AlertSec Basic vs Audit vs Assisted: Which Plan Fits You?

AlertSec's three plans differ mainly in device count, compliance paperwork, and support. Basic is free for one device and covers personal use; Audit ($4.95/month) adds a Compliance Certificate and monthly reports for up to two devices; Assisted ($9.95/month, paid annually) adds data recovery assistance and 24/7 helpdesk support for up to three devices. Choose based on how many computers you need to encrypt and whether you must prove encryption to an auditor, client, or regulator.

Plan Comparison at a Glance

All three plans run on Microsoft BitLocker and support Windows 10 and 11, both Home and Pro versions. Recovery keys are stored by AlertSec at no cost on every tier, which matters if a machine later has a hardware failure and you need the key to regain access.

Basic (Free): For One Personal Computer

Basic encrypts a single device and includes BitLocker installation plus secure recovery key storage. It is described as being for personal use.

Pick Basic if you have one Windows computer, want full-disk encryption turned on quickly, and do not need to hand anyone proof of encryption. You still get the core protection: everything stored on the computer — files, credentials, and data in applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Gmail — is encrypted, and the machine works normally once encryption is active.

The trade-off is the absence of a Compliance Certificate and monthly reports, so Basic is a poor fit if a client, insurer, or regulator expects documentation.

Audit ($4.95/month): For Agents, Brokers, and the Self-Employed

Audit covers up to two devices and adds two things Basic lacks:

• A Compliance Certificate for security audits
• Monthly compliance reports

AlertSec frames this tier around agents, brokers, and self-employed users. The logic is that encryption alone is not enough — if a computer is lost or stolen, you may need to prove it was encrypted to avoid fines or lawsuits. The certificate and monthly reports serve as that evidence.

Choose Audit if you handle client or regulated data on one or two computers and someone may ask you to demonstrate that your devices are secured. If you only have one device and no documentation requirement, Basic covers the same encryption for free.

Assisted ($9.95/month, Paid Annually): For Hands-On Support

Assisted covers up to three devices and includes everything in Audit, plus:

• Data recovery assistance
• 24/7 technical support (helpdesk)

This is the tier to consider if you want someone available when something goes wrong — a failed drive, a recovery-key situation, or a machine that will not boot — rather than troubleshooting alone. It is billed annually, so budget for the yearly amount rather than a monthly charge.

Choose Assisted if you run up to three devices, need the compliance paperwork, and value round-the-clock helpdesk access or data recovery help. If you are comfortable handling recovery yourself and do not need live support, Audit is cheaper for the same two-device compliance coverage.

How to Decide

Work through these questions in order:

1. How many computers need encryption? One → Basic is sufficient on device count. Two → Audit. Three → Assisted.
2. Do you need to prove encryption? If a client, auditor, or regulator may ask, you need Audit or Assisted — Basic has no certificate or reports.
3. Do you want support when things break? If yes, Assisted. If you can manage recovery keys and hardware issues yourself, Audit.
4. Is the cost justified? Basic is free; Audit and Assisted are paid tiers, with Assisted billed annually.

A practical pattern: start with Basic to encrypt a single personal machine, and move to Audit once you are using a work device that must be documented. Move to Assisted when you add a third device or want the helpdesk on call.

What Every Plan Includes

Regardless of tier, the service:

• Uses Microsoft BitLocker as the encryption engine
• Supports Windows 10 and 11, Home and Pro
• Stores recovery keys securely at no cost
• Lets you add or delete computers, retrieve recovery keys, and change your service package through your web account

The differences between plans are therefore about scale, documentation, and support — not about the strength of the encryption itself.