Brinks vs. Alert 360
Flexible national coverage meets regional professional service
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Brinks vs. Alert 360 compared
Brinks and Alert 360 offer wireless home security and home automation options. Both companies also offer 24/7 professional monitoring. While both companies provide 36-month contracts, only one has a month-to-month option. When choosing which is best for you, it's important to compare features.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | Professional | Professional |
| Installation fee | $200 to $450 | $315 to $790 |
| Upfront cost | $199 to $699 | Equipment included in monthly fee, ranging from $42.99-$52.99 for 36 months |
| Trial period | 30 days | None |
| Contract terms | 36 months | 36 to 48 months |
| Professional | $200 to $450 | $199 to $699 | 30 days | 36 months |
| Professional | $315 to $790 | Equipment included in monthly fee, ranging from $42.99-$52.99 for 36 months | None | 36 to 48 months |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $39.99 to $49.99/month | $42.99 to $52.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | Not offered | Not offered |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $39.99/month | $42.99/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | $49.99/month | $52.99/month |
| $39.99 to $49.99/month | Professional | Not offered | Not offered | $39.99/month | $49.99/month |
| $42.99 to $52.99/month | Professional | — | Not offered | $42.99/month | $52.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell |
| Video doorbell | ||
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | ||
| Siren | True | |
| Panic button | True | |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | |||||||||
| Wireless | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | True | True |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | ||
| Smart lights | ||
| Smart thermostat | ||
| Garage door control | True | |
| Temperature sensor | True | |
| Water sensor | ||
| Smoke detector | True | |
| CO detector |
| True | True | ||||||
| True |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Android rating | 4 | 3.8 |
| Notification/alert options | Email, text and push | Email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | ||
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | ||
| Other integrations | Apple TV | Rachio Smart Sprinkler, Sonos Wireless Speakers |
| 4.7 | 4 | Email, text and push | Apple TV | ||||||
| 4.2 | 3.8 | Email, text and push | Rachio Smart Sprinkler, Sonos Wireless Speakers |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 3.7 | 1.9 |
| Verified customer reviews | Brinks reviews | Alert 360 reviews |
| 3.7 | Brinks reviews |
| 1.9 | Alert 360 reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
Brinks
Brinks provides customers with state-of-the-art home security and home automation technology. The company is transparent about its pricing and offers the option of DIY installation. It does provide professional installation if needed, but it ensures the technology is simple enough to install on your own. Brinks does require a contract.
Brinks plans
- Smart Security Essential: At $199, this is the basic plan. It includes a control panel, a motion sensor, two door sensors and a yard sign. Monitoring services are $39.99 a month.
- Smart Security Complete: This middle plan costs $349. It includes one control panel, one video doorbell, one motion sensor, two door sensors and a yard sign. Monitoring services are $44.99 a month.
- Smart Security Ultimate: At $699, this is the most robust Brinks plan. The plan includes one control panel, one video doorbell, one motion sensor, three door sensors, one outdoor camera and one yard sign. Monitoring services cost $49.99 a month.
What Brinks customers say
Brinks has overall positive reviews and ratings on our site. Happy customers frequently highlight the company’s prompt service, knowledgeable reps and professional installation techs. The wall panel could be a little brighter, according to one reviewer. Other customers mention long hold times when contacting customer service.
I had to have my panel replaced recently, and the tech came out and explained everything to me and took his time to make sure we understood how the panel works and all the changes he made. The system is easy to use and performs everything we needed to do. It works as advertised and everybody can use it including my granddaughter. It’s a great service, it’s a great company, and their customer service is outstanding.”
– Robert of Tucson, AZ
Alert 360
Alert 360 offers smart-home security and home automation. It provides professional installation and monitoring and has multiple plan options. The website isn’t very transparent about pricing, but you can request a free quote online or by phone.
Alert 360 plans
Alert 360 offers commitment choices: You can pay for equipment and installation upfront or pay month-to-month instead.
- Smart Door Lock: This plan costs $44.95 monthly, plus the price of installation. It includes a touch-screen panel, a keyless door lock, one motion sensor and three door/window sensors.
- Smart Home Video: This plan is also $44.95 monthly, plus the cost of installation. It comes with a touch-screen panel, a wireless HD indoor camera, one motion sensor and three door/window sensors.
- Door Command: This plan costs $50.95 a month, plus installation. The plan includes a touch-screen panel, a smart video doorbell, a keyless door lock, one motion sensor and three door/window sensors.
- Complete Smart Home: The most comprehensive plan costs $54.95 a month, plus the price of installation. It includes a touch-screen panel, a keyless door lock, a wireless HD indoor camera, a motion sensor and three door/window sensors.
What Alert 360 customers say
Alert 360 has mixed reviews on ConsumerAffairs, with satisfied customers describing professional service and any issues being resolved to their satisfaction. Other customers express concern over equipment functionality and difficulty canceling their contract.
[Jacob] did an incredible job today installing a deadbolt on our front door! He arrived early, was efficient and professional. Thank you for a great experience! The quality and level of service Alert 360 provides is outstanding!”
– Peter of Tulsa, OK
Bottom line: Brinks or Alert 360?
Both Brinks and Alert 360 offer professional monitoring and smart-home technology. The main difference between the two companies is the commitment requirements — while both have lengthy contracts if you finance your equipment, Alert 360 offers a month-to-month option if you buy your equipment upfront.
- Brinks is best for customers who want to save on the cost of professional installation by installing their home alarm systems themselves.
- Alert 360 is best for customers who don’t want a long commitment or contract and don't mind installing the equipment themselves.
