I’m getting a Honeywell system installed and looking for a good month-to-month alarm monitoring service. I want something reliable but not locked into a long-term contract.
I came across these companies but haven’t found any solid comparisons between them. Anyone have experience with any of these?
Would love to hear which one you’d recommend and why. If there are better options, I’m open to suggestions too. Thanks!
You might want to look into a local alarm company. They usually work with national monitoring centers but provide better customer service. If something goes wrong, they can actually send someone out to help instead of just giving you a phone number to call.
@Miles
Agreed. National companies don’t really care about you, but a local company will because they rely on good service to keep customers. If you go with a big brand, getting support could be a hassle.
Your list looks solid—those are some of the more well-known DIY Alarm.com monitoring providers. If you’re set on a national service, any of these should work. There are some comparison articles online if you search around.
@Stewart
I’ve installed a few alarm systems over the years and have used Alarm Grid, GeoArm, and Alarm Relay.
They all do the same thing—sell equipment, set up monitoring, and handle billing. The actual monitoring is usually outsourced to a third-party center, so you may not even know which company is handling your alerts.
One thing to watch out for: not all systems work with all monitoring services. Make sure whatever system you get is compatible with the company you choose.
And whatever you do, avoid ADT unless you want to get locked into an expensive multi-year contract with no real benefit.
Honestly, a local company is your best bet. Big national companies don’t care much about individual customers, but a local business relies on good service to keep clients. I work for one, and we always make sure customers get quick, personal support.
@Cyrus
I’ll look into that, thanks.
If you’re getting a Honeywell Vista system, check out EyezOn. They have UL-listed monitoring for about $13/month using LTE and internet.
If you want a newer system, you could also go with the EyezOn Uno, which is a hybrid wired/wireless system that integrates well with smart home setups.
First mistake: assuming a national company is the best option.
Companies like ADT and Vivint just want your monthly payment. If something breaks, they’ll charge you for a service visit and replacement parts—even under their so-called ‘warranty.’
Vivint, in particular, has a history of lawsuits and terrible service. They lock you into overpriced contracts, and their systems are way more expensive than they should be.
Second mistake: Honeywell. Their equipment is outdated. It used to be great, but they’ve been cutting costs for years. The brand is now Resideo, and honestly, it’s just not as good anymore.
If you want a quality system, look at DSC or Qolsys. They’re up-to-date and much better integrated with modern monitoring services.
@Franklin
But isn’t Qolsys all wireless? Or do they make wired systems too?
Maximilian said:
@Franklin
But isn’t Qolsys all wireless? Or do they make wired systems too?
The IQ Pro is a hybrid panel that supports both wired and wireless sensors. If you’re looking for something more flexible, it’s a good option.
@Stewart
Better than Honeywell?
Maximilian said:
@Stewart
Better than Honeywell?
In my opinion, yes. It’s more modern and integrates better with Alarm.com services.
Maximilian said:
@Franklin
But isn’t Qolsys all wireless? Or do they make wired systems too?
The IQ4 is a touchscreen panel, but they also have wired systems. A lot of people with older systems upgrade to Qolsys panels because they can reuse their existing wired sensors while adding newer wireless tech.