Protection One Review

Protection One, also branded as Protection 1, provides customizable, professionally installed monitoring packages for both residential and commercial spaces in the home security industry. While it hasn’t been around for quite as long as former competitor ADT, Protection One merged with this home security giant in 2016 under Protection One’s parent company, Apollo Global Management. Today it operates within the ADT family as a division of ADT, LLC. That association can bring brand recognition and nationwide service resources, but it doesn’t mean Protection One and ADT offer identical paths — ADT also markets a modern DIY, no‑contract option, whereas Protection One remains a traditional, professionally installed, quote‑based service with multi‑year agreements.

There are also key differences between Protection One’s services and those with a greater focus on DIY installation methods like Ring, SimpliSafe, and Abode. To understand where Protection One stands in a saturated home security market that increasingly favors DIY and hybrid options, we dug into the fine print, compared it with three other companies, and weighed its pros — notably an insurance deductible reimbursement for qualifying burglaries — against its cons, including lengthy contracts, early termination fees, and less flexibility for third‑party gear mixing.

The Claim

Protection One claims to be “one of the nation’s premier home security companies,” boasting 24/7 customer service and a guarantee that you’ll reach a live person when you call. It also suggests you might save money through discounts and bundled value, aiming to deliver strong overall bang for your buck.

Is it true?

The answer depends on what you value most. Protection One requires a phone consultation for a quote and typically uses a 36‑month residential contract (with early termination fees if you cancel mid‑term). By comparison, ADT’s traditional, professionally installed service also uses multi‑year contracts, while ADT’s DIY path offers a no‑contract option with month‑to‑month monitoring. Protection One does not advertise a money‑back trial like some competitors; ADT, for instance, offers a six‑month money‑back guarantee (with stipulations).

Protection One generally costs more than DIY‑centric home security companies, which is common for professionally installed systems. If you prefer end‑to‑end design, on‑site installation, and 24/7 professional monitoring — including environmental sensors — Protection One can fit well. A notable perk is its Theft Protection Guarantee that reimburses up to $1,000 of your homeowners insurance deductible after a qualifying burglary, adding financial relief beyond typical monitoring benefits.

Product Overview

Best for

Those wanting a professionally designed and installed home security system with 24/7 monitoring, smart‑home and video options, and who are comfortable with quote‑based pricing and a 36‑month contract (shorter terms may apply in some states).

Not for

Those seeking DIY, no‑contract flexibility or the lowest monthly monitoring costs.

Features

Burglary and fire warranty

Your home insurance company may not be the only actor helping you recoup some of your losses after a break-in. Protection One’s Theft Protection Guarantee offers to reimburse up to $1,000 of your deductible after a qualifying burglary when your system is armed, subject to terms and documentation. For context, companies like Brinks, SimpliSafe, and others typically do not offer broader loss coverage, and ADT’s Theft Protection Guarantee generally reimburses up to $500 toward your deductible. Note that Protection One’s reimbursement applies to burglary events and is not a fire loss reimbursement.

Security tailored to businesses

Selecting the right type of security for your business or home can be overwhelming. Like many companies, Protection One offers security monitoring for commercial properties, but Protection One organizes systems by specific industries. Whether it’s monitoring temperatures in a pharmaceutical or transportation facility, or catering to other specialized needs, Protection One claims to offer customizable security for your needs, while tending to necessary compliance and regulatory standards (HIPAA, TSA, etc.).

Relatively flexible relocation terms

Like any home security company with a contract, it’s best to be absolutely sure on the terms and conditions before signing anything. In this case, you should also think about when and if you’ll be moving in the future — some professionally-installed/monitored home security companies have strict rules (and fines) when it comes to relocating, like Vivint. If you have to move under your contract with Protection One, Protection One says it will “activate a new or existing security system at your new location and provide you up to $150 credit toward that activation.” This credit can offset part of your activation or installation costs; specific terms vary by market and promotion.

Remember: Professional installation fees with Protection One vary by market, so this credit may help cover a portion of that expense. No, Protection One doesn’t let you pack up and move for free, but it does give you some breathing room.

Per Protection One’s pricing and terms, there are a few key points to know before you decide to move:

• You have to be a Protection One customer for at least one year at the address where you activated the system
• You have to be the “owner” of the new location
• You still have to sign a residential monitoring contract at the new location

Good for home automation

If you consider yourself a smart home connoisseur and use a voice assistant for just about everything — you won’t have to totally relinquish this way of living with a Protection One system. (Just know that it might cost you, as some of the more advanced features are saved for the higher price tiers.) You can control your system from your smartphone, tell your Amazon Echo to arm the system while you walk out the door, manage the status of your garage door from your Protection One app with the LiftMaster MyQ garage door controller, and utilize geofencing to activate/deactivate security cameras, thermostats, and lights based on your location drawn from your phone.

