Alder home security pricing
Staff rating
3.5
Installation: DIYMonitoring: $35/mo.+Equipment: $99+Contract: 12–60 months
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Researched by
Donna PittmanContributing Writer
Reviewed by
Eric PaulsenContent Manager
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Is Alder worth the cost?
For homeowners who don’t want to invest a large sum of money initially, Alder provides budget-friendly equipment with little upfront cost. For less than $100, we were able to initiate service for 14 devices. For us, this required signing a 12-month contract at a cost of $49.99 per month—but your contract length and monthly fee may vary. If you’re looking to avoid a long-term contract, you might be better off with a competitor such as Ring or SimpliSafe.
How Alder stacks up on value
We look at value both by up front and monthly costs, as well as the quality of the service and devices. Because Alder doesn’t charge anything up front for your equipment, it looks like a steal on the surface. But since your devices will be built into a required contract, your monthly bill will be significantly higher than most DIY home security companies, and even higher than some of the professionally installed ones.
Alder isn’t transparent about its pricing, but we did the math and found that our equipment added up to roughly $600 over the course of our contract. That price point sits in the middle of cheaper DIY competitors and more expensive professionally installed companies. Alder’s low upfront cost is very alluring, but it just doesn’t stack up against more affordable options in the long run.
Savings tip: Providers often have
sign-up promotions
for first-time customers. Check Alder's website
for current deals and discounts.Check deals
Basic-tier package
$99.00
Alder does not advertise its products or prices, and you'll need to call to order. We compiled this package to represent the basics for a home with one to two doors and one to two ground-floor windows. Upfront and monthly prices vary by the number of devices you order and the length of your contract.
To learn more about Alder alarm, visit its website for more information about how to order.
| Devices | Part of package? | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Door/window sensors (4) | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Motion detector | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Yard sign | Build your own | Call for pricing |
Middle-tier package
$99.00
Alder does not advertise its products or prices, and you'll need to call to order. We compiled this package to represent standard security for a home with two doors and four ground-floor windows. Upfront and monthly prices vary by the number of devices you order and the length of your contract.
To learn more about Alder alarm, visit its website for more information about how to order.
| Devices | Part of package? | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Door/window sensors (6) | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Motion detector (2) | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Indoor camera | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Outdoor camera | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Yard sign | Build your own | Call for pricing |
Premium-tier package
$99.00
Alder does not advertise its products or prices, and you'll need to call to order. We compiled this package to represent robust security for a home with three to four doors and six ground-floor windows. Upfront and monthly prices vary by the number of devices you order and the length of your contract.
To learn more about Alder alarm, visit its website for more information about how to order.
| Devices | Part of package? | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Door/window sensors (10) | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Motion detector (2) | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Indoor camera | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Outdoor camera | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Glass break sensor | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Smoke/CO detector | Build your own | Call for pricing |
| Yard sign | Build your own | Call for pricing |
Costs to consider
Up front, you’ll only pay a $50 activation fee and your first monthly payment to get Alder up and running in your home. But while you’re unlikely to spend more than $100 from the get-go, it’ll add up over time.
Self-installation: $0
Professional installation: $0
Self-monitoring: N/A
Professional monitoring: $35–$50/mo.
Additional fees: $50 activation fee, $50 restocking fee for equipment returned within 30 days
Prices vary by product, package, and type of installation. You'll want to
check with Alder
directly for current pricing and discounts.Go to provider
Alder packages and pricing
Alder does not advertise its prices online, nor does it provide transparent details when you place an order. Instead, you'll only pay a $50 activation fee up front, along with your first month of monitoring. The cost of your equipment will be built into your monthly fees, which can vary between $35 and $50 or so per month.
Cancelation costs for Alder
Alder requires the minimum of a 12-month contract and rolls the cost of monitoring plus the cost of equipment into your monthly fee. When you cancel, you’ll need to be prepared to pay the remaining balance of your equipment, as well as applicable monthly charges. Unfortunately, Alder doesn’t provide clear information on the cost or options of buying out a contract. If you return items within a 30-day window, Alder assesses a restocking fee of $50.
Cancelation fee: Up to 90% of the contract balance
Contract length: Minimum of 12 months
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