Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Vs. Honeywell PROA7PLUS

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the Honeywell PROA7PLUS are two of the most popular wireless security systems available. Both are feature-rich, easy to use, and offer attractive designs. Their biggest difference is that the IQ2+ uses Alarm.com, while the PROA7PLUS uses Total Connect 2.0.

	Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus	Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS
Versions	QS9202-1208-840 - 319.5 MHz AT&T LTE QS9202-5208-840 - 345 MHz AT&T LTE QS9202-4208-840 - 433 MHz AT&T LTE QS9201-1208-840 - 319.5 MHz Verizon LTE QS9201-5208-840 - 345 MHz Verizon LTE QS9201-4208-840 - 433 MHz Verizon LTE	Resideo PROA7PLUS Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS Note - Both versions are identical, but one says "Resideo" across the front, and the other says "Honeywell Home" across the front.
Panel Type	Wireless All-In-One	Wireless All-In-One
Display Screen	7" Touchscreen	7" Touchscreen
Power Input	7VDC, 1A	9VDC, 2.5A
Backup Battery	24 Hr Rechargeable Li-ion 3.7VDC, 3700mAH	24 Hr Rechargeable Li-ion 3.6VDC, 5200mAH
Total Zones	Up to 128	Up to 250 (PROTAKEOVER Required)
Encrypt Zones	Up to 128	Up to 127
Legacy Zones	Up to 128	Up to 123 (PROTAKEOVER Required)
Encrypted Sensors	DSC PowerG Sensors (All Versions) Qolsys S-Line Sensors (319.5 MHz Only)	Resideo PROSIX Series Sensors Honeywell SiX Series Sensors
Legacy Sensors	One (1) of Three (3) Legacy Frequencies: - 319.5 MHz - 345 MHz - 433 MHz	One (1) of Five (5) w/ PROTAKEOVER: - Honeywell 5800 Series - 2GIG 345 MHz Series - Qolsys & Interlogix/GE 319.5 MHz - DSC 433 MHz - Bosch Sensors
User Codes	Up to 242	Up to 96
Partitions	Up to 4	Up to 4
Key Fobs	Pair to Regular System Zones (Up to 128)	32 Slots for PROSIX and SiX Key Fobs
Keypads	Up to 3 Total (IQ Remote & DSC WS9LCDWF9)	Up to 8 Per Partition (PROSIXLCDKP & PROWLTOUCH - requires PROWIFIZW which is included)
WIFI	Integrated (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) Note: WIFI card cannot be replaced.	Integrated (2.4 GHz Networks Only) Note: Replaceable w/ PROWIFIZW
Cellular	Integrated (AT&T LTE or Verizon LTE) Note: Cellular radio cannot be replaced.	Sold Separately: PROLTE-A (AT&T LTE) PROLTE-V (Verizon LTE)
Communication	Cellular Only Dual-Path	WIFI Only (PROWIFIZW included) Cellular Only (Cellular Radio Required) Dual-Path (Cellular Radio Required)
Platform	Alarm.com	Total Connect 2.0
Automation	Z-Wave Plus (Card Cannot Be Replaced)	Z-Wave Plus (Replaceable PROWIFIZW)
Amazon Alexa	Embedded into the panel. Does not require monitoring. Can be disabled if desired.	Only possible through the Alarm.com integration. Requires monitoring service.
Front Camera	5MP	2MP, supports Disarm photos, and this feature is always enabled. Does not support Live Lookin snapshots.
Sounder	85 dB	85 dB
Bluetooth	Yes (for optional automatic disarming)	Yes (for optional automatic disarming)
Chime	Yes	Yes
Voice	Yes	Yes
Dimensions	5"L x 7.75"W x 0.75"D	5.75"L x 7.875"W x 1.0"D
Mounting	Wall Mount or Table Stand (Included)	Wall Mount or Table Stand (Sold Separately)
Microphone	Built-In	Built-in
Backlit Screen	Yes	Yes
Weather Display	Yes	Yes
Scene Control	Yes	Yes
Operating Temp.	14°F to 122°F	32°F to 122°F
Panic Buttons	Yes	Yes
OTA Updates	Alarm.com	AlarmNet
Panel Camera Live-Streaming	Panel can stream compatible ADC Cameras.	No panel camera streaming as of April 2021. Feature may be added in the future.

