Overall Rating
- 100% cellular monitoring
- Custom equipment packages
- High monitoring costs and cancellation fees
The Bottom Line
Link Interactive combines DIY setup with professional, cellular monitoring. Which means you’ll get to skip the installation fees without sacrificing safety and response times from emergency professionals.
Link Interactive offers a healthy selection of security, emergency, and home automation equipment in each package. When you sign up for a plan, you’ll get to cherry-pick your equipment and build a system from the ground up—but if you want things like home automation or video monitoring, you’ll have to choose a more expensive plan.
We like this customizable approach. Whether you want to improve your home’s smart capabilities or beef up your defense against intruders, the power is in your hands. It’s just important to keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for all the equipment you choose, so read the fine print before you sign because this can affect the length of your monitoring contract.
Pros
- Customizable equipment packages
- 100% cellular monitoring for every plan
- DIY installation
Cons
- Limited phone support
- Steep cancellation fees
Link Interactive Pricing
Data effective 08/15/2019. Offers and availability subject to change.
Link Interactive’s pricing and plans can be a little confusing at first glance. They advertise flexible contract lengths and low monthly fees, but it took some digging to figure out how it all works. You can opt for a 12- or 24-month contract, which sounds great (especially for renters or frequent movers), but those contracts are available only if you pay up-front for the security equipment or have your own already. Otherwise, you’ll need to sign a standard 36-month agreement. Once you pay off your equipment, you can opt for a shorter contract.
Every contract comes with monthly monitoring fees starting at $30.99 and pricing jumps between $5 and $10 a month with each advancing plan. You’ll also have to pay for any sensors, locks, cameras, or other equipment you want in addition to your monthly monitoring fee. The sooner you pay off your equipment the sooner you can opt for a shorter contract or move to a month-to-month plan. This means the more equipment you purchase, the longer you’ll be under contract.
It’s worth mentioning that Link Interactive has a 30-day money back guarantee and a hefty three-year warranty on all its equipment. But if you decide to cancel after the 30-day period and you have a remaining balance on your equipment fees, be prepared to pay 75% of that remaining balance. That seems like a lot, but it’s actually less than other companies like Brinks, Protect America, and Vivint that require you to pay 100% of your remaining contract if you cancel.
Overall, it’s best to read the fine print before making any decisions about your dinero.
Each of Link Interactive’s plans come with
- Professional monitoring
- Two-way voice control panel
- 100% cellular monitoring
- Intrusion, fire, and Crash & Smash alarms
Professional Monitoring
With cellular monitoring, two-way voice, and basic alerts for intrusion, fire, and Crash & Smash alarms, Link Interactive meets the monitoring standards of all the best DIY home security systems. Link works with Alarm.com to provide 24/7 professional monitoring so someone is always there to call emergency responders.
Link Interactive offers 100% cellular monitoring for each plan: instead of old-fashioned landline home security, Link Interactive’s sensors, hub, and smart components “talk” to each other using wireless signals. This means intruders can’t snip your landline or internet line to disable your security system.
The two-way voice feature allows the pros at the monitoring station to reach you directly through the hub if you don’t have your phone. If there’s an intrusion, a fire, or a window breaks, a Link Interactive professional can contact whoever’s home to check on your family.
Link Interactive Tech and Equipment
Link Interactive has a wide selection of security and smart home products to make your home safer and easier to use. As you shop for a plan, you can browse door sensors, fire alarms, security cameras, and more.
When you choose between the Standard, Gold, or Elite plans, you can pick from a long list of security, life safety, and home automation equipment. Each plan has more equipment than the next, and the HD cameras are available only under the Elite plan. But you won’t be left out in the lower-tier plans—even the Standard plan gives you the option for automated deadbolts you can lock and unlock with your phone.
This à la carte approach allows you to design your security system based on your priorities. Want to see your kids get home after school? Opt for the Elite plan and watch them come home in 1080p HD. More worried about a CO leak in the middle of the night? Go for fire, smoke, or CO detectors. No matter what you want to monitor, you’ll get alerts to your phone through the Link Interactive app.
Life Safety Equipment
If threats like fires, floods, or carbon monoxide are your biggest concern, Link Interactive has seven life safety devices available on any plan. There are 3-in-1 smoke, heat, and freeze detectors that can sense any sharp spike or drop in temperature, and you could also buy standalone detectors that watch for smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, and water.
These sensors range from $37 to $80. This is pricey considering you can find sets of smoke alarms online for under $50. The big advantage to these devices is they alert the Link Interactive monitoring center, which will immediately notify you through your phone when there’s a problem.
Smart Home Equipment
Link Interactive’s selection includes some of the best smart home security we’ve seen, but you’ll have to opt for the Gold or Elite plans to get a wider selection of smart devices.
You can find a range of deadbolts, thermostats, and light bulbs with Z-Wave technology. These devices make it easier to convert a normal object into a quick-thinking smart device. Your ordinary lamp now has the power to speak with your home security system. In addition to dimming the light, your security system will let you know if you left it on.
