Abode Home Security

What is Abode Home Security?

Abode home security came on the scene in 2014. In 2018, it became majority-owned by the Italian tech company, Nice. Nice is an industry leader in home automation, security, and smart technology. Not only are their products designed to protect, but Abode security systems are also made to comply seamlessly with other smart home technology, like smart lights and thermostats.

Abode has over 15,000 customers and counting.The Abode system has attracted users with its simple DIY security solutions that don’t require a contract. Abode also provides home automation and environmental protection that you can monitor with your smartphone. Abode offers customizable plans with varying levels of protective features, which make it easy to apply Abode systems to different homes and environments.

Abode home security system notable features

Abode says its products were designed to be simple and customizable, allowing customers to build and configure their system to match their home. Here are some features to take note of:

• DIY installation instruction included: The Abode home security starter kit comes with instructions on how to set up the system. The owner has the freedom to place the equipment strategically, in order to work along with the interior design elements of the home.
• Professional installation is an option: If you are not confident in your DIY skills, there’s an option to have a professional install the devices for you.
• No long contract required: The plans are available on a monthly or annual basis, and customers can change plans with the click of a button.
• A modern design with a contemporary touch: The hardware is sleek and modern with geometric color patterns, making the design unobtrusive.
• Affordable monitoring fees: The costs begin at $3.33/mo.* for monitoring with a media storage period of three days.

Abode packages and prices

Basic

• Plan price: $179.00 (includes smart security kit)
• Monthly cost: $0*
• Equipment: Includes gateway, one mini door/window sensor, one motion sensor, one key fob, one security sticker, and a self-monitoring phone/web app.
• No contract
• Can purchase on-demand professional monitoring (3 days for $8/mo. or 7 days for $15.00/mo.*)

Connect

• Plan price: $219.00* (includes smart security kit)
• Monthly cost: $3.33/mo.*
• Equipment: Includes gateway, one mini door/window sensor, one motion sensor, one key fob, one security sticker, a self-monitoring phone/web app, and cellular backup.
• No contract
• Can purchase on-demand professional monitoring (3 days for $8/mo. or 7 days for $15.00/mo.*)

Secure

• Plan price: $279.00* (includes smart security kit)
• Monthly cost: $8.33/mo.*
• Equipment: Includes gateway, one mini door/window sensor, one motion sensor, one key fob, one security sticker, a self-monitoring phone/web app, and cellular backup.
• No contract
• 24/7 professional monitoring

*Prices as of 2/6/2020

Understanding Abode pricing

Abode’s $8.33/mo service fee for the Secure plan and the $3.33/mo. for the Connect plan both require the purchase of a starter security kit. Customers can choose between the Smart Security Kit and the more-expensive iota All-In-One Security Kit.Also, in order to take advantage of Abode’s pricing for these two packages, users need to purchase a full year of service. The price is valid for the first year, and it is subject to change after that.There are no contracts or hidden fees. Abode doesn’t require you to purchase any add-on products to use their service, only one of their basic security kits.

Abode equipment

The Abode home security system is designed to fit either the iota or the Gateway kits. The iota comes with more features than the Gateway. It has a built-in motion detector, is Wi-Fi-enabled, has a built-in streaming camera, and it’s compatible with Apple HomeKit. While the Gateway has none of these features, it’s a smart home hub, allowing communication with smart home devices. It’s compatible with Z-Wave and Zigbee devices, and with Amazon Alexa and Google Home Assistant as well.Both the iota and the Gateway provide users with simple connectivity via either ethernet or Wi-Fi. However, iota’s built-in camera, motion sensor, and two-way voice compatibility make it a more versatile choice. Abode also offers a mobile app that allows you to self-monitor your system. That app is available on both Google Play and the Apple app store.Add-on devices for Abode systems range in price, from $24 door/window sensors to $130 cameras.

Abode home security system installation

Abode offers professional installation, which costs $99 for an Abode home security starter kit install and an additional $25 up to five add-on devices. However, the Abode home security system does not require professional installation. The user can DIY the install in a few straightforward steps.

• First, you have to set up the main hub. You plug it in and then connect it to your router. The hub will start to boot up automatically.
• Then, activate the battery backup by pushing the backup switch on the rear of the hub.
• You then install the Abode app by downloading it from either the Google Play Store or the Apple app store.
• After registering the app and verifying your email, you activate your account and enter basic data (like your name and address).
• You then enter an activation key, and the app is fully installed and ready to connect to your system.
• You then have to follow the on-screen directions to connect each device.

After these steps have been completed, you invite household members and select the Abode connected home security service plan that best fits your needs. After selecting the service plan, your system is operational.

Abode reviews

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Abode a C rating on its site. There have been six customer complaints logged on BBB’s website over the last three years and four in the last 12 months. All of those complaints have been resolved or answered, according to the BBB. Three customers have reviewed Abode on the BBB site, giving it an average of four stars (out of five).

Abode earns a similar rating of 4/5 stars on TrustPilot, based on over 2,000 customer reviews. Even though a few customers complain about Abode’s cameras not working, difficulty with the system not arming, and an unhelpful or uninformed support team, the overall ratings are boosted by those who are satisfied with Abode’s products and services.

To put Abode’s reviews in perspective, one of its competitors, SimpliSafe, earned a similar overall customer service rating of 4/5 stars on Trustpilot. The concerns pulling down its score mostly concern unhelpful support staff. SimpliSafe gets an A+ on BBB but averages only 1.5/5 stars from customers. Similar to what’s reported on TrustPilot, most of the complaints are concerning unresponsive or unhelpful customer support.

Pros and cons of Abode

Advantages of using Abode

• No contract
• Easy setup
• Relatively high customer satisfaction

Disadvantages of using Abode

• Sirens are built into the base station, making it hard to know whether you’re shutting off the siren effectively if the base is far away.
• No built-in streaming camera on the Gateway
• Some of the add-ons, like door and window sensors, are expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does Abode cost? $219 for the iota hub or $179 for the Gateway hub, plus $8.33/mo for the Secure plan or $3.33/mo for the Connect plan.
2. Can you get professional monitoring with Abode? Yes, you can. Abode has on-demand monitoring that you can pay for or 24/7 professional monitoring with its Secure plan.
3. How much does professional monitoring with Abode cost? $8.33/mo. on the Secure plan.
4. Does Abode work with Google Home? Yes. There are over 30 commands you can use with Google Home’s assistant.
5. Does Abode work with Alexa? Yes. There are a variety of commands recognized by Alexa.