Both the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS are very easy to use and operate on a daily basis. Both panels have their own seven-inch (7") touchscreen controller that makes operating the system an absolute breeze. Their menus are intuitive and easy to understand when you are configuring system settings. Whether you're new to security systems, you've had a wireless alarm panel before, or you have been operating alarm systems since the hardwired days, you will certainly appreciate the intuitive nature and ease-of-use of both the Qolsys IQ2+ and the Honeywell PROA7PLUS.

It does need to be mentioned that as of April 2021, the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS does not support local end-user zone programming. All sensors used with the system must be programmed remotely by the user's monitoring company. Resideo, the maker of the PROA7PLUS, has said that this type of support will be added in a firmware update, which is expected to be applied sometime in the near future, Some team members at Alarm Grid have even tested beta versions of the PROA7PLUS with local end-user zone programming and we are sure that the feature is coming very soon. It is also our expectation that existing units already out in the field will also be able to receive the firmware update and full access to the feature once it is available. As for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, it has always supported local end-user zone programming and the ability to auto-learn sensors.

Sensor and zone support is also an area where the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the Honeywell PROA7PLUS are vastly different. Both systems support wireless sensors, and both systems have encrypted sensor options available. But the actual sensors you will choose from are very different. Starting with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, the system supports DSC PowerG Encrypted Sensors, plus one of three (3) legacy sensor frequencies (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, or 433 MHz). When you first purchase an IQ Panel 2 Plus, you will decide whether you want the 319.5 MHz IQ2+ (Gold and White Box), the 345 MHz IQ2+ (Silver and White Box), or the 433 MHz IQ2+ (Red and White Box). Most new IQ2+ users who are starting from scratch with nothing else in terms of a prior security system will choose the 319.5 MHz Panel Version in the Gold & White Box simply because it is often the least expensive of the three. You may also choose that system if you are upgrading from any old GE or Interlogix Alarm System, such as a NetworX Alarm System, a Concord Alarm System, or a Caddx Alarm System. Using the 319.5 MHz version of the IQ2+ will allow you to use encrypted Qolsys S-Line Sensors with the system, as well as any non-encrypted Qolsys Sensors and non-encrypted Interlogix/GE 319.5 MHz Sensors.

The 345 MHz IQ2+ in the Silver and White Box, and the 433 MHz IQ2+ in the Red and White Box are more commonly used when a user is upgrading from a prior alarm system. Specifically, users should choose the 345 MHz model if upgrading from a Honeywell, Ademco, Resideo, or 2GIG Alarm System where there are existing wireless sensors that will remain in use. The 345 MHz frequency has been synonymous with Honeywell's 5800 Series, and it was later adopted by 2GIG for their own lineup of 345 MHz sensors. You can use both Honeywell 5800 Sensors and 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors on the IQ2+ 345 MHz. Meanwhile, the 433 MHz model supports the DSC 433 MHz frequency, making it good if you are upgrading from a DSC Impassa or a DSC PowerSeries Panel.

All versions of the IQ Panel 2 Plus also support DSC PowerG Sensors. These are encrypted sensors that offer an approximate wireless range of 2,000 feet away from the IQ2+ in an open-air environment. They are extremely secure, using 128-bit AES encryption and FHSS Technology. These typically become the go-to sensors for any IQ2+ user, simply because they ensure the farthest possible wireless range and the strongest security. In total, the IQ Panel 2 Plus supports up to 128 total zones. That is any type of zone, encrypted or non-encrypted.

For Honeywell PROA7PLUS users, the only sensors that can readily interface with the system right out of the box are the encrypted Honeywell SiX Series Sensors and the PROSIX Series Sensors from Honeywell Home and Resideo. The only way that the system can support legacy non-encrypted sensors is to get a PROTAKEOVER Converter Module. That module will allow you to choose one (1) of five (5) available legacy sensor frequencies for use with the PROA7PLUS. This is configured via a selectable dial on the PROTAKEOVER itself.

