Scout Alarm Review

Scout Security was created to solve a problem. During his search for a security system for his own home, one of the Scout founders discovered that costs were so prohibitive and technology so outdated that most homes in the U.S. had no security system at all. He wanted to offer homeowners something different, and his vision was met with great support when a crowdfunding campaign for Scout Security exceeded its fundraising goal within 30 days.

Since the success of this independent crowdfunding campaign in 2013, more than $500,000 worth of Scout Security products have been sold. Scout has proved to be so popular in large part because Scout Security is a great option for homeowners and renters who are looking for a security system they can install on their own that also offers the option of professional monitoring or self-monitoring.

Scout Security

Nerd Rating: 3.5 / 5

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Your system from Scout is completely customizable and startup packages are more affordable than some competitors. Scout is a great choice if you’re not ready to commit long-term to a home security provider.

Scout offers a full array of hardware options to build a customized alarm. Pricing is affordable and installation is easy, but some concerns about reliability may give you pause.

If you’re OK with a system that offers limited backup power and you’re willing to work out any kinks that arise, Scout Security is an affordable and flexible home security option.

Here’s how we graded Scout Security:

  • Hardware: 3 out of 5 stars. Installation is easy, but the equipments’ battery life isn’t great and some customers report problems with reliability.
  • Customer service: 4 out of 5 stars. Customer service is helpful on the phone and 24/7 professional monitoring is available for Scout Security customers.
  • Pricing: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Prices for alarm packages are more affordable than some competitors and professional monitoring is just $19.99 per month with no contracts — but there is an upfront equipment cost to pay.
  • The mobile app: 4 out of 5 stars. The iOS app has limited customer reviews but receives 5 stars. The Android app receives 3.6 out of 5 stars.
  • Smart home capabilities: 5 out of 5 stars. Integrates with Nest, Amazon Alexa, Hue, IFTTT, Google Assistant and Lifx.

Scout Alarm Fees & Features

Nerd Pros

Nerd Cons

Equipment available from Scout Security

Package prices are listed below, but you also have the option to buy a la carte equipment. Here are the prices you’ll pay if you choose this approach:

  • Scout Hub: This is the brains of the system that all sensors connect to. It costs $120.
  • Door panels: This uses an RFID monitor to control the Scout system and it monitors activity on your main door. It also triggers a 106 db siren if the alarm is triggered. The cost is $50.
  • Motion sensors: These detect motion up to 25 feet and have a 90 degree field of view. The cost is $30.
  • Access sensors: These can detect the opening and closing of windows, doors, cabinets, or safes.  The cost is $20.
  • Scout indoor cameras: You can monitor your home day or night in the Scout app with a 1080p live feed from your camera. The cost is $99.
  • Water sensors: Water sensors trigger an alarm as soon as water is detected. The cost is $30.
  • Smoke & C02 detectors: If an event occurs, sirens will be triggered, you’ll be notified, and monitors will also be made aware of the problem if you have professional monitoring services.  The cost is $50.
  • Door locks: These smart locks allow you to ditch your keys and lock and unlock doors via the keypad on the lock or your Scout app. The cost is $229 per lock.

A bundled package can provide savings compared with the a la carte price, but you can also add to each bundle to make your system suit your home perfectly.

The Scout Mobile App

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This mobile app from Scout Security has a:

  • 3.6 rating in the Google store
  • 5.0 rating in the Apple Store  (Note: There are not a ton of reviews from Apple users yet.)

The mobile app offers a wide array of features including:

  • 24/7 remote access to your security system
  • The ability to instantly provide access to visitors
  • Options for setting customizable responses for each alarm mode
  • A summary of actions that occurred in your home

It’s simple and easy to arm and disarm your system and to see what’s happening at home with your Scout Security mobile app. In fact, as the below screenshot shows, you can get a complete accounting of doors opening and closing, and of actions taken with your system.

