Alarm Relay
4.9
7.4
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
Alarm Relay provides monitoring services throughout the US and parts of Puerto Rico. Monitoring services start at $8.95 per month with a $35 administration fee and additional costs if customers want to purchase entirely new home alarm systems.
These home alarm systems must be operated from a mobile app and come in different packages with varying fees. However, Alarm Relay focuses mostly on providing monitoring services to consumers with a previously installed alarm system. Alarm Relay prides itself most on providing consumers reliable monitoring at an affordable price.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Low Upfront Monitoring Costs
- 24/7 Professional Alarm Monitoring
- Can Add Services to Monitoring Agreement
- Provides Services Nationwide
- Works With Preexisting Security Systems
Low Upfront Costs
Alarm Relay offers monitoring services at an incredibly low cost compared to many of its competitors. Monthly monitoring starts at $8.95 per month with a one-time administration fee of $35.
Payments are made on an annual basis. The first year's payment totals $142.40. Some services, such as cellular monitoring, may cause the price to increase slightly but monitoring will most likely still be provided at a lower cost than most other security companies provide.
24/7 Professional Monitoring
Consumers who sign up for the Alarm Relay service receive 24/7 professional monitoring from Alarm Relay's monitoring centers. Its monitoring services are Underwriters Laboratories listed ensuring consumers receive monitoring from centers appropriately equipped to handle emergencies. Its monitoring professionals pride themselves on providing quality customer service and a quick response time.
Can Add Services to Monitoring Agreement
In addition to monthly monitoring, Alarm Relay offers several other services consumers can add to their home security monitoring agreement. Home automation, remote access, medical alert, remote video camera monitoring, and more can be included in the monitoring service package.
Provides Services Nationwide
Alarm Relay is able to provide its monitoring service and professional installation throughout the United States, unlike a typical security company. Its monitoring centers are compatible with most major security equipment providers making its services possible for most homeowners with an existing security system.
Alarm Relay also offers a cellular backup option that will stay online in the event that your landline or internet connection is interrupted. A cellular security system will continue communicating with the base station in spite of power failure, so you'll always be connected to Alarm Relay's technical support technicians.
Works with Preexisting Security Systems
Alarm Relay provides alarm monitoring to preexisting security systems if you have a module already installed at your home. This means that if you have a security system installed by a previous alarm company, monitoring through Alarm Relay is less than $10 per month and alarm signals will still be relayed to a professional central station. That's what one of the lowest monitoring costs we've seen at Best Company.
The Bad
- Limited Information on Additional Services
- Expensive Security Systems
- Specific Mobile App Operation
Limited Information on Additional Services
Alarm Relays website provides some insight into various services that can be added to the monitoring agreement but does not provide specific details on associated costs or compatible equipment associated with those services. This means that sensors such as smoke alarms, motion detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, and other tools are unclear concerning the operation.
Consumers will need to contact Alarm Relay directly for specific questions regarding its related services.
Expensive Security Systems
You can buy new home security systems through Alarm Relay, but it'll cost you. The most basic package costs just shy of $200 and only includes one door sensor and key fob. This is expensive, but not overly so compared to competing home security companies.
In contrast, the most expensive home security system ($599) is robust with eight door sensors or window sensors, two key fobs, a smoke detector/fire alarm, motion sensor, and mobile app compatibility. The control panel appears to be a router that must be controlled by a smartphone app.
Specific Mobile App Operation
Six of the eight home security systems from Alarm Relay must be operated by a mobile app. What happens then if you lose your phone or it's stolen? Two of the system control panels have touchscreen capabilities, but having a security system rely solely on a mobile phone connection might be dangerous.
The Bottom Line
Alarm Relay offers affordable monitoring for most consumers. It provides monitoring at one of the lowest prices in the industry through its own UL listed monitoring centers. Many consumers can benefit from the addition of related customer services offered by Alarm Relay.
While it does lack some transparency regarding related services on its website, many consumers will be pleased with the low upfront costs and quality service received. Check Alarm Relay reviews below before making your final decision.
