Gabe Turner: Hey folks, this is Gabe at Security Baron. Today we're putting two of the top
home security systems to the test, Abode and Ring Alarm.
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Gabe: In today's comparison of Abode and Ring Home security systems, we're going to be looking
at some key similarities, key differences, system components, installation process, professional
monitoring options, customer support. Finally, 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 review, leave us a
comment and I'll get back to you. Let's kick off today's comparison of Abode and Ring Alarm
home security systems, checking out some key similarities and differences.
Beginning with the similarities -- now both of these systems are do it yourself installation
systems. You don't need anyone else to set them up. They also each will allow you to
self-monitor, but if you decide you don't want to self monitor they each have flexible
contracts for professional monitoring.
When it comes to key differences, the Ring has more options when it comes to cameras
that are just under the Ring labels. You're going to be able to do more when it comes
to observing your property directly with the system. When you're looking at Abode, it actually
has a higher breadth of options when it comes to professional monitoring.
Even fuller options, so definitely going to have an advantage with Abode. Now that we've
gone over some key similarities and differences, let's talk about the system component with
Abode and Ring Alarm. If you order just the Abode essentials starter kit, you're going
to get an Abode hub which is called the Gateway.
You're gonna get a mini door sensor, a motion sensor and a key fob. With Ring Alarm you're
going to get a hub, you're going to get a keypad, a motion sensor, entry sensor and
range extender. Now one thing I want to note is that we always think Security Baron should
have security cameras with your home security systems.
We threw in an Abode cam for our Abode system and the ring stickup camp for the Ring Alarm
system. With each of these systems you can actually build them out to become more robust
and more comprehensive for your security needs. For example, with Ring you're going to be
able to get doorbells, spotlight cams.
Those are typically going to come under the Ring name. Ring has created a lot of different
smart home security products. Now with Abode, you're not going to get that type of build
out. You essentially have the Abode cam. However, Abode does integrate well with a number of
other smart home security products. Going to decide which direction you want to go in.
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Gabe: Well, hold on. I hope you enjoyed today's comparison of Abode and Ring Alarm home security
systems. If you want to get up to date on the newest and Smart Home Security VPN password
managers, Bluetooth trackers, subscribe to our channel Security Baron. We're dropping
new content weekly. All right, let's get back to the video.
Now that there are some key similarities and differences along with the system components
for Abode and Ring, let's talk about actually installing them. With Abode in the essentials
kit, you're going to take out all your components and begin with your gateway. Plug in the Ether
adapter, plug in the power adapter.
You're ready to go with the activation code that they provide for you. The rest of the
pieces are really simple. You'll peel and stick your motion sensor and your mini door
sensor. Then you're going to set up your Abode cam. Personally, I use the web app. I found
it easier than the mobile app.
For someone who likes to do everything on the phone, that might be something to consider.
Overall, it's a very straightforward convenient setup process for the Abode home security
system.
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Gabe: Now that we've gone over setting up your Abode home security system, let's talk
about installing the Ring Alarm system. With the Ring it's also pretty straightforward.
You're going to take out your base station, you're going to plug that. In terms of power,
you don't have to plug it in when it comes to it.
Even that you have the option to set it up over WiFi, and that's what I chose to do.
I set that up over my WiFi and then you go through and you sync the rest of your devices.
You take your contact sensor, you're going to take your motion sensor and you'll be ready
to go. The issue here is that you want to make sure you do them one at a time.
If you're like me and you're thinking and you're a bit impatient, you may actually delay
your progress by trying to set up more than one device at a time. Now when it comes to
choosing the top system for installation, it's actually quite difficult because Abode
and Ring Alarm system are neck and neck.
They both are easy, convenient processes for installing. If I have to give the nod to one,
I'm going to go with the Abode home security system.
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Gabe: Let's talk about the professional monitoring options with Abode and Ring Alarm system.
Here at Security Baron, we think that everyone should have professional monitoring because
sometimes you're going to sleep. Sometimes you're gonna go on vacation. You're going
to have gaps when you can't be paying attention to exactly what's going on in your home.
Professional monitoring can help you with that. Now you need a couple of that of course
with cellular backup. Cellular backup is what's going to make sure that those all important
messages, notifications are getting out when your power is down. You don't want to be dependent
on your WiFi.
