It's probably true it isn't worth it but it really depends on the setup, features and such. I like the camera setup to be able to see the pets during the day from time to time. I also tend to travel in spurts for many days at a time, so it's just additional PoM. Mine also does all home automation, so really, I pay a pittance for the 'alarm' part, I just like being able to have stuff setup like, alert me if garage is open and I get .5 miles away, alert me if I'm 1+ miles away and alarm isn't on, change temperature when >5 miles away, turn down temp slightly when back within 5 miles etc. Also, I have a camera which records the exterior so if someone jacks my packages I have their face. None of it alone is superfantastic but for what I pay it's worth it all told.
Understandably you can do many of these things alone, but for what I got vs paying retail for all the wireless/home automation crap, I'm going to end up spending 1500 or so over 5 years for monitoring/alarm service. Woopdedoo? Certainly you can get yourself fucked, people tell me they pay stuff like 120 a month for 'concierge service' or bullshit, whatever that means or they pay 3K up front for erquipment and still pay 60+ a month lol.