Home8 (Oplink) Security Review 2026: Discontinued — The DIY Security Graveyard & What to Buy Instead
Home8 — originally called Oplink Security — was an early DIY home security brand that promised affordable, self-monitored protection without contracts. It’s now defunct, joining a disturbingly long list of security startups that couldn’t survive once Ring, SimpliSafe, and Abode entered the market.
If you’re researching Home8 or Oplink, you’re looking at a dead brand. This review explains what happened, why so many security startups fail, and which systems you should actually buy in 2026.
Home8 / Oplink: What It Was
| Detail | Home8 (Oplink) |
|---|---|
| Original name | Oplink Security (rebranded to Home8 ~2016) |
| Founded | Early 2010s |
| Type | DIY self-monitored security system |
| Monitoring | Free self-monitoring via smartphone app |
| Contract | None |
| Hub | Wi-Fi-based central hub |
| Sensors | Door/window contacts, motion sensors, cameras |
| Key selling point | Video-verified alerts via camera + sensors |
| Current status | ❌ Discontinued — no app support, no cloud, no purchases |
What Went Wrong
Home8’s story follows the same pattern as dozens of other security startups. They had a decent concept — video-verified alerts with no monthly fees — but couldn’t compete once well-funded competitors arrived.
| Problem | Details | What Survivors Did Differently |
|---|---|---|
| Underfunded | Small startup budget vs Amazon (Ring), ADT partnerships, VC-backed SimpliSafe | Abode secured AT&T Connected Life deal for distribution |
| Weak ecosystem | Limited sensor variety, basic cameras, no smart home integration | Abode built Z-Wave/Zigbee/Matter hub supporting 100+ device types |
| Cloud dependency | When company shut down, cloud services died — cameras became bricks | Ring/Abode have sustainable recurring revenue models |
| No professional monitoring option | Self-monitoring only — limited appeal for security-conscious buyers | Abode offers free, $6, $12, and $20/mo tiers |
| No retail presence | Online-only sales with minimal marketing | Ring in every Best Buy/Home Depot, SimpliSafe heavy TV advertising |
| App quality | Buggy, slow, frequent disconnections reported | Modern apps: Abode 4.5★, Ring 4.6★, SimpliSafe 4.7★ on iOS |
The DIY Security Graveyard: Brands That Died
Home8 isn’t alone. The home security startup graveyard is packed with brands that promised to disrupt the industry but couldn’t survive:
| Dead Brand | What Happened | Year Died | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home8 / Oplink | Couldn’t compete with Ring/SimpliSafe | ~2020 | Funding matters |
| Protect America | Bankruptcy, Oct 2021 | 2021 | Contracts + outdated equipment = death |
| Zmodo | No new products since 2021, declining app | ~2021 | Camera-only brands struggle |
| iSmartAlarm | Kickstarter darling, cloud servers shut down | ~2019 | Crowdfunded ≠ sustainable |
| Novi Security | Kickstarter, never shipped at scale | ~2018 | All-in-one hubs don’t work |
| Piper | All-in-one camera/hub, company folded | ~2017 | Single-device systems lack flexibility |
| Cocoon | UK-based, “infrasound” detection gimmick | ~2019 | Novel tech ≠ reliable security |
| Canary | Camera-only, couldn’t compete with Ring/Nest | ~2020 | Cameras alone aren’t security systems |
| Angee | Kickstarter, rotating camera hub, never scaled | ~2018 | Complex hardware + startup = failure |
| Lighthouse AI | 3D-sensing camera with person recognition | 2018 | AI features arrived too early |
| LiveWatch | Acquired by Monitronics/Brinks, brand killed | 2019 | Acquisition = brand death |
| GE/Interlogix | UTC shut down Interlogix division | 2020 | Even big brands can exit security |
Why This Matters to You
When a security company dies, your equipment becomes worthless. Cloud-dependent cameras stop recording. Apps stop working. Sensors can’t connect to anything. You’re left with expensive paperweights and zero protection.
This is why choosing a sustainable, well-funded security brand matters more than getting the cheapest deal.
