Canary

Canary Reviews

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Written by Ben Strauss
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Edited by Jon Bortin

About Canary

This profile has not been claimed by the company. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review.

Canary is a do-it-yourself home security system that focuses on video monitoring. The company offers a free, basic self-monitoring option. Homeowners can choose to upgrade their plan for more protection, including video storage and one-touch first responder access.

Pros
  • Free monitoring option
Cons
  • Customer service not easy to contact
  • Limited variety of products

What is Canary?

Canary offers a home security system that is focused on video surveillance. The company’s three main products each feature video capture, as well as accessories that make it easy to hide a camera in unexpected locations.

Canary is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and the Wink home automation system. It can also help monitor pets while you’re away from home.

Canary monitoring

Canary offers three service options: Basic, Premium and Pro Monitoring

Basic service costs nothing but is limited. It includes:

  • 24/7 alarm monitoring
  • 24/7 live video and motion alerts
  • Two-way talk 
  • Night vision
  • A one-year device warranty
  • Person detection

Premium service costs $9.99 per month. It has all the free features, plus:

  • A two-year device warranty
  • 30-day video history
  • Full-length video recordings
  • Unlimited video downloads
  • Desktop streaming

Pro Monitoring is a professional monitoring service that costs $9.99 per month. It includes:

  • 24/7 alarm monitoring by certified experts
  • Instant text/call notifications when threat is detected
  • Alarms confirmed by trained expert
  • Intelligent video verification
  • First responders dispatched on your behalf
  • No contract
  • Money-back guarantee

Canary pricing and packages

Canary has three systems to choose from: Canary View, Canary Pro and Canary Flex. The exact cost for each depends on the level of monitoring you sign up for and whether or not you sign a 24-month contract.

  • Canary View: The Canary View costs $99 with no contract or $0 when you sign a 24-month contract that includes professional monitoring. This system comes with 1080p high-definition video. It has high-quality, automatic night vision and a wide-angle lens.
  • Canary Pro: The Canary Pro costs $169 with no contract or $0 when you sign a 24-month contract that includes professional monitoring. This all-in-one device provides total home security. Along with the HD camera, it comes with a 90-decibel siren and a climate monitor. Homeowners can activate the siren from their phone in case of a burglary. The Pro can also inform you of your home’s air quality, temperature and humidity.
  • Canary Flex: The Canary Flex is $199 and does not come with a 24-month contract option. This security camera is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It’s waterproof and can be wireless. It uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and comes with automatic night vision and a wide-angle lens.

Canary FAQ

Does Canary come with home automation?

Canary doesn’t have home automation features itself. It does integrate with the Wink home automation system, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Does Canary require a subscription?

Canary doesn’t require a subscription. However, many good features like video storage, desktop streaming and person detection require a premium subscription.

Does Canary need to be plugged in?

It depends on the model. The Canary View and Pro need to be plugged in, but The Flex does not.

Does Canary work with Ring?

Canary is not compatible with Ring. Homeowners must use Canary products.

Does the Canary camera record sound?

Yes, the Canary camera records sound. When there’s motion detected, Canary will record both video and audio in HD.

How do you contact Canary customer service?

Canary has a help center with several articles to help customers who are having issues. If your question isn’t answered there, you can ask the community or open a ticket with customer service.

Is Canary a good security system?

Canary is a very basic security system that focuses entirely on video and audio. It’s missing many of the devices you see in other home security systems, such as window and door sensors, glass break sensors and more. The company may be a good choice for those who want a very basic system. Otherwise, you might want to consider a more comprehensive security system before choosing Canary.

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Canary Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Customer Service

    Reviewed Jan. 27, 2025

    This is the worst company. The customer service is abhorrent. They send an email informing they are taking money for the next year that is nowhere to be found. Then they charge $149 for premium service and refuse to refund. There is no way we wanted this for another year and certainly not for 149.00. I contacted them immediately upon notice from my bank but they refuse to cancel the service for this year or refund our money. Stay as far away from these people as you can. There are lots of companies far better out there to use where you will be treated fairly.

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    Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

    Reviewed Dec. 3, 2024

    I bought a Canary camera because it was discounted through my cell phone carrier. I only used it total for about a year before it stopped turning on (i.e. bricked). Canary customer service, clearly staffed by foreigners reading a script, stubbornly refused to replace it. Instead, they were willing to sell me a new one at 50% off the full sticker price, which was what I paid to begin with. It seems their scam is to make a poor quality device and sell a second one when the first one breaks (rinse and repeat). I shouldn't have to pay twice for one device. Also, they spammed me constantly trying to sell me their premium service. The camera (when it worked) was of some limited value without the premium service, hence the two stars instead of one, as you can view in real-time (using mobile device only, not PC) and it saved motion clips of 3 seconds up to one day.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed Oct. 31, 2024

      Pay for 3 years. Call with tech problem they say you have not paid. They cancel you. The payment has been taken from my account Automatically the complete time. They just keep telling me I have not paid my service. I think with being a customer for 3+ years a company would try to resolve before canceling.

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      Tech

      Reviewed Aug. 21, 2024

      The tech has fallen off a bunch in the last two years and they will try to fleece you on an annual subscription in every way possible.. Don't go near these guys unless you have an extra $150 to burn. Pure evil.

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      Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

      Reviewed Aug. 11, 2024

      Worst customer service ever, they say their product is free when you purchase then start charging and when you try to cancel service they refused to provide a refund. They are a scam, the product is not worth the hassle, you can get so much better from other products and you won't have the headache of dealing with their horrible service agents. Funny, this product is to keep you safe, yet they are the ones stealing from you, NEVER purchase this product or trust this company!!!!

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 19, 2024

      What a slimy company. Canary billed me after I asked to cancel. And then the day I noticed the charges on my card, I called and emailed to ask for a refund. They said no refunds. This company is so bad, and their customer service is so awful, that this is the only way they can continue to make revenue. By ripping people off and not giving a refund one day after the card was charged. Their answer was they would give me 50% off if I signed up on the spot for 2 years. Ridiculous. Do not do business with these liars. Once they have your credit card, they will just keep charging you. Sometimes just do the right thing Canary. You’ll be a better company, and maybe your employees would feel better about themselves, knowing they don’t have to just rip people off.

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      Reviewed May 23, 2024

      Canary is horrible and once you get into it you cannot get out. They are crooks. Just saying. The thing never works as good as you think it would. Believe me you do not want this service because it’s way more trouble than it’s worth.

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      Reviewed May 6, 2024

      I was told I would get a 50 percent discount when I renewed and then was charged 200 dollars. When I contacted them they said they could give a 30 dollar refund and 50 percent next time. Not a fan of lies.

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      Reviewed April 27, 2024

      Absolutely ridiculous. They charge you an outrageous rate when the unit only works part time. Then you have camera stolen and haven't used it in over a year and are told, "Sorry but we will cancel once paid." Do they cancel service after your year, nooo. They continue to charge you and refuse to work with you. I was literally just told they will NOT cancel my service and will continue to charge me until balance is paid so it's a vicious cycle where they are the only winners. They need a class action lawsuit for their scandalous ways of getting money from consumers.

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      Customer ServiceCamera & Video

      Reviewed April 10, 2024

      If you're reading this, do yourself a favor - find another solution. Customer of 6 years. The hardware itself worked ok. Video quality not great, but also not terrible. Only real issue is sometimes has issues connecting form phone. But the one time I needed support after 6 years of being a paying customer, they metaphorically ran me over and left me like roadkill.

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      Canary Company Information

      Company Name:
      Canary
      Website:
      canary.is