AlarmForce no longer exists. Bell Canada acquired AlarmForce in 2019 and absorbed it into Bell Smart Home. If you’re searching for AlarmForce, you’re either a former customer or researching a brand that’s been dead for 7 years.
Here’s the full story — what happened, what it means for existing customers, and why modern alternatives are dramatically better than what AlarmForce ever offered.
AlarmForce Timeline: Birth to Death
| Year | Event | What It Meant |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | AlarmForce founded (Toronto) | Canadian DIY alarm company, two-way voice monitoring pioneer |
| 1990s | Grew to major Canadian provider | Competed with ADT Canada, Chubb |
| 2002 | IPO on TSX (AF.UN) | Publicly traded income trust |
| 2010s | Struggled against smart home disruption | Ring, Nest, SimpliSafe entered Canadian market |
| 2018 | Bell Canada announced acquisition ($182M) | Needed Bell’s infrastructure to survive |
| 2019 | Acquisition completed, AlarmForce brand retired | All customers migrated to Bell Smart Home |
| 2020–2026 | Bell Smart Home operates as Bell subsidiary | Limited innovation, telecom bundle play |
What Was AlarmForce?
| Feature | AlarmForce (Historical) |
|---|---|
| Type | Canadian-only alarm monitoring |
| Innovation | Pioneered two-way voice monitoring in Canada |
| Equipment | Proprietary panel + sensors |
| Monitoring | Own central station (Toronto) |
| Contract | 36-month standard |
| Pricing | ~$30-40 CAD/month |
| Coverage | Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, BC |
| Cameras | None (alarm-only) |
| Smart Home | None |
Bell Smart Home: What Former Customers Got
Bell Smart Home is AlarmForce’s successor, but it’s really just a telecom bundling play:
| Feature | AlarmForce (was) | Bell Smart Home (now) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | ~$30-40 CAD | $29.95-$44.95 CAD |
| Contract | 36 months | 36 months |
| Equipment | Proprietary | Alarm.com platform |
| Cameras | None | $10-15/mo add-on |
| App | Basic | Alarm.com |
| Smart Home | None | Z-Wave (via Alarm.com) |
| Bundle Discount | N/A | $5/mo with Bell Internet |
| Installation | Professional | Professional ($99-199) |
The pattern: Telecom companies acquiring alarm companies and reselling Alarm.com under their brand — Bell did it with AlarmForce, AT&T tried it with Digital Life (and failed), Comcast does it with Xfinity Home.
Why AlarmForce Failed (And Why Bell Smart Home Isn’t Much Better)
| Problem | AlarmForce Reality | Modern Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| No cameras | Alarm-only in a camera-first world | Abode includes camera support from day one |
| No smart home | Couldn’t integrate with Alexa/Google/HomeKit | Abode supports all three ecosystems |
| Proprietary hardware | Equipment useless if you cancelled | DIY systems let you keep and reuse equipment |
| 36-month contracts | Locked in, early termination fees | Abode and Ring have no contracts |
| Canada-only | Limited market, couldn’t scale | Modern DIY systems ship anywhere |
| No self-monitoring | Had to pay monthly or nothing | Abode offers free self-monitoring tier |
For Former AlarmForce / Bell Smart Home Customers
If you’re still on Bell Smart Home, here are your options:
| Option | What to Do | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Switch to DIY | Cancel Bell, buy Abode or Ring kit | Most people — saves $600-1,200/3yr |
| 2. Keep Bell + camera add-on | Add Bell cameras to existing system | Those with Bell Internet bundle discount |
| 3. Keep until contract ends | Wait out contract, then switch | Those with large ETF remaining |
| 4. Negotiate | Call retention, ask for price match | Those who want to stay but pay less |
3-Year Cost: Bell Smart Home vs Modern Alternatives
| System | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Smart Home (Basic) | $99-199 install | $29.95 | $1,277-$1,377 |
| Bell Smart Home + Cameras | $199 install | $44.95 | $1,817 |
| Abode (Self Monitor) | $199 USD (~$270 CAD) | $0 | ~$270 CAD |
| Abode (Pro Monitor) | $199 USD (~$270 CAD) | $20 USD (~$27 CAD) | ~$1,242 CAD |
| Ring (Plus) | $199 USD (~$270 CAD) | $20 USD (~$27 CAD) | ~$1,242 CAD |
| SimpliSafe | $249 USD (~$340 CAD) | $19.99 USD (~$27 CAD) | ~$1,312 CAD |
Savings: Switching from Bell Smart Home + Cameras to Abode self-monitoring saves ~$1,547 CAD over 3 years.
