# Alarm.com vs NorthStar Home

The clearest difference is rating: Alarm.com at 4.7 against NorthStar Home's 3.2. Alarm.com also leads on ratings volume (142K vs 59) and review sentiment (23% vs 7%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Alarm.com holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alarm.com has 142K ratings behind it against 59, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Alarm.com's written reviews are positive against 7% of NorthStar Home's.

Alarm.com ships an update every 3 weeks, NorthStar Home every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alarm.com | NorthStar Home |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (142K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmcom/id315010649/reviews)** | [3.2 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northstar-home/id1494477150/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **142K** | 59 |
| Positive reviews | **22.7% of reviews** | 7.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#160** | — |
| Size | 440 MB | 377 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alarm.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/315010652) | [Northstar Alarm Services, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/978891992) |

## What reviewers say

### Alarm.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmcom/id315010649)

**Currently charting:** #160 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

This app connects your home or business security, locks, lights, and cameras into a single system. It provides intelligent alerts, live video feeds, and remote control for enhanced protection against crime, fire, and other hazards. Automate routines and manage multiple properties with ease.

**Highlights:** Remote property control, Intelligent alerts and live video, Security automation, Smart device integration, Multi-location business management, Video doorbell interaction

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and intuitive app
- 🔒 Provides good security and monitoring
- 👍 Easy to use and control home devices
- 💡 Helpful for remote home management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues and app crashes
- 🔋 Unreliable notifications and alerts
- 👎 Poor customer service and technical support
- 🕰️ Slow response times for arming/disarming

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent display of system status
- Inability to update WiFi settings remotely
- Unexpected resets of user preferences
- Delayed or missing video recordings

**Requested features**

- Customizable notification sounds
- Ability to bypass specific sensors
- Improved video quality and reliability
- Integration with other smart home platforms


### NorthStar Home

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northstar-home/id1494477150)

Monitor and control your home or business remotely from your Apple devices. Manage security, view live video, and automate devices like lights and thermostats. Receive real-time notifications for important events.

**Highlights:** Real-time remote monitoring, Interactive security control, Live video streaming, Home automation management, Customizable push notifications, Apple Watch integration

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alarm.com free?

Alarm.com is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NorthStar Home free?

NorthStar Home is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Alarm.com or NorthStar Home?

Alarm.com is rated higher. Alarm.com averages 4.7 out of 5 from 142K ratings, while NorthStar Home averages 3.2 from 59 ratings.

### Do Alarm.com or NorthStar Home have ads?

Neither Alarm.com nor NorthStar Home shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alarm.com or NorthStar Home?

Alarm.com ships an update every 3 weeks, and NorthStar Home every 2 months. Most recently, Alarm.com was updated on November 12, 2026 and NorthStar Home on November 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*