Apple says they cannot be added to Home on Mac. A HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV can serve as a hub for remote access and automation. Examples include turning on lights at a set time, closing blinds when leaving, or adjusting a fan as temperature rises. Siri can also control accessories. Apple says Home data is stored so it cannot read it, accessories are controlled by Apple devices rather than the cloud, and communications are end-to-end encrypted. The app requires Apple devices and compatible accessories.
URC Total Control
URC Total Control has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.