Comparison

SecureSmart vs Essence MyShield For NA

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

Head to head
About

SecureSmart

Control your home security system remotely. Receive real-time notifications for events like door openings or motion detection. Automate smart devices with custom scenes and recipes to match your daily routines.

Highlights
  • Remote security system control
  • Real-time event notifications
  • Customizable zone configurations
  • Smart device automation (scenes/recipes)
  • Cloud video storage
  • Flexible IP camera support
Features
Read full description

About Alula At Alula, we believe that the best security solution is provided by the professional security dealer. And we know that today’s security customer expects more than just basic security. In order to deliver the best experience for the needs of today’s modern security customer, you need to design and develop the hardware, software, and services for a complete, end-to-end professional security system for the professional security dealer. The thoughtful technology in our products are designed to keep up with a changing world. Intuitive. Reliable. Innovative. Simplifying your business while saving you money. It’s what you deserve and what people expect. And we’re only scratching the surface of possibilities. Keeping people and property safe is your business. At Alula, creating the tools and support you need to do that, is in our DNA. It’s your home, you set the rules. The Alula App gives you what you deserve, reliability and control. Set rules for real-time notifications. Know instantly when doors and windows are opened or when motion is detected. Technology at your pace With event based “Scenes” and “Recipes”, your smart devices can support your way of life. Adjust the entire atmosphere in your home based on your day to day routines. Lights, cameras, garage doors and thermostats can adjust to greet you in the morning or when you arrive back home in the evenings. Alula Home Security Zone Configurations Alula uses zones in coordination with armed modes and zone configurations to determine how your security system responds when a sensor or detector is triggered. Customize your own zone configurations. Cloud Video Services Alula Cloud is an easy-to-use and affordable cloud video solution designed for businesses and homeowners. Now your customers can keep an eye on their home or business with the comfort of knowing their video is securely stored and can be retrieved from anywhere. - Cost Effective: Why purchase expensive hardware storage, especially if there are multiple sites that need surveillance. Easily manage all camera from one platform. - Easy to Use: Built for users who do not want to bother with complicated and expensive systems, with simple setup for dealers. - Flexible Camera Support: Alula Cloud video works with the largest number of leading IP Cameras. Select the right camera for each customer.

About

Essence MyShield For NA

Features
Read full description

MyShield is a one-stop-shop to manage the market-leading security management solutions – MyShield all-in-one security intervention smoke generating device and the WeR@Home+ security management platform. The MyShield all-in-one intruder intervention device can be used either as a standalone solution connected to 5G CAT-M networks or integrated into any existing security system. It addresses the growing demand for pre-emptive intruder prevention, boosting protection of homes and businesses by forcing intruders out of premises before they are able to do harm. Its versatile design makes it ideal for use in a range of residential and commercial settings. The integrated, easy-to-install system includes a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector, a high-definition video camera with recording capabilities for video verification, voice announcements, and a proprietary smoke generator that fills a room within seconds with a veil of harmless yet disorienting smoke to force intruders out of premises. Standalone – Standalone solution offers independent end-user monitoring and activation. All-in-one – full security system in one device: HD camera, motion detector, voice capabilities and smoke diffuser. Proactive – End-user immediate response to threats, without the uncertainty of on-prem security response. Low touch - Simple installation, installation, small form factor, battery powered, low maintenance.

Screenshots

SecureSmart4 screens
Essence MyShield For NA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Essence MyShield For NA at 13.0 against SecureSmart's 16.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SecureSmart ships an update every 2 weeks, Essence MyShield For NA monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SecureSmart versus Essence MyShield For NA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecureSmartEssence MyShield For NA
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (161 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews22.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings161 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size273 MB49 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAlula Holdings, LLCMeishar Immediate Community Ltd.

