Abode Logo
star star star star_border star_border
LAST UPDATED: June 2nd, 2022

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

thumb_up

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.

thumb_down

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.

View Best Home Security Companies

gavel

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.

View Best Home Security Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info
star star star star_border star_border

5 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

20%

4 grade

40%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

40%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star_border star_border

Quality

star star star star_border star_border

Service

star star star_half star_border star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star_border star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
star star star star star

Mark Troxel Provo, UT

The system is pretty straight forward, if you have had previous experience with alarm systems. We have a pretty large house and all of the devices seen to be connected without any problems. Poor instructions come with the doorbell camera. I have the camera working ok but can't get the doorbell to chime or alert when someone is present. It appears that that I have followed all instructions. The system is pretty expandable. Started with 10 door and window sensors, two interior motion, 3 cameras, and smoke detector monitoring. All have been working well and I have ordered 3 more window sensors and 2 keypads. The phone app is nice and allows you to do most things. Making groups is still easier on the website on a desktop. I have ordered the professional monitoring, NOTE TO ABODE: Contact information for the monitoring center should be very clear and supplied in writing with the system. I should not have to go online and search for the number. Some of the complaints you have received from others has been the inability to find your monitoring center phone number. The time to go look for it is not when you are having an alarm go off or the police or fire department are on your front door. I have 3 complaints. The first two are listed above. The third is that if I'm installing over $1000 worth of equipment I should get more than 1 sticker to place on my windows. I'm advertising for you that my home is protected with your equipment. If you are so friggin cheap that you only supply one sticker, either you don't think much about your system or you don't understand word of mouth advertising. Stickers are cheap. I live in a nice neighborhood. I would think that you would want my neighbors to know about your product.

2 years ago

star star star star star_border

Kristen Gallagher

After MUCH research, I decided to go with Abode, and am VERY glad I did. There is no mandatory monthly fee, although you can add professional monitoring if you want to in varying lengths of time. I went away for a 3 day weekend, and put my house on professional monitoring for the 3 days, and had no problems either trying to get talked into anything longer, or billing or anything related to starting or stopping monitoring....it's all done via web, although on the one occasion I had to call, I got a person (in America!!) right away. Their products just work the way they're supposed to, and setup is simple. The app works very well, too......one iphone and one android in our house, and no problems with either. If I had to gripe a tiny little bit, Abode is more expensive initially, but to me, it's well worth it...while I spent a bit more up front, I have no monthly fees. I had an IRIS system at my old house, and was leery of trying self monitoring, but IRIS could take a lesson or two from Abode....no false alarms, no complicated set-up, and Abode LISTENS to their customers about enhancements to their products. Abode integrates seamlessly withNEST products, and they have lists of other zigbee/zwave produtcs on their website that work also....so far, everything I have wanted to do they have had a device for. Completely satisfied.

7 years ago

star star star star star_border

Steve Columbia, MO

This is not the system for someone who expects it to be set up for them by a third party. But, it is by far the most flexible system I have found. There is almost nothing you can’t do with the system. It allows you to program an almost unlimited number of actions. You will be happy if you have the patience to work your way through the setup. I had a problem with pairing a monitor and a technician spent 20 minutes helping solve the problem and last but not least, 24/7 monitoring is only $200 a year.

2 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Connie Murray Sun City Center, FL

We had a security system with our internet provider, Spectrum until Spectrum announced they were discontinuing their security systems and recommended Abode or Ring. We ordered equipment from Abode and they sent someone to install the system. The installer, while good at installing, knew nothing about how to operate the system and could not orient us to our new system. We set the away alarm the next morning when we left. When my husband returned that afternoon the system alerted the medics and EMTs came to the house. We are unable to reach anyone at Abode and want them to remove the system and refund our $179 paid upfront. I cannot find an address or a good phone #. Beware!

4 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Gini Cassella Girard, OH

They subcontract with TalkTech for the installation. After waiting a month no one could be scheduled to install my equipment. Still fighting to get my total refund. No one answers the phone calls. Emails are answered after weeks go by. Now they gave me a gift card for their store instead of refunding my money to my credit card.

4 years ago