Scout is a great DIY home security system if you’re willing to pay for a plan and add third-party equipment. But without a plan, Scout’s core equipment might be too limited for most homes.
2020 Scout Alarm Review: Cheap Monitoring and Sleek Equipment
Plans starting at
$9.99/mo.
Quick and easy installation
Easy DIY monitoring 
Limited equipment selection 
3.1The bottom line
December 19, 2019
Last Updated: several months ago
Looking for the latest? We’ve checked this page to make sure everything is up to date. We still think this review covers everything you need to know about Scout Alarm.
Overview
Scout Alarm is one of our top recommendations for anyone wanting a simple DIY security system with aesthetic equipment. Scout’s proprietary devices fit right in with modern homes, and we love how easy its systems are to set up and operate.
And while Scout’s equipment selection is somewhat limited, it lets you integrate plenty of third-party smart lights, cameras, and other smart home equipment to meet your needs.
Pros
- Quick and easy installation
- Easy DIY monitoring
- 4G LTE cellular and backup battery to protect against outages
- No-contract monitoring
Cons
- Limited equipment selection
- No third-party equipment without a plan
- No control panel
| Always On | Always On+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $9.99 | $19.99 |
| Professional monitoring |  No |  Yes |
| Motion detection | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile access | Yes | Yes |
| Home automation | Yes | Yes |
| Video monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Video cloud storage | $2.99 per camera | Free for first camera |
| Learn more |
*Video cloud storage with the Always On+ plan is free for the first camera, then an additional $2.99/month per additional camera.
Data effective 12/19/2019. Offers subject to change.
Scout Alarm’s handsome equipment won’t cost you as much as, say, Nest’s premium-priced gear, but it’s not the cheapest on the market either. If you’re looking for equipment that won’t cramp your space’s style, it may be worth it to pay more up front for Scout.
- Hub: $129
- Door panel: $69
- Access sensor: $29
- Motion sensor: $49
- Indoor camera: $99
Where you can save some dough is with Scout Alarm’s cheap monthly monitoring plans. Twenty bucks a month will get you professional monitoring plus extras like video monitoring and storage. That professional monitoring is the key difference in its nearly identical plans—so even if you choose to self-monitor your security system you won’t miss out on any of the features that come with the pricier plan.
When it comes down to it we recommend professional monitoring for 24/7 coverage. That means if someone triggers your security system while you’re swimming laps or your phone is on silent during a movie, someone from the monitoring center will dispatch the authorities for you.
Aesthetic equipment
Home security systems don’t have to be an eyesore in your home. Scout’s equipment stands out to us for its clean design––in fact, we think it’s the best-looking home security system out there.
The Scout Hub can be tucked away effortlessly in a bookshelf or on a TV stand. And the sensors are subtle enough that they won’t stick out to your guests.
Choose your color scheme.
When you order Scout equipment you have two different color options, which is something we haven’t seen from other security companies.
Smart home integration
As we mentioned above, Scout lets you integrate a fair amount of smart home and home automation equipment with your system. For example, if you want to control your lights and your home security system in one smartphone app, you can spring for LIFX or Philips smart lights.
Scout is also compatible with Nest equipment, which can make up for Scout’s lack of proprietary equipment and give you room to add things like smart thermostats, outdoor cameras, and carbon monoxide/smoke detectors to your home security system.
Scout equipment
While we’ve already touched on Scout’s attention to sleek equipment, we should also note that its core equipment limits you to only five devices:
- Hub
- Door panel
- Door/window sensor
- Motion sensor
- Indoor camera
These devices can give you a great base for a home security system, but if you use only Scout equipment, your system will be pretty basic.
Availability
If you run into any issues with your equipment, app, or security system, Scout is available by phone or email seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT) with exception of some holidays. It’s worth noting that other security companies offer 24/7 support regardless of holidays.
What customers are saying about Scout
Customers who choose Scout are typically looking for a no-contract, DIY security system. Scout ticks those boxes while looking good.
Despite the limited equipment selection, those who opt for Scout are, for the most part, happy with their decision. Users consistently note that their Scout system is easy to set up and operate, which is crucial for any DIY home security system.
Customers also appreciate the interconnectivity they get with non-Scout devices that, as mentioned above, give you more equipment options if you want to build out a smarter home.
Contracts and cancellations
Since Scout plans come without contracts, cancellations are simple. All you need to do is cancel your plan with Scout and you won’t be charged again the following month. That’s a big perk compared to contract options like Vivint and Frontpoint, which require you to pay a large percentage of your remaining contract when you cancel early.
Do we recommend Scout home security?
Recommended
We recommend Scout to anyone seeking a simple, aesthetic DIY security system. Although its core equipment selection is limited, Scout gives you enough versatility through third-party security and home automation equipment to build out your system however you want.
If you don’t want to pay for one of Scout’s monthly plans, we’d recommend looking into Abode as another viable DIY home security option. If you’re not ready to decide on a system yet, check out our best home security systems.