Scout Smart Home Capabilities

Scout Security aims to allow you full control over all your smart home devices — and works well with the systems you use every day to control your home environment. Scout integrates with:

  • Nest: You can use Scout Security with the Nest Protect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide detector so your Scout Security system will alert you if smoke or dangerous gases are detected in your home. Scout and Nest will communicate their learnings to each other, you can receive customized alerts from both Nest and Scout devices in one convenient app, and you can sync your “Away” mode in Scout’s system with your Nest Learning Thermostat.
  • Amazon Alexa: You can control your Scout Security system simply by talking to Alexa. It doesn’t get much easier than asking Alexa if the door is open or telling Alexa to arm away mode on your alarm.
  • Google Assistant: If you use Google Home to control your home instead of Alexa, Scout’s integration with this virtual assistant also allows you to talk with your alarm. Just tell Google Home what you want Scout to do and Scout will do it.
  • Hue and Lifx: Hue and Lifx connected lighting products work with your Scout System so you can flash lights when your alarm is triggered.
  • IFTTT: IFTTT allows you to connect Scout with more than 175 smart home partners. Using IFTTT, you can create customizable “recipes,” which are basically automated processes that control a wide variety of different “channels” including Facebook and smart devices.  With IFTTT, you can simply tell Scout what to do and a series of customizable actions will occur automatically every time.

Because Scout Security works with IFTTT, it’s one of the most connected home security systems on the market.

Scout Security Customer Service

Scout customer support is available via phone at 844-287-2688 or can be reached at [email protected].  Customer service is available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST, except on major holidays. Scout also provides separate 24/7 monitoring, which is always effective every day of the year at all times of the day.

Scout Security doesn’t yet have a rating with the Better Business Bureau, as the company is a newer one. However, Scout customer reviews indicate the company has been responsive and willing to work with customers experience occasional reliability problems with Scout components. We also found Scout Security’s customer service to be helpful when we contacted the company to test various aspects of its service. Our Security Nerd tested each of the following processes:

  • Sales: We contacted customer service to ask about purchasing a security system and found support staff to be knowledgeable and friendly but not pushy.
  • Design: We used the Scout website to build a customized security package.
  • Service: We contacted customer support to see how long it took to get a representative on the phone and were provided with quick answers to questions. 

Scout Security Coverage Area

Scout provides security solutions throughout the United States, including security systems with professional monitoring and self-monitored systems with WiFi backup.

Scout Pricing & Packages

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When purchasing a security system, key costs to consider include:

  • Equipment costs: With Scout Security, you can opt for one of four packages described above or can build your own system by buying individual components.
  • Installation costs: Installation is DIY and there is no fee.
  • Monthly costs: You can opt for a self-monitored plan with WiFi backup for just $9.99 per month or pay $19.99 monthly for professional monitoring with no contracts required. There are additional fees for cloud storage for video footage.
  • Activation fee: There is no activation fee to get started with Scout, other than paying the up-front costs of buying equipment.

Scout provides a wide array of products to customize your home security system. You can buy Scout Packs, which group popular components together, or you can buy individual products to build a system that best meets your needs. Cameras are not included with any of the Scout Packs, so you’ll have to add those at an additional cost.

Wrapping Up

If you’re comfortable DIYing the installation of your security system and you’re looking for affordability, Scout Security is a great choice. While some customers have reported reliability issues and backup battery life isn’t great, the flexibility of the Scout system is a major boon to home owners not ready to commit to a monitoring contract or to shell out thousands for equipment. (This made Scout one of your top five picks for the best apartment security systems.)

Smart home integration also make Scout easy to use, and the option of professional or self-monitoring gives you the freedom to decide exactly how much security and support you’re willing to pay for on a monthly basis.

About the Author

Christy RakoczyChristy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy has been a full-time writer for more than a decade. She has a law degree from UCLA School of Law and a degree in English, Media & Communications from the University of Rochester. In addition to writing for the web, she has also written textbooks and educational content and has served as a subject matter expert for online course development.