Comparison

CPI Security inTouch vs Canary

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

Head to head
About

CPI Security inTouch

Monitor and control your home or business security system remotely. Receive real-time notifications for events like alarms, door/window status, and system arming/disarming. Access event history and manage enabled devices for enhanced peace of mind.

Highlights
  • Arm and disarm security system
  • Real-time door and window status
  • System arm/disarm notifications
  • 30-day event history access
  • Email and text notifications for events
  • Control CPI Night Guard devices
Features
Read full description

Now CPI makes it just as easy for you to stay connected to what really matters most: your home and family. With the NEW inTouch App from CPI Security, CPI customers can monitor and control their home or business security system through iPhone and iPod touch! With the inTouch App you can - * Arm and disarm your CPI Security System. * See what doors and windows are open in real time. * Be notified when the system is armed or disarmed. Great for school-age children! * Access a 30 day event history. * Access CPI Night Guard enabled devices. Email and Text notifications – With the inTouch service you can set up email and text notifications to come to your iPhone or iPod touch in real time – - when an alarm event occurs - fire, water leak, intrusion, or medical panic - when a specific user arms or disarms the system - when someone opens a door or window - if you left a door or window open - if you forgot to arm the system - if your safe, gun or liquor cabinet is opened - if someone attempts to login to your inTouch account and more! *Functionality depends on the level of inTouch service you have subscribed to. A CPI inTouch user login and password are required to log into this app. Visit www.cpisecurity.com/intouch to learn more or to sign up for service.

About

Canary

This app connects to smart home security devices to provide live and recorded video monitoring, intelligent motion alerts, and automatic mode switching. It also offers emergency response features and monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity for a safer home environment.

Highlights
  • Live and recorded HD video monitoring
  • Intelligent motion notifications with video clips
  • Automatic arming/disarming based on location
  • Emergency siren and direct connection to responders
  • Indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity monitoring
  • Customizable Home and Night modes
Features
Read full description

Canary is home security made simple. The Canary app works with our security devices to connect your home to your phone, allowing you to view and protect those that matter most. Monitor your home: Watch live or recorded HD videos day or night. Access Canary’s timeline for a living history of your home. Save and bookmark your favorite clips. Intelligent notifications: When Canary identifies something out of the ordinary, you’ll get a notification with recorded HD video of the event, as well as the option to watch live. Automatic arming: Canary changes modes when you come and go. No complicated keypads or codes to remember. - Away When all members are away Canary monitors for activity and sends notifications - Home When a member is home Canary is customizable. You can set notification and privacy preferences. - Night Schedule Canary to monitor for activity while you sleep. - Privacy Camera and microphone are completely off. Emergency Options: Respond to incidents directly from the Canary app. Trigger the 90 decibel siren, or be connected directly to your home’s local emergency responders. A healthier home: Canary’s HomeHealth Technology™ monitors indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity. It all adds up to a smarter and safer home. Love your Canary? We read and appreciate every single review. Want to suggest a feature? Get in touch! -- Email: support@canary.is Facebook: Canary Twitter: @canary Instagram: @caughtbycanary From time to time, the Canary auto-mode switching feature may briefly access your GPS in order to have high confidence in your location. Battery life is very important to us and we do many things to ensure we use it sparingly. Please be aware that continued use of GPS services running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Screenshots

CPI Security inTouch4 screens
Canary4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CPI Security inTouch at none against Canary's 12. CPI Security inTouch also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Canary's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.7) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price and device support 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. Canary sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. CPI Security inTouch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Canary holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 5.6K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of CPI Security inTouch's written reviews are positive against 33% of Canary's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CPI Security inTouch ships an update every 2 months, Canary monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
CPI Security inTouch versus Canary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCPI Security inTouchCanary
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1.6K ratings)4.2 (5.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews21.0% of reviews32.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6K5.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size375 MB158 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCPI SecurityCanary Connect

Customer experience

CPI Security inTouch

All ratings1,620 ratings
Positive66.8%
Neutral5.5%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews186 reviews
Positive21.0%
Neutral10.8%
Negative68.3%

Canary

All ratings5,631 ratings
Positive81.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative16.3%
Written reviews619 reviews
Positive32.6%
Neutral3.2%
Negative64.1%

User reviews

CPI Security inTouch

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Reliable security system
  • 👍 Convenient app features
  • 🚀 Good video quality
  • 👍 Helpful customer service

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Unreliable camera/video functionality
  • 🐛 Slow app performance
  • 🐛 Difficult to navigate app
  • 🐛 Inconsistent notifications

Canary

From 5.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to set up
  • 🔒 Reliable security system
  • 📊 Comprehensive dashboard and data
  • 🌡️ Monitors temperature, humidity, and air quality
  • 💬 Two-way audio communication

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and offline issues
  • 🔍 Poor motion detection and false alerts
  • 🕰️ Limited video history without subscription
  • 🔒 Subscription required for essential features
  • 📺 Slow video loading and playback

Bugs and requests

CPI Security inTouch

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Cameras going offline frequently
  • Inability to access recorded videos
  • Thermostat controls not working properly
  • Inconsistent arming/disarming of system
  • Doorbell camera not capturing footage

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to delete/manage recorded videos
  • Improve app responsiveness and stability
  • Provide more customization options
  • Integrate with smart home platforms
  • Enhance notification system

Canary

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Inability to delete or remove cameras
  • Inaccurate temperature and air quality readings
  • Inconsistent live view and recording functionality

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to move and reposition cameras
  • Longer video history for free users
  • Improved geofencing and automatic mode switching
  • Better motion detection and person identification
  • Easier multi-camera management

In-app purchases

None

CPI Security inTouch

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Canary

Subscriptions6
  • Premium Service4 variants$7.991 Month
  • Premium Service3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Professional Monitoring1 Month trial$19.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Service7 Days trial3 variants$24.991 Month
  • Premium Service$79.991 Year
  • Premium Service7 Days trial2 variants$249.001 Year

Questions

Is CPI Security inTouch free?
CPI Security inTouch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canary free?
Canary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CPI Security inTouch or Canary?
Canary is rated higher. CPI Security inTouch averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Canary averages 4.2 from 5.6K ratings.
Do CPI Security inTouch or Canary have ads?
Canary shows ads; CPI Security inTouch does not.
Which is updated more often, CPI Security inTouch or Canary?
CPI Security inTouch ships an update every 2 months, and Canary monthly. Most recently, CPI Security inTouch was updated on November 1, 2026 and Canary on November 1, 2026.

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