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Abode and Ring are two options for DIY home security systems. Neither has long-term contracts and both offer professional monitoring; however, one of them is more established and offers better pricing, more equipment options, and better technology. We look at Abode vs. Ring to help you decide which is best for your home security needs.
Equipment
Below is a table of the types of security equipment offered by Abode vs. Ring.
| Abode | Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Keypad |  | |
| Keychain Remote | | |
| Door/Window Sensor | | |
| Motion Sensor | | |
| Indoor Camera | | |
| Outdoor Camera | | |
| Glass Break Sensor | | |
| Panic Button | | |
| Alarm Smoke & CO Listener | Smoke only | |
| Freeze Sensor | | |
| Water Sensor | | |
| Additional Siren | (Indoor & Outdoor) | |
| Temperature, Humidity, Light Sensor | | |
| Smart Switch | | |
| Video Doorbell | | |
| Range Extender | | |
| Smart Lighting | | |
As you can see, Abode is missing a freeze sensor, range extender, and a CO alarm sensor. Meanwhile, Ring lacks a keychain remote, temperature/humidity/light sensor, and a smart switch. On the plus side, Ring has numerous camera models to choose from for your indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell needs. Abode has only one indoor and one outdoor camera.
Manufacturing
Both companies manufacture their own wireless equipment instead of licensing equipment from big-name companies. Ring’s equipment performs well, but there are complaints regarding difficulties getting everything connected initially. Abode has little feedback; from what we found, customers complain about equipment being glitchy and the siren being too quiet.
Both Abode and Ring have one-year warranties.
Like all companies, both Abode and Ring have complaints, but Ring has more equipment options that customers want. Cameras are commonly wanted in a home security system, and Ring offers more options for its consumers.
Equipment Winner: Ring Alarm
Technology
If home automation is important for your system, you have many options through both Abode and Ring.
Learn more about Z-Wave and Zigbee smart home protocols and IFTTT (If This, Then That) to familiarize yourself with the different ways of automating your equipment.
Abode Compatibilities
- Z-Wave, Zigbee, and IFTTT devices
- Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
- Equipment from:
- Aeon
- Enerwave
- First Alert
- GE
- Kwikset (like this door lock)
- Leviton
- Philips (like these light bulbs)
- Schlage (like this door lock)
- View a full list of equipment here
Ring Compatibilities
- Z-Wave, Zigbee, and IFTTT devices
- Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
- Equipment form:
- Chamberlain
- Dome
- Ecolink
- First Alert
- GE
- Honeywell Home
- Level
- Leviton
- Moen
- Schlage
- Yale
Battery Backup
If you lose power during a storm or from a burglar cutting wires, a battery backup will keep both systems running. Ring Alarm has a 24-hour battery backup, which is the standard, but Abode’s is only six to seven hours.
Cellular vs Broadband Monitoring
Did you know central monitoring stations receive your alarm’s distress signal one of three ways: via landline (phone), broadband (internet), or cellular connection? You can learn about each of these three methods in our central monitoring article.
Cellular monitoring is the most secure form of monitoring because there’s no concern about a burglar cutting your landline or broadband connection. Abode’s plans have broadband monitoring, with the higher tiers offering cellular backup. Ring’s monitoring is broadband with cellular as a backup.
App Performance & Ratings
Below are the Apple App Store and Google Play Store ratings and number of reviews to give you an idea of what readers think of each company’s respective app.
- Abode
- Android App 3.3/5.0 (1,400 reviews)
- iOS App 4.2/5.0 (2,800 reviews)
- Ring
- Android App 4/5.0 (148,000 reviews)
- iOS App 4.6/5.0 (293,000 reviews)
Abode App Complaints
- Draining the phone’s battery
- Crashing or freezing
- Few updates
- Delayed notifications
- Arm and disarm doesn’t work properly
Ring App Complaints
- Being unable to view notifications
- App not loading or slowly loading
- Delays with video capture
- Not receiving notifications
- App crashes
Both companies offer many smart home integration options, but Ring has a better battery backup, higher app ratings, and offers cellular backup for all plans.
Technology Winner: Ring Alarm
Value
To see how these two would compare in a real-world situation, let’s go over an example of a common configuration in a household with the equipment below:
- 4 door/window sensors
- 1 keypad
- 1 motion sensor
Neither company locks you into a contract, but let’s say you choose to keep your service for three years. Here’s an example of how much it would cost you through Abode vs. Ring.
| Abode | Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $448.97 | $259.96 |
| Installation | $0 | $0 |
| Professional Monitoring | $22.99/month ($219.99/year) (broadband with cellular backup) | $20/month ($200/year) (broadband with cellular backup) |
| Total Spent After 3 Years | $1,108.94 | $859.96 |
Monitoring Stations
Abode and Ring have two monitoring stations each through Rapid Response. Monitoring stations are important, and they can experience natural disasters and power outages, just like our homes. If a monitoring company only has one station, your call may go unanswered if your system is triggered during this downtime.
In the end, Ring is less expensive than Abode for both equipment and monitoring.
Value Winner: Ring Alarm
Ease Of Use
| Abode | Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Equipment | | |
| Installation | DIY | DIY |
| Easily Relocate | | |
Abode users complain about the limited functionality of its app. Meanwhile, we read consumer feedback complaining about issues they had while trying to set up their Ring system.
Personal Experience
I’ve personally installed a Ring Alarm system, and I ran into a small hiccup. I contacted support and got the help needed. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing. – Kimberly A., Safe Smart Living
Kimberly A., Safe Smart Living
Ring wins this category because it’s easy to use and has more functionality than an Abode system.
Ease Of Use Winner: Ring Alarm
Customer Service & Reputation
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can be a reliable indicator of how a company handles consumer complaints. How do our two companies fare?
- Abode: D+ (not accredited)
- Ring: A+ (accredited)
Abode Complaints
Abode has complaints about its customer service being difficult to reach. I can attest to this as I’ve attempted to contact them a few times throughout my home security research, and responses took hours, even for the live chat. Abode also makes you upgrade plans for phone and email support.
We want to note that of the consumer feedback we saw online for Abode, many of them were positive, which was impressive.
Ring Complaints
Amazon’s Ring has reports of excellent customer service. There are some complaints of live chat being slow but not nearly as slow as Abode.
Customer Service & Reputation Winner: Ring Alarm
Abode vs Ring: The Final Verdict
Ring Alarm beats Abode in this comparison because of its lower prices, variety of equipment, customer satisfaction, and system functionality. Abode is still a sound security system, but it has higher prices and fewer capabilities.
| Abode | Ring | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Customer Service & Reputation | | |
| Equipment & Technology | | |
| Value | | |
| Ease Of Use | | |
| Overall Winner | | |
| View Packages | View On Amazon | |
| Abode Review | Ring Review |
Overall Winner: Ring Alarm
If you’d like to learn more about these companies, read our individual reviews on Abode and Ring, including pros, cons, key features, and customer testimonials. We also review more than a dozen companies in our home security systems comparison.