You want to be able to get that cellular message out. When it comes to that particular element,
Abode has got you covered both that's connect and secure plans come with cellular backup.
Now with the connect plan you're going to be paying $6.60 a month or $8 a year. With
the secure plan, You're going to be paying $16.60 a month or $200 a year.
With that connect plan, you get the cellular backup and 14 days of cloud storage. With
security you get that cellular backup and 90 days of cloud storage along with premium
customer support. Can be really useful when you really need to get those answers met immediately.
When it comes to professional monitoring, options you have are the ring basic plan which
is $3 a month or $30 paid annually. That gets you no cellular backup, but it does come with
60 days cloud storage so you can watch that video history. If you get the ring protect
plus plan, it's going to cost you $10 a month or $100 a year if paid annually.
You get 60 days of that cloud storage video history and cellular backup. I will state
that with either of these plans, you can get the full detailed breakdown on our website
securitybaron.com. Another element that might be important to you as you look at professional
monitoring is the contracting.
Fortunately Abode and Ring both have flexible contracting, allowing you to do just one month
at a time if you wish. Abode takes that to the next level, giving you three days of professional
monitoring for just $8. Seven days of professional monitoring for $15. You don't even have to
do an entire month.
If you're thinking about moving, well Abode and Ring each have do it yourself and selection
processes. You have to take them apart, put them up in your new home and you're ready
to go. When it comes to choosing a top system for professional monitoring, it's really tough.
While I adore on demand professional monitoring and I would love the idea of having premium
customer support with Abode, I do think I'm going to go with the Ring in this case. It
is significantly cheaper than Abode, while still providing much of the same feature set.
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Gabe: When it comes to customer support and Abode and Ring Alarm home security system
there are a lot of similarities. In fact, they each give you the ability to call them
live chat. Check out their online hub center. We will note that Abode does seem to prioritize
its consumer base depending on whether or not you have Abode secure.
If you have Abode secure, you will be prioritized a little bit higher than others in the queue,
if you will. When it comes to Ring, Ring does not seem to make these distinctions between
its consumer base. However, if you look online, Abode does seem to have slightly higher overall
scores as they pertain to customer support than the Ring Alarm system.
For that we crown Abode the winner for customer support.
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Gabe: The fun element we want to discuss in our comparison of Abode and Ring Alarm home
security system today are their mobile apps. This is where we will be doing a lot of interfacing
with our home security systems. We want it to be enjoyable and intuitive. Fortunately,
that does seem to be the case with Abode.
Abode has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating in the Google Play store and a 3.4 out of five star
rating in the Apple App Store. Some people seem to be enjoying that experience and getting
what they need out of it. When it comes to Ring, it has a 3.2 in the Apple App Store
and a 3.3 in the Google Play store.
We do think it's important to make a note that it does seem to have been a recent update
that has taken away a lot of the utility of the components of some of the Ring Alarm system.
People seem to be having some issues recently due to an update that was done for a mobile
app and we think that you should be cognizant of that.
It's really easy for us to comfortably give Abode the win when it comes to mobile application.
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Gabe: All right, we've come to the end of our comparison of Abode and Ring Alarm home
security systems. I know you're thinking, "Gabe, I don't know. I don't know which one
should I go with." I have to say this, Abode is really bringing a lot when it comes to
that mobile experience. You can look at your phone, it would be intuitive, it'll be smooth.
You get what you need out of that experience. When you're talking about your premium customer
support, that's only coming with the Abode. You're going to move to the front of the line
because you're a first class kind of person. When you're looking at monitoring options,
you're going to get the on demand with Abode.
I'm talking three days, seven days. Who needs a month? You can do that with Abode. When
it comes to an overall robust product device line, Ring wins. Ring has door bells, spotlights,
cams, flood lights. A host of devices that all go within that one ring ecosystem, which
is pretty impressive if I say so myself.
The breadth of products that they've been able to release. If you want a more affordable
overall professional monitoring system, Ring is also going to win here. Overall, each of
these systems is bringing a lot to the table and I don't think you can go too wrong either
way. They're both solid contenders for your home security system.
That concludes our comparison of Abode and Ring Alarm home security systems. If you appreciate
today's video, give us a like and hit that subscribe button. As always, this is Gabe
at Security Baron. Be Secure.
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