Point Security: What You Need to Know
| Detail | Point Security |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hutto, TX (Austin metro) |
| Founded | 2000s — small regional dealer |
| Service Area | Texas only (Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas) |
| Business Model | Alarm dealer — installs equipment, outsources monitoring |
| Monitoring | Outsourced to Monitronics/Brinks Home via Alarm.com |
| Installation | Professional only (advertised as “free”) |
| Contracts | 36-60 month agreements typical |
| Monthly Cost | $35-55/month estimated |
| Equipment | Alarm.com / 2GIG / Qolsys panels |
| Rating | 2/5 — Better DIY alternatives exist |
The “Free Installation” Catch
Point Security’s biggest selling point is “free professional installation.” But nothing is free in the alarm industry. Here’s how it actually works:
| What They Say | What Actually Happens | The Real Cost |
|---|---|---|
| “Free installation” | Equipment cost baked into monthly fee | You pay $1,260-$1,980+ over 3 years via inflated monthly charges |
| “Free equipment” | You don’t own it — or you overpay for basic sensors | Same $30 door sensor you can buy for $15 online |
| “No upfront cost” | ETF if you cancel early ($500-$1,500+) | The contract IS the upfront cost, just deferred |
| “Professional monitoring” | Outsourced to Brinks/Monitronics via Alarm.com | Same monitoring you can get for $10-20/month independently |
The Dealer Model Problem
Point Security is an alarm dealer, not a manufacturer or monitoring company. They don’t make equipment (they install Alarm.com/2GIG/Qolsys hardware) and they don’t monitor alarms (that’s outsourced to Monitronics/Brinks Home). What they provide is:
- Sales (often door-to-door)
- Installation (the “free” part)
- A long-term contract that generates recurring revenue
| Dealer Problem | What It Means for You | DIY Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Long contracts (36-60 months) | Locked in for 3-5 years with early termination fees | Abode: month-to-month, cancel anytime |
| Inflated monthly rates | $35-55/month for same Alarm.com service | Abode: $0-20/month for comparable features |
| Equipment markup | 3-5x markup on sensors, panels, cameras | Buy direct from manufacturer at retail price |
| Limited portability | Can’t easily take system if you move | DIY systems are fully portable |
| Outsourced monitoring | No control over monitoring quality | Choose your own monitoring provider |
3-Year Cost Comparison: Point Security vs DIY
| System | Upfront | Monthly | 3-Year Total | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point Security | “Free” | $35-55 | $1,260-$1,980 | 36-60 months |
| Abode ⭐ | $199 | $0-20 | $199-$919 | None |
| Ring Alarm | $199 | $0-20 | $199-$919 | None |
| SimpliSafe | $199 | $0-28 | $199-$1,207 | None |
You save $340-$1,060 over 3 years by going DIY — and you get better technology, no contract, and full equipment ownership.
Point Security vs Abode: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Point Security | Abode |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional (appointment required) | DIY (15-30 minutes) |
| Contract | 36-60 months | None — month-to-month |
| Monthly cost | $35-55 | $0-20 |
| Equipment ownership | Often leased/financed | You own it outright |
| Smart home hub | ❌ Alarm.com only | ✅ Z-Wave, Zigbee, HomeKit, Matter |
| Apple HomeKit | ❌ | ✅ |
| Geofencing | ✅ (via Alarm.com) | ✅ Built-in CUE automations |
| Camera integration | ✅ (Alarm.com cameras) | ✅ Abode Cam 2 |
| Portability | ❌ Professional reinstall required | ✅ Peel off, take with you |
| Service area | Texas only | Nationwide + international |
When Point Security Makes Sense
| Scenario | Point Security? | Better Option |
|---|---|---|
| You want someone to install everything | Maybe — if you can’t DIY at all | ADT Self Setup — guided DIY with pro support |
| You’re a Texas homeowner who hates technology | Maybe — local service has appeal | Abode — 15-min setup, no tech skills needed |
| You want the absolute cheapest monitoring | No — $35-55/month isn’t cheap | Abode — $0/month self-monitoring |
| You’re a renter | No — contracts + professional install | Best systems for renters |
| You might move in the next 3 years | No — stuck in contract | Any no-contract DIY system |
How to Leave Point Security
If you’re already in a Point Security contract:
| Situation | What to Do | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Within 3-day cooling-off period | Cancel immediately — FTC right of rescission | $0 |
| Contract ending soon | Send written cancellation 30+ days before renewal | $0 |
| Mid-contract, willing to pay ETF | Calculate remaining months × monthly rate × 75-100% | $500-$1,500+ |
| Moving out of service area | Use relocation clause if available | Varies — often still owe ETF |
👉 See our complete guide to canceling home security contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Point Security legitimate?
Yes, Point Security is a real Texas alarm dealer. They install real equipment (Alarm.com/2GIG) and provide real monitoring (via Monitronics/Brinks). The issue isn’t legitimacy — it’s value. You’ll pay significantly more over time compared to a DIY system like Abode for essentially the same (or less) functionality.
Who actually monitors Point Security alarms?
Point Security outsources monitoring to Monitronics (now Brinks Home Security) via the Alarm.com platform. This is standard for alarm dealers — they sell and install, but don’t operate their own monitoring center.
Can I keep my Point Security equipment if I cancel?
It depends on your contract. If you purchased equipment outright, it’s yours. If it was “free” or leased, you may need to return it. Either way, the Alarm.com panel may be locked to their dealer account — meaning you can’t easily switch monitoring providers without replacing the panel.
Is Point Security available outside Texas?
No. Point Security only serves Texas markets (Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas). For nationwide coverage, consider Abode, Ring, or SimpliSafe.
How does Point Security compare to Smith Thompson?
Both are Texas regional providers. Smith Thompson is cheaper ($16.95-23.95/month) and has been around longer (1978). Point Security may offer newer equipment. However, both are outclassed by modern DIY systems in features, price, and flexibility.
What’s the cheapest home security in Texas?
Abode with free self-monitoring ($199 one-time, $0/month) is the cheapest option with real security. For professional monitoring in Texas, Abode’s Connect plan at $6/month beats every regional dealer including Point Security and Smith Thompson.
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.
Trevor Kingsman says
The point app is what made me hop on board. Everyone in TX already has guns but you still need to be notified of when somebody breaks in your home! That’s why I use these guys. They are an all around good bang for my buck and have called anytime the alarm was accidentally tripped. I may break off the monitoring after the time is up and keep the equipment to provide the warning. If I plan on leaving TX I would use a different company that transfers services.
George M. says
Silly question but is the app free? I remember looking in to another company like Point Security and they actually made you pay for the app and then pay monthly to use it! It was $15 up front and $7.99 per month. I thought that was ridiculous!
Don Reginald says
I tried finding something on this myself and I am not seeing anything. I looked for the app on the store as well and the only thing I could find is Point Soft Home Security. I am not sure if this is the right app or not. If it is, it is free but doesn’t look like it does a whole lot. lol
Mathew K. says
As a renter, I don’t have many options in terms of security. I live in a side-by-side duplex home. My neighbor is hardly ever home and I get worried about possible break ins since I am sometimes gone a few days at a time for work. I planned on getting a dog but that is not an option since the landlord is keen on keeping it pet free. I am going to contact them this week and see about getting a system installed.