This is the most frequent question, and the default commercial answer—"buy the next model up"—is wrong in most cases. Here are the figures, followed by the three situations where the price difference is genuinely justified.
Comparative figures
| Hub 2 | Hub 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Connected devices | 100 | 200 |
| Users | 50 | 200 |
| Security groups | 9 | 25 |
| Automation scenarios | 32 | 64 |
| Rooms | 50 | 50 |
| Sirens + keypads | 10 | 10 |
| ReX repeaters | 5 | 5 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| SIM cards | 2 × 2G (4G on LTE version) |
2 × 2G/3G/4G LTE |
| Communication channels | 3 | 4 |
| Backup battery | Li-ion 2 Ah | Li-ion 3 Ah |
| Battery life | ~15 h | ~15 h |
| Photo verification | Yes | Yes |
| Jeweller range | up to 2,000 m | up to 2,000 m |
What doesn't change
It must be stated clearly, because this is what determines the answer in most cases: both hubs perform exactly the same security functions.
Same Jeweller protocol, same radio range, same encryption, same photo verification, same application, same compatibility with all Ajax devices, same monitoring protocols (SIA DC-09, SurGard Contact ID, ADEMCO 685). A MotionCam detects just as quickly and transmits its photos just as fast on one as on the other.
The Hub 2 Plus is not "more secure." It is larger and more redundant.
Three reasons to choose the Hub 2 Plus
1. You need multiple security groups
This is the most concrete and most underestimated argument. A "group" allows you to arm a part of the building while leaving the rest disarmed.
A business arms its storage room and office while the sales floor is open. A building permanently arms its basements and technical room. A clinic arms consultation rooms in the evening but keeps the reception active. A house with a guesthouse arms the private section independently.
The Hub 2 offers 9 groups, which already covers many situations. The Hub 2 Plus goes up to 25. If your zoning plan includes fewer than nine zones, this criterion is not a factor.
2. Your internet connection is unreliable
The Hub 2 Plus adds Wi-Fi as a fourth channel. Specifically: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, SIM 1, SIM 2. To cut off transmission, you would have to simultaneously disable the landline, wireless network, and two mobile operators.
On a site where running a network cable to the Hub is complicated, Wi-Fi also avoids relying solely on GSM. This is as much an installation argument as it is a security one.
Note: the two SIMs on the standard Hub 2 are 2G. The 2G network is being phased out by several European operators. If this concerns you but the Hub 2's capacity is sufficient, the right answer is not the Hub 2 Plus: it's the Hub 2 LTE/4G, which is cheaper and equipped with two 4G SIMs.
3. You manage many users
50 users versus 200. For a family, this is not an issue. For a business with rotating staff, a co-ownership, or a site hosting service providers, each person needs their own access—this allows you to know who armed or disarmed, and at what time. The limit of 50 is reached faster than you might think.
What about the 200 devices?
This is the argument highlighted everywhere, and it's almost always the least relevant. A well-equipped 250 m² house uses between 12 and 20 devices. Reaching 100 implies a large professional site—and at that point, the groups and users would have become a bottleneck much earlier.
However, be aware of the real limits, which are identical on both models: 10 combined sirens and keypads, 5 ReX repeaters. In an extended building, the number of repeaters is the first issue, not the overall capacity.
Our recommendation
Home, apartment, small office → Hub 2, or Hub 2 LTE/4G if internet coverage is unreliable. Invest the difference in an additional MotionCam detector or an outdoor siren: the real security gain will be much greater.
Business, clinic, warehouse, multi-zone → Hub 2 Plus. The zoning and communication redundancy justify the difference, and it is also the hub expected by most monitoring centers for a professional site.
Renovation with existing wiring → neither of these: consider the Hub Hybrid, which handles radio and wired simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from Hub 2 to Hub 2 Plus later?
Yes. All Jeweller devices will re-pair with the new hub. You only lose reconfiguration time, not the equipment.
Does the Hub 2 Plus have a better radio range?
No. Both claim up to 2,000 m in open space. If you have a range issue, the answer is a ReX repeater, not a more expensive hub.
Do I need a SIM card?
It's not mandatory if the Hub is connected via Ethernet, but it's highly recommended: the SIM takes over when the connection drops, which is precisely when a burglar acts.
Do both work without a subscription?
Yes, identically. See our guide Ajax Alarm without Subscription.