“Did I Close the Garage Door?” How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself
December 18, 2025
Open your credit card statement and count how many monthly subscriptions you’re paying for. Streaming services, cloud storage, software licenses, gym memberships, phone plans — the list goes on. Each one seemed reasonable when you signed up, but together they add up to hundreds of dollars leaving your account every month.
Now imagine adding another subscription for something as basic as knowing whether your garage door is closed. It sounds absurd, but many home security companies are asking you to do exactly that. Let’s explore why subscription-based monitoring exists, what you’re actually paying for, and how to get genuine security without recurring fees.
Twenty years ago, home security meant a one-time purchase. You bought an alarm system, maybe paid for professional installation, and that was it. The equipment was yours, and it worked without ongoing fees.
Then companies discovered a more profitable model: earn money every month instead of once. Suddenly, home security became a service rather than a product.
The pitch seems reasonable: for a few dollars per month, you get monitoring, cloud storage, software updates, and customer support. But the math often tells a different story.
Most subscription-based garage door monitors charge between $5 and $15 per month. Using $10 as a middle estimate:
You could buy multiple high-quality, subscription-free monitors for what you’ll pay in subscriptions over a decade. Companies rely on consumers not doing this math, hoping “$10 per month” sounds acceptable compared to the $1,200 total.
Some systems store logs or video footage in the cloud. Most homeowners don’t need this. Real security comes from knowing your garage door’s current status, not reviewing historical logs.
Subscriptions often allow remote smartphone access. But for daily routines — leaving home and going to bed — remote monitoring is unnecessary.
A garage door monitor is simple technology. Requiring continuous updates suggests poor design rather than providing real value.
Reliable systems rarely need constant troubleshooting. Frequent support needs usually indicate an overly complex product.
Subscriptions create “sticky” customers. After paying for years, the sunk cost fallacy discourages cancellation, even if the service provides minimal value. Some companies even lock features behind paywalls, charging simply to unlock capabilities that could function without internet connectivity.
Pay upfront and own it forever. A $100 purchase lasting ten years costs about $0.83 per month — 12 times less than a $10/month subscription.
You control the product. Companies can’t raise fees, change terms, or discontinue support to hold your security hostage.
Subscription-free products tend to be simpler and more dependable. They don’t rely on cloud servers, internet connectivity, or account management. Fewer dependencies mean fewer points of failure.
Look for:
Every subscription dollar is money leaving your pocket. Choosing a one-time purchase instead provides:
For homeowners on fixed budgets, subscription-free solutions are clearly smarter.
Subscriptions are everywhere. Your home security doesn’t need to join that list. Companies count on consumers prioritizing convenience over cost, hoping you won’t question recurring charges. But smart homeowners recognize the difference between genuine value and profit-driven subscriptions.
Effective garage door monitoring doesn’t require subscriptions. You can achieve it with straightforward technology purchased once and owned forever. Choose solutions that work reliably, respect your budget, and provide peace of mind — without ever sending another bill.
Garage, Home and Automotive Protection since 2016.
