Security One Alarm Systems: Quick Facts
| Detail | Security One |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Leamington, Ontario, Canada |
| Service Area | Southwestern Ontario (Windsor, Chatham-Kent, London, Sarnia region) |
| Services | Burglar alarms, fire monitoring, CCTV, access control, home automation |
| Monitoring | ULC-listed central station |
| Contracts | 36–60 month standard |
| Equipment | DSC, Honeywell panels (dealer-installed) |
| Monthly Cost | $30–55/month (estimated) |
| Installation | Professional only |
| Our Rating | 2.5/5 |
What Security One Gets Right
| Strength | Details | But Consider This |
|---|---|---|
| 45+ years in business | Operating since 1978, deep local roots in Essex County | Longevity doesn’t guarantee good value — many legacy dealers overcharge |
| ULC-listed monitoring | Meets Canadian monitoring standards (ULC-S561) | Most modern DIY systems also use ULC/UL-listed monitoring centers |
| Local service | Technicians based in SW Ontario, can respond in person | DIY systems don’t need technician visits — troubleshoot via app |
| Commercial security | Access control, CCTV, fire monitoring for businesses | Their real strength — residential is secondary |
| Bilingual service | English and French support (important for some Ontario communities) | Major DIY brands also offer bilingual Canadian support |
The Problems With Security One
| Problem | What It Means For You | DIY Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term contracts | 36–60 month commitment with early termination fees | Abode, Ring, SimpliSafe — all month-to-month |
| Professional install only | $0–200 upfront but hidden in monthly cost markup | DIY systems install in 15–30 minutes, no appointment needed |
| Limited service area | Southwestern Ontario only — move and you’re stuck paying | DIY systems move with you anywhere in Canada or US |
| Dealer equipment markup | DSC/Honeywell panels at 3–5x retail through dealer pricing | Buy your own system for $199–300 with no markup |
| No smartphone app (standard) | Basic plans may not include Alarm.com or app control | Every modern DIY system includes a free smartphone app |
| Limited camera integration | Basic CCTV installs, not integrated with alarm app | Abode and Ring have native camera + alarm in one app |
| No smart home features | Basic alarm monitoring — no automations, no smart locks, no geofencing | Abode offers Z-Wave, Zigbee, HomeKit, geofencing, CUE automations |
3-Year Cost Comparison: Security One vs Modern DIY
| System | Equipment | Monthly | Contract | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security One (Basic) | $0 (“free”) | $30–35 | 36–60 months | $1,080–$2,100 |
| Security One (Full) | $0–200 | $45–55 | 36–60 months | $1,620–$3,500 |
| Abode | $199 | $0–20 | None | $199–$919 |
| Ring | $199 | $0–20 | None | $199–$919 |
| SimpliSafe | $199 | $0–28 | None | $199–$1,207 |
The “free equipment” trap: Security One (like most regional dealers) advertises free or discounted equipment. The catch? That cost is baked into your monthly fee over a 36–60 month contract. You’re financing $500–1,500 worth of equipment at hidden interest rates through inflated monthly payments. With a DIY system, you pay $199 upfront and own everything outright.
