Home Security Systems

Pros: REALLY LOUD siren to scare off intruders
Cons: terrible billing department, a lot of technical problems

We’ve had the Protection One Home Security System since September 1999, a month after we first moved into the 50-year-old house that we now call home. At the time, my husband was occasionally taking business trips for his company, and we felt...

Pros: A true sense of being safe and protected in your own home.
Cons: Monitoring fees can sometimes be expensive.

We live in a good section of town, and had never considered getting an alarm system installed...that is, until my mother's house was broken into a few years ago...in broad daylight, no less! Apparently, the intruder had been watching her 'comings and...

Pros: Event driven, customizable notifications.  Control remotely.  You know what's going on at your house.
Cons: Needs better documentation and cameras cords are ugly and too short.

I have had this sytem for about 6 months and I guess its time for a review.  I spent a couple years occasionally searching for a security system and was always disappointed mostly that I could get notified that someone had broken in but could ...

Pros: They are quick at getting the police to show up
Cons: High monitoring cost, poor customer service.

I had an alarm system installed with Security Link 3 years ago when I moved into my home. Installation included two entry door contacts, and one motion detector. I like knowing that I have an alarm especially when I am away, however, I feel like...

Pros: Amazing VALUE, GSM Wireless, Alarm.com, unbelievable customer_service, short contract, non-proprietary equip.
Cons: Nothing. Almost a no-brainer if you want a REAL security system + home automation

Yes, I second Tommy's opinion completely (go FDNY!). FrontPoint Security Solutions is a true gem among the currently rather frustrating and underwhelming residential alarm industry. I also did thorough research, and in the end, FrontPoint Security was ...

Pros: Secure wireless system (no land line needed); patient, friendly sales and technical support; great price.
Cons: They can't anticipate everything in their written material (not really a con!)

FrontPoint Security was a bright light in a dark week where it took four visits by the plumber to install a new faucet, three trips to the home improvement store to find a vanity top that wasn't damaged, and an hour and a half to re-instate my ...

Pros: Wirless, 23rd century technology, extremely dependable, upgradable, diversified, and well these guys are the best!!!
Cons: No Cons

I see mostly negative reviews all around about security company's and their systems. We'll, there is a leader, honest, and well diversified company not only protecting your family and assets, but controlling your home from any where in the world!!! I ...

Pros: quickly get you a security system
Cons: customer service (might be more wrong with them, but the system was never opened)

We wanted a security system because my husband was recalled by the Marine Corps and I would be living by myself in Virgina. After (admittedly very little research), we purchased a security system from Protect America in January 2008. It was shipped to ...

Pros: The Security and Peace of Mind.
Cons: False Alarms, Police Dept. Fees

I have had a Security System for a number of years and have always enjoyed the peace of mind. However, now that we have retired we don't feel the need for the system any more.

It is now April 2002 and I have been attempting to terminate my...

Pros: The system may be ok, but not the support or customer service.
Cons: Nearly impossible to get to customer service, fails to honor agreements.

FirstLine Security, based in Orem Utah fails to honor it's contracts and continues to charge monthly fees fraudulently. It is virtually impossible to get through to anyone on the phone regarding any matter. Avoid this company all costs. Detail: I ...

Pros: state of the art security system, great customer support, high quality equipment competitive pricing
Cons: none

I have had their system for a few weeks and am impressed by outstanding equipment and service. Their model is a little different from the usual burglar/fire/CO alarm. The equipment is sold online, and you can monitor your system remotely using online ...

Pros: charging your monthy fee on time,
Cons: it is a trap

I will not work with this company anymore, Protection one are charging me monthly maintenance fee but when I called I had to wait one week till the technician come and if the technician come within 24 hours they are charging every 15 minutes , not an ...

Pros: None
Cons: Misrepresentation of product

A salesperson from Firstline Security came to our home and offered us a wireless security system, 2 smoke detectors, and keyless entry for $36.99 per month for 36 months. The equipment would be free as we were to be an "advertising" house for them. We ...

Pros: easy to setup, works great customer service is in the US (new york actually)
Cons: i wish it was cheaper, but then Im cheap and $39/mo 

OK so I used to travel a lot and my wife wanted to be sure that we had an alarm for the house while I was away.  My in laws have Brinks and I know people with ADT.  I never heard any of them say they really liked the service, usually ...

Pros: Remote access, experienced service guys, local, easy to use
Cons: Used to be slow, seem to be getting better- only took 2 days last time.

After looking at a bunch of the cheapo $99 all-in-one systems, I had Protection One install a system for my home in Santa Clara in ~2003.

The system uses a combination of hardwired and wireless sensors and has two talking keypads. For added safety, we went with monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They set the system up with a cellular back up in case the phone service was ever out. It has a back up battery that lasts about 1/2 a day when the power goes out, too.

I recently (02/08) disconnected my landline and they sent out a technician to install a "prime cell" unit that monitors the system over the GSM network. I get to access the system from my PC at work and receive alerts on my email, which is a decent feature.

I'm paying $40 for free service calls, prime cell and remote access. I stuck it to the poor guy and paid about $2300 to cover all my doors, windows, furnace, etc. He claimed it was $3000 or something like that. I didn't have to pay for my recent upgrade.

Pros: None from my experience
Cons: Poor Support hours. Does not even provide online activation as an alternative.

