Alder Security is a Utah-based home security provider that primarily acquires customers through door-to-door sales. While they offer free equipment and professional monitoring, the company has a BBB C rating with over 1,000 complaints in the past three years. Here’s what potential customers should know before signing.
Quick Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $35–$49/month |
| Contract | 36 months (auto-renews) |
| Equipment | “Free” with contract |
| Monitoring | Professional only (no self-monitoring option) |
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Home | Alexa, Google Assistant (no HomeKit) |
| BBB Rating | C (1,000+ complaints in 3 years) |
| Cancellation | Difficult — early termination fees apply |
How Alder Sells
Unlike most modern security companies, Alder relies heavily on door-to-door sales. Sales reps visit neighborhoods offering “free” equipment packages. The catch: you’re signing a 36-month contract at $35–$49/month that auto-renews. Multiple consumer complaints cite high-pressure tactics and unclear contract terms presented at the door.
Pros
- No upfront equipment cost: Equipment is included with the monitoring contract
- Professional installation available: Tech installs everything for you
- Fast response times: Monitoring center has good emergency response
- Medical alert option: Offers a medical pendant for elderly monitoring
Cons
- 36-month contract with auto-renewal: One of the longest in the industry. Many customers report difficulty cancelling.
- BBB C rating: Over 1,000 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau in the past 3 years, primarily about billing and cancellation issues
- Door-to-door sales pressure: Multiple reports of aggressive sales tactics and customers feeling pressured into signing
- No self-monitoring option: You must pay for professional monitoring — no free tier
- Expensive monthly cost: $35–$49/month is significantly higher than DIY alternatives
- No HomeKit support: Limited smart home integration compared to competitors
Alder vs No-Contract Alternatives
| Feature | Alder | Abode | SimpliSafe | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $35–$49 | Free–$20 | Free–$25 | $3.99–$20 |
| Contract | 36 months | None | None | None |
| Self-Monitoring | ❌ | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| BBB Rating | C | A | A+ | A+ |
| Equipment | “Free” (w/ contract) | Buy outright | Buy outright | Buy outright |
| Cancellation | ETF applies | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime |
3-Year Cost Comparison
Alder’s “free” equipment looks attractive until you calculate the total 3-year cost:
- Alder: $0 equipment + $35/mo × 36 months = $1,260 minimum
- Abode: $279 kit + $0/mo (self-monitor) = $279 total. Or $279 + $20/mo × 36 = $999 with pro monitoring
- SimpliSafe: $249 kit + $0/mo = $249 total. Or $249 + $25/mo × 36 = $1,149 with pro monitoring
Even with professional monitoring, Abode saves you $261 over Alder’s cheapest plan — and you own the equipment with no contract.
How to Cancel Alder
Cancellation is one of the biggest complaint areas. If you’re locked in:
- Check your contract end date — cancellation must happen within a specific window before auto-renewal
- Send written cancellation notice via certified mail
- Document everything — dates, names, confirmation numbers
- If within 3 days of signing (door-to-door), you may have a right of rescission under FTC rules
Alder in 2026: What’s Changed
Alder has been making adjustments as the market shifts toward DIY, but core issues remain:
- Rebranded to “Alder Home Security” — The company has tried to distance itself from its door-to-door sales reputation with updated branding and a revamped website. The product and pricing, however, remain essentially the same.
- Smart home app improvements — Alder released an updated mobile app with faster sensor status loading and improved automation scheduling. Still built on proprietary hardware rather than industry-standard platforms like Alarm.com, which limits third-party device compatibility.
- Door-to-door sales still the primary channel — Despite industry-wide criticism, Alder continues to rely heavily on door-to-door salespeople. BBB complaints about aggressive sales tactics, misleading contract terms, and unauthorized account creation persist. The BBB rating remains at C.
- 36-month contracts still mandatory — No month-to-month option. In a market where Abode, SimpliSafe, Ring, and Cove all offer no-contract monitoring, Alder’s 3-year lock-in feels increasingly out of touch.
- No HomeKit, no Matter, no Z-Wave — Alder’s closed ecosystem supports basic Alexa and Google voice commands but nothing beyond that. No smart locks, no third-party sensors, no meaningful smart home integration.
- Pricing unchanged at $35–$49/month — Still among the most expensive options on the market for what you get. For comparison: Abode’s Pro plan includes 24/7 professional monitoring at $20/month with HomeKit, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter — no contract.
