We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.More

Scout Alarm Home Security Review

Scout Home Security offers straightforward, DIY home security packages at affordable prices. In this review, we will cover Scout Home Security’s products and services to help you determine which home security system is right for you.

Author Image Written by Brenda Woods Updated 11/11/2024

This Old House Rating: 9.3 / 10

Scout Home Security offers DIY security solutions for customers who don’t want to be locked into a contract. Through four unique security packages and two monitoring plans, Scout gives customers a choice in how they want to secure their home. Offering 60-day free returns, a three-year warranty, and free shipping on orders of $200 or more, Scout Home Security systems are adaptable and are able to change as you do.

Read on to learn more about Scout’s home security bundles, pricing, and professional monitoring plans, and determine if this is the best home security company for you.

Our Take on Scout Home Security

We rated Scout Home Security a 9.3 out of 10. The provider has a variety of home security packages and gives customers the option to create a customized security package. On the other hand, Scout only has around five years of experience and isn’t accredited or rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Pros

  • 60-day free returns
  • 3-year warranty on equipment
  • Compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

  • Charges for self-monitoring through the Scout app
  • Limited devices offered in most basic package
  • Doesn’t offer professional installation

Scout Home Security Packages

Scout Home Security has four security packages for customers to select from. If the packages don’t contain what you need, or if you need additional items, Scout gives a fifth option to build your own package.

Scout Home Security Package Comparison

FeatureScout Small PackScout Large PackScout Elements PackScout Architect Pack

Best for

Affordability

Larger Homes

Disaster Prevention

Complete Coverage

Scout hub

Door panel

Smart lock

Glass break sensor

Water sensor

Yard sign

Motion sensor

✔ 1

✔ 2

✔ 1

✔ 1

Access sensors

✔ 1

✔ 5

✔ 4

✔ 4

Key fobs

✔ 2

✔ 2

✔ 2

✔ 2

  1. “Scout Small Pack” Package: This is the company’s most affordable system and includes eight items. It contains the items needed to start your DIY security system, including motion and access sensors. The pack also comes with two key fobs so you can easily arm and disarm the system. This pack is best-suited for those who want basic security coverage or live in a smaller home.
  2. “Scout Large Pack” Package: If you need to secure a larger area in your house or your home has multiple access points, the Scout Large Pack offers a security solution that covers all your bases. Equipped with more than twice the access sensors of the Scout Small Pack, this bundle gives you peace of mind that all areas of your home will remain secure.
  3. “Scout Elements Pack” Package: This package couples home security with disaster prevention. The package comes with a smoke alarm and water sensor to help you catch costly fires or flood damage before it gets out of hand.
  4. “Scout Architect Pack” Package: This is designed to be Scout’s most comprehensive home security offering. Coupling all the devices included in the Scout Small Pack, the Architect Pack adds on additional security measures like a smart lock and glass break sensor.
  5. “Build Your System” Package: For customers who want a more customized alarm system for their home, Scout offers the ability to create your own system. Once you select your Scout Hub, you can pick as many devices as you want and build a system to fit your home security needs. You can choose from the following 18 items when you build your own system: Door panel, Access sensor, Motion sensor, Scout indoor camera, Scout video doorbell, Keypad, Smoke alarm, Water sensor, Glass break sensor, Door lock, Yard sign, Panic button, Remote control, Siren and Zigbee repeater, Window sticker, Key fob, and a RFID sticker.

Scout Home Security Monitoring Plans

Features“Always On+” Plan“Always On” Plan

24/7 professional monitoring

Police and fire dispatch

4G LTE cellular and battery backup

Scout mobile app for iOS and Android

Email notifications

Push notifications to mobile devices

SMS and phone call alerts

No annual contract

Cloud storage for first camera or doorbell

Option to add camera cloud storage for $2.99

Scout Home Security gives you the option of purchasing a self-monitored or professional-monitored home security plan. Each plan comes with features like 4G LTE cellular, battery backup, and no annual contract.

Scout Home Security Pricing

Here’s an overview of Scout’s package pricing:

Scout Home Security Package Pricing

PackNumber of Items IncludedPrice

Scout Small Pack

8

$222.00

Scout Large Pack

12

$319.00

Scout Elements Pack

12

$349.00

Scout Architect Pack

12

$549.00

Here’s a look at the cost of Scout’s home security plans:

Scout Home Security Monitoring Plan Pricing

PlanCost per monthCost per year

Always On+

$19.99

$215.00

Always On

$9.99

$107.00

Scout Home Security Warranties

Scout offers a 60-day return policy for all hardware purchased through the company. Customers receive a prepaid return label and a full refund upon Scout receiving the return. Scout offers a three-year warranty on all defective devices, shipping a replacement to customers free of charge.

Scout offers customer service from 9 am until 6 pm CST seven days a week. In addition to phone support, Scout supports customers via email and created a Scout Knowledge Base, where customers can look at user manuals and frequently asked questions.

Scout Home Security Reviews

As a relatively new DIY home security provider with just over five years of experience, Scout hasn’t opened an account with the BBB and therefore has no rating.

Our Conclusion

We give Scout Home Security a 9.3 out of 10. Scout offers affordable DIY security packages that cover the basics when it comes to home security. If you want more than just an average security system, Scout lets you supplement their packages with additional devices or build your own system. Although Scout lets you self-monitor, the provider does charge for this feature unlike many other DIY home alarm system companies.

Scout Home Security vs. Competitors

If you’re still unsure if Scout is right for you, compare it to other top-rated security companies in the industry.

Top-Rated Alternatives to Scout

ProviderAbodeVivintADT

Get a free quote

View Plans

View Plans

View Plans

Equipment prices

$149.00–$1,249.00

$599.00 and up

Bundled with contract

Monitoring prices (per month)

$6.00-$20.00

$40.00 and up

$29.00 and up

Contract required

No

No

36 months

24/7 monitoring

Available

Available

Included

Professional installation

Yes

Pricing by quote

$99.00 and up

DIY installation

Yes

Not available

Not available

Mobile app access

Yes

Yes

Yes

Motion detection

Yes

Yes

Yes

Smart home compatibility

Yes

Yes

Yes

Video surveillance

Yes

With camera purchase

Available

Video streaming capability

Yes

With camera purchase

Available

Money-back guarantee

No

Warranty only

6 months (installation and monitoring fees)

BBB rating

A+

D+

A+

Frequently Asked Questions about Scout Home Security

Is a contract required for Scout Alarm services?

No. There are no contracts with Scout’s equipment or security plans. If you opt for a security plan with Scout, you can cancel or switch plans anytime you want free of charge.

Can you connect third-party devices with Scout Alarm home security systems?

Yes. Scout’s equipment is compatible with Z-wave and Zigbee products, so you can connect any Z-wave or Zigbee smart home device with your system.

Does Scout Alarm Home Security offer any discounts?

Scout is offering 10% off your first order when you sign up to receive offers and security tips through email.

How does Scout Alarm Home Security work?

After purchasing a Scout Pack or building your own system, you’ll receive your order in two to three business days. Once it arrives, the system requires a DIY installation. To help you along the installation process, Scout created install tutorials for many of their devices.

Once your system is installed, you can choose to have it professionally monitored or monitor it yourself by purchasing a Scout security plan. There are no plan contracts and you can cancel or change plans at any time.

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.