Like all cellular security systems, Link Interactive provides a control panel that acts as the central nervous system of all your smart devices, sensors, cameras, and other components. You can choose the standard Go!Control alarm panel or upgrade to an IQ Panel 2 for $200. This panel is advanced but has more brain power than the average home needs—that is, unless you need more than 60 sensors in your home. Both control panels are smart, have two-way voice capabilities, and have a long backup battery, so we don’t recommend upgrading your panel unless you own a business or a large home.
HD Video Monitoring Equipment
Only Link Interactive’s Elite plan offers HD video monitoring. All the indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras available produce a high-definition picture to keep a close eye on your home while you’re away. Under this plan, you can opt for on-demand, scheduled, or motion-based recording for any camera on your property. You can see your dog walker pick up your pup on time or check suspicious activity in the middle of the day.
Choose your equipment wisely because your contract length depends on how quickly you can pay it all off. Below are some of our favorite Link Interactive sensors and devices.
Link Interactive Installation
Link Interactive is all DIY installation, but you don’t need to be a master craftsman to set it up. If you can peel a sticker, you can install several devices in this security system. The smart deadbolts and doorbell cameras are the most complex to install, but these require just a couple of steps and come with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
If you get stuck, you can find manuals on the Link Interactive support page for most of their products. Smart hubs also come with instructions for adding components like window and door sensors, motion sensors, glass break detectors, and smoke alarms.
Some more advanced pieces require a screwdriver or a little experience with other tools. We like this kind of installation process most for renters. You won’t need to drill giant holes in your wall or connect a nest of wires to get your security system up and running.
Link Interactive Customer Service
Help is never far away with Link Interactive. There are several ways to get in touch with customer support including phone numbers, email, and tech manuals. With highly-rated, speedy customer service, we can see why people like Link Interactive. Here’s a closer look at some of this security company’s ratings.*
- Trustpilot rating: 4 stars, Great
- Link Interactive Alarm.com app on Apple App Store: 4.8 stars out of 5
- Link Interactive Alarm.com app on Google Play: 4.3 stars out of 5
*Ratings as of August 2019
Unfortunately, phone support is limited to Monday through Saturday. The support line is primarily for installation, ordering, contract, and billing help. If you have a question during off hours, you can schedule a time online to speak with a technician at your convenience. Link Interactive has also added 24/7 on-call customer service, so if you leave a message during the off-hours, you’ll still get a call back.
Link Interactive FAQs
Is Link Interactive worth the price?
Link Interactive doesn’t have a package below $30 a month, which might price it out of some budgets. But you do get a lot for your money with this security company. All packages include a control panel, home automation, mobile access and alerts, fire and CO monitoring, and up to 48 sensors.
Does Link Interactive home security work for renters?
Yes. If you already own your security equipment, you can opt for a 12-month contract that matches most leases. Any equipment you buy from Link Interactive can move with you to a new address without changing your contract. Additionally, most of the equipment can be installed on your own, making it easy for renters to set up and take with them.
What happens if I cancel my contract early?
If you terminate your contract before it’s complete, you’ll have to pony up 75% of the remaining balance of your contract.
Check out our extended Link Interactive FAQs for more answers.
Other Home Security Options
DIY systems like Link Interactive are great for streamlined, customized security. But this system isn’t entirely DIY because of its professional monitoring. DIY options for home security come with a range of contracts, equipment, and monitoring options. Check out The Best DIY Home Security Systems to compare our Link Interactive review to other DIY systems.
Conclusion
Link Interactive combines DIY installation with luxury equipment and vigilant professional monitoring. Whether you want to make your home smarter, safer, or both, it’s easy to customize your system from the ground up based on your family’s needs. Link Interactive’s pricing may be steeper than other self-installed systems, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Compare the Best Home Security Systems
| Brand |
| Lowest Monthly Monitoring Price |
| Starter Equipment Price |
| Contract Required |
| Installation |
| Smart Home Compatibility |
| Learn More |
| Read Review |
| Best Overall | Smart Home Pick | No-Contract Pick | Most Well-Known | Techie Pick |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $44.99 | $29.99 | $14.99 | $27.99 | $19.00† |
| $0.00* | $599.00 | $229.00 | $0.00** | $399.99 |
| X No |
X No˄ |
X No |
✓ Yes |
X No |
| DIY | Pro | DIY | Pro | DIY |
| Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Z-Wave |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Z-Wave |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Z-Wave |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Z-Wave |
| View Packages | View Packages | View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
*$0 due up-front with consumer financing.
**With $99 installation charge and new monitoring agreement. Early termination fee applies. See SafeStreets.com for full offer details, terms, and conditions.
˄No-contract options available with outright equipment purchase.
† Professional monitoring provided by Brinks Home Security.
The post Link Interactive Home Security Review appeared first on SafeWise.
No comments:
Post a Comment