What to Buy Instead in 2026
If you were considering Home8 or found this page researching old security brands, here are the systems that actually survived and thrived:
| System | Why It Survived | Starting Price | Monthly | Key Advantage | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | AT&T partnership, HomeKit exclusive, smart hub platform | $199 | $0-20/mo | Only HomeKit security system, Z-Wave/Zigbee/Matter hub | 4.5/5 |
| Ring | Amazon acquisition ($1.2B), massive distribution | $199 | $4-20/mo | Largest camera ecosystem, Neighbors app | 4/5 |
| SimpliSafe | $1B+ VC funding, heavy TV advertising | $299 | $0-28/mo | Simplest setup, Fast Protect monitoring | 4/5 |
3-Year Cost Comparison: Dead Brands vs. Survivors
| System | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home8 / Oplink | $200-400 | $0 (self-monitor) | $200-400 (now $0 value — dead) | ❌ Dead |
| iSmartAlarm | $200-350 | $0 (self-monitor) | $200-350 (now $0 value — dead) | ❌ Dead |
| Abode (Free plan) | $199 | $0 | $199 | ✅ Active |
| Abode (Connect+) | $199 | $12 | $631 | ✅ Active |
| Ring (Plus plan) | $199 | $10 | $559 | ✅ Active |
| SimpliSafe (Standard) | $299 | $18 | $947 | ✅ Active |
The irony: Home8 owners who “saved” on monthly fees by self-monitoring lost their entire investment when the company folded. Abode’s free tier gives you the same self-monitoring with a company that’s still standing.
If You Still Have Home8/Oplink Equipment
| Equipment Type | Can You Reuse It? | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Hub/base station | ❌ No — proprietary, cloud-dependent | Recycle at electronics recycler |
| Door/window sensors | ❌ No — proprietary wireless protocol | Recycle |
| Motion sensors | ❌ No — proprietary protocol | Recycle |
| Cameras | ⚠️ Maybe — check if ONVIF compatible | If ONVIF, use with NVR like Reolink or Synology |
| Sirens | ❌ No — proprietary | Recycle |
The lesson: Proprietary equipment from defunct brands is worthless. When shopping for a new system, prioritize brands using open standards (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter) so your sensors work even if you switch platforms. Abode’s hub supports all three protocols.
How to Avoid Buying a Brand That Will Die
| Red Flag | Why It’s Dangerous | Safe Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Crowdfunded only (Kickstarter/Indiegogo) | No proven business model, high failure rate | Buy from established brands with retail presence |
| No professional monitoring option | No recurring revenue = unsustainable business | Choose brands with optional paid plans |
| Proprietary-only sensors | Equipment worthless if company dies | Prefer Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter devices |
| No major retail distribution | Limited brand awareness, harder to sustain | Available at Best Buy, Amazon, Home Depot |
| Camera-only (no alarm/sensors) | One-trick brands get crushed by ecosystems | Choose full security systems |
| No smart home integration | Isolated products can’t compete with ecosystems | HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Home support |
| App ratings below 3.5★ | Poor software = company cutting corners | Check iOS/Android reviews before buying |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Home8 / Oplink still in business?
No. Home8 (formerly Oplink Security) is no longer actively selling or supporting products. Their app may no longer function, cloud services are offline, and no replacement parts or sensors are available. If you still have Home8 equipment, it’s time to switch to a modern system.
Can I use my Home8 sensors with another system?
Unfortunately, no. Home8 used proprietary wireless protocols that are incompatible with other security systems. You’ll need new sensors. The good news: modern starter kits from Abode ($199) or Ring ($199) include everything you need.
Why do so many DIY security startups fail?
Home security requires sustained investment in cloud infrastructure, app development, customer support, and hardware updates. Startups that rely on one-time hardware sales without recurring revenue (monitoring subscriptions) can’t sustain this. The survivors — Abode, Ring, SimpliSafe — all offer optional paid monitoring that funds ongoing development.
What’s the safest brand to buy in terms of company longevity?
Ring (owned by Amazon), SimpliSafe ($1B+ funded), and Abode (AT&T partnership) all have strong financial backing. Abode has the additional advantage of supporting open standards (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter), so even if you switch brands later, many sensors remain compatible.
Should I worry about Ring or SimpliSafe shutting down too?
Ring is owned by Amazon and SimpliSafe has raised over $1 billion in funding — neither is going anywhere soon. For extra peace of mind, Abode uses open protocols, meaning your Z-Wave and Zigbee sensors would work with SmartThings, Hubitat, or Home Assistant if you ever needed to switch.
What happened to other security brands I’ve heard of?
Many are gone: Protect America (bankrupt 2021), GE/Interlogix (shut down 2020), LiveWatch (acquired/killed 2019), iSmartAlarm (dead ~2019), and many more. See our full buyer’s guide for brands that are still active and thriving.
Growing up with Law and Order and CSI shows taught Isabelle Landau one thing: if people back then had high-quality home security systems, those series would have been way shorter. In our modern world, technology helps us keep burglars away easily, and this is what Izzy studies and writes about: alarm systems, home security, protection systems, and more.
Cameron Sage says
Unique equipment which is rare for home security companies; most use GE or Honeywell and then upsell their monitoring services. I like the look of it but many companies have come and gone (AT&T, Digital Life, Brinx) that had their own branding and less survive (SimpliSafe, Vivint). So for now I’ll hold off on making this my next DIY project and go with a company that’s established and provides monitoring but good review and good products for those who are willing to try something new.