Choose Surety over Google Nest If security, privacy, & choice are important to you.

Security First

Recommended or Not Icon Surety

Surety is rooted in security.
Security has been our focus from the beginning

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

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

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.


Recommended or Not Icon Nest

Nest has struggled with security and didn't introduce a security alarm until late 2017.

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.

Gizmodo This Nest Security Flaw Is Remarkably Dumb

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

Recommended or Not Icon Surety

With Surety you’re the customer, not the product.
 Never sell or monetize your data

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

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.


Recommended or Not Icon Nest

Nest is owned by Google. Google’s empire is based on collecting data on everything you do and monetizing it through advertising.

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’

AP News Google tracks your movements, like it or not

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

Recommended or Not Icon Surety

Surety has a diverse and growing ecosystem of compatible hardware and the freedom to choose your provider.
Hundreds of security and home automation devices to connect

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

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.


Recommended or Not Icon Nest

The only connected home service provider you can use if you buy Nest Secure or Nest Cameras is 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

Cameras Surety Cam Nest Aware
Coverage

Surety Cam

Includes up to 4 cameras

Nest Aware

Priced per camera
Storage

Surety Cam

Cloud & local storage options

Nest Aware

Cloud only
Pricing

Surety Cam

$11/mo

Nest Aware

Starts at $20/mo 1
1 Pricing when 4 cameras are connected.
Alarm System Surety Alarm Nest Secure
Professional Monitoring

Surety Alarm

AvantGuard (5 Diamond)

Nest Secure

Brinks/Moni (5 Diamond)
Group Text Response

Surety Alarm

Available

Nest Secure

Available
False Alarm Prevention

Surety Alarm

Available via Video Verification

Nest Secure

-
Long-Term Contracts

Surety Alarm

Never

Nest Secure

Minimum 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.
Home Automation Surety Home Nest Home Automation
Home Automation Devices

Surety Home

Many integrated sensors & devices

Nest Home Automation

Limited integrations 3
Smart Locks

Surety Home

Multiple styles from Kwikset, Yale & Schlage

Nest Home Automation

Yale (only 1 model)
Wellness / Senior Care

Surety Home

Available

Nest Home Automation

-
3 Most Nest home automation devices rely on discontinued “Works With Nest” program.
User Interface Surety Nest
Apps

Surety

iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV & Apple Watch

Nest

iPhone, iPad, Android & Apple TV
iOS App Store Rating

Surety

4.8 stars with 15,200 ratings 4

Nest

1.9 stars with 376 ratings 4
Android Play Store Rating

Surety

4.2 stars with 21,593 ratings 4

Nest

3.8 stars with 20,524 ratings 4
Voice Control

Surety

Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa & Google Home

Nest

Google Home 5
Security Control Panel

Surety

High resolution touchscreen IQ Panel 2+

Nest

Push 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.

Surety is Your Home’s Best Friend

  • Delightfully powerful
    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.

  • Easy to get started
    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.

  • Superior hardware
    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.

  • Expert technical support
    Expert technical support

    Our renowned support helps solve your problems faster without wasting your time.

  • Better protection
    Better protection

    Commercial grade equipment. Industry-leading professional monitoring. Have confidence that your connected home is rock solid and proven secure.

  • Affordable monthly plans
    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

Join thousands of customers whose homes & loved ones are better protected with Surety.

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