Northstar Alarm Logo

Northstar Alarm

star star star star_half star_border

5.9

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: October 26th, 2023

Northstar Alarm is a home security and automation company with over 60,000 customers in more than 20 states. The company offers five monthly monitoring packages to choose from, but does not publicly disclose pricing information on its website. Northstar provides its customers with 24/7 professional monitoring and a lifetime warranty on equipment from Honeywell. Northstar Alarm is an upstanding member of both the National Fire Protection Association and the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring & Lifetime Equipment Warranty
  • No Landline Phone Connection Required
  • Free Mobile App Remote Access

24/7 Professional Monitoring & Lifetime Equipment Warranty

Northstar Alarm offers five home security system packages that feature home automation, energy management, and video surveillance services. Depending on the package, a Northstar technician will also equip the house with motion sensor and doorbell camera technology. The wireless cellular communication systems feature 24/7 professional monitoring and each installation is protected by a lifetime service protection warranty on the equipment.

No Landline Phone Connection Required

No landline phone connection is required for a Northstar Alarm security system.

Free Mobile App Remote Access

The control panel features two-way voice technology so customers can communicate in real-time with dispatchers in the case of an emergency. The Northstar alarm system provides Rapid Response Monitoring which allows them to dispatch help from emergency service providers within seconds an alarm signal is received. Customers receive remote access control of all included features (including door lock) through a Total Connect mobile app from Honeywell that can be used on any device. Customers are able to control home lighting, temperature, and even small appliances from the app. The surveillance technology provides live video access in the home anytime from anywhere. Customers can record and playback video footage anytime as well.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • 5 Year Contract
  • No Pricing Disclosure
  • Numerous Consumer Complaints
  • Automatic Contract Renewal

5 Year Contract

Each homeowner is required to sign a 60 month contract to access the Northstar alarm service.

No Pricing Disclosure

The company does not publicly disclose pricing information, including monthly fees, for its home security plans on its corporate website. Customers will need to contact a Northstar employee for specific pricing details. Even though equipment repairs are free of charge under the lifetime warranty, customers are responsible for a minimum $35 trip charge per home visit. 

Numerous Consumer Complaints

Per our Northstar Alarm reviews, many complaints involved alleged miscommunication from Northstar Alarm sales personnel to customers about contract lengths and monthly pricing on its home security plans. Customers also had problems with faulty equipment and trouble canceling service accounts. 

Automatic Contract Renewal

Each Northstar security system's contract renews automatically, unless the customer provides written notice of cancellation at least 60 days prior to the end of the initial or renewal contract term.

View Best Home Security Companies

gavel

The Bottom Line

Northstar Alarm offers several choices for home security solutions that feature 24/7 professional monitoring and lifetime equipment service protection; however, the company requires customers to be locked into a contract for five years and is not transparent upfront regarding pricing. The company also has received numerous complaints regarding its customer service.

View Best Home Security Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

3.3

star star star star_half star_border

157 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

3%

3 grade

1%

2 grade

1%

1 grade

41%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star_half star_border

Quality

star star star star_half star_border

Service

star star star star_half star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star_half star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Rosie Ewing Houston, TX

The initial contact with the company was good. Then the system needed service and that is when things went wrong. As long as the system was working it was theirs, but as soon as service was needed the system was mine. and I had to pay for EVERYTHING.

1 year ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Paula Pili Provo, UT

Even after paying off the contract, Northwest will not stop charging me! I was constantly having issues with the equipment and customer service was a joke. I gave them a 3 because my sister decided to keep them and hasn’t had any issues.

1 year ago