I'm not saying your green or short of anything. My concern in your case and others following this thread in the future is the idea that 'it works' once so must be OK. Will always work once when it's needed... Wrong. One way rf is awful fine for doorbells, I'm here requests etc but for not for security. As I said look into. Imo discount 1 way for anything other than door bells but not all 2 way stuff is equal.
You can make it look like it works using various rf receivers. You ought to look into rf and alarms. The home automation forums are happy with sonoff 422 485 rf etc. The DIY market does use those freq as well as 868 but that's all. Look into properly before you think all are the same
Agreed anything over 12kw shouldn't be on a plug top or on the ring yes it will work just like taking all the panels off your car including the windscreen will get you to where your going...
As per the above any app that is free will be the least reliable. While downtime for heating control, smart lights etc its far from ideal for a security system.
6 do your kids not watch telly on one, rather than use the huge screen we would all rather watch.
Mine use small screens for things i cant get, but thats the way its going and im 44 (this month ffs) so im proper old
Timers and a vcr or knowing what time your program will start. We all want automation done right. Back to basics it's knowing someone is in an area they shouldn't be. Ie movement detector and an armed system.
I like apps, however I know they all need support.
I know its not what the OP wants we all want something good for free, but id like at things like availability (ie how much its up) before I looked at cost. I can give anyone an app for free, god knows how reliable it will be though.