TELUS vs. Ring

We researched TELUS and Ring to find the best option. We chose TELUS for its Canada-wide coverage.
Best for bundling
TELUS SmartHome Security
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$47.00
/mo
  • pro
    Pro or DIY installation
  • pro
    Canada-wide coverage
  • con
    Expensive monitoring
Best for budgets
Ring
Ring Alarm
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$15.00
/mo
  • pro
    DIY installation
  • con
    Not available in Quebec
  • pro
    Affordable monitoring

Amazon.ca price as of post date. Read full disclaimer. All prices are in CAD.

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TELUS SmartHome Security offers Canada-wide professional monitoring coverage and both pro/DIY installation—helping it claim a narrow victory over Ring Alarm. Still, Ring’s monitoring is more affordable and doesn't require a contract.


TELUS vs. Ring at a glance


TELUS SmartHome Security pros and cons

pro
TELUS pros
pro Choice of pro or DIY installation
pro Discounts for bundling TELUS services
pro Canada-wide coverage
con
TELUS cons
con Long-term contracts
con Expensive monitoring without a bundle

TELUS is best for bundling

Existing TELUS home internet and mobile phone customers can save up to $15 monthly on professional monitoring. TELUS also includes up to $1,400 worth of free equipment, depending on your chosen plan.

Read our TELUS SmartHome Security review to learn more.

Ring Alarm pros and cons

pro
Ring pros
pro Affordable price
pro Tons of security cameras and doorbells
pro No contracts
con
Ring cons
con Not available in Quebec
con Up-front equipment cost

Ring is best for budgets

Ring offers long-term savings if you buy your equipment up front. Since there's no contract, it's easy to pay for monitoring when you want it and cancel when you don't. Its professional monitoring costs much less per month, but it's not available in Quebec.

Read our Ring Home Security System review to learn more.

How TELUS and Ring compare

Brand
Best for
Lowest monitoring price
Lowest video storage cost
Contract length
Installation fee
Free base equipment
Learn more
Best for bundling$15.00/mo.3 or 5 yearsStarts at $100
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best for budgets$5.99/mo.Monthly or annuallyDIY
Icon No  LightNo

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

TELUS vs. Ring similarities

There's little in common between TELUS and Ring, but most of the core features are the same:

  • DIY installation: TELUS and RIng offer easy DIY installation options, though TELUS charges a $100 fee that it refunds after you install your system.
  • Equipment selection: while Ring offers more security camera variety, both brands sell all the sensors, cameras, and smart home devices you need to build a home security system. They even offer similar smart home compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave devices.
  • Equipment warranty: each brand protects your equipment with a lifetime warranty as long as you're a subscriber.
  • Mobile app: the TELUS SmartHome and Ring apps monitor and control your devices with a quick tap on your smartphone.

TELUS vs. Ring differences

Coverage across Canada: TELUS wins

With TELUS nationwide coverage, it's less likely that you'll end up in an area without a professional monitoring service. Still, even if TELUS has coverage on the national level, some rural areas might not qualify—you can check by entering your address on the TELUS website.

The French Canadian language barrier often makes it too expensive to monitor in Quebec because monitoring centre employees need to communicate effectively with customers during an emergency. This is a major reason Ring doesn't offer pro monitoring in Quebec—despite its availability elsewhere in Canada.

Monitoring prices and contract: Ring wins

Ring's professional monitoring starts at $15 a month, which costs less than half as much as TELUS's cheapest option when you bundle TELUS services. There's no mandatory contract with Ring compared to the three-year agreement from TELUS. Plus, you won't pay any cancellation fees when you end your subscription, so you're on the hook for lower costs overall.

Still, you'll pay up front for all your Ring equipment, while TELUS includes free gear when you sign up. TELUS covers the cost of its free equipment through a contract and a higher monthly fee, but at least you're not paying for everything right away.

Anything beyond the free TELUS equipment adds to your monthly bill or requires an up-front payment like Ring. TELUS's advantage evaporates as you add extra gear.

Bell
TELUS bundles

You can score a monthly discount—up to $15 off—on your TELUS SmartHome Security plan when you bundle it with other TELUS services like mobile phones and home internet.

Professional installation: TELUS wins

TELUS professional installation starts around $150, saving you the hassle of DIY installation since the TELUS technician is already familiar with the equipment. In contrast, Ring's professional installation partner, OnTech, doesn't operate in Canada as far as we can tell.

Even though pro installation is convenient and hands-off, you still need to schedule an appointment when you'll be home. If you don't have that flexibility in your schedule, we suggest opting for a DIY installation option from TELUS or Ring.

Security cameras: Ring wins

Ring dominates TELUS when it comes to security cameras—it's not even close. It sells over a dozen models that cover every possible scenario in your home: video doorbells, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, floodlight cameras, and solar security cameras. Plus, Ring cameras are cheaper on average and offer better performance than the three options from TELUS.

The gap widens when you look at video storage. Ring saves video recordings for 180 days compared to TELUS, which keeps clips for up to 30 days. In fairness to TELUS, we've never encountered another security camera company that offers that much cloud storage. Ring's Protect Plus plan supports unlimited cameras while TELUS tops out at four. Ouch.

Compare TELUS vs. Ring plans

Plan
Price
Monitoring
Video storage
Home automation
Learn more
TELUS Smart CameraSelf
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
TELUS Smart Automation PlusSelf
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
TELUS SecurePro
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNo
TELUS ControlPro
Icon No  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
TELUS Secure + VideoPro
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
TELUS Control + VideoPro
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Ring Protect FreeSelf
Icon No  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
Ring Protect BasicSelf
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Ring Protect PlusPro
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Winner: TELUS beats Ring

TELUS and Ring take different approaches to selling security systems, so it mostly comes down to if you prefer higher starting costs or higher monthly costs.  But TELUS ultimately wins because it provides service to all of Canada instead of sticking to the English-speaking provinces.

  • TELUS SmartHome Security: Canada-wide coverage, discounts for bundling with other TELUS services, and free starter equipment—albeit with higher monthly costs and a mandatory contract
  • Ring Alarm: More affordable monitoring, no contract, and a huge fleet of security cameras—but higher starting costs

Still undecided? Check out our full TELUS and Ring reviews to learn more.

How we decided: TELUS vs. Ring

To build a head-to-head comparison highlighting their strengths, we looked at each brand's pricing, contracts, monitoring coverage, and equipment offerings. We also considered our experience testing the Alarm.com equipment used by TELUS (and Frontpoint) and Ring's in-house equipment. Check out our full methodology to learn more.

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Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to change or removal at any time.

John Carlsen
Written by
John Carlsen
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

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