Home Security Blog and Resources

Do-it-yourself home security has come a long way. What used to amount to little more than installing an additional deadbolt and guard dog in the late nineties, now accounts for nearly 50 percent of the $78.5 billion home security market. This shift is in large part due to growing consumer preference for an online-first shopping experience, one-time payments over long-term subscriptions, and smart home integration. Home security companies have adapted accordingly, with some major professional installers adding a DIY package to their existing product lineups and others making individual products like video doorbells available a la carte. Security providers like Cove, meanwhile, are flipping the traditional home security model on its head, and focusing wholly on developing reliable, state-of-the-art technology that, as Cove mentions on its website, “even a kid can install.” Online-First Approach Door-to-door salespeople have long been a hallmark of the residential security industry. Comb through most negative home security reviews online, and you’ll easily find accounts of push sales reps employing sometimes deceptive tactics to sell security systems, often leaving homeowners scratching their heads as they try to figure out not only what they just paid for, but also how much they’re paying, and for how long.  The traditional sales model is just one of the ways in which Cove is breaking from the pack. In place of a pushy salesperson, Cove provides a helpful online questionnaire that takes all of the guesswork out of what a given homeowner might need to secure the home. The questionnaire asks what kind of structure is being covered, how many doors and windows it has, and what other security features might be needed. Customer Review: D Kenneth from Saint Clair Shores, MI “Easy to deal with, not pushy sales people like other companies. The speaker through the alarm was a bit spotty talking to the rep, but it was clear as could be over the phone.” Once the user completes the questionnaire, Cove generates an expert recommendation, complete with a priced, itemized list of suggested home security equipment. This list can be shortened or expanded to feature other security products (more on these below). In short, customers will know exactly what they’re getting, and exactly how much they’re paying before they even submit their credit card information. Freedom over Contracts One common complaint among home security customers centers on companies’ stringent contract policies. In many cases, customers signed up for services without realizing they were committing to a long-term (e.g. 36- to 60-month) contract. Others reported difficulty in cancelling their services or returning their products without paying hefty early termination or restocking fees. Customer Review: Jordan Wright from El Dorado Hills, CA “We recently moved and wanted to install an alarm system. I didn’t want to get stuck with a long-term contract or have an exorbitant up front cost. Cove hit all the things we wanted in an alarm system, and it was super easy to setup.” Cove has thought of this as well. Not only does Cove not require customers to sign a contract for services, but customers also receive a generous, 60-day free trial in which they can receive a full refund of the products they paid for, including shipping fees. So while some providers are in a rush to sign homeowners up to long-term contracts and a fraught return window, Cove gives customers up to two months to use their gear, risk-free. Robust, Easy-to-Install Technology Every piece of home security equipment Cove produces is designed to be installed and set up within minutes. From the central control panel to the HD outdoor security camera, each security device operates on a reliable wireless network — meaning no drilling, no wires — and comes with a lifetime warranty. The Cove Touch Alarm Panel at the heart of every system features a simple, intuitive user interface that makes everything from arming and disarming the system, to adding and naming sensors and cameras, as easy as clicking a button. This ease of use is similarly reflected in Cove’s remote key fob and mobile app. And if homeowners need additional support, they can communicate with a service rep directly through the control panel, over the phone, or through Cove’s 24/7 online chat feature. Customer Review: Janay Peters “It's been amazing! From the setup, which was surprisingly easy (My younger siblings could absolutely set this system up)! To the functions of the daily arming and disarming is basically flawless! We've had a couple accidents forgetting to disarm the system and as soon as the alarm goes off, not even 30 seconds later, Cove calls to make sure everything is alright. If I just so happen to not answer, a police is at my door in about 10 minutes. I love Cove!” All Cove sensors feature a durable adhesive backing and five-year battery life, meaning motion detectors, door/window sensors, and glass break detectors can be installed safely and easily. And because sensors are programmed to check in with the control panel once every hour, if communication lapses at any point, the homeowner will be notified immediately. A recent addition to Cove’s security offering is its indoor and outdoor security cameras, which are both wifi compatible and can store up to 30 days of continuous streaming through Cove’s cloud storage program. Both cameras feature enhanced night vision and employ AI technology to distinguish familiar faces from intruders. Although Cove lacks some smart home integrations like smart locks, lighting, and thermostats, the company does provide some home safety devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flood sensors, and personal medical alerts — all of which are designed to trigger the system in the event of an emergency. Granted, Cove’s line of home security products may not be as extensive or diverse as some leading professional installation companies. For example, the company does not as yet offer video doorbell cameras, which are quickly becoming a staple among industry leaders. But what Cove may lack in product types and diversity it makes up for in simple, effective design and set up. Cove’s DIY approach to home security may not be ideal for everyone. Sensors operating on a closed wireless network come with limited ranges in larger houses, and customers will still need to pay extra if they want added features like professional installation or monthly monitoring. The good news is that the DIY home security industry is still growing and developing. While they may not fully supplant traditional home security companies in terms of market share, DIY home security providers like Cove will continue to provide transparent prices and user-friendly products. Full Cove Review To learn more about Cove and to read verified Cove reviews from actual customers, check out our full Cove review. Learn More

