Is Alarm.com Compatible with Honeywell Products?

Yes, Alarm.com is compatible with Honeywell products, but only with Honeywell VISTA Systems that support compatible Alarm.com System Enhancement Modules (SEMs). Other systems like the Honeywell Lyric and the Honeywell LYNX Touch Systems have no way of being used with the Alarm.com service.

Normally, Honeywell Alarm Panels are used with the Total Connect 2.0 platform instead of the Alarm.com platform. Total Connect 2.0 is hosted on the AlarmNet360 servers, which are operated by Resideo (formerly known as Honeywell). The Total Connect 2.0 service is designed exclusively for use with Honeywell and Resideo Security Systems, and it will provide virtually all of the same features and access that you would receive with Alarm.com. For a more in-depth look at how Alarm.com and Total Connect 2.0 compare, please review this FAQ. It is important to understand here that the Alarm.com service is not typically used with Honeywell Security Systems.

However, there is one notable exception where Honeywell Alarm Panels can connect with Alarm.com. The Alarm.com System Enhancement Modules represent a series of cellular alarm communicators and smart home automation controllers built for various wired security systems, including the hardwired Honeywell VISTA Series Panels. After the SEM has been installed and activated, the VISTA System will be connected with the Alarm.com servers. The end user can then use their Alarm.com account to control the system remotely using a web browser or an app on their phone.

As the Alarm.com SEMs are cellular communicators, the end user will need a monitoring plan that includes cellular service to use one. Examples of compatible monitoring plans include the Gold and Platinum Level Plans from Alarm Grid. More information on these plans can be found on our alarm monitoring page. Keep in mind that cellular monitoring, while more reliable, is usually more expensive than IP-only monitoring service. The Honeywell VISTA Systems can be readily used with compatible IP communicators for monitoring service, so an Alarm.com SEM is not recommended if you are trying to use a VISTA Panel for low-cost monitoring service. Instead, you should use an IP communicator like the Honeywell 7847i and the Resideo AlarmNet Servers.

Each SEM communicator doubles as both an Alarm.com Cellular Communicator and a Z-Wave Plus Smart Home Controller. By installing and activating an SEM communicator with your VISTA System, you will be able to pair Z-Wave smart home devices with your VISTA System and control them through Alarm.com. It's also worth mentioning that some of the newest Alarm.com SEM Communicators for Honeywell VISTA Systems also offer dual-path connectivity featuring both cellular and IP. The IP service is provided in the form of a hardwired ethernet connection.

As of April 2020, the most popular Alarm.com SEM Communicators for Honeywell VISTA Security Systems include the Alarm.com ADC-SEM210-VT-AT (AT&T LTE & IP), Alarm.com ADC-SEM210-VT-TL (Telus LTE & IP, Canada Only), and the Alarm.com ADC-SEM210-VT-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP). It is recommended that you go with the network that offers the most reliable service in your area. You can check coverage maps to make this determination.