Quick answer
LiftMaster and Chamberlain garage door openers are both made by The Chamberlain Group, and both work with the myQ smartphone app. Chamberlain is the retail brand sold in home improvement stores for homeowners to install themselves. LiftMaster is the professional brand, sold and installed through garage door dealers, with more models, including wall mount and commercial openers. If a professional is installing your opener, LiftMaster is the usual choice.
The two brands look similar because they come from the same company. The differences are in how they are sold and supported.
Same company, two channels
| LiftMaster | Chamberlain | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | The Chamberlain Group | The Chamberlain Group |
| Sold through | Garage door dealers and installers | Home improvement stores and online |
| Installed by | Professionals | Usually the homeowner |
| Smartphone app | myQ | myQ |
| Range | Residential, wall mount and commercial | Residential |
Warranty terms vary by model, so compare the specific models you are considering.
Which should you choose?
If you are installing it yourself, a Chamberlain from a store is the practical option. If a professional is installing it, a LiftMaster is the usual choice: dealers stock the parts, and there are more options such as wall mount openers and built-in cameras.
Features worth paying for
- Belt drive for a quiet opener (see belt vs chain)
- Battery backup so the door works in a power outage
- myQ smartphone control and alerts
- A wall mount opener for high ceilings or extra storage space
What it costs
A new opener from Tier One costs $650–$1,800 or more installed, depending on the model and features. See opener installation.
Common questions
Are LiftMaster and Chamberlain the same?
They are made by the same company, The Chamberlain Group. LiftMaster is the professional brand sold through dealers; Chamberlain is the retail brand sold in stores.
Do LiftMaster and Chamberlain both work with myQ?
Yes. Both brands use the myQ app for smartphone control and alerts.
Which garage door opener brand do professionals install?
Most professional installers use LiftMaster, because it is sold through dealers and offers more models, including wall mount and commercial openers.