I am in CA and have been waiting eagerly for my FrontPoint security system to arrive (took over a week since the shipping was 'free')after signing up and having read all the rave reviews about them. I just unboxed my system and to my disappointment found that my unit 's battery was DOA, so I promptly picked up the phone to call SetUp and Activation Support only to be further disappointed to find out that they only provide support between the hours of 7am~7pm  ET. Now Since I am in westcoast, that doesn't do me much good, like everybody else I have a job that would not give me the luxury of leaving work  before 5pm and its almost silly to have to wake up at 4am to setup my alarm system.

Since I have 15 days to 'evaluate' this, I am almost tempted to return it without even turning it on based on this experience.

These guys should at least consider providing tech & customer service support for people in the west coast till 7pm PT.

Pros: Wireless
Cons: 12 month autorenewal, $500 termination fee

I've had the service since 1/22/08 and rate it "Acceptable". The people are nice and easy to work with on the phone. I'm paying about $47 per month for service whick makes it pretty expensive.

Pros: no pros
Cons: expensive system.no calls when the alert goes off. Bad service. bad installation.

I would not recommend protection one to any one. I have paid $1,7000 on the equipment the installation.
1) Even though I spent $1,7000 on the equipment I got the cheapest and largest contact. i had problem installing my blind. The company just ignore my request to replace the contact with smaller ones.
2) I have been waiting for for about a month now for someone to move down 4 of the contacts to allow the blind to fit. The window contacts are installed in the top right corner. It is the worst location to install window contacts. Protection one are asking for more money to move them, they consider it remodeling!!! it was the installer bad decision to put them at this place not mine. pulse I am paying $5 extra a month for service fee.
3) The alarm system is hooked up to a light switch!!! I have to keep my lights on all because of their bad installation
4) 5 times the alarm went off, I got no calls from them. I am paying for nothing!!

Pros: Can't think of one good thing to say.
Cons: Incompetent installers

ADT-Such LOOSERS! They had me pay 1/2 up front and had a 6 month window to install a security system in my house during construction. It turns out they only did a partial install and now the walls are up and they want to go in and cut into the walls to finish the job. I canceled the job and asked for a refund 4 months ago but when I call the account department their answering machines are full and I can't leave a message or I leave one and they rarely call back. Now they want to charge me over $700.00 for the partial installation they did which includes stubbing wires close to the floor and leaving most of the wiring on the wrong side of the walls. Working with ADT has been frustrating and I highly recommend that you research any security company that you are considering before signing a contract.

Pros: Excellent customer service.
Cons: Don't know yet.

I ordered an alarm system from Frontpoint Security and was glad I did.
First of all the package came within 2 days. Second, the customer service is outstanding! They listen and respond.
I do like them a lot!

Pros: Absolutely nothing
Cons: You have to purchase what they want you to have or nothing.

Broadview will not sell you what you want or feel you need. I had 3 companies out to see what I needed and all 3 were very close to one another. The ONLY difference was that one wanted to put in a motion detector but I have a 135 pound Shepard and was afraid he would trip the alarm. I called Broadview and talked to "Steven". He told me he could not price a system for me as he had to send out a 'Consulant' to see what I needed. I asked if the 'Consulant' was a salesman and Steven said yes. I told him that I knew what I wanted to purchase and he told me that I HAD TO HAVE A CONSULANT COME OUT IF I WANTED THEIR SERVICE. Needless to say, I hung up on him and went with FrontPoint.

Pros: ease of use
Cons: too few sensors, only allowed 41

Amazing system. I have been a member of alarm.com for about 2.5 years now. They are now partnered with FrontPoint. Their systems are easy to self install and easy to use.  If you do have issues they have wonderful technical support. 

The systems run off cell towers, so you do not have to worry about phone lines.

I love the live video moitoring, the SMS alerts, Video clips in event of triggering, etc. I looked at a few different systems and this one made the most sense.  ATD has a smimilar system, but they charge you a lot more and then do not offer half the features. 

Web interface is amazing and detailed.  Options such as glass break, motion sensor, carbon dioxide, water, outdoor and indoor cams, etc.

Pros: None
Cons: Poor technical service, poor customer service, poor billing practices

I took over a Protection One system when I purchased my house. When a component of the security system failed, Protection One refused to repair or replace it. Instead the company insisted that I purchase a new system and pay a higher monthly monitoring fee. I declined and asked for a refund of the monitoring fees that I had paid while the system was out of service and in advance for a three month period. Protection One refused to refund and retaliated by declaring that I owed it for the no-service service call.

Throughout the process, Protection One was unresponsive to calls and letters asking for assistance and finally for refund. The company has twice called and left unprofessional messages on voice mail.

Do not choose this company.

Pros: Referral program; quick install
Cons: Should give 4 months free instead of two for referrals.

Quick install. Very friendly customer service. And I love their referral program. For every person I refer, I get 2 months of free monitoring.

Pros: Customer Support and Quality of Product
Cons: Very loud siren inside home (but i guess its needed)

Protection One has grown leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and their commitment to customer care and product quality is unparalleled. I was completely satisfied with every aspect of the service. The security consultant who came out was very knowledgeable, kind, and patient and listened intently to my needs. He did not try to sell me anything i did not want or need and stayed within my budget limitations without sacrificing the protection i wanted. Protection One is a first class business and i would recommend them to anyone.