Ooma Security System Reviews: Camera, Siren, App, Mobile App, Monthly Cost, vs SimpliSafe, And More
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Ooma, a well-established VoIP company, also offers a competitively priced entry-level home security system with easy DIY installation, no contracts, and both professional and self-monitoring options.
However, the system has only been around since 2018 and faces some exceptionally stiff competition in the DIY home security market. Does Ooma have all the features you want to keep your home safe and secure? And is it dependable?
Ooma Home Security
Pros
- Has two monitoring stations
- Affordable pricing
- Easy DIY installation
- Professional monitoring is optional
- No contracts, month-to-month
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Extremely limited equipment - no cameras or home automation
- Limited integrations
- Professional monitoring not available in all states
- Motion sensors aren't pet-friendly
- Customer service is hit or miss
Alternatives To Ooma
Don’t like the score you’re seeing? Our home security experts have reviewed over a dozen providers. Check out our best home security systems showdown to discover our top picks this year.
11 Key Features
- Two monitoring stations, so if one goes down (e.g., due to a natural disaster), another is there as a backup
- Broadband (WiFi) monitoring
- Customer service options: live chat, FAQs, email, and phone
- BBB accredited with A+ rating
- Telo hub is tamper-proof
- Siren is 105 decibels
- Motion sensors are not pet friendly
- Ooma app lets you monitor your devices while away
- One-year warranty
- Ooma’s monitoring station, Rapid Response, averages a 15-30 second response time
- Month-to-month agreement, no long-term contract
Battery Backup
If the power goes out in your home, battery backup will keep your Ooma system on, and your family protected. The Ooma Telo hub has a built-in 10-hour battery backup, which falls below the home security industry’s standard of 24 hours. But the good news is that they offer a fairly affordable battery backup pack to extend the life to 24 hours.
8 App Features
Below are functions you can control within the Ooma home security app, but not all features are available for free (see the monitoring plans section to learn more). You can grant app access for up to 10 users.
- Arm/disarm system
- View real-time status on each piece of equipment
- View detailed activity logs
- Get real-time alerts for your home security sensors via text, email, or phone call
- Remote 911 (use app to call 911 dispatchers to your home)
- Geofencing – tracks your cell phone and automatically arms or disarms your system when you’re coming and going
- Switch modes (Home, Away, Night & Vacation) automatically using your GPS location or by time of day and day of week
- Set inactivity alerts (know if your teen hasn’t come home or check on an elderly parent)
Price
Ooma offers two starter packages and a build-your-own system.
Starter Packs
Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack: Check Amazon for availability
- 1 Ooma Telo (base station)
- 2 door or window sensors
- 1 motion sensor
Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack (same equipment as above) + Water Sensor: $149
Individual Pricing & Additional Equipment
- Telo base station: $99
- Door and window sensor: $24.99
- Motion sensor: $34.99
- Garage door sensor: $29.99
- Siren: Check Amazon for availability
- Keypad: $59.99
- Water sensor: $29.99
- Smoke alarm: $59.99
- Telo hub battery backup pack: $34.99
Monitoring Plans
Ooma uses the same company as Frontpoint and Ring Alarm for its monitoring (Rapid Response).
| Plan Features | Monitor Plan | Secure Plan | Pro Secure Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $5.99/month | $14.99/month |
| Unlimited Sensors |  | | |
| Push Notifications For Sensor Events | | | |
| In-Home Audible Telo Announcements | | | |
| Mobile App | | | |
| Instant Alerts | | | |
| Remote Siren | | | |
| Remote 911 | | | |
| Phone, Text & Email Notifications | | | |
| Auto Arm/Disarm | | | |
| Professional Monitoring* | |
*Professional monitoring is currently not available in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Consumer Reviews
Positive Reviews
I switched to Ooma from another security setup. This is my third go around, and the best so far. The app and system are easy to setup. The geo fencing works great. It’s simple to create rules and notifications. – 325yards, Apple Store 1/24/2020
Best security product ever! No crazy fees, very stable and does not drain my battery. – Jim M., Google Play 12/27/2020
Complaints
Please change the dashboard to allow a condensed view of all sensors. For those who have many sensors it would be nice to see all on one screen without scrolling. No need to have “add a sensor” or “buy more” on this view. – cmelville42, Apple Store 8/26/2020
I bought it last week still not up and running. Lots of issue like after setup everything, now status saying unknown. Even worst suppprt. I called them three times. They said called me back not yet. Support is useless. Product seem like Okey but more for techie. – Parani V., Google Play 7/30/2020
See The Ooma Smart Security App In Action
This four-minute video shows you everything you can do with the Ooma home security system via the smartphone app.
About Ooma & Its History
Ooma, a Silicon Valley telecommunications company specializing in voice-over-internet (VoIP) technology, launched in 2004 and is now a strong, NYSE-traded company. They entered the home security system market in 2018 with a system based on their Telo VoIP hub.
What’s Our Final Verdict?
Ooma offers very basic home intrusion protection and a couple of home safety features, and we’d love to see more equipment offerings and smart home integrations. They’ve discontinued both their Ooma smart cam and Butterfleye camera, leaving no video options. With that said, the equipment they do offer is well-made, and they partner with a highly-reputable monitoring service.
It’s worth noting that if you’re already an Ooma VoIP user and have the Telo hub, you can easily add security sensors for an extremely affordable, albeit modest, system. In any case, if you’re looking for total home security, including video, you’ll have to go elsewhere. See how Ooma stacks up against their competition in our home alarm systems reviews.
