Link Interactive is one of the best DIY home alarm systems if you’re big on customization. It has the most equipment options of any security system we reviewed and its systems come with versatile contract options and transparent prices. But you may run into issues with support: Link Interactive has shorter customer service hours than its competitors.
Link Interactive Home Security Review: Customizable Packages and Transparent Pricing
Plans starting at
$30.99/mo.
Shorter contract options that competitors
Customizable equipment packages 
Fewer customer service hours than competitors 
3.7The bottom line
December 20, 2019
Last Updated: several months ago
We’ve checked this review to make sure everything is up to date and we still stand by our recommendations.
Overview
Link Interactive is a DIYer’s dream. It lets you customize your security system exactly the way you want it, and you have to pay only for the equipment you choose.
It also offers highly flexible contract terms and a solid reputation in customer service—though agents are available during limited hours—and some customer say the system can be difficult to install.
Link Interactive pros and cons
Pros
- Shorter contract options that competitors
- Customizable equipment packages
- No activation or installation fees
- Transparent prices
- Video analytics available with Elite package
Cons
- Fewer customer service hours than competitors
- Customer complaints about difficulty installing
Price
Link Interactive lists the exact prices for each piece of equipment on its website, so you can see exactly how much an extra sensor or smoke detector will cost you. You start by choosing a control panel—a basic 2GIG Go!Control panel or an upgraded IQ panel for $200 more. From there, you can base your system off a kit or build your own package entirely from scratch.
Link Interactive’s base level prices are fairly standard at $30.99 a month for the Standard plan, which includes basic monitoring equipment. If you want mobile access and home automation, you’ll have to upgrade to the Gold plan at $39.99 a month.
If video monitoring is a high priority for you, Link is one of the cheapest options. Video monitoring is included as part of Link Interactive’s Elite package for only $44.99 per month, whereas most competitors charge around $50 a month for plans that include video.
We recommend:
The Elite package: We like being able to keep an eye on our home from anywhere, which is why we recommend adding video to your home security. Link Interactive's Elite package will get you video plus home automation, environmental sensors, and professional monitoring at one of the best prices in the industry.
To incentivize customers to sign contracts, Link Interactive offers discounts on equipment. While there’s no discount for a month-to-month plan, Link offers a $50 discount with a 12-month contract; a $150 discount with a 24-month contract; and a $250 discount with a 36-month contract. (And at that level, you’re entitled to a few other promotions too.)
Features
Link Interactive lets you build out your own equipment packages, so you get what you need without paying extra for gear you’ll never use. The service offers two options: you can sign up for a contract (12, 24, or 36 months), or you can pay up front for the equipment you want and subscribe for monitoring on a month-to-month basis.
Link has also recently added a few new bells and whistles to its plans. It now offers a 180-degree indoor camera with two-way voice—so if your kid at home needs something, they can use the camera to call you on the Alarm.com app.
Link also offers video analytics. In the smartphone app, you can create notifications for certain motions both inside and outside of your home—whether it’s a car, a person, or an animal—and you can choose which of those notifications you’ll get.
Create a zone around the couch, and Link will notify you when the dog jumps on it.
Have a new couch that you don’t want your very lovely, very furry dog on? Create a zone around the couch, and Link will notify you when the dog jumps on it. Plus, you can use the aforementioned two-way voice to talk to your pup—and maybe encourage her to lounge elsewhere.
Equipment
Link uses easy-to-install Alarm.com equipment that’s compatible with Z-Wave smart home devices. Once you’ve chosen your monitoring package, you’ll be prompted to choose between a basic 2GIG panel and more advanced IQ control panel—your home base for controlling and managing all of your security equipment. Some equipment, like Link’s sensors, will arrive preprogrammed so they’re already synced to the control panel. All you have to do is stick them where they go.
Link has some other special offerings that set it apart from the competition. Its weatherproofed outdoor sensor is great for pools, gates, and sheds, and it will work rain or shine. It also offers a gun lock with a tilt sensor and a three-digit lock. So far, no other home security company offers that option.
Link Interactive offers a gun lock with a tilt sensor and a three-digit lock. So far, no other home security company offers that option.
Customer Service
Link has a solid reputation in customer service. The home security company receives an overwhelming number of positive reviews from its customers, with most users raving about their positive customer service experiences. These days, companies that make the customer service process painless are real assets.
The main downside is that Link Interactive has less availability than its competitors. You can call into their customer support center Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., CST; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST on Saturdays. Link also offers 24/7 on-call support. Well, kind of: if you have an emergency after hours, you can call a number and an agent will either pick up or get back to you shortly.
Those hours will work just fine for a lot of people, but that availability can’t really compare with brands like Vivint and ADT, which both offer 24/7 customer support both over the phone and online.
Still, Link Interactive is making up for it in other ways. Its equipment now comes with a three-year-warranty instead of a one-year, which is what it used to offer. This customer-focused change gives us confidence that Link is working to improve its customer experience.
What customers are saying about Link Interactive
The reviews for Link Interactive are largely positive. Most users praise the company’s positive customer service and the equipment’s ease of use. Others find the DIY self-installation confusing, especially for the higher-tier packages that require wiring equipment.
Our recommendation: Take control with Link Interactive
Link Interactive is a great choice if you’re looking for a more hands-on security experience with flexible equipment options. Plus, commitment-averse customers and first-timers will love the shorter contract options and great customer support.
Link might not be our absolute top pick, but it has enough going for it that it’s a good, solid choice for keeping your home safe.
Have you ever used Link Interactive to protect your home? Let us know about your experience in the comments!
