Comparison

Security vs Hilo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Security

Manage your home's security, safety, and smart devices remotely. Monitor video feeds, control lighting and thermostats, and receive real-time alerts for peace of mind, no matter where you are.

Highlights
  • Real-time security and safety alerts
  • Interactive video monitoring
  • Home automation control
  • Energy efficiency management
  • Remote device control (lights, thermostat)
  • Two-way audio communication
Features
Read full description

TELUS SmartHome is your simple all-in-one security, safety and smart home solution. Protect, automate and monitor your home in real-time from anywhere in the world, from any current mobile device. All you need is internet or mobile service, a TELUS SmartHome Security service plan and the smart devices you wish to install at home. The TELUS Security app offers solutions for: · Security and safety alerts · Interactive video monitoring · Energy efficiency management · Home automation Optimize your home from wherever you are. Just tap your app, and you’ll have real time access to what’s happening at home. View your video screens or clips, change and control settings and make your home the safest and smartest it can be. Whether you’re down the block or halfway around the world, still in bed or halfway through a busy day, TELUS SmartHome Security has you covered. The TELUS Security app can send you notifications, you can instantly view your front door or living room, make and change rules to maximize energy efficiency or improve comfort, and have direct access to every security and smart home device you’ve installed. Simple icons and easy-to-follow screens give you remote access and control. Guide a slider to dim a light, tap to chat with someone at your front door, or pre-program an early morning warm up of the house before you even open your eyes. Note: This TELUS Security app requires a compatible system, internet access and a TELUS SmartHome Security service plan. The app features and their usage varies based on the solution chosen, equipment and service plan. Visit telus.com/home-security for more information. With the TELUS Security app, you can: · Receive real-time emails, text messages and push notifications for unexpected activity and events that matter to you · View your property from installed video cameras · Watch live and recorded video clips from your security cameras · Pre-program or turn lights on or off · Set the ideal temperature on your smart thermostat · Search your complete event history · View and speak remotely to a visitor at your front door How the TELUS Security app helps you stay connected to home: · Know instantly when your kids are home from school · Arm your system and lock up from anywhere or automatically as you leave the house · Know when service people arrive or leave · Be alerted when the garage door is left open · Receive a notification your medicine or liquor cabinet has been opened · Know if someone changes your thermostat settings · Be alerted if someone attempts to log on to your account · And much more!

About

Hilo

Control your entire smart home from a single application. Manage connected devices remotely, create custom scenes for different moods, and program devices to save time and energy. Participate in challenges to earn cash rewards by reducing energy consumption.

Highlights
  • Remote device management
  • Custom scene creation
  • Device scheduling
  • Energy consumption tracking
  • Energy saving challenges
  • Cash rewards for energy reduction
Features
Read full description

There’s no place like home, especially when it’s a smart home. Say hello to Hilo, and discover how to control your entire home with a single app. Manage your devices wherever you are Hilo allows you to configure, manage and control all your connected home devices with ease. Activate them when you want, wherever you are. Create scenes to make your life easier A scene allows you to control in one go several devices and to create the mood for a room by dimming a light or changing the colour of bulbs, for example. Start by creating 4 basic scenes, then take the time to define key moments to help you make the most of your Hilo home. Get creative! Movie night, Sunday brunch, reading corner… Create the scenes you want and manage several devices with a single command, so that your home takes care of you 24/7. Program your devices to save time and energy By programming your favorite devices such as your thermostats and lights with a single gesture, you’ll save time and energy. With Hilo, you’re more efficient! Rise to the challenge, get money in return Reward yourself with Hilo challenges! During the cold months, we propose up to 30 Hilo challenges. If you successfully complete them, you’ll reap a cash reward. The formula is simple: Accept the automatic action suggested by Hilo and obtain a reward for each kilowatt hour (kWh) that isn’t consumed. A Hilo challenge is a small gesture that's good for your wallet, and the planet. Track and optimize your energy consumption in real time Hilo allows you to track your consumption by day, week or month. The goal is to continually optimize your energy consumption. Being energy smart? You’ve got this!

Screenshots

Security4 screens
Hilo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hilo at 40% against Security's 12%. Hilo also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). Security's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (132 vs 6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Security holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Security has 132 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 12% of Security's written reviews are positive against 40% of Hilo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Security ships an update every 4 months, Hilo every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Security versus Hilo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecurityHilo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (132 ratings) — better4.5 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews11.8% of reviews39.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings132 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size406 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTELUS Communications Inc.Hilo Énergie

Customer experience

Security

All ratings132 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews169 reviews
Positive11.8%
Neutral8.9%
Negative79.3%

Hilo

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews111 reviews
Positive39.6%
Neutral18.0%
Negative42.3%

Bugs and requests

Security

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App not compatible with latest iOS versions
  • Frequent app freezes and loading issues
  • Inconsistent connectivity and remote access
  • Unreliable door/window sensor detection

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to delete all saved videos at once
  • Improve thermostat scheduling and customization
  • Restore widget support for iOS 18
  • Add language selection options for the app

Hilo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Security

No in-app purchases

None

Hilo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Security free?
Security is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hilo free?
Hilo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Security or Hilo?
Security is rated higher. Security averages 4.8 out of 5 from 132 ratings, while Hilo averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do Security or Hilo have ads?
Neither Security nor Hilo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Security or Hilo?
Security ships an update every 4 months, and Hilo every 3 weeks. Most recently, Security was updated on September 24, 2026 and Hilo on September 22, 2026.

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