Bugs and requests

SecureSmart

Reported bugs

78 issues
  • App crashes after login
  • Does not connect after iOS 17 update
  • Cannot arm or disarm
  • Numbers too small, no color
  • Disarm button removed
Show 73 more
  • Doesn't work half the time
  • App went offline
  • Refuses to load on iPhone 7 Plus
  • FaceID authenticates but won't arm/disarm
  • App logged me out, won't let me log back in
  • Not compatible with iOS 11.2.6
  • Constantly offline, takes ten minutes to refresh
  • Little delay when arming/disarming
  • Arming/disarming via Face Unlock does not always work
  • Keypad lock code used every time
  • Locked me out of physical keypad
  • Slow to load real-time info
  • Takes 20-30 minutes to set/deactivate
  • App lags, very glitchy
  • Cannot tell if alarm is set until push notification
  • Nothing happens when trying to remotely turn on/off alarm
  • Almost never works for disarming or arming
  • Close and relaunch multiple times before functioning
  • Sporadically not working due to Do Not Disturb switch
  • Requires going in and out several times before connecting
  • Does not provide fully functional keypad
  • Cannot bypass zones or turn on chime
  • No audible sound when alarm activated
  • Paid for upgrade, works 5% of time
  • Slow to load, inconsistently arms and disarms, crashes
  • Extremely unreliable
  • Constantly says refreshing for hours
  • Says disarmed when armed and vice versa
  • Slow to connect and slow to never for viewing events
  • Slower than molasses, waits over a minute for response
  • So slow it appears not to work
  • Doesn't work on Droid, works on iPhone
  • Doesn't work most of the time
  • Doesn't work at all if signal not full strength
  • Constant authentication errors
  • Freezes badly, rebooting phone is routine
  • Displays alarm status disarmed all the time
  • Takes FOREVER to confirm arming/disarming
  • Requires restarting almost every time
  • Does not communicate with alarm panel well
  • Tells me alarm is off when it's not and vice versa
  • Sat in house and watched panel, tried to disarm with NO success
  • Shows home refreshing, reads disarming, nothing happens
  • 90% of the time, it's 'refreshing'
  • Sound setting for notifications doesn't work
  • Lots of bugs
  • Hangs up, doesn't authenticate properly
  • Seldom displays system status
  • Authentication errors, sometimes doesn't arm
  • Stopped working, refreshing and hangs
  • Very limited, no push notifications
  • Takes way too long to send commands
  • App crashes too often
  • Security keypad display does not display updated information without a manual refresh
  • App is extremely slow or hangs a lot
  • App hasn't worked at all, says "refreshing" then goes blank
  • Authentication error
  • Prettier but plagued with issues
  • Not being able to arm or disarm
  • Every key press just says "transmitting please wait" then nothing
  • Often shows an alarm panel state that is wrong
  • Displays that it is "Disarming..." when it is not
  • New version has problem with screen resolution on iPad
  • Missing numbers 3, 6, and 9 on iPad keypad
  • Screen doesn't scroll on iPad
  • Arming with TouchID arms it in stay mode
  • Shows devices refreshing on one of the two locks
  • Changing thermostat temp goes back to previous setting
  • Cannot get username/password sent
  • Automatically closes app and refuses to open
  • Syncing for the last 6 1/2 hrs
  • Push notifications not implemented correctly in iOS 8
  • App does not ask to accept push notifications on first start

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add progress bars or 'please wait' signs
  • Add audible sound for alarms
  • Add 4 function keys (ABCD)
  • Fix TouchID arming issue
  • Allow username/password reset
Show 4 more
  • Implement push notifications
  • Improve user interface for better readability
  • Add color to the interface
  • Bring back the disarm button

Essence MyShield For NA

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SecureSmart

No in-app purchases

None

Essence MyShield For NA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SecureSmart free?
SecureSmart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Essence MyShield For NA free?
Essence MyShield For NA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SecureSmart or Essence MyShield For NA have ads?
Neither SecureSmart nor Essence MyShield For NA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SecureSmart or Essence MyShield For NA?
SecureSmart ships an update every 2 weeks, and Essence MyShield For NA monthly. Most recently, SecureSmart was updated on October 23, 2026 and Essence MyShield For NA on October 6, 2026.

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