Link Interactive vs. Protect America

Our Analysis

Link Interactive and Protect America have cemented their position as two of the best alarm companies in the country, which is why deciding between the two can be difficult. On one hand, Link Interactive provides all-around security and safety features backed by their high-quality products. On the other hand, Protect America is an affordable solution that offers flexibility.

Their Similarities

• Self-Installation
• A Contract is Required
• Online Availability
• Easy-Move Policy
• Home Automation

Their Differences

• Contact — Link Interactive allows one-year, two-year, and three-year contracts. Protect America requires a three-year contract.
• Online Sales — All of Link Interactive's products are available online. Protect America's online availability is limited. You must call their sales line to get access to some of their products.
• Pricing — Protect America has monthly rates starting at $19.99 per month. Link Interactive's monitoring packages start at $30.99 per month.
• Equipment Purchase — A free equipment package is included in every Protect America monitoring package. Link Interactive requires an upfront equipment purchase.
• Return Policy — Link Interactive allows returns up to 30 days after the initial purchase and signing of contract. Protect America's return policy is only 15 days.

Sales & Pricing Comparison

Sales Process

Link Interactive's sales process is simple. You can either call their sales hotline, get a quote, and then finish off the process with the guidance of a sales rep, or set up services and hand-pick a security system online via their website. Protect America offers the same buying options. However, not all products are available online. If you want landline monitoring, for example, you're better off calling their sales hotline.

Winner: Link Interactive

Pricing

Link Interactive's monitoring rates start at $30.99 per month, although it can reach up to $44.99 if you choose to add all features, like home automation and cameras. Protect America's pricing plans, on the other hand, are well-known to have a low starting price point of $19.99 for landline monitoring. However, cellular monitoring, which is more reliable than landline monitoring, can cost up to $49.99 per month.

Winner: Protect America

Equipment Purchase

Link Interactive requires a significant upfront payment for the equipment. A standard control panel is included for free, but upgrading to a touchscreen control panel will cost you an additional $200 upfront. Other devices are sold individually, so setting up a system can cost you hundreds of dollars. Protect America doesn't require any upfront payment for the equipment. Every monitoring package comes with a touchscreen control panel as well as several door/window sensors and motion sensors. The number of sensors included depends on your monitoring package.

Winner: Protect America

Installation

Both companies offer wireless security systems designed to be installed by the users. This means that neither of the two companies charge an installation fee or activation fee. This also implies that their systems are easy to take with you in case you move.

Winner: Tie

Key Features & Tech

Standard Equipment

Link Interactive's standard equipment revolves around a basic control panel with a small touchscreen display. This panel is included for free if you subscribe to any monitoring plan. However, it's inferior compared to the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 control panel. The latter is also offered by Link Interactive for $200. The control panel is backed up by sensors, both for security and life safety. Protect America includes the same control panel for free no matter which monitoring package you choose. Ironically, it's the same control panel that Link Interactive charges $200 for. As with any security system, the control panel connects with security and life safety sensors. In fact, a number of motion sensors and door/window sensors are included for free.

Winner: Protect America

Home Automation

Link Interactive's home automation features are offered to mid-tier and highest-tier monitoring plan subscribers. They offer all sorts of home automation devices, including smart thermostats, locks, lights, and garage door controllers. Link Interactive also works with third-party smart home brands such as Alexa and Alarm.com. Protect America's home automation offer, on the other hand, is limited to a smart lock by August and Alexa.

Winner: Link Interactive

Cameras

Link Interactive offers four types of cameras along with an array of features that will allow you to effectively use the cameras for home security. They have indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and smart cameras. Protect America's camera game is not as strong. They only currently offer indoor and outdoor cameras, and both cameras seem outdated in design and function.

Winner: Link Interactive

Smartphone Access

Both companies have their respective smartphone apps that you can use to control, monitor, and remotely access your security system. Link Interactive uses the Alarm.com App, which is only fitting because Alarm.com is the manufacturer of Link Interactive's equipment. All Link Interactive customers can access the app free of charge. Protect America's app is designed specifically for them, but it's also backed by Alarm.com. Only cellular monitoring plan users can use the app.

Winner: Link Interactive

Monitoring Method

Link Interactive was one of the first companies to adopt a 100% cellular monitoring approach. Cellular monitoring is the most reliable monitoring method currently, as it's not reliant on your landline or internet connection. While Protect America also offers cellular monitoring, they also have landline monitoring plans. Landline monitoring is cheaper, starting at $19.99 per month, while cellular monitoring starts at $41.99 per month.

Winner: Link Interactive

Customer Service Experience

Contracts

Link Interactive gives customers the option to choose a one-year contract, two-year contract, or three-year contract. Choosing a longer contract term gives you bigger equipment discounts. Because Protect America gives free equipment upon signing up, they require a three-year contract.

Winner: Link Interactive

Early Termination Policy

Knowing the contract length is important, because cancelling service prior to the end of the contract means paying hefty penalties. With Link Interactive, you will be charged 75% of your remaining contract balance. With Protect America, the penalty is contract buyout, which means paying for the entire remaining contract balance.

Winner: Link Interactive

Return Policy

However, it's nice to know that the contract terms doesn't take full effect immediate. With Link Interactive, you have 30 days to change your mind after signing the agreement. If you cancel within the 30-day period, no penalties will be charged. With Protect America, the return period is only 15 days.

Winner: Link Interactive

Moving Policy

It's also nice to know that you can take either systems with you in case of relocation, so you don't have to cancel service and pay a hefty penalty. Both systems are wireless and self-installed, making it easy to box them up and then set them up again in your new home.

Winner: Tie

The Bottom Line: Who Wins?

Both companies belong to our top-picks and are widely recommended by existing customers and authoritative home security reviewers. While Link Interactive has more wins than Protect America in our side-by-side comparison, it's undeniable that Protect America is also a strong option. In fact, Protect America might work better for you if you're looking for inexpensive landline monitoring or if you want a system with low upfront cost. Of course, if you want better features, we recommend Link Interactive.

If you wish to learn more about the two companies, don't forget to check out our Link Interactive review and Protect America review. In those reviews, you will find a more detailed breakdown of Link Interactive and Protect America's features, equipment, and services.