If a sales rep recently knocked on your door offering a “free” or “discounted” security system, there’s a good chance it was Alliance Security — one of the largest door-to-door alarm dealers in the US. Before you sign anything, read this.
Alliance Security is not a security company in the traditional sense. They’re a dealer — they sell and install systems, then assign your monitoring contract to a larger provider (typically Brinks Home). This business model creates problems that most customers don’t discover until it’s too late.
Alliance Security at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Company type | Authorized dealer/reseller (NOT a monitoring company) |
| Founded | Early 2000s |
| Headquarters | Utah (door-to-door sales capital) |
| Sales model | Door-to-door direct sales |
| Equipment | Honeywell/2GIG panels, Alarm.com platform |
| Monitoring by | Brinks Home (formerly Monitronics) or similar |
| Contract length | 36-60 months (3-5 years) |
| Monthly cost | $40-$65/month |
| Early termination fee | 75-100% of remaining contract balance |
| BBB rating | Multiple complaints about sales practices |
| Our rating | 1.5/5 — Avoid |
How the Door-to-Door Sales Model Works
Understanding the business model explains why Alliance exists and why you should be cautious:
| Step | What Happens | What They Don’t Tell You |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Knock | Sales rep arrives unannounced, often young and aggressive | They target specific neighborhoods based on income/home age data |
| 2. The Pitch | “Free system” or “we’re upgrading homes in your area” | The system isn’t free — it’s rolled into your monthly payment |
| 3. The Pressure | “This offer is only available today” or “your neighbor just signed up” | The offer is always available — pressure tactics are the business model |
| 4. The Contract | You sign a 36-60 month monitoring agreement | Early termination = 75-100% of remaining balance ($1,500-$3,000+) |
| 5. The Handoff | Alliance assigns your contract to Brinks Home or similar | Alliance gets a lump payment ($500-$1,500) and disappears — you deal with the monitoring company now |
| 6. The Reality | You’re locked into an expensive contract with a company you didn’t choose | The same monitoring costs $6-$20/mo with a DIY system — no contract |
The 6 Biggest Problems With Alliance Security
| Problem | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Long contracts | 36-60 months with massive ETFs (75-100% of remaining) | $1,500-$3,000+ to cancel early |
| 2. Inflated pricing | $40-65/mo for basic monitoring that costs $6-20/mo with DIY | $720-$1,700 overpaid over 3 years |
| 3. Dealer disappears | Alliance sells your contract and moves on — service issues go to the monitoring company | No accountability for promises made during sale |
| 4. Aggressive tactics | High-pressure sales, “today only” offers, neighbor name-dropping | Rushed decisions, buyer’s remorse |
| 5. Misleading claims | “Free equipment” (it’s in your monthly payment), “upgrading your area” (they’re selling), “we work with ADT/your current company” (they don’t) | False expectations |
| 6. Auto-renewal | Contracts auto-renew for 1-2 years if you don’t cancel in a narrow window | Trapped for additional years without realizing |
Common Alliance Sales Lies (And the Truth)
| What They Say | The Truth |
|---|---|
| “We’re upgrading security systems in your neighborhood” | They’re selling new contracts — there’s no neighborhood upgrade program |
| “This system is free — you just pay monitoring” | The system cost is baked into your inflated monthly rate ($40-65/mo vs $6-20/mo DIY) |
| “Your neighbor [name] just signed up” | May or may not be true — it’s a pressure tactic to create FOMO |
| “This offer expires today” | The offer is always available. If it’s real, it’ll be there tomorrow |
| “We work with your current alarm company” | No — they’re replacing your current system with their contract |
| “You can cancel anytime” | You can cancel, but the early termination fee is 75-100% of remaining balance |
| “We’re with ADT/Brinks/[big name]” | They’re an independent dealer — they may assign your contract to that company, but they don’t represent them |
The Real Cost: Alliance vs DIY Security
| Cost Factor | Alliance Security | Abode | Ring | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | “Free” (rolled into monthly) | $199-$479 | $199-$329 | $249-$509 |
| Monthly monitoring | $40-$65/mo | $6-$20/mo | $10-$20/mo | $10-$28/mo |
| Contract | 36-60 months (mandatory) | None (month-to-month) | None | None |
| 3-year total | $1,440-$2,340 | $415-$1,199 | $559-$1,049 | $609-$1,517 |
| ETF to cancel | $1,080-$2,925 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Installation | Pro (scheduled, requires appointment) | DIY (15-30 min) | DIY (15-30 min) | DIY (15-30 min) |
| Equipment ownership | Usually leased (company keeps it) | You own it | You own it | You own it |
| Smart home | Alarm.com (limited) | HomeKit/Alexa/Google/Z-Wave/Zigbee | Alexa/Ring ecosystem | Alexa/Google (limited) |
The math is brutal: Over 3 years, Alliance costs $1,440-$2,340 for the same (or worse) monitoring that Abode provides for $415-$1,199. That’s $500-$1,100+ in savings — and you can cancel Abode anytime with zero penalty.
