Gabe: Hey folks, this is Gabe with Security Baron. Today, we have a head to head competition
between the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest Secure.
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Gabe: In today's comparison of the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest Secure, I'm going to
go over some key similarities and differences, the system components and installation, professional
monitoring options, customer support before finally delving into their respective mobile
applications to make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision.
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Gabe: If you'd like to see a list of our favorite home security systems, google Security Baron
best home security systems. If you have a question about today's comparison, leave us
a comment, and I'll get back to you.
Let's kick off today's comparison of the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest Secure by
going over some key similarities and differences, beginning with the similarities. Now, these
are both pretty minimalist systems.
Everything you see here is basically what comes with each system. Yet, despite the few
parts, they're pretty fleshed out home security apparatuses, especially if you live in something
like an apartment. Now, on top of that, it's pretty easy to install each of these systems.
The DIY nature means that you don't have to hire someone to set it up, though you absolutely
can. The final point on note when it comes to similarities is that they're pretty good
at integrating with various ecosystems and products on the market.
They each go with the Google and Amazon ecosystems, along with partnering with various devices
from LIFX, Philips, Yale, and more. Now, looking at the key differences between Abode Essentials
Starter Kit and Nest Secure, it really comes down to the professional monitoring.
Now, the Abode Secure plan is $20 a month, whereas Brinks by Nest professional monitoring
is $29 a month. In the same theme, the Abode plan offers you more flexibility.
You can sign up for just three days or seven days along with a full month of monitoring
with Abode. That's not something you can do with Nest Secure. Let's take a look at some
of the key similarities and differences between the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest
Secure.
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Gabe: Now that we've gone over some key similarities and differences between the Abode Essentials
Starter Kit and the Nest Secure, let's talk about their system component. Now, with Abode,
you're going to get the Abode gateway, which is essentially a space station, a key fob,
a mini door and window sensor, and a motion sensor.
You're going to get that entire package for $229. Now, with the Nest Secure, you're going
to get the Nest Guard, which functions as a base station, keypad alarm siren and motion
detector, two Nest Detect sensors, which function as entry sensors and motion detectors, and
two Nest Tags, aka key fobs.
That entire package is going to run you $399.
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Gabe: Hold on, wait a second, I hope you're enjoying today's comparison of Abode Essentials
Starter Kit and Nest Secure. If you want to be kept up-to-date on the newest in smart
home security, cyber security, and much more, subscribe to our channel, Security Baron.
We're dropping new content weekly. All right, let's get back to the video.
Now that we've gone over our components, let's talk about the installation process with the
Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest Secure, beginning with Abode. Now, you're going to
want to take your gateway out of the box, plug in the ethernet cable and the power adapter,
and use the activation key that comes in that same box to get started.
From there, you're just going to use your mobile application to go through and add each
device to the system. When it comes to the physical installation, you're going to peel
the adhesive backing off and place your entry sensor, where you'd like that to be, and your
motion sensor wherever you'd like that to be.
Overall, the entire process took me less than 30 minutes. Now, with Nest Secure, it's a
breeze to set up. You're going to take out your Nest Guard, plug it in, you'll see this
light start to come on and you'll just scan using your Nest app, this QR code.
It will prompt you to finish installing each of the rest of the pieces by using their respective
QR codes, very straightforward, very simple. When it gets to the physical installation,
you'll simply peel the adhesive backing off, place it where you'd like it to be, and boom.
You're done, very straightforward, probably took me about 10 minutes.
When it comes to the installation process, both Abode Essentials Starter Kit and Nest
Secure are pretty easy and straightforward. However, you may have noted that the Nest
Secure did not require an ethernet adapter for the setup or maintenance. That makes it
easier than the Abode overall.
If I had to choose a top system for installation, I'm going to give the edge to Nest Secure.
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Gabe: Now that we've gone over the installation for the Abode and Nest Secure home security
systems, let's talk about professional monitoring. Professional monitoring is that team of professionals
watching over your space 24x7 to make sure that you and your family are safe.
Along with that, we also recommend that people have a cellular backup because the Internet
goes out. I know it does for me, even here in the middle of Brooklyn, a city of over
two million. You want to have that cellular backup, so those important notifications and
messages can still be sent out.
Now, let's talk about Abode's professional monitoring plans. Now, they have the Abode
Secure plan, which gives you that 24x7 professional monitoring along with cellular backup for
$20 a month.
If you really want to lock in some savings, you can do the $200 a year plan. Now, something
that we've not seen from many other companies is they have on demand professional monitoring.
If you just want three days of professional monitoring, you can do that for $8.
If you want do a week of professional monitoring, you can do that as well for $15. You have
a lot of options and flexibility when it comes to professional monitoring in the Abode Secure
plan.
Now, looking at Nest Secure, they've kind of outsourced their professional monitoring
to Brinks, a pretty trusted name in the biz. They've only been at it for over a hundred
years when it comes to home security.
Now, that's going to be $29 a month, but if you're in it for the long haul, you can sign
a three-year commitment with Brinks and Nest, that'll bring it down to $19 a month. This
all comes with cellular backup.
