We know choosing a home security system can be stressful for some, so we’ve done a bunch of TELUS SmartHome Security research. Now you don’t have to do it yourself while stress-eating Timbits! TELUS also has a lot of different plan options, so you choose between professional or self-monitoring and a variety of equipment options, including video, to find the right balance of convenience and protection for you. It’s also Canada’s most trusted alarm service according to BrandSpark’s Canadian Trust Study. Just keep in mind that any plan you choose with TELUS will require a minimum 3-year commitment. We suggest going with the Control + Video plan because it’s like the signature dish of TELUS’s home security plans: it comes with everything. That’s smart home, video, professional monitoring, the works. It is the highest-priced package available, but the monthly price does include $1,400 worth of equipment. Something to keep in mind as you consider other higher-tier packages from competitors like Frontpoint, Brinks Home, and Ring. If you’re willing to spend a little more for high-quality security and smart home, we think you should go with the Control + Video plan. Happily, if you take advantage of discounts, your costs for this plan will go down by as much as 30%. Let’s dig more into what you get with TELUS plans. If none of those fit you, TELUS can set up a fully customized plan too.
If you want just a security camera, you’ll pay $15 a month over 3 years with the Smart Camera If you want a security camera with home automation, you’ll pay $33 a month over 3 years with the Smart Automation Plus If you want a professionally monitored system without a camera, you’ll pay $47 a month over 3 years or $42 a month over 5 years with the Secure If you want a professionally monitored system with a camera, you’ll pay $57 a month over 3 years or $52 a month over 5 years with the Secure + Video If you want a professionally monitored system with home automation, you’ll pay $57 a month over 3 years or $52 a month over 5 years with the Control Choosing a Control + Video plan gives you an additional discount. If you want a professionally monitored system with a camera and home automation, you’ll pay $55 a month over 3 years or $60 a month over 5 years with the Control + Video However, TELUS values the plan at $67 a month—so the company is giving you a little price cut, maybe as a thank you for booking the most expensive option. If you currently have internet, TV, or home phone with TELUS, you’ll get $5 off any home security plan except Smart Camera. If you currently have TELUS Mobility or Koodo, you’ll get $10 off any home security plan except Smart Camera. For home services customers (for residents in AB and BC provinces only) it’s $5. You can get other discounts, such as self-installation discounts with the Smart Camera and Smart Automation Plus plans. Discounts do For instance, with all the available discounts, you can bring your Control + Video plan costs down to $40.00 a month.
To sum it up, the minimum amount you can spend on TELUS plans before discounts is $15 a month, while the maximum is $60 a month. And if that’s not enough, there’s one more option. If you’re interested in a uniformed guard verifying your emergency alerts, you can add Guard Response to your monitoring plan for just $5 a month. We recommend this service if you travel a lot or use TELUS home security for a second or vacation home. The Smart Camera and Smart Automation Plus come with security and VPNs for two devices and dark web monitoring. The other plans include security and VPNs for three devices, dark web monitoring, and $25,000 in identity theft reimbursement coverage. We suggest considering the value of these offerings when thinking about TELUS prices. If you’re interested in TELUS online security but not home security, you can buy an online security plan separately. In truth, TELUS offers pretty standard equipment—something to consider when weighing TELUS’s value. In fact, TELUS outright says that it’s not a big product-oriented company. It’s all about the security plan features. So if you’re not a big hardware person, this is a good fit. If you are, you might look for a more DIY-focused solution like Ring. TELUS pulls its pieces from reliable brands like Alarm.com, Skybell, and Weiser. We know these devices work because we see them in tons of security company packages, so even though there’s no unique stamp here, the quality isn’t in doubt. That’s a pretty good spread for security and smart home devices. TELUS also supports a load of other compatible devices such as Rachio, Sonos, Nest, and Ecobee, just to name a few. TELUS also offers SmartWear devices as part of its SmartWear Security line. While these aren’t part of a home security package, we see a lot of overlap in people needing home security and smart wearables. TELUS’s necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and charms are unusually fashionable personal security devices, and you can add them to any TELUS service for just $12 a month. The indoor camera is the ADC-V523, which has 1080p resolution and includes night vision (up to 15ft) and digital zoom that you can use with the app. (The camera lens itself does not zoom in). TELUS doesn’t work with Zigbee, so you may experience some compatibility limitations. But happily, TELUS works with some devices from the following brands:
Chamberlain Ecobee FortrezZ GE GoControl Leviton Lutron Nest Rachio Rainbird Schlage Sonos Stelpro Weiser Yale
You’ll have an okay list of smart device options between these brands. There’s a more complete list on the TELUS website. Plus TELUS has a built-in smart home function in its mobile app. The app allows you to create Scenes, which link different devices together so you can automate them as a group. For instance, you can create a group called Kitchen and include all the lights and smart plugs in your kitchen area. You can then use the Scene function to turn all of those devices off at the same time. Neat. TELUS also has technicians available to assist with DIY installs as needed.
Pricing: TELUS security by itself is on the more expensive side, but bundling and other discounts can make it more affordable. You’ll also get online security with every plan. Equipment: TELUS isn’t really about equipment. You’ll get good, standard pieces but nothing special. Home automation: TELUS works with Alexa, Google, and select smart devices. It also has an in-app automation feature. Installation: TELUS is professionally installed by default, although you may have the option to install some pieces if that’s what you prefer. Customer experience: TELUS’s customer service isn’t resonating with a lot of its current customers.
When possible, we test the systems we review so that we have hands-on experience to draw from. We look at systems based on their own merit, but we also contrast and compare them to other systems to give readers a more complete picture.
