Guardfather vs Yale Smart Alarm

Who's behind them

Yale is one of the best known names in UK home security and is part of ASSA ABLOY, a large Swedish group.

Guardfather is my company. I'm a security engineer from the north-west of England, and I've spent over 12 years installing alarms and security equipment. I learned the trade in a family-run, NSI Gold accredited security company, working on everything from ordinary family homes to high-risk buildings housing medical equipment, and banks. That accreditation belongs to the family firm. Guardfather is my own DIY brand.

What they have in common

Quite a lot, actually.

• Both are wireless systems designed for you to fit yourself: a control panel, sensors, a keypad, an outdoor siren and an app.
• On both, the sensors talk to the control panel on their own radio. If your broadband drops, the alarm still detects and sounds. What you lose is remote access and phone alerts, unless you have mobile backup.
• Both control panels support ethernet and Wi-Fi.
• Both control panels have a backup battery for power cuts.
• Both apps are straightforward to use.
• Neither is a police response alarm. Police response needs a system fitted and maintained by an NSI or SSAIB approved company and monitored by an Alarm Receiving Centre, and most homes and small businesses don't need it.

Side by side

What's in the box

Kits change, so compare like for like. Here's what each listed on 20 October 2026.

• Guardfather Security System, Most Popular bundle (9 devices): control panel, touchscreen keypad, 3 pet-friendly motion sensors, 2 door/window contacts, outdoor siren and a key fob.
• Yale Smart Alarm Premium Kit: alarm hub, outdoor siren, decoy siren, 2 motion detectors, keypad, key fob and 2 door/window contacts, plus a code for the free Secure plan period.

Where The Guardfather Security System wins

• No subscription for anything. The app, alerts and remote control are free, and the optional 4G SIM is a one-time payment, so your backup connection never needs a monthly plan. With Yale, mobile backup comes with a paid plan.
• An SOS button in the app, on the key fob and on the keypad. When I checked the Yale app on my own Yale system, it didn't have one.
• Touchscreen keypad. A modern touchscreen rather than push buttons, and it looks right in any hallway.
• Support from the person behind it. When you message Guardfather, you get me. I'm not a 24 hour call centre, but I reply to every message, often in the evenings and at weekends.
• Higher Trustpilot score. Have a read of the reviews and make your own mind up.
• A quieter look outside, if you prefer it. Yale's siren is bright yellow and hard to miss, which some people like as a deterrent. Ours is more understated. Both have a flashing light.

Where Yale has the edge

• Smart home range. If you want your alarm alongside smart locks, cameras and voice control, Yale has a wide range and Guardfather doesn't. If what you want is an alarm that simply works, you may never miss it. I've never had a customer ask me for voice control.
• A big, established brand. Yale has been around for a very long time, and you'll find it in lots of UK shops. The flip side of a big brand is a call centre. With The Guardfather Security System, you deal with the engineer behind it.
• An installation service. Yale offers paid installation through a partner if you'd rather not fit it yourself. That's handy if you never want to pick up a drill, although most of our customers have their system fitted in under an hour with the videos.
• More reviews. Yale has thousands of Trustpilot reviews across a far wider range of products. We're newer, so we have fewer, but our score is higher.
• App styling. Both apps are easy to use. Yale's looks a touch crisper, I'll give them that, but ours has the SOS button theirs doesn't.
• Smaller door contacts. Yale's are a touch smaller. Ours are still small and neat, and fit almost any door or window.

The subscription question, properly

To be fair to Yale, it isn't forced. On Yale's free plan you can still arm and disarm from the app and get push and email alerts when the alarm goes off. A paid plan adds things like mobile (4G) backup and automated phone calls. New kits come with a free period of the Secure plan, and once that ends the monthly charge starts automatically unless you cancel.

With The Guardfather Security System there's nothing to cancel, because there's no plan in the first place. The optional 4G SIM we sell is a one-time payment and keeps your app alerts coming if your broadband drops. If you'd like phone calls and texts too, fit your own voice SIM in the control panel instead, and any cost for that is between you and your network.

Yale's plans change from time to time, so check their current plan page before you decide.

Which should you choose?

• You never want a monthly bill, including for backup: The Guardfather Security System.
• You want a touchscreen keypad and an SOS button in the app: The Guardfather Security System.
• You want to deal with the engineer behind the system: The Guardfather Security System.
• You want smart locks, cameras or voice control alongside your alarm: Yale.
• You'd rather pay someone to fit it for you: Yale's installation service, or a local NSI or SSAIB approved installer.
• You want police response: neither. Get a professionally installed, monitored system from an NSI or SSAIB approved company. Most homes and small businesses don't need it, but if yours does, or your insurer asks for it, that's the way to go.

Watch the full comparison

Watch on YouTube

I fitted both systems side by side and went through them device by device. It's a long one, so grab a brew.