Compare Monitoring, Alarm, and Access Control
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Each approach is modeled with per-entry equipment plus a recurring fee. Monitoring assumes $50 per entry plus a $200 base and a $30 monthly plan. Alarm assumes $35 per entry plus $100 base and a $10 cellular fee. Access control assumes $120 per entry with no recurring fee. We annualize everything and compare against your yearly budget (monthly times 12) to recommend the best-fit approach. Effectiveness assumptions: monitoring 90%, access 85%, alarm 75%.
What Should You Do?
Match the approach to your main risk. If the home is often empty, monitoring pays for itself through faster response. If entry prevention matters most (short-term rentals, shared buildings), access control is the better first spend. Alarm is the lowest-cost backstop and pairs well with either of the others rather than standing alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the monthly fees realistic?
They are common-plan assumptions ($30 monitoring, $10 cellular backup). Actual plans range from $10 to $60 plus, so verify with providers.
Can I combine approaches?
Yes, and many do. Alarm plus access control, or monitoring plus access, covers both prevention and response.
Why is access control a one-time cost?
Modeled with no subscription. Some smart-lock ecosystems add a small cloud fee; add it to the entry cost if yours does.
Which deters burglars best?
Visible cameras and signage (monitoring) deter most; access control stops entry attempts. The two work together.
What if my budget is below all three?
Start with a basic alarm or DIY cameras, then upgrade. See the budget-to-protection-level tool for tier ceilings.