As the line between smart home automation and home security has blurred, homeowners have begun exercising the DIY option more frequently. Yet there is still a case to be made for premium services. Both DIY and premium smart home automation have their strong and weak points. This can be illustrated by looking at something as simple as mobile app access.
Mobile Access With DIY Systems
My smart home is built on an open-source platform installed on an old laptop. Whenever I need a new device, I simply choose a brand compatible with my platform. The platform has two distinct mobile apps providing remote access and control.
I get that not every homeowner is interested in building a system from scratch. But there are still DIY options through brands like SimpliSafe. You get a pre-configured kit that includes devices known to work flawlessly with one another. Just follow the instructions and everything should be just fine. Mobile apps are typically included.
Finally, some DIYers prefer the piecemeal model. They buy devices as it suits them. It doesn’t matter if they choose multiple brands because each brand offers its own mobile app. Although this strategy can get messy, the one advantage is that mobile apps always work with their dedicated devices.
Mobile Access With a Premium System
Investing in premium smart home automation guarantees mobile app access. Let us use Vivint as an example. Whether you go with the affordable HomeProtect program or choose a top-of-the-line Vivint smart home package, the company supplies a mobile app offering full system control. What does this mean?
It means that everything you could do with a smart home hub is possible through the mobile app. Both are recommended for redundancy purposes. Still, you could have a hub and never actually use it. Every aspect of your smart home system can be accessed, controlled, and modified with your phone – no matter where you might be in the world.
The big advantage of this sort of setup is ecosystem consistency. With a premium system, you are locked into a single ecosystem for all intents and purposes. The end result is a level of stability that is not always possible with DIY smart home automation.
There Is the Monitoring Question
Smart home apps can vary considerably in terms of the features they offer. Ditto for the equipment they support. But there is something else to think about here: monitoring.
I am guessing you are going to want monthly monitoring if you invest in a package from a company like Vivint. Remote monitoring is one of the brand’s specialties. Its main objective is to keep an eye on your property by way of the security devices included in the system. Think cameras, entry sensors, motion sensors, etc.
But what if your smart home package doesn’t include security devices? Maybe you just want smart lighting, temperature control, and the convenience of a smart speaker. You don’t have any devices requiring 24/7 monitoring.
This matters for one very important reason: if you go with a premium package that includes monthly monitoring, you’re kind of stuck – even after your monitoring contract ends. You are stuck because once you stop paying for service, there’s a good chance you will not have access to the mobile app any longer. It’s something to think about before you start spending.
It’s Part of the Deal
Mobile app access is part of the deal with modern smart home automation. So while it is important to shop for high-quality, dependable devices and brands, it’s equally important to pay attention to each brand’s mobile app. Know what you’re getting ahead of time.