Many or all of the companies featured compensate us. Compensation and research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more

Protect America Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 3.9 / 5 (Very good)
33 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
Protect America is a home security company that was founded in 1992 and has protected over half a million homes since its inception. The company offers self-installed, customizable home security systems with optional home automation. Protect Amerca's professional, 24/7 monitoring service can be connected via landline, broadband, or cellular network. Protect America has been featured on NPR, ABC, and the History Channel, among others.

How is Protect America rated?

Breakdown

4.0/5
Equipment
4.0/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
4.5/5
Value
4.0/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 3.9 / 5 (Very good)

Protect America has been providing excellent home security solutions for 20+ years, and features fees amongst the lowest in the industry. Their equipment is 100% wireless, and has a wide variety of options available, with customization and many additional features, such as home automation and life safety. Though their prices and packaging can be a touch more complicated than their competitors, their customer service representatives are available via phone and online chat, to help guide customers through the decision.

How does Protect America work?

Equipment - 4 / 5

Protect America's equipment offerings are seriously impressive. The most basic package includes a control panel, one motion detector, and three door/window sensors. As the price increases, so does the amount of equipment, with more sensors, cameras, life safety devices, and eventually home automation features. All of their packages are fully customizable, with high-quality hardware by 2Gig and GE. Though the equipment is self-installed, Protect America schedules it with the homeowner and walks them through every step. Great equipment, great service, great features.
Equipment Manufacturer
2Gig and GE
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 4 / 5

Protect America offers 24/7 professional monitoring from their three Criticom Monitoring Services call centers in Texas, via broadband, landline or cellular. Their highly-trained operators dispatch any necessary emergency personnel, and can also be contacted through two-way intercom on their control panel. Protect America can also monitor other pre-installed alarm systems. All in all, an above average monitoring package of services.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Landline
Number of Monitoring Centers
3
Monitoring Center Type
Owned
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does Protect America cost?

Contract Flexibility - 4 / 5

Protect America offers five different packages, with varying price points (beginning at $19.99 and getting pricey after that) and equipment combinations, but their most salient characteristic is their commitment to providing high-quality security for less than the competition. Contrary to other companies, rates are locked in for life. Contract length is a standard 36 months.
Monthly Fee (min)
$19.99
Monthly Fee (max)
$42.99
Number of Available Packages
5
Installation/ Activation Fee
$0.00
Equipment Starting Cost
$99.00
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
36 months
Cancellation Policy
Customers may cancel their Agreement by returning the Equipment within 30 days of the original shipment date. A restocking fee of $79 may be charged against the method of payment provided at the time of sale.
Warranty
Lifetime Equipment Warranty

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 4 / 5

Protect America can interface with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Z-Wave, and ZigBee. They provide iOS and Android apps, which send email and text alerts, live surveillance feed for packages with cameras, and remote arm/disarm features. Their website allows homeowners to access their system, pay their bills, and troubleshooting.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm

Home Automation

  • Lighting Control
  • Thermostat Control
  • Appliance Control
  • Electronic Door Locks
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • History Log
  • Unique User Codes

Protect America Reputation

Reputation - 3.5 / 5

Protect America is certified by the Underwriter's Laboratory, Electronic Security Association, and New York City Fire Department. Their copper alarm package has been named a Consumer’s Digest “Best Buy” for 5 years in a row.
Trust Pilot Rating
5.4 out of 5
BBB Rating
A
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
18
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
3
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
108
Date Collected
2018-07-23
Year Founded
1992

Certifications & Associations

  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)
  • Electronic Security Association
  • Department of Defense
  • New York City Fire Department

Protect America Summary

In Conclusion

Protect America offers an excellent DIY home security and automation system with professional 24/7 monitoring. Customers can acquire most of the hardware for free, and the system is relatively easy to install and configure. It can be upgraded and moved without too much fuss. The control panel is easy to use and lets users control home automation devices such as the thermostat, door locks, and the home’s lights and appliances.

Protect America’s home security systems installed effortlessly. All sensors and devices are programmed before shipment so that customers can forgo this step.

Like most home security monitoring providers, Protect America customers must sign a three-year monitoring service agreement. However, the basic equipment is offered free of charge. The devices have a lifetime warranty, and in the event of a system or device malfunction, customer support can help users determine if a reset will solve the issue or if it needs to be replaced. If a replacement is needed, Protect America will ship the device immediately for the homeowner to install.

Protect America has certifications by the Underwriter's Laboratory, Electronic Security Association, and New York City Fire Department. Its compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Z-Wave, and ZigBee, which makes it the choice for home automation enthusiasts. The Smart Connect app is highly rated and user-friendly. Homeowners can check their home, arm and disarm the system, and get alerts when something is not right. Additionally, users can control Z-Wave devices and watch their live-video feed from a WiFi connected camera.