Our take: Alder continues to be one of the hardest security companies to recommend. The combination of door-to-door sales, long contracts, high pricing, and limited smart home support puts it well behind every major competitor. If an Alder rep knocks on your door, politely decline and check goabode.com instead.
Who Should Avoid Alder?
- Anyone who values flexibility: 36-month contracts are outdated. Abode, SimpliSafe, and Ring all offer no-contract options.
- Budget-conscious buyers: The 3-year total cost is significantly higher than DIY competitors
- Smart home enthusiasts: No HomeKit, limited integrations compared to Abode
FAQs
Is Alder Security legitimate?
Alder is a real company based in Orem, Utah, but they have a BBB C rating with significant complaint volume. Research thoroughly before signing any contract at your door.
Can I cancel Alder Security?
You can cancel, but early termination fees apply. Many customers report the cancellation process is difficult and unclear. Send written notice via certified mail.
Is Alder worth the money?
At $35–$49/month on a 36-month contract, Alder is one of the most expensive options. No-contract alternatives like Abode offer comparable or better features for less.
Related Reviews & Comparisons
Alder Comparisons
- SimpliSafe vs Alder 2026 — No-contract DIY vs 5-year lock-in, side by side
- Alder vs Abode 2026 — Contract dealer vs no-contract DIY with HomeKit
Similar Contract-Based Systems
- Brinks Review 2026 — Another pro-installed system with contracts (but better reputation)
- ADT Review 2026 — The legacy pro-install leader
- Vivint Review 2026 — Premium smart home + security
- Frontpoint Review 2026 — Another Alarm.com dealer with contract issues
No-Contract Alternatives
- Abode Review 2026 — HomeKit, Z-Wave, Zigbee, $0-$20/mo, no contract
- SimpliSafe Review 2026 — Popular DIY with Fast Protect monitoring
- Ring Alarm Review 2026 — Amazon ecosystem, best camera lineup
- Cove Review 2026 — Budget-friendly no-contract option
Guides
- Best HomeKit Security Systems — Smart home integration guide
- Ring vs Brinks 2026 — Amazon DIY vs legacy alarm company
- Ring vs Cove 2026 — Two no-contract options compared
New This Week
- Best No-Subscription Home Security 2026 — Systems that work at $0/month (unlike Alder)
- How to Switch From Ring to Abode — Migration guide for anyone leaving a contract system
- Amazon Spring Sale Deals 2026 — What’s worth buying right now
Last updated: March 2026
Related no-contract alternatives
- Cove review 2026: lower-cost monitoring-first alternative
- SimpliSafe review 2026: DIY value benchmark for comparison
2026 Alder buyer risk checklist
- Before signing, verify contract length, cancellation terms, and equipment ownership in writing.
- Model 36-month total spend across monitoring, equipment financing, service calls, and upgrade add-ons.
- If flexibility matters, compare Alder against no-contract alternatives before committing to long lock-ins.
Related reads: Vivint review 2026, ADT review 2026, and best no-subscription systems.
2026 upgrade and comparison links
- Home security buying guide — compare sensors, cameras, monitoring, contracts, and backup before choosing.
- Best no-contract home security systems — check flexible monitoring options before signing long terms.
- Best townhouse security systems — useful for garage, patio, smart-lock, and camera placement decisions.
- Best condo security systems — compare HOA rules, hallway cameras, and low-impact installation choices.
Alder Review 2026 Buying Notes
Alder still makes the most sense for shoppers who want a guided sales process and a monitored system without comparing every DIY accessory one by one. It is less compelling for buyers who want transparent online pricing, no-contract monitoring, or deep smart home control.
| Question | Why it matters | What to ask before signing |
|---|---|---|
| Contract length | Longer agreements can raise the real cost of ownership. | Ask for the full monitoring term, cancellation rules, and equipment payoff amount in writing. |
| Upfront equipment cost | Advertised monthly pricing can hide hardware or activation costs. | Request an itemized quote for the panel, sensors, cameras, and installation. |
| App and camera features | Buyers often assume every monitored system includes modern camera tools. | Confirm live view, clips, cloud storage, alerts, and any separate camera fees. |
| Smart home support | Alder is not usually the strongest pick for HomeKit or advanced automation. | Ask which integrations work today, not which ones are planned. |
| Moving policy | Renters and frequent movers need to know whether the system can transfer cleanly. | Confirm relocation fees, contract transfer rules, and equipment reuse options. |
If the sales quote is clear and the monitoring commitment fits your budget, Alder can be a workable monitored option. If you want self-monitoring, transparent plan changes, or a system you can rebuild over time, compare it against DIY-first systems before committing.
