TELUS vs. Ring

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TELUS SmartHome Security offers Canada-wide professional monitoring coverage and both pro/DIY installation—helping it claim a narrow victory over Ring Alarm. Still, Ring’s monitoring is more affordable and doesn't require a contract.

Existing TELUS home internet and mobile phone customers can save up to $15 monthly on professional monitoring. TELUS also includes up to $1,400 worth of free equipment, depending on your chosen plan.

Read our TELUS SmartHome Security review to learn more.

Ring offers long-term savings if you buy your equipment up front. Since there's no contract, it's easy to pay for monitoring when you want it and cancel when you don't. Its professional monitoring costs much less per month, but it's not available in Quebec.

Read our Ring Home Security System review to learn more.

There's little in common between TELUS and Ring, but most of the core features are the same:

• DIY installation: TELUS and RIng offer easy DIY installation options, though TELUS charges a $100 fee that it refunds after you install your system.
• Equipment selection: while Ring offers more security camera variety, both brands sell all the sensors, cameras, and smart home devices you need to build a home security system. They even offer similar smart home compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Z-Wave devices.
• Equipment warranty: each brand protects your equipment with a lifetime warranty as long as you're a subscriber.
• Mobile app: the TELUS SmartHome and Ring apps monitor and control your devices with a quick tap on your smartphone.

• Best coverage: TELUS
• Best contract and monitoring prices: Ring
• Best professional installation: TELUS
• Best security cameras: Ring

With TELUS nationwide coverage, it's less likely that you'll end up in an area without a professional monitoring service. Still, even if TELUS has coverage on the national level, some rural areas might not qualify—you can check by entering your address on the TELUS website.

The French Canadian language barrier often makes it too expensive to monitor in Quebec because monitoring centre employees need to communicate effectively with customers during an emergency. This is a major reason Ring doesn't offer pro monitoring in Quebec—despite its availability elsewhere in Canada.

Ring's professional monitoring starts at $15 a month, which costs less than half as much as TELUS's cheapest option when you bundle TELUS services. There's no mandatory contract with Ring compared to the three-year agreement from TELUS. Plus, you won't pay any cancellation fees when you end your subscription, so you're on the hook for lower costs overall.

Still, you'll pay up front for all your Ring equipment, while TELUS includes free gear when you sign up. TELUS covers the cost of its free equipment through a contract and a higher monthly fee, but at least you're not paying for everything right away.

Anything beyond the free TELUS equipment adds to your monthly bill or requires an up-front payment like Ring. TELUS's advantage evaporates as you add extra gear.

TELUS professional installation starts around $150, saving you the hassle of DIY installation since the TELUS technician is already familiar with the equipment. In contrast, Ring's professional installation partner, OnTech, doesn't operate in Canada as far as we can tell.

Even though pro installation is convenient and hands-off, you still need to schedule an appointment when you'll be home. If you don't have that flexibility in your schedule, we suggest opting for a DIY installation option from TELUS or Ring.

Ring dominates TELUS when it comes to security cameras—it's not even close. It sells over a dozen models that cover every possible scenario in your home: video doorbells, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, floodlight cameras, and solar security cameras. Plus, Ring cameras are cheaper on average and offer better performance than the three options from TELUS.

The gap widens when you look at video storage. Ring saves video recordings for 180 days compared to TELUS, which keeps clips for up to 30 days. In fairness to TELUS, we've never encountered another security camera company that offers that much cloud storage. Ring's Protect Plus plan supports unlimited cameras while TELUS tops out at four. Ouch.

TELUS and Ring take different approaches to selling security systems, so it mostly comes down to if you prefer higher starting costs or higher monthly costs.  But TELUS ultimately wins because it provides service to all of Canada instead of sticking to the English-speaking provinces.

• TELUS SmartHome Security: Canada-wide coverage, discounts for bundling with other TELUS services, and free starter equipment—albeit with higher monthly costs and a mandatory contract
• Ring Alarm: More affordable monitoring, no contract, and a huge fleet of security cameras—but higher starting costs

Still undecided? Check out our full TELUS and Ring reviews to learn more.

To build a head-to-head comparison highlighting their strengths, we looked at each brand's pricing, contracts, monitoring coverage, and equipment offerings. We also considered our experience testing the Alarm.com equipment used by TELUS (and Frontpoint) and Ring's in-house equipment. Check out our full methodology to learn more.

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