$65 for the whole location
Unlimited rooms. Unlimited devices. Every feature included.
Owner's comparison guide
ARC vs COGS
Both products can control an escape room. ARC is built to run the whole location with the hardware you already own. COGS is built around separate show installations and its own plug-and-play hardware.
Last verified August 21, 2026
From £35 per show installation
Plans limit connected hardware, plugins, and remote users.
Rooms keep running without internet
Show control stays at your business.
Side by side
What changes in day-to-day operation
This is a practical comparison, not a scorecard. Both products can run escape rooms; the important question is which operating model fits your business.
| Decision area | ARC | COGS |
|---|---|---|
| LicenseWhat one payment covers | One location. Every room and device. | One paid license per installation, usually one show or room. |
| ComputersWhere the software runs | Windows and macOS. Staff controls open in a browser. | Mac, Windows, and Linux. |
| Building gamesHow logic is created | Visual objectives, scenes, variables, and When / If / Do rules. | Channels, behaviours, scenes, media, and hardware simulation. |
| Running roomsWhat staff sees | One dashboard for every room: puzzles, hints, timers, cameras, history, and reset checks. | One dashboard per show: sensors, hints, timers, overrides, and reset checks. |
| Existing hardwareWhat you can keep | Keep existing props and controllers. Use direct integrations or open protocols. | Use COGS Masters, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and supported third-party systems. |
| First-party controllersOptional branded hardware | ARC Command (digital) is planned for fall 2026. ARC Drive (DC) and ARC Probe (sensors) will follow. | Digital Master, DC Master, and Sensor Master are available today, alongside other COGS Masters. |
| ConnectionsPublished support | MQTT, Modbus, DMX, OSC, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Hue, Kasa, Shelly, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Node-RED. | COGS hardware, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, DMX, OSC, TCP/UDP, MIDI, Zigbee, and plugins. Plan limits apply. |
| Internet outageWhat keeps working | Rooms and staff controls keep running. Online extras wait. | Shows keep running locally. Internet is checked periodically for licensing. |
| Free evaluationHow to try it | Every feature for 30 days. No credit card. | Lite is free with limits. A month of Pro can be requested. |
| SupportWhere help comes from | Documentation, Discord, and direct access to the ARC team. | Tutorials, knowledge base, Discord, Zendesk, and paid services. |
A fair decision
Which one fits your escape room?
- One license should cover every room at the location
- You want one dashboard for the entire venue
- You want to keep a broad mix of existing hardware
- You want every ARC feature without choosing a tier
- Linux support for the main show-control computer is required
- COGS Master hardware fits the way you want to build the show
- You want a free hardware simulator before installation
- You want optional design, programming, equipment, or installation services
ARC publishes this comparison. COGS details come from the official COGS product, pricing, start, and FAQ pages linked below. License needs depend on the number of rooms, computers, devices, protocols, and simultaneous operators in your actual venue, so verify a representative show in both products.
Test the operating model, not just the feature list
Build one representative puzzle in both systems
Choose a puzzle that uses a sensor, a conditional branch, lighting or audio, a staff override, and a reset check. Building and running that one sequence will reveal more about daily fit than a long checklist.
- Time to build and test the logic
- Operator clarity during a simulated fault
- Hardware and protocol setup
- Reset and next-game workflow
How this page was checked
Official sources, linked for verification
Competitor details can change. We use the company's own public pages and date the review so you can check the current information yourself.
Run ARC alongside your current system for 30 days
Create your account to begin a 30-day full-access trial. Build one room, connect the hardware you already use, and let your staff try the live control workflow before you switch. No credit card is required.