Do I need special hardware for PointCentral?

Yes. PointCentral works with compatible smart locks, thermostats, cameras, and sensors. You purchase these through PointCentral rather than using existing consumer devices.

Does PointCentral work during internet outages?

Yes. The system includes cellular backup, so locks, alarms, and monitoring continue to work even if the internet is down.

Can I use my existing smart devices with PointCentral?

PointCentral uses its own ecosystem of compatible devices. It is designed as an integrated system rather than a hub for existing consumer hardware.

How much does PointCentral cost?

Pricing includes hardware costs plus a monthly monitoring subscription. Contact PointCentral for a quote based on your property count.

Does PointCentral integrate with my PMS?

PointCentral integrates with 30+ property management systems for automated lock codes, thermostat scheduling, and energy reporting.

PointCentral Review: Smart Property Platform for STRs (Alarm.com) (2026)

Item: PointCentral
Rating: 70
Author: STR Specialist

1 min readUpdated 2026-07-20Reviewed by STR Specialist

Overview

PointCentral, a subsidiary of Alarm.com, provides enterprise-grade smart home automation for short-term rentals. The platform covers access control, video surveillance, energy management, water monitoring, and self-guided tours — all from a single dashboard.

Best for professional property managers who want a fully integrated smart home solution rather than piecing together individual devices. The Alarm.com backing means enterprise reliability and 24/7 monitoring.

PointCentral

Smart home

Visit website

Professional rating

3.5/5

Rubric score

70/100

3.5/5

Verdict: PointCentral is a solid option with some trade-offs. Worth evaluating for your specific needs.

At a glance

What it does

Enterprise-grade reliability backed by Alarm.com
Covers locks, video, energy, water, and security in one platform
Automated workflows triggered by reservations

Best for

Property managers and teams
Automation-first workflows

Not ideal for

Extreme budget hunters
Anyone needing 1-hour setup

Pros & Cons

Highlights and considerations for PointCentral.

Pros

Enterprise-grade reliability backed by Alarm.com
Covers locks, video, energy, water, and security in one platform
Automated workflows triggered by reservations
24/7 professional monitoring with cellular backup
Self-guided tour functionality

Cons

Requires proprietary hardware — cannot use existing consumer devices
Higher cost than piecing together consumer solutions
Setup complexity is higher than individual smart devices
Overkill for single-property hosts

Scores

70/100

We test against our rubric (setup, automation, integrations, usability, support, etc.). Scores use a 100-point scale.

Strong in reliability and automation; weaker in setup.

Setup

5/10

Channel sync

8/10

Automation

9/10

Integrations

7/10

Ease of use

7/10

Team & scale

9/10

Support

8/10

Data export

5/5

Value for money

6/10

Reliability

10/10

Hands-on Review Notes

Pricing

Best value: Property Manager — Custom pricing

Pricing at a glance
Plan	Monthly	Base includes
Property Manager	Custom pricing	Access control, video, energy, water mgmt, monitoring

Pricing at a glance
Plan	Base includes	Monthly	Per-additional	Notes
Property Manager	Access control, video, energy, water mgmt, monitoring	Custom pricing		Requires compatible hardware

Integrations

Common integrations supported by PointCentral.

Integrations

Channels

—

Smart locks & devices

PointCentral compatible locks

Accounting

—

Other integrations

Alarm.com app
Professional monitoring

Trial Guide: What to Test

During your trial or demo, focus on setup and confirm daily workflows.

What to test in the trial

Complete the initial setup and note how long it takes to go live
Test the core workflow end-to-end with a real or simulated booking
Verify any integrations you depend on connect and sync correctly
Evaluate the mobile experience — most hosts manage on the go

Alternatives

If you need stronger setup, consider these alternatives to PointCentral.

Operto

Quick alternative – click to read more.

Read review

RemoteLock

RemoteLock provides universal access control for short-term rentals, managing locks from multiple brands in one dashboard. With 800+ integrations and enterprise-grade reliability, it is the leading choice for professional property managers.

Read review

August Home

August Home makes retrofit smart locks and keypads designed to work with existing deadbolts, making them ideal for short-term rental hosts who cannot replace their entire lock. Key features include auto-lock/unlock, temporary guest access codes via the August app, Airbnb integration, and compatibility with Alexa/Google/HomeKit. Hardware starts at $149.

Read review

FAQ

Answers to common questions about setup, pricing, and deployment.

Community experiences

Real-world notes from hosts who have used PointCentral.

Share your experience

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Sources

Documentation and references used in this review.

PointCentral Official Website

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