Find out what you're really paying for home security. True cost transparency across 7 providers — hidden fees, equipment markups, ETF escape timelines, and side-by-side comparisons. No sales pitch required.
Built on a decade of home security industry experience.
Part of the BASTION portfolio.
No install needed. Open in your browser, pick your provider, build your system, see the truth:
bastion-cost-engine.onrender.com
No data stored. No accounts. No tracking. Your equipment choices live in the URL — close the tab, it's gone.
For maximum privacy, install and run on your own computer. No network calls, no telemetry.
Requires Python 3.12+.
pip install bastion-cost-engineflask --app bastion_cost.web:create_app runOpens the same interface — running entirely on your machine.
- Select your provider — ADT, Vivint, Frontpoint, Ring, SimpliSafe, Abode, or Cove
- Pick your plan — each provider's monitoring tiers with real pricing
- Build your system — add sensors, cameras, locks, and devices with real-time pricing
- See the truth — six sections of cost transparency
| Section | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| True Monthly Cost | Advertised rate + hidden recurring fees (service fees, cloud storage, guard response) that aren't on the pricing page |
| 3-Year Total Cost | Equipment + monitoring + hidden fees vs. the same system DIY — and how much more you're paying |
| Equipment Markup | Provider price vs. generic retail equivalent for every device, with per-item and total markup percentage |
| ETF Escape Timeline | Cancellation cost at every point in your contract, with the optimal exit month where paying the ETF beats staying |
| Provider Comparison | All 7 providers + DIY side-by-side using your equipment profile |
| Shareable Summary | Permalink URL with your full results — no database, no account needed |
| Provider | Plans | Contract Options | Hidden Fees Tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontpoint | Interactive, Ultimate | 12mo, month-to-month | Service fee |
| ADT | Secure, Smart, Complete | 36mo, 60mo | Service fee, guard response |
| Ring | Basic, Plus, Pro | Month-to-month | Cloud storage |
| SimpliSafe | Standard, Interactive, Fast Protect | Month-to-month | Cloud storage |
| Vivint | Smart Home, Smart Home Video | 60mo | Service fee |
| Abode | Standard, Pro | 12mo, month-to-month | — |
| Cove | Basic, Plus, Max | 36mo, 60mo, month-to-month | — |
All state lives in URL query parameters. No database, no sessions, no cookies. Every calculation runs server-side from curated pricing data:
- Provider/plan/contract selection → URL params
- Equipment builder → quantities added to URL params
- Results page reads params, runs all calculations, renders the dashboard
Pricing data is sourced from provider websites, subscriber agreements, and industry review sites. Generic retail prices use the cheapest functionally equivalent device from major retailers (Amazon, Home Depot).
No AI, no cloud APIs. Pure arithmetic against curated data.
git clone https://github.com/Pachacutie/bastion-cost-engine.git
cd bastion-cost-engine
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate # or .venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
pip install -e ".[dev,web]"
pytest -vflask --app bastion_cost.web:create_app run --debugPrices change. Providers run promotions. If you find outdated pricing:
PRs welcome. Provider data lives in src/bastion_cost/data/providers.py. DIY equivalents in src/bastion_cost/data/diy.py.
MIT