Security One vs Modern DIY: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Security One | Abode | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $30–55 | $0–20 | $0–20 |
| Contract | 36–60 months | None | None |
| Smartphone app | Extra cost (Alarm.com) | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| Cameras in app | Separate CCTV system | ✅ Integrated | ✅ Integrated |
| Smart home | ❌ Basic alarm only | ✅ Z-Wave/Zigbee/HomeKit | ✅ Alexa ecosystem |
| Geofencing | ❌ | ✅ Auto arm/disarm | ✅ |
| Self-monitoring option | ❌ Must pay monthly | ✅ Free tier | ✅ Free tier |
| Cellular backup | ✅ (included in most plans) | ✅ ($6/mo) | ✅ ($20/mo) |
| Professional install | ✅ Required | ❌ DIY (15 min) | ❌ DIY (15 min) |
| Portable (moves with you) | ❌ Hardwired to home | ✅ Wireless, take anywhere | ✅ Wireless |
| Canadian shipping | N/A (local install) | ✅ Ships to Canada | ✅ Ships to Canada |
When Security One Actually Makes Sense
| Scenario | Why Security One | But Also Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/business security | Access control, CCTV, fire monitoring — their real expertise | For commercial, local dealers often ARE the right choice |
| Elderly family member | Professional install, local technician visits | DIY systems are increasingly simple — Abode takes 15 minutes |
| Hardwired system needed | Some homes benefit from hardwired sensors | Modern wireless sensors are equally reliable with 5+ year batteries |
| Insurance requirement | Some Canadian insurers require specific monitoring certificates | Abode and Ring also provide monitoring certificates for insurance |
Canadian-Specific Considerations
| Factor | Security One | DIY Systems |
|---|---|---|
| 911 integration | Direct connection via ULC center | Professional monitoring plans connect to 911 dispatch |
| Cell network | Rogers/Bell/Telus compatible | Abode and Ring use LTE cellular that works on Canadian networks |
| Shipping | N/A (local) | Amazon.ca, direct shipping available |
| Consumer protection | Ontario Consumer Protection Act (10-day cooling off) | No contract = no cancellation needed |
| French language | Bilingual support | Major brands offer French Canadian support |
| Insurance discounts | Monitoring certificate provided | Available with professional monitoring plans ($20/mo) |
How to Leave Security One
If you’re currently locked into a Security One contract and want to switch:
| Situation | Action | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Contract expired (month-to-month) | Cancel with 30 days written notice | $0 |
| Within contract | Calculate remaining months × monthly fee for ETF | $200–$2,000+ |
| Moving out of service area | Request relocation clause — may reduce or waive ETF | Varies |
| Within 10-day cooling off | Cancel immediately under Ontario Consumer Protection Act | $0 |
For detailed cancellation strategies, see our guide to cancelling home security contracts.
Our Verdict: 2.5/5
Security One is a perfectly legitimate regional alarm company with 45+ years of operation. For commercial security in southwestern Ontario, they’re a reasonable choice. For residential customers, they’re overpriced and feature-limited compared to modern DIY systems.
The math is simple: Security One costs $1,080–$3,500 over three years with a long-term contract. Abode costs $199–$919 with no contract, includes smart home features, camera integration, and a smartphone app — and you can take it with you when you move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Security One a good alarm company?
Security One is a legitimate, long-standing Ontario alarm company. However, their residential service uses the same dealer model as larger companies — long contracts, marked-up equipment, limited features. For home security in 2026, DIY systems like Abode offer better value and more features.
Does Security One use Alarm.com?
Some Security One plans include Alarm.com for smartphone control, but it’s typically an add-on that increases your monthly cost. With DIY systems, app control is included free.
Can I use my Security One equipment with another monitoring service?
Possibly. If you have a DSC or Honeywell panel, services like Alarm Grid or Alarm Relay can monitor existing panels at a fraction of the cost. However, you’ll need your installer code, which Security One may not provide easily.
What’s the cheapest home security option in Ontario?
Abode ships to Canada and offers free self-monitoring with their $199 Smart Security Kit — the cheapest complete home security option available. Add professional monitoring for $20/month with no contract if desired.
Does Security One offer cameras?
Security One offers CCTV installation, but it’s typically a separate system from the alarm — not integrated into one app. Modern systems like Abode and Ring integrate cameras and alarms in a single platform with one monthly fee.
How do I cancel Security One?
Send written cancellation notice (certified mail recommended). If within contract, expect an early termination fee equal to remaining months × monthly rate. Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act gives you a 10-day cooling-off period for door-to-door sales. See our cancellation guide for detailed steps.
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.
Allen says
I did digging on them and found nothing. Someone did mentioned that she was paying $80 a month for the first 3 months and then it shot up to $120 out of no where. I am not sure what kind of business Security One is but I am not risking it.
Denise says
You have to consider that not all online reviews are legit. Many other companies will pay for fake reviews to be done just to point the direction to their company. I caught a few security businesses doing this. Security One has been in my home for 5 years now and I am very pleased. I never had issues with the bill and if there was going to be any kind of bill change, I would be told when and why.
James Wise says
A friend out a state has had them for several years now so I looked into their services. I had no idea I was not in their service range but I did call anyways to check. They walked me through their services and just said everything depends on what you get as far as prices go. Not sure about this company. My friend likes them though so maybe the long-standing customers are better taken care of.