Abode review

Abode ranks second because it is the only system here that is genuinely useful with no subscription. Out of the box you get the app, live video from connected cameras, push notifications and integrations with Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. The Standard plan, $8.49 a month or $79.99 a year, adds a 30-day event timeline, AI detection of people, packages and pets, and insurance discount eligibility. Pro, at $26.99 a month or $245.99 a year, brings 24/7 professional monitoring from a US-based center, automatic dispatch and 4G cellular backup. Abode also lists Home Assistant, IFTTT, Zigbee, Z-Wave and Sonos support, which makes it the most open system on this list for people who already run a smart home. The limits: without Pro, alarms are only forwarded to the monitoring center if you act, and remote alerts stop during an internet outage. Continuous recording costs another $9.99 a month per camera.

Who it is for

smart home owners who want free self-monitoring

Price

Free with no subscription; Standard $8.49 per month or $79.99 per year; Pro with 24/7 monitoring $26.99 per month or $245.99 per year.

The Standard Plan ($79.99/year or $8.49/month) is ideal for self-monitoring.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• No subscription required: app access, live video and smart home integrations are free
• Standard plan ($8.49 a month) adds a 30-day event timeline and AI detection of people, packages and pets
• Pro plan ($26.99 a month) adds 24/7 US-based professional monitoring and 4G cellular backup
• Works with Apple HomeKit (Iota and Smart Security Kit hubs), Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant, IFTTT, Zigbee and Z-Wave
• Optional 24/7 continuous recording with 10 days of history for $9.99 a month per camera

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Permanent free tier, unusual among monitored systems
• Strength: Annual Pro billing at $245.99 works out to about $20.50 a month
• Strength: No contracts; change or cancel plans in the app with no fees
• Weakness: Without Pro, the system loses remote notifications when the internet drops
• Weakness: On the free and Standard tiers, the user must forward an alarm to the monitoring center
• Weakness: HomeKit support is limited to the Iota and Smart Security Kit hubs

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, no subscription required
• Standard: $8.49/month or $79.99/year
• Pro: $26.99/month or $245.99/year
• Cellular backup: 4G, Pro plan only

Where it ranks

Abode is No. 2 in our Best Home Security Systems verdict.