Already Signed? Here’s What to Do
| Situation | Your Best Option | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Signed less than 3 days ago | Cancel immediately (FTC Cooling-Off Rule) | Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel any door-to-door sale. Send written cancellation via certified mail. Full guide here |
| Within first month | Contact Alliance and demand cancellation | Many states have additional cooling-off periods. Check your state’s consumer protection office. File BBB complaint as leverage |
| Mid-contract, want out | Calculate ETF vs. remaining payments | If ETF is less than remaining payments, it may be worth paying to escape. Cancellation guide |
| Near contract end | Cancel BEFORE auto-renewal window | Most contracts auto-renew 30-60 days before expiration. Set a calendar reminder 90 days out. Send cancellation via certified mail |
| Contract transferred to Brinks/other | Deal with the monitoring company directly | Alliance is out of the picture. Contact Brinks/monitoring company for cancellation terms — they may offer retention deals |
| Misled or pressured into signing | File complaints (state AG, FTC, BBB) | Document everything. Misrepresentation can void contracts in many states |
How to Protect Yourself From Door-to-Door Alarm Sales
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 1. Never sign at the door | Legitimate companies don’t require same-day decisions |
| 2. Ask for everything in writing | Verbal promises disappear — only the contract matters |
| 3. Read the full contract | Look for: contract length, monthly rate, ETF calculation, auto-renewal terms, equipment ownership |
| 4. Calculate total cost | $45/mo x 60 months = $2,700. Compare to DIY options before signing |
| 5. Verify the company | Check BBB, state licensing, online reviews. Ask for their state alarm license number |
| 6. Check if you need a permit | Many cities require alarm permits ($25-$50) — the sales rep may not mention this |
| 7. Know the FTC Cooling-Off Rule | 3 business days to cancel any door-to-door sale with full refund. They MUST provide a cancellation form |
The Utah Door-to-Door Sales Machine
Alliance, like many aggressive alarm dealers, is based in Utah — the epicenter of door-to-door security sales. Here’s why this matters:
| Company | Base | Model | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Security | Utah | D2D dealer | Ongoing — contracts assigned to Brinks/others |
| Vivint | Provo, UT | Started D2D, now direct | $5.2B NRG acquisition (2023), still uses aggressive sales |
| APX Alarm | Provo, UT | D2D dealer for Vivint | Rebranded to Vivint |
| Pinnacle Security | Orem, UT | D2D dealer | Sued by multiple state AGs, settled millions in fines |
| Protect America | Texas | Aggressive telemarketing | Bankrupt 2021, shut down 2023 |
The pattern is always the same: recruit young sales reps in summer, blanket neighborhoods, lock customers into long contracts, assign the contracts to monitoring companies for a lump payment, repeat. The customer pays $40-65/mo for monitoring that costs $6-20/mo elsewhere.
Better Alternatives (No Contracts, No Salespeople)
| System | Monthly | Contract | Equipment | Install | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | $0-$20/mo | None | $199-$479 | DIY (15 min) | Smart home + HomeKit users |
| Ring Alarm | $10-$20/mo | None | $199-$329 | DIY (15 min) | Alexa/Amazon households |
| SimpliSafe | $10-$28/mo | None | $249-$509 | DIY (15 min) | Simple setup, no smart home needed |
All three offer professional 24/7 monitoring, cellular backup, smartphone control, and zero contracts. You own the equipment, install it yourself in 15 minutes, and cancel anytime. No salesperson at your door required.
Abode is our top pick — it’s the only DIY system with Apple HomeKit support, Z-Wave/Zigbee hub capability, and monitoring from just $6/month. Full Abode review here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alliance Security a scam?
Not technically a scam — they do install working security systems with real monitoring. But their business model relies on high-pressure door-to-door sales, long contracts with massive early termination fees, and inflated monthly rates. Many customers report feeling misled about pricing, contract terms, and what they’re actually getting. The same monitoring costs 50-80% less with DIY alternatives.
Who actually monitors Alliance Security systems?
