There are two honest ways to pay for a home security system, and the big national brands only tell you about one of them. At Loch Security you get the full picture, because the right choice depends on your situation — not on what's most profitable for a door-to-door rep.
Here's the straight comparison.
Option 1: Own your equipment outright
You buy the system, and it's yours. A starter Ajax bundle is $580.60 in equipment; a full home with cameras costs more, itemized up front. After that:
- Monitoring is month-to-month. Add professional monitoring if you want it and cancel with 30 days' notice — no multi-year term.
- No lock-in. The hardware is yours, it's Ajax (no proprietary handcuffs), and you control your own footage and app.
- Lower lifetime cost for most people, because you're not financing equipment over years.
Best for: homeowners who can cover the equipment up front and want the lowest long-term cost and maximum flexibility.
Option 2: Lease a complete monitored system
Prefer to keep your cash where it is? A monitored 36-month plan gets you a complete, professionally installed system with little to no upfront cost — the equipment, the install and the monitoring bundled into a predictable monthly payment.
- Little to no upfront cost — protect your cash flow and start protected immediately.
- Everything included — equipment, professional installation and monitoring in one plan.
- A clear 36-month term — straightforward, not a rolling auto-renew trap.
Best for: households that would rather spread the cost and have one predictable bill.
How that compares to the national brands
The big door-to-door companies typically offer only a lock-in lease — and the pricing shows up through a sales rep, with support routed to a call centre. The difference with Loch:
- You actually get a choice — own it or lease it.
- Fair, clear terms either way: month-to-month when you own, a simple 36-month plan when you lease.
- Local install and local support — real people in the Edmonton and Leduc area, not a 1-800 queue.
- Free, itemized quotes — yours to keep, no pressure.
So which should you pick?
If you can fund the equipment now and want the lowest lifetime cost and total flexibility, own it. If you'd rather preserve cash and want one bundled monthly bill, lease it. Both get you the same quality Ajax system, NDAA-compliant cameras and local support — the only question is how you'd rather pay.
See both side by side on our pricing page, build a system online, or book a free assessment. Call 780-604-4495 with any questions.