Choosing something as important as a home security system can be a daunting test, especially when you hear advertisements on the daily. How can you decide which system to choose without going completely bonkers with research? Below, we’ve created an easy way to compare the best home security systems to each other, along with some helpful information on how to choose. Best of luck in your search!
Security Systems Comparisons
Are you comparing two specific security systems? We’ll be real with you, the spec sheets only tell you half the story. The documentation doesn’t tell you if the control panel touchscreen stutters during setup and the website won’t say if the mounting brackets will start wiggling loose after a few months. That’s exactly why we install every single security system we review in our own homes. We live with these systems day in and day out, put the best security systems head to head comparing our experiences with each setup and then give our expert recommendations:
- ADT vs. Ackerman Security
- ADT vs. Bay Alarm
- ADT vs. Cove
- ADT vs. CPI Security
- ADT vs. Frontpoint
- ADT vs. Protection 1
- ADT vs. Ring
- Arlo vs. Lorex
- Brinks vs. ADT
- Frontpoint vs. Ring
- Nest Secure vs. Ring Alarm
- Nest vs. ADT
- Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe
- Ring vs. Arlo
- Ring vs. Cove
- Ring vs. Nest vs. SimpliSafe
- Ring vs. Nest
- SimpliSafe vs. abode
- SimpliSafe vs. ADT
- SimpliSafe vs. Arlo
- SimpliSafe vs. Blink
- SimpliSafe vs. eufy
- SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint
- SimpliSafe vs. Vivint
- Vivint vs. ADT
- Vivint vs. Cove
- Vivint vs. Frontpoint
- Vivint vs. Nest Secure
- Vivint vs. Ring Alarm
- Xfinity vs. ADT
How We Set Our Standards
You might have noticed that three alarm companies make frequent appearances in our comparison pages: ADT, SimpliSafe, and Vivint. That’s because they are the highest-rated alarm companies in our book, and they are the standard with which we measure security systems to find the ones that offer the best protection. Have a look at our favorites below:
Security System Deals
Of course, you want quality home security, but you don’t want to pay top dollar. There are home security system deals throughout the year that you can take advantage of to offset the equipment cost, and sometimes even the monthly cost of owning a security system.
General
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- ADT Black Friday deals
- Vivint Black Friday deals
- SimpliSafe Black Friday deals
- Frontpoint Black Friday deals
Prime Day
NOTE: Prime Day is Amazon’s exclusive shopping event for Prime members. It normally takes place mid July, with a second event held in October. Watch for 2025 dates to be announced.
What To Look For in a Home Security System
Shopping for your first security system can be overwhelming. Between monitoring plans and camera resolution specs, there’s a lot to take in. You’re not alone, though. We’ve tested over 60 systems ourselves, so we can tell you what matters and what’s just marketing fluff. Here’s what we look for when helping our friends and family pick out a security system:
Type of Installation
Do you want DIY or professional installation? DIY installation has the distinct advantage of being free, while you might have to pay a fee for professional installation. These days, most DIY home security systems are pretty easy to install, especially if they’re wireless, so if you’re looking to save money, do it yourself.
Type of Monitoring
Similarly, figure out if you want self-monitoring, 24/7 professional monitoring service, or both. Again, if you’re looking to save money, you can self-monitor your system for free using its mobile app. However, for the most protection at all times, go with the professionals to get a quick response time, even if you miss the alarm notification.
Home Automation
If you already live in a smart home and are addicted to voice control, look for a smart security system that works with your existing smart home devices. Also, so you don’t have to switch between voice assistants, look for an Alexa security system or a Google Home security system, depending on what you already have set up. With compatible IoT devices, you’ll be well on your way to home automation.
Equipment
What equipment will you need, and how much do you need? Take these factors into account:
- Where your equipment will go: You may be installing your security system in a garage, or looking for a large home security system, apartment security system, or vacation home security system. Decide what you need for your space.
- Wired vs. wireless: Next, choose wireless home security, hardwired home security, or a combination of the two. And yes, wireless security systems can be reliable.
- Components: Finally, decide what components you’ll need, such as security cameras, video doorbells, smart door locks, and various sensors like motion sensors, glass break sensors, window sensors, and door sensors. You can also add smart lights to make it seem like you’re home when you’re not. Learn more about the best smart locks as well.
Backup
Many Wi-Fi-connected security systems come with some form of backup so that they can stay connected to the professional monitoring center. You may want a cellular security system, a landline security system, or a no-landline security system. Since most people don’t have landlines anymore, there are many security systems that don’t require landlines.
App
Before you buy, we recommend checking out the app reviews in the App Store or Google Play Store based on your phone. If the app is sitting above 3.5 stars with recent reviews, you’re in good shape. Take some time to read through some of the complaints. They can give you insights into common issues and how the company responds. If you see anything about constant crashes or login issues, consider looking elsewhere.
Customer Support
Customer support should be available over the phone, live chat, and email, with a helpful selection of user guides and FAQs.
Pricing
Of course, you can’t forget to consider the bottom line, your home security budget. From equipment to monitoring fees, there are many factors to take into account, so come up with a budget before you start shopping. But let’s break down the cost of home security even further.
Security System Finder
By answering a handful of easy questions, you can discover the security system that’s perfectly tailored to your needs!
How Much Do Security Systems Cost?
Security systems can start as low as $60 for a basic kit, or go into the thousands for comprehensive coverage. Equipment is just the beginning. Here’s the full breakdown of what you might pay:
- Activation fee: These days, activation fees are rare, but some companies do require a small fee to activate your security system.
