Link Interactive vs. Brinks Home Security

Our Analysis

If you're here because you've narrowed down your options to Link Interactive and Brinks, good for you. Link Interactive and Brinks are among the best security systems we've tested, despite not getting as much attention as other big alarm companies. This comparison guide will help you further narrow down your options to one company.

Their Similarities

• Self-Installation
• Online Availability
• A Contract is Required
• Alarm Monitoring Takeover
• Nationwide Availability

Their Differences

• Contract Length — Link Interactive has one-year, two-year, and three-year contract options. Brinks only offers three-year contracts.
• Free Equipment — Link Interactive offers a free basic control panel for free if you sign up to any of their monitoring packages. Brinks doesn't offer any free equipment and a minimum of $399 starter kit purchase is required.
• Alarm Takeover — Link Interactive can monitor several wired and wireless security system brands with their alarm takeover program. Brinks can only monitor Nest Secure equipment.
• Financing — Brinks offers several installment and financing options. You must purchase a Link Interactive system upfront to get started.

Sales & Pricing Comparison

Sales Process

Link Interactive and Brinks both have online availability, allowing you to purchase and customize your equipment package online without talking to a sales rep. However, when it comes to the signing of the contract, you will be contacted over the phone by a sales rep. As an alternative, you can also set up services with the help of one of their sales agents over the phone.

Winner: Tie

Pricing

Link Interactive and Brinks are very similar pricing-wise. Link Interactive's monitoring rate starts at $30.99 per month. Brinks' monitoring rate starts at $29 per month. Overall, Brinks entry-level plan has more features than Link Interactive's entry-level monitoring. Moreover, Brinks' monitoring package that includes all the features you could possibly get from them is only $39 per month. Link Interactive's most comprehensive monitoring package will cost you $44.99 per month.

Winner: Brinks

Equipment Purchase

With Link Interactive, the sales process starts in you choosing your equipment. You will start with a control panel. Your options are a free, basic control panel with limited features or a high-tech touchscreen panel for an additional $200. After choosing your primary device, you will have the chance to choose your sensors and additional devices. The final cost is computed upon checkout, where discounts can be applied. With Brinks, you'll get a pre-determined security system based on your monitoring plan. The entry-level package includes a touchscreen panel, a motion sensor, and three door/window sensors. The cost of this package is $399. The higher package has the same inclusions plus an indoor camera and a video doorbell for $499. You can choose to pay straight up or get a 36-month financing plan for $11.08 and $13.86 per month, respectively.

Winner: Brinks

Installation

Both Link Interactive and Brinks use wireless security systems that are designed for self-installation. This means there are no installation fees or activation fees to be paid, which are fees commonly associated to professional installation. Both companies provide useful video tutorials and tech support to help you with the installation.

Winner: Tie

Key Features & Tech

Standard Equipment

If you want to be able to fully-customize your system, Link Interactive is the better choice as they allow you to choose which sensors and devices to include in your security system. However, we highly recommend the upgraded control panel over the free control panel included in their monitoring packages. Although it costs more, it has more features and a better functionality. Ironically, Brinks includes the same control panel in their equipment packages, but the downside of Brinks is that you can't customize your starter kit. If you want to customize your system, you will have to purchase additional devices, which will eventually cost you more.

Winner: Link Interactive

Home Automation

When it comes to home automation, Link Interactive and Brinks are tied. This is because they have the same equipment manufacturer, Alarm.com. They offer smart lights, locks, thermostats, power outlets, and more. In terms of features, you can use their security systems to remotely control your smart home devices, create schedules, and scenes. One slight difference is that Brinks has their own app powered by Alarm.com. Link Interactive uses the Alarm.com app.

Winner: Tie

Cameras

As with their home automation offers, Link Interactive and Brinks offer the same cameras. They both offer an indoor fixed camera, an outdoor camera, several video doorbells, and a premium indoor camera with features like built-in Bluetooth speaker and one-touch two-way talk. As for video monitoring features, Link Interactive and Brinks both provide remote camera access and cloud recording of motion events.

Winner: Tie

Smartphone Access

Link Interactive and Brinks both offer smartphone apps to their customers. Unlike most alarm companies, anyone who is a Link Interactive or Brinks customer can access their respective apps. Both apps provide the ability to receive push notifications from your security system, remotely control it, or make changes to your system settings. You can also use both apps to remotely arm or disarm your security system. However, Brinks has a slight advantage because they have their own app, while Link Interactive uses the Alarm.com app.

Winner: Brinks

Monitoring Method

Link Interactive and Brinks use the same monitoring method— cellular monitoring. Cellular is the most reliable of the three monitoring methods commonly used by alarm companies. While the other two — landline and broadband — are prone to disruptions caused by internet or power failure, cellular signal doesn't easily cut out. Moreover, there are no wires to cut, so potential burglars can't disengage your security system by cutting your landline or disabling your internet connection.

Winner: Tie

Customer Service Experience

Contract

The customer service quality is a huge factor you shouldn't skip when comparing security systems, and the contract can have a big effect on your overall satisfaction as a customer. Link Interactive offers one-year, two-year, and three-year contracts. This is as flexible as it gets with traditional alarm companies. Essentially, what this means is that you must not cancel service within the contract term. If you do, there are hefty penalties. Brinks is not as flexible as they require a three-year contract from all their customers.

Winner: Link Interactive

Early Termination Penalty

About that penalty, the total amount charged to you depends on how far along are you in your contract. The more months remaining in your contract, the higher the penalty. Link Interactive charges 75% of your contract balance as the penalty. The contract balance is the number of months remaining multiplied by your monthly rate. Brinks' penalties are slightly higher. They charge 80% of the contract balance. However, this is still pretty good considering that most alarm companies charge 100% of the balance, essentially asking you to pay for service that you're not going to use.

Winner: Link Interactive

Return Policy

Fortunately, you have the chance to test your security system before the contract takes full effect. Both Link Interactive and Brinks have a 30-day return policy. After signing the contract and paying for the security system and services, you have 30 days to test out your security system. If you don't like it, you can return the system and get your money back without paying the early-termination penalty.

Winner: Tie

Moving Policy

Another thing you should consider is your prospect alarm company's moving policy. Will you be able to take your system with you? What are the terms of moving? Will you need to renew your contract in order to resume monitoring services in your new home? Fortunately, Link Interactive and Brinks both have positive answers to those questions. Yes, you will be able to move your system with you. There are no other fees, as both systems are self-installed. Simply box them up and then put them up in your new home. The only thing you should remember to do is contact your alarm company and inform them of the move so they can update your address on file. Once moved, there are no additional terms. Your contract and monitoring service will simply resume.

Winner: Tie

The Bottom Line: Who Wins?

Link Interactive and Brinks have a lot in common, so choosing between the two can be difficult. Based on the scoring criteria that we developed, Link Interactive is better, mainly because they have great customer service practices. However, based on this comparison guide, Brinks is better if you're looking for a budget-friendly security. The bottom line is that it all depends on what you want in your security system. Most of the features of Brinks and Link Interactive are the same, so it's up to you whether you prefer high-quality customer service (Link Interactive) or better pricing (Brinks).

If you wish to learn more about Link Interactive, our Link Interactive review can help you. Likewise, you can read our Brinks review for more information about Brinks.