Abode
Is This Your Business?Author: Kalicia Bateman
Founded in 2014, abode is relatively new to the market. The company focuses its home security products on being compatible with major home automation protocols. This allows customers to build a fully automated home with devices that easily communicate with the Gateway and can be controlled with the web, iOS, or Android app. The number of components that can be added to the system is impressive - up to 155.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Highly Customizable and Expandable
- Transparent Pricing
- No Contract or Professional Monitoring Required
Highly Customizable and Expandable
Customers selecting abode as their home security/home automation system will appreciate the system's simplicity and the number of devices that are compatible with the system as well as the ease of control. Customers can add Z-Wave, Zigbee, IFTTT, WiFi, and Nest components to the system and control them via the mobile or web app. The system can control up to 155 devices per Gateway, which is usually more than most people would use or need.
Transparent Pricing
Instead of not giving information about its pricing, as is the norm with the better part of the industry, abode is highly transparent with its pricing for its equipment and monitoring options. Customers opt into paying for cellular coverage and professional monitoring. It's highly unusual that customers can purchase monitoring for spaces of 3 or 7 days at a reasonable price.
No Contract or Professional Monitoring Required
There is no contract or professional monitoring required with abode.
The Bad
- Limited Options for Customer Support
- Higher Prices for Equipment
- Less Time in Business
- No Mobile App for Windows Devices
Limited Options for Customer Support
Customers have limited options for contacting the company, especially if they are not subscribers to the monthly monitoring plan which includes more options for customer service, namely premium phone support.
Higher Prices for Equipment
The company's prices for equipment are higher upfront than many companies that essentially finance a customer with the cost for equipment spread out over time, usually a three year term. Customers do not receive as much in the starter kit from abode as compared to other company's starter packages, which further increases the cost of the system if buyers try and create comparable systems to other companies' offerings.
Less Time in Business
Having only been in business since 2014, abode is a newcomer to the field. The passage of time will show if the company can remain competitive in a crowded market of companies with more experience. Customers with a Windows mobile device are not able to add an app to control the system on their devices, decreasing the capability of the system for many.
No Mobile App for Windows Devices
These users may control their system from an internet browsing session on their device, but notifications are not received in the same fashion as those with iOS or Android mobile phones.
The Bottom Line
Customers can find many reasons that abode is a good choice for them. The company's flexibility and ability to integrate so many devices into a home security and home automation system is attractive. Those looking for a self-monitored system with the ability to add professional monitoring at a later time or occasionally will be able to do exactly that with abode.