In total, the PROA7PLUS supports up to 127 Encrypted Zones and 123 Legacy Zones (PROTAKEOVER Required), for a grand total of 250 total zones. That is much higher than the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and its 128 zones, so if maximizing zones is your top priority (very large homes, resorts, large warehouses, complexes), then that may be a reason to choose the PROA7PLUS. However, most users won't even come close to using up all the system zones.

Besides sensors, the other area where the IQ Panel 2 Plus and PROA7PLUS really differ is that the IQ2+ uses Alarm.com as its interactive platform, while the PROA7PLUS uses Total Connect 2.0. Both are remote services that you can access from pretty much anywhere using a web browser or a mobile app on your phone. Once you have logged into your account, you can arm and disarm your system, check its current status, control automation devices that you have programmed with the system (both support Z-Wave Plus), view the live feed for compatible security cameras when a video plan is selected, and more. Your security system will also rely on its connection with Alarm.com or AlarmNet, provider of the Total Connect 2.0 platform, for alarm signal transport to the central station when a full monitoring plan is selected.

There are a few reasons why the system's interactive platform is important. For the most part, both platforms offer very similar functionality, and virtually all features and services offered by one will also be offered by the other. But there are some very key differences that you should keep in mind. First, Total Connect 2.0, the service used with the PROA7PLUS, allows alarm systems to connect with their service using an internet only communication path, with cellular backup being optional. That is not the case with Alarm.com, as cellular connectivity is required, and no system can connect with the Alarm.com platform unless it has an active cellular communicator. The reason why this is important is it means that the PROA7PLUS can be used with any Alarm Grid monitoring plan, including the lower-cost Bronze and Silver Level Plans, which are internet protocol (IP) only. But the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is more restrictive, and it can only be used with monitoring plans that include cellular service, such as an Alarm Grid Gold or Platinum Level Plan, or an Alarm Grid Cell-Only Plan. If you want to get started with low-cost IP-only monitoring, then the PROA7PLUS is for you. This may be a very important point for users shopping for service on a budget. If you want to learn more about all Alarm Grid monitoring plans, then please check out this comprehensive guide.

As far as cellular connectivity goes, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus comes with a built-in LTE cellular communicator (AT&T LTE or Verizon LTE), so no extra communicator needs to be purchased. While this is very convenient, it also has a sometimes overlooked drawback in the fact that a damaged communicator means replacing the entire panel, due to the fact that you cannot swap it out. The Z-Wave Plus and WIFI cards are also married to the panel, so you must replace the panel if those components fail for any reason. But the PROA7PLUS comes with a removable WIFI and Z-Wave Plus card called the Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW. If the original stock component is damaged, then you can just buy a new one, and install it inside your panel. A cellular communicator is not included, and you will need to purchase one separately if you want to use cellular or dual-path connectivity with your PROA7PLUS. There is the PROLTE-A with AT&T LTE and the PROLTE-V with Verizon LTE. Again, if the cell module becomes damaged, then you can just buy a new one, and swap it in. There's no need to replace the entire panel.

Additionally, if you are interest in video monitoring through an Alarm Grid Platinum Plan, then you may prefer the IQ Panel 2 Plus and Alarm.com, due to the fact that the selection of Alarm.com Security Cameras is considerably more diverse than the selection of Total Connect 2.0 Cameras. That's not to say that the TC2 Cameras are bad, it's just that you will have many more options available if you build a video surveillance network of Alarm.com Cameras than if you try to do the same with TC2 Cameras. Additionally, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus allows you to stream compatible cameras directly from the panel itself. The PROA7PLUS does not support the same feature with the High Definition Total Connect 2.0 Security Cameras as of April 2020. However, it is believed that Resideo may add the feature later.

Both the IQ Panel 2 Plus and the PROA7PLUS support a wide selection of other features, including partitioning with up to four (4) partitions, optional automatic Bluetooth disarming through smartphone connectivity, integrated WIFI, a front panel camera, and smart scene control. As these are both feature-loaded easy to use systems, the one you pick will likely come down to just a few factors. If you are looking for a system that can be used with low-cost IP-only monitoring service, or if you want a system with replaceable components, then we recommend the PROA7PLUS. If you want a panel that comes dual-path ready right out of the box, or if you are planning to install security cameras and you want a more extensive camera lineup to work with, then you should go with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus.