Alder Home Security Review

Alder delivers standard DIY home security, but it’s the personal touch that makes this security brand stand out.

Unlike most DIY security companies that leave you on your own to figure out what type of security system you need, Alder provides free expert advice to every customer.

And Alder is committed to its relationship with you—its most common contract is a whopping 60 months. That can seem scary at first, but most security customers stick with their system for five to seven years anyway.

Because Alder guides you through the purchasing process, odds are you’ll come out with a custom security system that will meet all of your needs for the duration of that long contract.

Alder doesn't share its pricing on its website. You have to call to get a quote. Even then, customer service reps won't be able to break down the cost for each individual device. Everything comes at a package cost. 

Monthly fees can range from around $35 to $65. This is on the higher end, since the average monthly fee for security systems is around $32 per month, according to our research of the top brands.

One thing we like about Alder’s pricing is that a lot of basics are included in every package. You’re not charged extra for two-way voice, mobile app control, or video monitoring. You get the app no matter what and, if you add a camera to your setup, video monitoring is always included.

Once you get your quote, your price includes everything you need to take full advantage of your Alder alarm system. 

The only way to find out if you can get the system you want for a price you like is to either call or submit an online request for a quote. That means you have to give Alder personal information before you can find out about pricing.

The expert guidance is especially helpful for people who want a little help identifying security vulnerabilities around the house. But we don’t like the barrier to price information.

To end on a high note—Alder has done away with credit checks. So you don’t need to worry about a hit to your credit report or missing out on security because of a lower score.

If you decide to take the plunge and pay for all your equipment in one go, you can enjoy the monitoring service contract-free.

Alder’s home security equipment is fairly standard. That said, the company’s offerings aren’t skimpy.

Unlike other stripped-down DIY systems, Alder includes a bunch of extras like a medical panic pendant, flood monitor, and smart smoke detector to help you protect both the valuables and the lives inside your home.

Of course, the more equipment you add to your package, the more you’ll pay each month. Alder assigns points to its equipment to calculate the cost per contract. Your monthly fees will include the value of points for your equipment and the cost of monthly monitoring.

All equipment is wireless, which means you don’t have to put holes in the walls. That’s good news if you rent or plan to move sometime during your three– to five–year contract. Alder also boasts that its DIY installation can be completed in 20 minutes or less

Alder’s mobile app is included alongside every security system. The app allows you to keep tabs on your home from anywhere, and it functions as a control center for your Alder alarm system.

Alder’s mobile app also works with smart home devices, so you can control locks, lights, and the thermostat all from one central app. Some home security systems don’t integrate as smoothly as Alder’s, and you end up using one app for your alarm system and another one (or more) to control smart home gadgets.

Here’s a rundown of what you can do with the Alder mobile app:

• Remotely arm and disarm
• Watch live video streaming
• View motion-activated event recordings
• Receive push notifications in real-time
• Control home automation devices
• Integrate voice control with Amazon Alexa

Customers gave mostly poor reviews of the Alder mobile app. Both Android and iOS users report glitches related to logging in, getting push notifications, and more.  As of January 2023, the app comes in under three stars in both the App Store and Google Play.

Alder doesn’t offer its own home automation equipment, but the system is compatible with many third-party smart home devices.

Alder integrates with smart locks, smart thermostats, smart light bulbs, and voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

We like that the Alder app has the capability to serve as the single control for all of your smart home devices, but reports of issues within the app are disappointing.

We also found reports that the app only works with Amazon for voice control, leaving no option for people who rely on Google Assistant. Plus, we haven’t been able to find any plans for Alder to work with Apple HomeKit.

Alder gets mixed reviews for customer service. On one hand, the up-front guidance when you’re putting together your Alder home security system is helpful and uncommon for DIY systems.

But on the other hand, the lack of transparency for pricing and persistent complaints about tech follow-up for existing customers give us pause.

This is an area that Alder has assured us it’s working on. Alder launched on Trustpilot in 2019 to help make the customer experience more transparent. (It now has over 4 stars on the Trustpilot site.) Its 30-day money-back guarantee is one example of a change made in direct response to customer input.

We like it when companies listen to customer feedback and work to make things right. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how those efforts pay off in future customer reviews.

Alder gets it right with its free trial period. If, for any reason, you don’t want to keep your Alder home security system, you have 30 days from the day you ordered it to cancel and return it for a full refund of any payments you already made.

It’s important to note that your 30-day countdown starts the minute you place your order—not when you receive the system. If you miss the trial period window, you’re on the hook for 90% of the total contract if you still want to cancel.

Alder has phone support available between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. (MST) and on-call tech support 24/7. There’s no live chat option on its website, but you can email wecare@alder.com for assistance.

Alder provides multiple online resources to help customers install equipment, add new devices, bypass a sensor, add new users, and just about anything else you may want to do with your security system.

Most resources include step-by-step videos, and there is written documentation provided as well.

Alder provides customized home security systems that are a good match for people who want the extra reassurance you get with the help of a security expert. Its wireless equipment is ideal for renters or anyone who doesn’t want to put holes in the wall or deal with wiring.

And even though Alder offers some of the longest contracts in the industry, you don’t have to come up with a big up-front payment before you add the protection of a security system to your home.

If you’re not afraid of a little commitment, and you want an expert to curate the perfect security system for your home, it’s worth it to give Alder a call.

For our Adler review, we met with Alder to learn about its security system offerings, professional monitoring, and customer service practices. We got our hands on Alder’s equipment and bombarded Alder’s representatives with an exhaustive stream of questions. We also did extensive online research—digging into expert and customer reviews as well as news coverage and reports from consumer advocacy agencies like the BBB.

Finally, our Adler review compared the home security company to other home security systems to see how it stands up. Some of the primary points of comparison included:

• Pricing
• Contracts
• Overall value
• Company reputation
• Smart home integration
• Security system features

Learn more about how we review products by taking a look at SafeWise's methodology page.

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