On the whole, we think there are simpler DIY security systems out there. But if you want a do-it-yourself system with a touchscreen panel and easy mobile control, Alder might be a decent choice for you. Alder wraps up its equipment charges with its monitoring pricing, which is nice if you don’t have the cash to pay for all your devices at once. But that method can actually cost you more money over the long run. For comparison, if you bought a starter kit from SimpliSafe, it would cost you $229 plus a base monthly monitoring cost of $17.99. Let’s say you throw in a $99 indoor camera too. Altogether, you’d pay around $543.88 in your first year with SimpliSafe (not counting taxes, etc.). That’s still cheaper than what Alder would charge you in the same amount of time for starter equipment and monitoring. With Alder’s $39.99 monthly monitoring cost plus its activation fee of $49, you’d pay $528.88 over the course of that first year. Alder, on the other hand, requires a contract that locks in that rate, which means you’ll be paying that exact same amount every year for three to five years. We’re sorry for making you read math, but suffice it to say, a contract-free security system is gonna cost you a lot less over time. Alder also prorates your first month of service, so you don’t have to pay the full cost for a system you only had for part of the month. We think that’s a little absurd considering Vivint’s fee for professional installation is only $99. You could have a professional set up all your equipment for you for less than you’d pay for activating your Alder system (depending on your specific fee). The only other fee we’re aware of is Alder’s cancellation fee for if you opt out of your contract early. In that case, you’ll be on the hook for 90% of your remaining contract. Available Alder security sensors and equipment:
Touchscreen control panel Smoke detector Carbon monoxide sensor Medical alert button Door sensors Window sensors Motion sensors Key fob Flood and freeze sensor Glass break sensor Indoor camera Outdoor camera
Keep in mind that the more equipment you add on to your system, the higher your monitoring price will be. Arlo does offer an all-in-one doorbell camera these days, but it doesn’t look like you can get the Arlo Video Doorbell through Alder yet. The Kami Wire-Free Outdoor Camera is especially nice because you don’t have to plug it in, which makes it easy to put anywhere outside your house or in your yard. That said, the Alder app does not get great reviews on either the Google Play store or the Apple App Store. It gets a whopping 2.9 stars in the App Store1 and about the same rating on Google Play.2 Alder’s Trustpilot score is pretty mid-range at 3.5 stars,4 and its Better Business Bureau grade could use a little love.5 On the whole, we’d say Alder’s customer support is a work in progress, but it’s better than it’s been before. That said, if all you want is a basic security system that will help you protect your house (including protection against things like floods and fires), then Alder’s equipment is a solid choice. We love the touchscreen panel, the easy installation, and all the tutorials Alder has on YouTube. Pricing: Alder’s pricing is confusing and hidden. You have to call in to even get an idea of what you can expect to pay, and you’re locked in for the same rate for the length of your contract. (You can’t pay off your equipment and lower your bills.) Equipment: Alder’s equipment is easy to operate and simple to set up. If you just need basic security sensors and some decent indoor and outdoor cameras, Alder has what you need. Customer experience: Alder has a mixed record with customer service, especially with its door-to-door salespeople. It’s gotten better in recent years, though, and things seem to be on an upswing.
