Side by Side
| LiftMaster | Chamberlain | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | The Chamberlain Group | The Chamberlain Group |
| Where it is sold | Authorized dealers | Retail stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's |
| Designed for | Professional installation | Do-it-yourself installation |
| Models sold only to installers | 8500 wall-mount, 3595 for heavy carriage-house doors | None |
| Phone app | myQ | myQ |
| Remotes | Matched by Learn button color | Matched by Learn button color |
| Photo-eye safety sensors | Required since 1993 | Required since 1993 |
| Warranty | Set per model | Set per model |
Who Makes Them and Where They Are Sold
The Chamberlain Group's own support page puts it this way: Chamberlain models are sold through retail partners such as Home Depot and Lowe's and are designed for do-it-yourself installation. LiftMaster models are designed for professional installation and are sold through authorized dealers.
Some LiftMaster models have no Chamberlain version at all. The company names two: the 8500 wall-mount opener, which sits beside the door and leaves the ceiling clear, and the 3/4 HP 3595 with an I-beam rail for heavy carriage-house doors.
Warranty
Warranty is set model by model. Each model has its own table for the motor, the belt or chain, parts, accessories, the battery backup and the light. Many current openers from both brands carry a lifetime warranty on the motor and belt, while parts run one year on some models and five on others. A few carry less: the Chamberlain B2401 lists a 10-year motor warranty.
Before you buy, find the model number and read its row on liftmaster.com/warranty or chamberlain.com/warranty. When we install an opener, our own 1-year warranty covers the installation, and the manufacturer warranty covers the opener.
The myQ App
Both brands use the myQ app to open and close the door from a phone and to send an alert when it opens. The app is free. Openers with a camera can stream live video without a subscription; recording and saving video needs a paid myQ plan.
Remote and Keypad Compatibility
A remote or keypad from one brand works with the other when they use the same radio technology, and the color of the Learn button on the opener tells you which one that is. Chamberlain's support chart covers both brands. A round yellow button is Security+ 2.0, used from 2011 to 2025. A round white button is Security+ 3.0, used since 2025.
The Learn button is on the side of the opener where the wires from the wall button and the safety sensors connect. If the color has faded, the antenna wire hanging from the same side is usually the same color.
Safety Sensors
Every opener made for the US since January 1, 1993 has to have a second way to reverse, which in a house is almost always the pair of photo eyes near the floor. That is a federal rule, so it is the same on both brands. DASMA, the door makers association, says the eyes should be no higher than 6 inches above the floor.
Which One to Get
If you are installing it yourself, Chamberlain is the line made and sold for that.
If you want it installed, have a heavy wood or carriage-house door, or want the ceiling clear with a wall-mount opener, LiftMaster has the models for it.
If there is a bedroom over the garage, pick a belt drive in either brand. A chain drive is louder.
Want It Installed
We look at the door and the ceiling, tell you which opener fits, and give you the price at the visit. The estimate is free.
Common Questions
Are LiftMaster and Chamberlain the same company?
Yes. Both are made by The Chamberlain Group. Chamberlain is sold in stores for do-it-yourself installation, and LiftMaster is sold through dealers for professional installation.
Which is better, LiftMaster or Chamberlain?
They share the technology and the app. LiftMaster has models built for installers and heavy doors that Chamberlain does not sell. Compare the warranty of the exact models you are looking at, because it changes from model to model.
Can I use a Chamberlain remote on a LiftMaster opener?
Yes, if the remote matches the Learn button color on your opener. Yellow is Security+ 2.0 and white is Security+ 3.0. The brand name on the remote does not matter.
Can I install a LiftMaster opener myself?
LiftMaster is designed for professional installation and is sold through dealers. If you want to install one yourself, Chamberlain is the line made for that.
Does the myQ app cost money?
The app is free for opening, closing and alerts. Recording video from an opener with a camera needs a paid myQ plan.