Different home security companies will have different approaches to producing, distributing, installing, and monitoring their systems. For the sake of this comparison, Best Company took two well-known home security companies that have different approaches and compared their services according to our criteria. Here's what you need to know: Professional Installation vs. DIY Installation Vivint is well-known for teams of orange-clad representatives canvassing neighborhoods, pitching potential clients on security systems that will protect their homes while offering robust smart home features. When you sign a Vivint contract, the representative will set an appointment to have a professional installer come to your home. From that point on, your home is professionally monitored 24/7 for burglars, fires, floods, and carbon monoxide. On the other hand, Protect America doesn't have any of these door-to-door representatives or in-person professional installers. Instead, you select a package from the company's website and the company mails the system directly to your door. From that point, you're free to install the system yourself or call a customer service representative to walk you through the process. Protect America systems also feature the same professional 24/7 monitoring as Vivint. Clearly, these companies have different approaches to distribution and installation, but what about everything else? Monthly Price Vivint prefers to quote you a monthly price, but the company website does indicate that monthly fees start at $39.99. However, this is a little high compared to some of the top-ranked companies in the industry. When you want to add home automation features, it'll cost you extra. Protect America features packages that start at $19.99 per month for any consumer—one of the lowest price tags in the industry. This package is the most basic of systems with just a few door/window sensors and a landline connection, but this may be acceptable for consumers who just want the basics. Upfront Fees Neither Vivint nor Protect America feature any installation or activation fees. This is encouraging, considering that many home security companies will charge hundreds of dollars in activation and installation fees. Contract Length Vivint features a 60-month contract, so make sure you've read every inch of the fine print before you sign on the dotted line. If you need to move your system within the contract length, Vivint also charges a hefty move fee. On the other hand, Protect America works on a 36-month contract. If you want to cancel your services before the expiration date on the contract, you must pay the remaining balance upfront with both companies. Monitoring Options For any reputable home security company, your system will be monitored day and night by certified staff through a landline, broadband, or cellular connection. However, not all companies offer all of these options. Vivint only operates based on a wireless/broadband connection. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if the internet goes down at your house, so does your home security system. If you're considering installing a security system at your remote cabin in the woods, Vivint might not be your best option. Protect America features packages in all three of these monitoring options. The landline packages are the least expensive, but broadband and cellular options are available at about $20/month extra, and these are the plans that feature home automation options. Depending on whether you want just the bare basics or the extra goodies, you'll pay a different fee. Equipment/Tech Vivint Features: SkyControl Panel Vivint Sky App Monthly Professional Monitoring Smoke Detectors Motion Detectors Window/Door Sensors Doorbell Camera (extra cost) Element Thermostat (extra cost) Kwikset Smart Locks (extra cost) Amazon Echo Compatability (extra cost) Vivint Ping Camera (extra cost) Linear Garage Door Control (extra cost) Light Controls (extra cost) Protect America Features: Touchscreen Control Panel Mobile App Monthly Professional Monitoring Smoke Detectors (extra cost) Motion Detector Window/Door Sensors Smart Locks (extra cost) HD Wireless Video Camera (extra cost) Amazon Echo Compatability (extra cost) Light Controls (extra cost) As you can see, the biggest difference is that Vivint's features are arguably more robust, but Protect America features very similar applications at a slightly lower price tag. Vivint will definitely win in this category, but that's only if you decide you want all the bells and whistles and not just the bells. Customer Feedback Unfortunately, Vivint customer feedback is plagued with dissatisfaction. Most customer reviews reflect experiences involving pushy sales reps and lackluster customer service, especially when it comes to canceling services or relocating your system. There are plenty of reviews that speak highly of the customer service and the quality of the systems, so it appears as though positive experiences with Vivint Home Security are hit-and-miss depending on the representative you work with. As of the time this article is being written, Vivint has a customer score of 3.7 out of 10 based on 87 customer reviews. On the other hand, Protect America's customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Based on over 700 reviews, the company has an overall score of 8.8 out of 10. Many customers comment on the easily-installed system, low prices, and helpful customer representatives. Overall The Vivint Breakdown: Leading home automation features Professional installation Lackluster customer experiences Slightly higher prices The Protect America Breakdown: Low, upfront pricing plans DIY installation with step-by-step help Exceptional customer experiences Competitive home automation features The deciding factors in this comparison are prices, customer service, installation, and home automation features. Protect America clearly has the upper hand when it comes to pricing; its basic system costs half the price of Vivint's basic system and still features professional monitoring. However, Vivint has a slightly wider array of home automation features, if you're willing to pay the difference. Protect America's installation is do-it-yourself and features helpful customer reps to help you through the process, but Vivint will take care of the entire installation process for you. Lastly, Protect America's customer service experiences are noticeably better than Vivint's, even if service is hardly ever in person. For a list of the best home security companies operating in your state, click here.