Alliance is a dealer — they don’t monitor anything. They install equipment and assign your contract to a monitoring company, typically Brinks Home (formerly Monitronics). This means your service relationship is with a company you never chose, while Alliance pockets a commission and moves on.
Can I cancel my Alliance Security contract?
Yes, but it will likely cost you. The FTC Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 business days to cancel any door-to-door sale for free. After that, you’ll face an early termination fee of 75-100% of remaining contract balance — potentially $1,500-$3,000+. See our full cancellation guide.
Is Alliance Security the same as Brinks Home?
No. Alliance is an independent dealer that sells contracts which get assigned to Brinks Home (or other monitoring companies). Brinks Home doesn’t control Alliance’s sales practices, and Alliance doesn’t provide monitoring. They’re separate companies connected only by the contract handoff.
What should I do if an Alliance rep comes to my door?
Politely decline and close the door. Don’t engage with the pitch — the longer you listen, the harder the pressure tactics become. If you’re interested in a security system, research DIY options online where you can compare prices without pressure. You’ll save $500-$1,100+ over 3 years.
Are door-to-door security sales legal?
Yes, door-to-door sales are legal in most jurisdictions, though many cities require solicitor permits. The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule provides consumer protection by giving you 3 business days to cancel. Some states have additional protections. If a salesperson can’t show a local solicitor permit or state alarm license, that’s a red flag. Full guide to door-to-door security scams.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
smith Oliver says
I was quite new to these things when I first got the alliance security service. I subscribed for the Senior living package and I got a color 2Gig touchscreen, 3 points of entry sensor, a glass break sensor, a Fire Fighter smoke communicator, and a H.E.L.P. remote control. All these were like the major things I needed then and I was okay with it. No activation fee and unnecessary hid charges! And their customer support are always there to help you fix anything.
Reid says
Alliance aka ‘average’ in my books. It’s going to take a lot more than offering average equipment with average prices to stay alive in this cut throat industry. With the top dogs innovating in home automation and security cameras it amazes me people still sign up and fork out money to these small security dealers that can’t provide any of this equipment.
Not saying anything particularly bad for Alliance. Just that I want the best and Alliance will always only be able to afford what came out 5 years ago which is the 2gig panel they are offering. You want good? Get with Vivint Sky, Nest protect or ADT Pulse to stay ahead in this game.
Bauman Tina says
Fast and efficient. Was able to come early even with the snow and ice. Highly recommend for services. Thanks.
Paige says
How long did it take? I am on a very tight schedule. Both myself and my husband work full time and we are both gone from 8AM till after 5PM and most places won’t come that late to install. We have weekends but most places don’t seem to offer weekend installation.
Barb Dobbs says
Hey Paige –
When I had my system installed it took about an hour and a half. The guy who did it said that most of the time it takes about 45 minutes but he ran into a few issue with mine. I think it depends on your house and where you live but they should be able to give you an estimate over the phone.
Mia Thomas says
Jose Gonzalez was my alarm installer for alliance security, he was professional, as well as very friendly and informative. I would highly recommend him to anyone. His customer service skills were outstanding, he showed me all my options and available products.
Rhonda Rynis says
The sales rep tried to push it through my sons name and social since I didn’t qualify. Pretty sketchy, guess they’ll do anything for a sale.
Kathy says
Are you sure that they weren’t just trying to help you out? How old is your son? I never heard of this happening before but I am sure they were only looking to help you out. Security in this day and age is everything. You don’t want to risk something happening. Yes, they likely did want the sale but I am sure they wanted you to have security more.
Chris Campbell says
I switched off of Alliance that way I could move without worrying about paying a hefty $1000+ cancellation fee (for out of state). When I had them they were good, no complaints there although as this website states there are better security systems out there just do your research.
Andy says
Alliance doesn’t stand out from the rest of the competition in either good or bad ways. That’s my take — all around average!
Scott Van says
Good and easy to understand equipment and fast install. Adam was friendly and knowledgeable and worked with me to make sure my needs were met.
Just wish I could bypass a zone easier and I could have more voice options built in the panel for announcements.
Joy says
Alliance security is the best Security company I have ever experienced. The field service professional that installed my alarm system was very professional, knowledgeable and patient. I havent had any problems since. I would definitely recommend this security company for safety purposes. They are awesome!!!
Eunice says
Alliance provided me with the best service. They were very helpful and went the extra mile to make sure I was happy with my equipment and very friendly. I am very happy with my service.
Shella Wen says
Highly recommendable, Installation was thorough and painless. Was explained everything in detail and recommended what was best for our family and our home. Can’t get any easier! Thank you.