Alarm Grid review

Alarm Grid ranks eighth because it serves a narrower audience: people who own, or want to build, a professional-grade alarm panel and monitor it without a contract. Central station plans start at $15 a month for Bronze over landline or internet, Silver at $25 adds interactive app control and remote automation, Gold at $35 adds cellular monitoring with data charges paid by Alarm Grid, and Platinum at $45 adds video surveillance. Self monitoring through Total Connect, Alarm.com or Telguard starts at $10 a month and is offered worldwide. Monitoring is handled with Criticom Monitoring Services across three networked facilities in New Jersey, Florida and California, and Alarm Grid monitors unlimited zones with no activation fees, contracts or hidden charges. The trade-off is setup: you need a compatible panel and communicator, so this is a better fit for experienced DIYers or anyone moving into a home with an existing hardwired system than for first-time buyers.

Who it is for

owners of existing professional-grade alarm panels

Price

Self Bronze $10 per month; central station Bronze $15, Silver $25, Gold cellular $35, Platinum video $45 per month.

No Contract Alarm Monitoring from $10 per month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• UL Listed central station monitoring through Criticom, with three networked facilities in NJ, FL and CA
• Central station plans from $15 a month (Bronze, landline or internet)
• Gold plan at $35 a month adds cellular monitoring; Alarm Grid pays the cellular data charges
• Self monitoring plans from $10 a month, offered worldwide over the internet
• Monitors unlimited zones; no activation fees or contracts

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Central station monitoring from $15 a month with no contract
• Strength: Works with existing panels instead of locking you into one brand's hardware
• Strength: Remote Z-Wave control of lights, locks and thermostats on most plans
• Weakness: Requires a compatible panel and communicator, which suits experienced DIYers more than beginners
• Weakness: Cellular monitoring needs the $35 Gold plan
• Weakness: Video surveillance is limited to the $45 Platinum plan

Key facts

• Self monitoring: From $10/month
• Central station: From $15/month
• Cellular: Gold plan, $35/month
• Contract: None, no activation fees

Where it ranks

Alarm Grid is No. 8 in our Best Home Security Systems verdict.