Now, if I had to choose one system over another, when it comes to professional monitoring between
the Abode and Nest Secure, I think I'm going to go with the Abode. Not only is it more
affordable at $20 a month, but it also offers you flexibility with on-demand professional
monitoring.
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Gabe: Now that we've gone over the professional monitoring options, we'll dive into the customer
support for Abode and Nest. Now, with Abode and Nest, you have the ability to email them,
check out their online support center, and even give them a call.
Now, with Abode, it distinguishes itself by offering tiered support. If you are a premium
customer, you have Abode Secure, you will be pushed to the front of the line when it
comes to that customer support.
The problem is that what we looked at online in terms of reviews that specifically mentioned
customer support, about two-thirds of the ones that we found were negative. It does
seem like they have some issues actually answering the Abode consumer's questions.
Now, Nest distinguishes itself by offering live chat and support over Twitter. However,
even here, we weren't blown away by customer reviews when we looked online, about half
of the reviews that mentioned customer support for Nest specifically were negative.
Now, if I had to choose between the Abode and Nest Secure, when it comes to customer
support, I'm actually going to go with the Nest. Despite the fact that Abode has tiered
premium customer support, we -- on our personal level -- had a few issues getting the answers
that we needed.
When it comes to Nest, while it does not have perfect scores online by any stretch, it does
seem that generally speaking, people are having better luck getting the answers they need
from Nest.
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Gabe: All right, let's jump into the mobile command centers for the Nest and Abode, the
mobile applications. Now, with Abode app, you're going to set up your system right there.
I was able to arm and disarm my system remotely, interface with it, live stream footage, receive
notifications.
However, when I tried to set up some of the more advanced features such as quick actions,
I was directed to the desktop app and had to use the web interface to set it up. This
may contribute to some of the more middling reviews, when it comes to its app stores.
In the Apple app store, it has a 3.3 out of five-star rating. In the Google play store,
it has a 3.7 out of five-star rating.
Now, when it comes to the Nest app, I actually had a pretty positive experience, not only
setting up the system initially, but arming and disarming my system, watching live footage,
checking my event history, all of that was facilitated by the Nest mobile app.
You wouldn't think so when you look at the user reviews. The user reviews are not a reflection
of my experience. In fact, it only has a 3.2 out of five-star rating in the Google Play
Store and a 1.7 out of five-star rating in the Apple App store, which is positively dismal.
I don't know exactly why that's the case, as I generally had a pretty positive experience.
It may be to the fact that Nest shares that app rating with a host of other products in
the Nest ecosystem. That may be a reflection of experiences with the other products.
Generally speaking, I liked my experience with the Nest Secure, but that is not reflected
in its user reviews.
Choosing between the Abode and Nest when it comes to mobile applications is pretty difficult
on a personal level. I found them both to be pretty intuitive and easy to use in terms
of setting up and interfacing with their respective security systems.
However, playing strictly by the numbers, it's not even close. Abode has much higher
ratings in both the Apple app and Google Play Stores. Let's review how the Abode Essentials
Starter Kit and Nest Secure performed in today's comparison.
Installation, here, we give the win to Nest Secure as it does not require an ethernet
adapter to be set up. Professional monitoring, here we give the win to Abode. Not only is
it more affordable on a month to month basis, but it also gives you the ability to have
on-demand professional monitoring.
Customer support, here we're going with Nest. Nest offers more ways to get in touch with
those who can give you the answers that you need. Mobile application, here we're going
to go with Abode.
While in my experience, I found both mobile apps to be more than adequate. Strictly by
the numbers, Abode performs better in both, the Apple App store and Google Play Store.
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Gabe: We've come a long way in our comparison of the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and the
Nest Secure, and it's pretty even. You see that they each won a couple of categories.
Let me break down some of the more salient points to help you make your decision.
The Abode is just more affordable. It's $229, and you get a lot of functionality out of
this system. You're going to get those notifications on motion detected or doors open, and it really
works well in that sense.
On top of that, when it comes to professional monitoring, it is also more affordable, $20
a month, and a lot of flexibility. You can decide you just want one week or even three
days of professional monitoring.
Now, when looking at the Nest Secure, you're paying for it. It's $399, but you do get a
lot of benefit from the fact that a lot of these are dual pieces. The Nest Guard itself
functions as essentially four parts. It has a keypad, a base station, an alarm siren,
even a motion detector, all built in.
That installation process is just as convenient and simple. One way to think about these two
systems is that Abode is a singular security system that plays well with others. It will
integrate with other smart products and services, whereas the Nest Secure is just one element
of a Nest ecosystem.
We know how convenient it will be to already go ahead and slide it into a number of other
devices that make up our home security apparatus. Overall, they're both pretty solid options
for people looking to jump into the smart home security game.
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Gabe: That concludes our comparison of the Abode Essentials Starter Kit and the Nest
Secure. If you appreciate today's video, give us a like and hit that subscribe button. As
always, this is Gabe from Security Baron. Be secure.