Choose Surety over Google Nest If security, privacy, & choice are important to you.
Security First
Surety
Security has been our focus from the beginning
We started in 2010 as a security company and everything we’ve done along the way has been with your security in mind.
Partnered with the leading platform in cloud security
Surety’s cloud provider, Alarm.com, has been security focused and continuously developed and improved since 2002. In fact, Alarm.com was recently awarded Security Product of the Year at CES.
Cutting edge, professional grade security equipment
Surety systems are based on Qolsys' award winning commercial grade hardware to ensure the absolute highest level of security. You can use what the pros use.
Nest
If you buy and set up a used Nest indoor camera that has been paired with a Wink hub, the previous owner may have unfettered access to images from that camera.
Wirecutter Buyer Beware: Used Nest Cams Can Let People Spy on You
Nest’s indoor and outdoor security camera as well as Dropcams and Dropcam Pros have serious-sounding vulnerabilities that let hackers disconnect the cameras with a Bluetooth command.
Nest started as a smart thermostat company and only recently, in late 2017, launched the Nest Secure security alarm product. Nest Secure gets a lot of PR and attention but it’s still a newcomer in the smart security space.
Surety started in 2010 as a security company. Our services run the gamut on connected home technology but our roots are in home security. Alarm.com launched it’s smart security alarm platform in 2002 and has steadily improved it’s security features ever since. Today Alarm.com is the undisputed leader in smart home security.
The technology behind Surety systems is tried and true. It’s been refined over decades and is relied on by many millions of home and business owners in the US. The Surety Qolsys control panel is UL 1610 certified for commercial security with multiple partitions and strongly encrypted wireless sensors. We even support wired security sensors if you have them.
Surety Alarm.com cameras have always been designed for security first. There have been no reported incidents of a hacker hijacking a Surety camera the previous owner of a used Surety camera having access to your private video feed. Surety Alarm.com cameras were designed with a security first mindset.
Surety systems are fun, timesaving and make your life easier just like Nest but with one important difference… Every decision made by Surety, Alarm.com & Qolsys in designing and improving products and services has been made with security first.
If you want to spend less time worrying about the security of your smart home and more time enjoying it, you might prefer Surety.
Privacy
Surety
Never sell or monetize your data
Surety is only a connected home and security company. We don’t have an advertising platform and we never will.
A business model built on serving you, that’s it
We are not connected to any business model where you and your data are the product that we’re selling to someone else.
Nest
Adding data from Nest’s home sensors and security cameras will significantly expand Google’s monopoly on personal data. Many customers will be justifiably anxious about Google’s growing, centralized trove, especially given that its business model relies on data exploitation.
Sophos Google-Nest merger reawakens privacy worries
Ars Technica What Google can really do with Nest, or really, Nest’s data
The tech giant failed to notify users that its home security device came equipped with a microphone, an oversight Google has called an “error,”… Google drew similar ire over its Nest devices after a string of attacks saw hackers commandeer the device’s cameras.
Popular Mechanics Google calls hidden microphone in its nest home security devices an ‘error’
Nest is Google. Google’s empire is based on collecting data on everything you do, using it to learn about you and selling advertising… targeted at you. It’s their core competency and what made them a near-trillion dollar conglomerate. It’s no coincidence that when Google’s invests in a new business there is usually a “big data” aspect to it. Their mission is to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”.
Who is your data most useful to? Those who want to influence you. Advertisers are Google’s biggest and most important customers, not Nest users. Less than 1% of Google’s revenue comes from Nest [Vox] while roughly 86% of revenue comes from advertising [The Verge]. That tiny portion of revenue that Google brings in from Nest isn’t profitable! Google is losing money on Nest. Then why do they want to be your connected home provider? It might have something to do with how valuable all the data you generate in your home is worth to their biggest customers, advertisers.
As Google makes aggressive moves to own the connected home with Nest, not everyone is comfortable giving the world’s foremost data monetization company a real-time feed of everything that happens in their home. Nest’s privacy policy is states that they will always respect your privacy but for many people the existence of that opportunity to monetize our data is too close for comfort. Could a public company under immense pressure to sustain growth year after year potentially make compromises when they have easy access to such a valuable data source?
Surety is only a connected home and security company. We don’t have an advertising platform and we never will. We are not connected to any business model where you and your data are the product that we’re selling to someone else. If you’re vigilant about your data privacy you might feel more comfortable with Surety.
Choice
Surety
Hundreds of security and home automation devices to connect
Allowing you to manage virtually every aspect of your home from one unified platform.
Not locked into one provider
Surety connects you to your home via Alarm.com. There are many other Alarm.com service providers and you have the freedom to switch if you’re not happy with our service.
Nest
By blocking access to Nest hardware for most companies, Google may be securing your data—but it’s also putting up fences around its walled garden… Going forward, as you buy smarthome devices, you’ll have you ask yourself if it fits within your smarthome ecosystem. And, if it doesn’t, you may find yourself looking for the Google device to go in your “Google home.”