Moreover, customers who want additional protection for elderly, disabled, or people with certain ailments can benefit from Protect America’s medical alert pendants and panic buttons that send an alert to a medical response team when activated.

Overall, customers are delighted with how easy it is to set up and install the system and comment on how knowledgeable and helpful sales representatives are. Another plus is the ability to customize their system to meet particular security needs. Keep in mind, however, that canceling the home monitoring agreement can take a bit of effort.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(877) 969-1862
Headquarters Address
3800 Quick Hill Rd, Austin, TX, 78728
Mailing Address
3800 Quick Hill Rd, Austin, TX, 78728

Leave a comment for Protect America Home Security
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

33 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
Kyle R
12/20/2016
I've had Protect America for over 3 years now and I'm very satisfied with the overall quality of the professional monitoring, equipment, and customer service. Every time I contact customer care either by phone or through the online live chat feature Protect America has on it's website the customer care team always takes care of my needs and answers all my questions with full explanations. Furthermore, I recently sign up for another 3 year contract and I received $500 worth of FREE equipment in addition to the FREE equipment I received when I first signed up.


Sonya D
10/29/2016
Horrible company. The equipment they send is faulty. The sensors constantly slip causing false alarms (no help in disputing the charges with the city for the false alarm charges), the faulty sensors also cause your system to not arm correctly, main box is constantly reading low batter even though it is consistently plugged in and does not stay active during power outage. All the equipment is sent to you to install yourself, which is not difficult, however you are left to maintain your own security system and ensure it is working properly instead of having professionals do it. You still pay the same amount of money as if you were paying professionals to handle your equipment and system. Do... Read More


B
Brendan O
9/14/2016
Protect America is the most unethical company I have ever dealt with. We signed up for service and the equipment never worked properly. Many phone calls, hours on hold and no resolution. We moved a year later and the new house already had a security system in place. When we tried to cancel our service through Protect America we learned the horrible truth: We were locked into an iron-clad contract that required us to pay the full amount for 3 years whether or not we were actually using their service. In short - they wouldn't help us at all, extremely rude, and we paid thousands of dollars for a service we never received. DO NOT SIGN ANY CONTRACTS WITH PROTECT AMERICA. THEY WILL RUIN... Read More


M
Michael
7/5/2016
I signed up with Protect America thinking it was going to be great, low and behold there is always something by going with the cheapest.. no bills and forced automatic pay. They also require you to drill into concrete that my landlord doesn't allow.


3/14/2016
I am a current customer. firstly the monthly amt is $29.99. I just recently found out that my system is not fully working due to an out date part. When I phoned 2 weeks ago the girl on the phone told me that alarm system had not been working to par for a couple of weeks in fact it had not been working for months. Since its a parts issue on their part i asked when were the Co going to call and let me know? To this she answered - we have thousands of customers and we mail out the replacement units in batches due to the cost of shipping. She also continued to tell me that it was more or less my fault as a customer iI am suppose to call in every month to have the system tested. Well what am I... Read More


R
Ron S
2/29/2016
You can count on it. Really! i mean that latch key feature and paramedics they are tremendous and state of the art and those sensor.. you don't have to worry even if you live in a glass house and the best part is the monitoring..Thumbs up!!


E
Ellen M
10/2/2015
I have been with Protect America for six years. In the beginning it was a little difficult to install, but my Husband was quite capable of getting the base unit set up. The customer service is always very pleasant and helpful. The monthly monitoring is not bad. Since I've been with them over the three year contract, I can cancel my service at any time. I'm very satisfied with them.


A
Alan P
9/23/2015
From the beginning, we have experienced many problems with the equipment. The staff seems to be knowledgeable and attempts to be helpful however they provide only phone assistance. There are no on- site services available or provided by the company to resolve and or repair problems. The contact mounting system provided is insecure and in many cases falls apart leaving some windows or doors unprotected. The panel always seems to show various areas that are open when in fact there are not. Overall we have been extremely unhappy with this company and are eagerly awaiting the end of our contract so that we can switch to a more reliable security company.


J
john H
6/19/2015
My house burned down and Protect America would not let me out of my 3 year contract. There customer service is somewhere between Cablecompanies and Cell phone companies. Don't believe anything they tell you.


K
KEN F
5/7/2015
Had protect america and they rip me off for over $300. I would not recommend they cannot be trusted.



Top Rated
Our Partner

Professional Installation + $0 Activation Fee

  • Home security system & smart automation
  • Security cameras systems 
  • 24/7 video monitoring & support
  • Control devices from anywhere on one app 
  • Custom-built for your home