Monday, October 14th
2024 Canadian Home Security Reviews
Alarm Guard
- $42 to $62/month for monitoring and system
- $99 to $199 activation fee
- No contract required
- 60-month contract optional (for a discount)
- Free shipping on orders
- Free installation
- Available in all Canadian provinces
- Pricing in CAD
Alarm Guard Security has been a leading ADT-authorized provider in Canada for over 20 years and is a member of the ADT dealer program in the United States. With a history dating back to 2003, Alarm Guard notes that it has protected thousands of families. As a provider trusted by Telus (another company featured in our review), Alarm Guard stands as one of Canada's largest and most experienced security and automation companies.
Availability includes Quebec
There is plenty of coverage for Canada at Alarm Guard. This provider serves homes and businesses across Canada. 24/7 protection is included for all provinces including:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
And, the site for Alarm Guard has a .ca URL, which means all of the details are listed in CAD, making the shopping experience much simpler with no conversion concerns.
Three package options
There are three packages to choose from at Alarm Guard, though they were a little difficult to find. Between a handful of broken links, confusing page titles, and a lot of scrolling, we finally found the three packages under the Home Alarm Systems option nearly halfway down the page. All of the packages are run with smart home technology backed by ADT and Telus. Here are the different tiers you can expect at Alarm Guard:
- Secure
- Smart keypad
- 3x Door sensors
- 1x Motion sensor
- Interactive app
- 24/7 monitoring
- Free shipping
- Certificate issued
- Cost: $42 (CAD) per month
- Activation cost: $99 (CAD)
- Secure Plus
- All the features of Secure
- Doorbell camera
- Cost: $52 (CAD) per month
- Activation cost: $99 (CAD)
- Complete Control
- All the features of Secure Plus
- Smart light bulb
- Cost: $62 (CAD) per month
- Activation cost: $199 (CAD)
No extras available at Alarm Guard
During our research into Alarm Guard, we didn't find any add-ons available for purchase. For example, if you want an extra motion sensor, you won't be able to find that item by itself on Alarm Guard's website. The company specializes in providing full packages (with installation free of charge). However, there aren't any listings for individual home security items at this provider. There is a DIY section of the site where you can specify how many motion detectors you want, and Alarm Guard will send you an estimate for your home, but it's disappointing that you aren't able to piece together the extras yourself.
Monitoring included in price
According to the Alarm Guard site, other than a $99 to $199 (CAD) activation fee (depending on the plan of your choice), there aren't any extra fees (outside of the listed monthly cost) for the 24/7 monitoring offered by Alarm Guard. The prices are a bit higher at Alarm Guard than at some of its competitors, which might make this all-in-one approach less appealing to some. While you aren't required to have a contract (you just pay month-to-month after the activation fee, if you commit to a contract of 60 months you can receive $5 /month off of the package options listed above.
Free shipping but no listed return policy
Another bonus? Shipping from Alarm Guard is totally free. No matter which plan you choose, you can avail yourself of 100% free shipping and free installation if you want it. One thing we couldn't find, though, was a return policy, which raised a few questions about whether free shipping is included for returns. It would be helpful for the Alarm Guard to provide more transparency regarding returns.
Mid-tier ratings for security frustrations
The reputation for Alarm Guard is pretty average. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Alarm Guard has a mid-tier "B-” rating. Further, from verified customer reviews at sites like Trustpilot, Alarm Guard only has a 3.5-star rating overall, which shows mixed feedback regarding the company's effectiveness. Customers complained about emergency alerts from Alarm Guard that were not real emergencies, citing that the company "created more stress” rather than making them feel secure. Some customers signed up and paid the $99 fee and waited months for their actual security system to come in. On the other hand, customers who liked Alarm Guard note that the customer service reps at Alarm Guard are very pleasant and easy to understand.
Mid-tier service but great for buying in CAD
There are some solid benefits to going with Alarm Guard, like their wide coverage for different provinces (including Quebec). The free shipping is a huge bonus, and free installation will be great if you don't feel like trying to figure out your security system on your own. However, the downsides balance out the positives, with no extras available to buy separately, and some pretty mixed reviews from customers and an uninspiring "B-” rating from the BBB.Alarm Guard definitely has got some good points worth checking into (especially since their listings are in CAD), but the concerns from customers raise enough questions to bring down Alarm Guard's rating overall.
More Canadian Home Security Reviews
The 9 Best Canadian Home Security Systems
Who Offers the Best Home Security Systems in Canada?
Did you know there are over 150,000 burglaries in Canada every year? It's no wonder that Canadian home security systems have surged in popularity in recent years. Potential intruders tend to skip homes with security systems when seeking an easy target. And, burglaries and break-ins aren't the only things you might want to protect your home from.
With modern systems, you can integrate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flooding sensors, and front door cameras to protect your family and belongings from natural disasters or in-home accidents. Plus, with modern connectivity, emergency services can be immediately dispatched when an alert occurs.
Canadian Home Security FAQ
Continued from above...
The good news is that whether you're moving in somewhere new, or you're looking for a little extra security at your existing family home, there are lots of choices for Canadian Home Security Systems on the market today. From systems that are straightforward do-it-yourself packages with just a few sensors, to cutting-edge professionally-installed security systems, there's a package out there for homes and budgets of every size.
Whether you want to monitor your own home or have a pro watch over your family, modern security systems can help keep you and your loved ones safe. And just having a security system or clearly indicating that you have 24/7 monitoring on your home can prevent criminal activity before it even starts. As an additional perk, some homeowners even enjoy reduced insurance costs with a security system in place.
There are a lot of companies out there vying for attention in the Canadian home security market. How can you determine the best fit for your needs? Consider these factors to help you make the best decision for your home:
- Canada-based service. You'll want to be sure that the security system provider operates in Canada, with call centers and representatives located in the country. Many companies are based in the US, which can cause problems with pricing and service in certain provinces.
- Equipment and installation. Check out the range of sensors, detectors, cameras, and other equipment offered by the company. How much of it is included in the monthly fees? Do you have to pay extra for the equipment you need? It's also important to check if the system allows for self-installation or requires professional installation.
- Monitoring service. How much does the company charge for a 24/7 monitoring service? Some include this cost in the price of the security system while others charge separately for that protection.
- Contracts. Check if the service requires a long-term contract. With some contracts extending up to 5 years with penalties for early termination, you may not want to get sucked into a contract option. Keep an eye out for companies that offer month-to-month plans with no long-term commitment.
- Reputation. Consider the Better Business Bureau rating and customer reviews for different Canadian Home Security Systems. Other customers can give you a good idea of what kind of service you can expect.
With all those details squared away, all you need is your new Canadian Home Security System to help you feel at ease in your home.. To that end, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best home security systems available in Canada today. We hope this helps you select a home security system that gives you the 24/7 protection you need for your home and family!
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