Possible Drawbacks

Lengthy contracts

Protection One might not be for you if you’re not ready to commit to the service for three years: All of Protection One’s residential contracts typically require a 36‑month commitment (24 months in some states like California). Opting out mid‑term can be costly, as early termination generally requires paying a significant portion of your remaining obligation (often about 75% of the remaining monthly service charges). If you don’t want to be tied down to contracts, consider a provider like SimpliSafe.

Customer service reviews

We know these need to be taken with a grain of salt more often than not, because experiences may vary depending on the individual agents you speak to. However, Protection One has pretty consistently garnered average or below average customer service reviews on third-party rating sites like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs. Customers have complained about the quality of the customer service and equipment (including technical support for the equipment).

Not as cost-effective

Compared to some other providers, Protection One falls on the pricier side and reserves many desirable features for higher tiers, including smartphone control enhancements, cameras, cellular connection, and video storage. This tiering is common among professionally installed brands. If saving money and mixing your own equipment is important to you, companies like Abode and SimpliSafe offer DIY systems with month‑to‑month monitoring and lower entry costs.

The Competition

Protection One vs. ADT

ADT is one of the biggest names in the home security industry, and Protection One likely enjoys some of this recognition by association as a sister company. Deciding which to choose really boils down to your preferences: ADT’s traditional, professionally installed service closely mirrors Protection One’s full‑service approach, while ADT also offers a DIY, no‑contract path built around modern app control and smart‑home integrations. Protection One isn’t far behind on automation within its pro platform, offering app‑controlled security and home control.

Both companies require multi‑year contracts for their professionally installed offerings and typically reserve richer smart‑home and video features for higher tiers. Installation fees and promotional offers vary by market and change over time. Ultimately, which service provides the best protection at a price that suits your budget comes down to how much you value pro design/installation versus DIY flexibility.

Protection One vs. Frontpoint

Frontpoint has a mature DIY model and a robust smart‑home ecosystem via the Alarm.com platform, with month‑to‑month professional monitoring and equipment purchased upfront or financed. There’s no long‑term contract required, which is a key difference from Protection One’s standard multi‑year agreements.

Frontpoint offers a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, whereas Protection One makes no such promise (it focuses on repair/replacement per agreement terms). Protection One’s Theft Protection Guarantee can reimburse up to $1,000 of your insurance deductible after a qualifying burglary, a perk Frontpoint does not match — so if that financial backstop matters, Protection One may have an edge.

Protection One vs. SimpliSafe

Protection One and SimpliSafe — while both claiming to be dedicated to protecting what you value most — are fundamentally different companies. Protection One emphasizes professional installation, 24/7 monitoring, and a traditional contract. SimpliSafe steers clear of long‑term commitments with DIY setup and month‑to‑month professional monitoring (and self‑monitoring options). If you’re unhappy within the 60‑day window, SimpliSafe offers a full refund and return shipping, and you can cancel monitoring anytime.

SimpliSafe doesn’t provide a guarantee against theft like Protection One does, so if this is of major concern to you, Protection One might be the safer bet.

Protection One FAQ

What all is included in a Protection One package?

This depends on the package and equipment you choose. Protection One provides a rundown during your quote, but at a high level you can expect professional installation, 24/7 monitoring, intrusion and life‑safety coverage, and options for smart‑home control and video. Exact features and monthly cost depend on the equipment mix and monitoring tier.

• Monitored fire and carbon monoxide protection
• Environmental and life safety protection
• Intrusion protection
• 24/7 monitoring

For typical starter setups, Protection One includes a touchscreen control panel, door/window sensors, a motion sensor, yard sign and decals, and battery backup. Upgrading tiers adds cellular control, broader smart‑home features, and video devices with cloud storage; some advanced features are reserved for higher‑priced plans.

What’s the benefit of a professionally monitored system?

Depending on what allows you to sleep at night, a professionally-monitored system may provide greater peace of mind. These systems allow your monitoring company to keep a close eye on your home at all times, whereas if you’re monitoring yourself, it might be easy to miss that mobile notification on the motion detected on your front porch in the middle of the night. However, professional monitoring is typically more expensive than self-monitoring, but if you feel as though you need an extra layer of protection — a professionally-monitored system could be right for you.

Can I opt out of professional monitoring with Protection One?

No. All of Protection One’s packages come included with 24/7 monitoring. If you’re interested in having the option and flexibility to opt in or out of professional monitoring, check out some of our favorite DIY home security companies.

The Bottom Line

If navigating the home security market is daunting, researching companies that claim to do everything for you is a good place to start. Protection One fits that brief with professional design and installation, nationwide 24/7 monitoring, and an added financial backstop via its burglary deductible reimbursement. If you want pro install and don’t mind a multi‑year contract, it’s a solid, full‑service option. If you prefer to avoid contracts and lower your monthly costs, look at DIY choices like SimpliSafe or ADT’s no‑contract path.

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