Many alarm companies lock people into lengthy contracts with high monthly fees. Smith Thompson is an alarm provider that claims to be different with no commitment and no hidden charges.
After a review of Smith Security, we think they're a good company. But in the end, there could be a better recommendation for you.
What Is Smith Thompson Security?
Smith Thompson is a Texas-based home security system provider headquartered in Plano, TX. They’ve been in business since 1978 and have an endorsement from the Dallas Mavericks.
According to their website, they promise never to raise your monthly rates and have upfront pricing. All of their monitoring is done in-house, unlike other companies that outsource to 3rd-party professional monitoring centers. You have the option of using your equipment or buying from them.
- In-house professional monitoring center
- Complete home automation options
- Professional installation and set-up
- No-contract
- Limited service area
- Limited options on cheaper plans
- Does not service apartments
- No 24/7 tech support
In- Depth Look At The System & Features
Pricing
According to the website, Smith Thompson Security offers straight forward pricing without a lot of hidden costs. They offer three packages and give you the option of using your equipment for a flat price or purchasing a complete security system from them.
If you opt to use your equipment, there is a one time fee of around $100. To buy a system from them costs between $350 - $500.
- Plan 1 - $15-$20 per month or $180-$200 if paid yearly
- Plan 2 - $20-$25 per month or $220-$240 if paid yearly
- Plan 3 - $25-$30 per month or $320-$350 if paid yearly
Plan Options
Each of the plans are built for different levels of security. The features you get with your security service will depend on which plan you choose.
| Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Active 24/7 monitoring | Remote app arm/disarm | Works with indoor/outdoor cameras |
| Insurance discount | System history in-app | Works with video doorbell |
| Wireless monitoring | Push, text, and email notifications | Control home from one app |
Equipment
| Basic Equipment Plan 1 & 2 | Basic Plan 1 & 2 Upgrades | Basic Equipment Plan 3 | Basic Plan 3 Upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|
| One LCD keypad | Smartphone control | Touchscreen control panel | Doorbell alarm with carbon monoxide sensor |
| Master control panel | Smoke detector | Three door/window Sensors and siren | HD outdoor or indoor camera |
| Three door sensors and one motion sensor | Extra door sensors | One glass break detector and backup battery | Smart thermostat and smartlock |
| One siren and wireless transmitter | Extra motion sensors | Built-in smartphone app service | Smart garage door control |
| Backup battery | Keyfob Remote | Yard signs and window stickers | Smart dimmable lightbulb |
| Yard signs and window stickers | Glass break sensor | Mobile app smart home automation | Extra touchscreen control panel |
Installation Process
The security company provides professional installation for all systems bought through them. According to their site, installation takes, on average, 2 hours if they are installing a complete alarm system. In cases where you have your home security system, set-up times run between 30 minutes and one hour.
Customer Service
The Thompson company has received high marks for great service. They offer an online reference library, billing support, monitoring support, and tech service support. The dispatch center is open 24 hours, with all of this just a phone call away.
Cellular Monitoring
Many security companies, like Alarm.com, are beginning to switch to cellular alarm monitoring. Older systems tend to use a landline-based monitoring service. Cellular monitoring instead uses a cellular network for monitoring services, which is much faster and more reliable for security monitoring.
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How Are Their Ratings Online?
After reviewing what Smith Thompson offers, we found the company to be a solid choice. They provide almost everything that the major home security providers do without the two and three-year contracts.
The company has also updated its equipment recently to provide wholly integrated smart home technology. Overall, they have a good offering for the price.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating
The home security firm has an A+ rating with the BBB. They have 201 customer reports and only 11 customer complaints after 43 years in business. Their average customer rating is five stars (1).
Trust Pilot Rating
The company has a claimed listing on Trust Pilot with over 368 verified reports. Their average review is five stars, with 96% of reviewers giving the company a rating of excellent (2).
"Quick and easy service! The price can't be beaten! Customer service was great also. Highly recommend."
- Roger T, Trust Pilot Verified Review
Google Reviews
All locations, including San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin, have over a four-star rating on Google reviews. Their headquarters has 530 ratings with an average of 4.7 stars.
Facebook Page Ratings
The Facebook page for the alarm company has over 11,000 likes. They have an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on the opinion of 170 people (3).
FAQs
You reset your Smith Thompson Home Security alarm by pressing the # button and entering the four-digit alarm code then entering the four-digit code again.
To change the time on your Smith Thompson security system press *, 6, (your code), 1. You then enter the time in military (24-hour) time and press #.
You set your Smith Thompson Home Security alarm by pressing *, 9, and then enter your four-digit code on the keypad.
Is Smith Thompson Security a Good Choice?
After extensive testing, we found the Smith Home Security Company to be a reliable option. We like that their monitoring rate starts at only $16.95, and they offer smart home automation. That said, we believe that SimpliSafe Home Security is a better choice for no-contract security.
Their monitoring fee is much lower, and they also offer smart home options. The smart home systems they sell is easier to set-up, lending to the name SimpliSafe. They are also a national brand, so you aren't confined to one state. Check out SimpliSafe if you're looking for an affordable no-contract smart home alarm.
SimpliSafe
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