HowToGeek Alexa will still work with nest (and that’s a problem)
Building your connected home system requires a significant investment in equipment. But that equipment isn’t useful unless it’s compatible with the connected home platform you intend to use it with. Google Nest is a connected home platform and Surety Alarm.com is another.
The only connected home service provider you can use if you buy Nest Secure or Nest Cameras is Nest. If you’re not happy with their service then there isn’t much you can do about it, you’ve already invested in all that equipment. You are effectively locked in to Nest’s service unless you’re willing to replace it.
Surety connects you to your home via Alarm.com. There are other Alarm.com service providers and you have the freedom to switch to if you’re not happy with our service. We have to keep your business by delivering excellent service, you aren’t stuck with us. If you like to have the freedom to choose your service provider then you might prefer to keep your options open with Surety.
In addition to the freedom to choose your service provider, you’ll also enjoy more equipment choice with Surety. Not just plain vanilla security sensors, but a mature line of encrypted security and life safety devices. Not just a single model of Yale lock, but a wide variety of compatible locks from Yale, Kwikset and Schlage. Artificial intelligence powered video, garage doors, home audio systems, irrigation systems, home healthcare monitoring, and more. While we offer our own Alarm.com smart thermostat with more features, Surety can even work with your Nest thermostat!
Compare Plans & Features
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Cameras
Surety Cam is our camera-only plan that allows you to monitor, record, and protect 24/7. It’s most similar to Nest Aware. |
Surety Cam | Nest Aware |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage |
Surety CamIncludes up to 4 cameras |
Nest AwarePriced per camera |
| Storage |
Surety CamCloud & local storage options |
Nest AwareCloud only |
| Pricing |
Surety Cam$11/mo |
Nest AwareStarts at $20/mo 1 |
| 1 Pricing when 4 cameras are connected. | ||
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Alarm System
Surety Alarm is our ultra-reliable security alarm plan that keeps your home & loved ones protected. It's most similar to Nest Secure with professional monitoring. |
Surety Alarm | Nest Secure |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Monitoring |
Surety AlarmAvantGuard (5 Diamond) |
Nest SecureBrinks/Moni (5 Diamond) |
| Group Text Response |
Surety AlarmAvailable |
Nest SecureAvailable |
| False Alarm Prevention |
Surety AlarmAvailable via Video Verification |
Nest Secure- |
| Long-Term Contracts |
Surety AlarmNever |
Nest SecureMinimum 3-Year term for similar pricing 2 |
| Pricing |
Surety Alarm$19/mo (month to month) |
Nest Secure$29/mo (month to month) |
| 2 Brinks 3-year contract for $19/mo, month-to-month monitoring plan $29/mo. | ||
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Home Automation
Surety Home is our incredibly full-featured security and home automation plan. Nest doesn't offer a similarly full-featured security and home automation plan. |
Surety Home | Nest Home Automation |
|---|---|---|
| Home Automation Devices |
Surety HomeMany integrated sensors & devices |
Nest Home AutomationLimited integrations 3 |
| Smart Locks |
Surety HomeMultiple styles from Kwikset, Yale & Schlage |
Nest Home AutomationYale (only 1 model) |
| Wellness / Senior Care |
Surety HomeAvailable |
Nest Home Automation- |
| 3 Most Nest home automation devices rely on discontinued “Works With Nest” program. | ||
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User Interface
Surety offers superior app, web, and device access to interface with your connected home. |
Surety | Nest |
|---|---|---|
| Apps |
SuretyiPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV & Apple Watch |
NestiPhone, iPad, Android & Apple TV |
| iOS App Store Rating |
Surety4.8 stars with 15,200 ratings 4 |
Nest1.9 stars with 376 ratings 4 |
| Android Play Store Rating |
Surety4.2 stars with 21,593 ratings 4 |
Nest3.8 stars with 20,524 ratings 4 |
| Voice Control |
SuretyApple Siri, Amazon Alexa & Google Home |
NestGoogle Home 5 |
| Security Control Panel |
SuretyHigh resolution touchscreen IQ Panel 2+ |
NestPush button Nest Guard security hub |
|
4 Alarm.com app vs Nest app as of 7/26/2019. 5 Full-featured voice control. Nest has limited voice control on Siri & Alexa. |
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Surety is Your Home’s Best Friend
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Delightfully powerful
Connect with every aspect of your home in a single, well-integrated app that just works the way you want. Your experience will be second to none.
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Easy to get started
Whether you’re building a new system or you already have equipment, we’ll keep it simple and guide you every step of the way.
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Superior hardware
We use the best in class security alarm, sensors, cameras, door locks, and home automation devices so you always get the best of the best.
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Expert technical support
Our renowned support helps solve your problems faster without wasting your time.
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Better protection
Commercial grade equipment. Industry-leading professional monitoring. Have confidence that your connected home is rock solid and proven secure.
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Affordable monthly plans
Simple, affordable, month-to-month plans. We won’t force you to stick with us. We’ll work to earn your business month after month.
Award-winning products