The Telecom Security Graveyard
AlarmForce isn’t alone. Telecom companies keep trying — and failing — at home security:
| Company | Security Product | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bell Canada | Bell Smart Home (ex-AlarmForce) | Active but niche |
| AT&T | Digital Life | ❌ Discontinued 2024 |
| Comcast | Xfinity Home | Active but overpriced |
| Time Warner Cable | Intelligent Home | ❌ Discontinued (Spectrum acquisition) |
| Cox | Homelife | ❌ Discontinued 2023 |
| Rogers | Smart Home Monitoring | Active (Canada, Alarm.com reseller) |
The lesson: Telecom companies treat security as a retention tool, not a core product. They underinvest in innovation, lock you into bundles, and discontinue when the economics stop working.
Best Alternatives for Canadian Homeowners
| System | Why It’s Better | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Abode | Free tier, HomeKit, no contract, $20/mo pro | Apple users, budget-conscious, smart home enthusiasts |
| Ring | Best camera ecosystem, $20/mo, Alexa integration | Amazon households, camera-first security |
| SimpliSafe | Simple setup, Fast Protect monitoring, wide sensor range | Simplicity seekers, cellular backup priority |
FAQ
Is AlarmForce still in business?
No. AlarmForce was acquired by Bell Canada in 2019 and no longer exists as an independent brand. Former AlarmForce accounts are now under Bell Smart Home.
Can I cancel Bell Smart Home (formerly AlarmForce)?
Yes, but check your contract terms. Bell Smart Home typically requires 36-month agreements with early termination fees. Call Bell’s retention department — they may offer a discount to keep you.
Is Bell Smart Home worth it?
Only if you already have Bell Internet and get the $5/month bundle discount. Otherwise, DIY systems like Abode or Ring are significantly cheaper with more features and no contracts.
What happened to my AlarmForce equipment?
Bell migrated AlarmForce customers to Alarm.com-based equipment. Your old AlarmForce panel may still work, but Bell likely upgraded you to a newer panel during the transition. AlarmForce’s proprietary equipment has no resale value.
Do Abode and Ring work in Canada?
Yes. Both Abode and Ring ship to Canada and offer professional monitoring for Canadian addresses. SimpliSafe also operates in Canada.
What’s the cheapest way to get home security in Canada?
Abode’s free self-monitoring plan with a $199 USD starter kit is the cheapest legitimate option — about $270 CAD total with no monthly fees ever. You get push notifications, app control, and smart home integration.
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.
Jesse Russell says
I really like the two-way voice monitoring technology. Any burglar would jump out of his skin at another voice in the room and work as a great deterrent. Plus it’s a very low monthly rate. I like this service!
pearl says
The full cellular monitoring and two-way voice monitoring technology are exactly the reasons why I chose AlarmForce alarm service. I’ve used some other services before but this is like the best one around North Florida. Their helplines are numerous and someone is always ready to listen to you and offer help. They are just the perfect alarm service provider you need.
Ken D. says
I know you have it as a con but less equipment is a plus for me. I was with another company before Alarmforce who had me buying and spending all this money on so many different screens, panels, alarms, ect. it was out of control! I wanted something simple. The guys at Alarmforce gave me that and i am happy. Never had any issue with customer service either!
Haley P. says
Wait, so you have to pay “rent” essentially to use their stuff?? I had no idea they would need it back after that seems strange. I never worked with an alarm company before for home security but a co-worker told me about Alarm Force so I am doing some research. I guess they sound okay. I will have to give them a call.
James P. says
I like that they offer a free quote. A lot of places make you jump through hoops to get anything free. I am going to run this over and get in contact with them soon. I like what they have to offer and with my 3rd child on the way, I want to make sure my family is protected.