- Storage: If you add security cameras, expect to pay anywhere between $3 to $30 per month for cloud storage. Some companies bundle this into their monitoring plans. Others offer local storage options to avoid paying monthly fees entirely.
- Installation: Professional installation typically runs $100 to $200 for a standard setup, but complex systems can cost more. Of course, if the security system allows DIY installation, you can skip this cost by installing your system yourself.
- Equipment: Equipment is your main upfront cost. Protecting an average home typically costs between $400 to $800. Larger properties or those wanting extensive coverage could spend $1,500 or more.
TIP: If you want to minimize your equipment costs, only buy entry sensors for the doors and windows on your ground floor, as these points are where burglars are most likely to enter.
- Monitoring plan: Another optional cost is monitoring. If you go with 24/7 professional monitoring, you’ll pay anywhere from $10 to $60 monthly. Self-monitoring through an app is free with most systems.
- Cancellation: If you sign a long-term as opposed to a month-to-month contract, you may have to pay a fee to cancel your home security.
- Permits: Depending on where you live, you may have to buy a permit for your home security, which usually costs around $50 to $100.
Some companies also make you pay more for livestreaming, remote control (which lets you arm and disarm your system from anywhere, not just a physical control panel), and smart platform integrations, but they typically include these services for free. So, if you want to save money, look for a DIY, self-monitored system with free cloud storage. That way, you’ll only have to pay for equipment.
Do I Need a Home Security System?
After reading about all those potential costs, you may be wondering if you really need a home security system. We think that anyone living in a building without physical security guards could use a home security system to secure your home and protect your home from invasions, but if you don’t believe us, weigh the pros and cons below.
Pros
- More safety: Did you know that most burglars enter homes through doors1 and windows?2 Even just installing entry sensors could make a huge difference in the security of your home.
- Home insurance discount: Installing a monitored security system typically may save you between 5 and 20 percent on homeowners insurance premiums (but you’re unlikely to get a tax deduction for your security system).
- Crime prevention: Aside from letting you know the moment when break-ins happen, security systems and cameras actually deter crime. A survey of over 400 convicted burglars, compiled by the University of North Carolina, found that burglars decided which houses to rob based partly on signs of increased security — alarm systems, outdoor cameras, and the like. In fact, if they saw alarms, 83 percent of burglars would choose another home, and if they found alarms mid-burglary, only 13 percent would continue with the attempt.3 Even a security sign can lower your chances of being burgled!
Cons
- Costs: Of course, alarm systems come at a cost, as we’ve detailed above. With the cost of the equipment itself, the monthly or yearly monitoring fees, and the storage fees, you can add home security to your ever-growing list of bills.
- False alarms: Security systems aren’t perfect. Sometimes, you’ll receive false alarms due to faulty equipment, low batteries, incorrect installation, insects, etc.4 Of course, with the correct maintenance, you shouldn’t run into too many false alarms.
Can Home Security Systems Be Hacked?
You may have seen news of home security systems being hacked. Can something that’s supposed to protect you put you at greater risk of attack?
The truth is that anything connected to the internet can be hacked, so that includes all smart security systems. Of course, if you add two- or multi-factor authentication and strong passwords to your mobile app, you can greatly reduce your risk of being hacked. Learn more digital security tips.
Home Security Statistics
We’re data nerds at heart, so we’ve dug into the latest crime statistics to give you the real picture of home security in America. Here’s what the numbers tell us:
- According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, burglary rates remained roughly the same in 2021 and 2022. But that’s after burglary rates were cut in half between 2012 and 2020.
- Burglaries make up an estimated 14 percent of all property crimes as of the latest update to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
- 56 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry.
- As of 2019, the average loss per burglary was $2,661.5
- Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when most homes are empty.
- The months with the highest burglary rates are July and August.6
- In 2019, only 0.82 percent of U.S. households experienced burglaries.7
Home Security Reviews
Want to dive deeper into a specific security system? Well, we’ve probably tested it ourselves. Read one of our reviews of security systems we’ve personally tested below.
Recap
Now you have a roadmap for comparing home security systems. We’ve walked through everything from monitoring plans to upfront costs, all based on our hands-on testing of dozens of systems. While we spend months living with each system, we know you need to make decisions fast. That’s why we share our experiences to help you cut through the marketing noise and find what actually works.
FAQs
Home security never sleeps, and neither do we. We get a barrage of questions on how to secure your home, and we’ve answered the most common ones here.
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What is the best home security company?
The best home security company right now is ADT. It has been in business for over a century, and it continues to uphold a trustworthy reputation in keeping homes safe. Currently, ADT offers a wide range of security systems for all kinds of homes, whether you have a landline or not. ADT is also impressive at keeping up with technology, as its security systems work with smart home platforms including Alexa and Google Assistant.
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What is the best home security system with no monthly fee?
The best home security system with no monthly fee is SimpliSafe. Without paying for anything other than equipment, we could see what was happening at home anytime through the SimpliSafe iOS or Android app.
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Is Ring better than ADT?
No, Ring is not better than ADT. Although Ring is more affordable and has more camera and doorbell camera options, ADT is a more trustworthy company, with over 140 years in business. Ring, on the other hand, is known for multiple privacy issues, including camera hackings, partnerships with police departments, and Amazon employees listening to Alexa recordings.
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Is SimpliSafe easily hacked?
Although it’s been hacked in the past, SimpliSafe is not easy to hack. No SimpliSafe customers have reported being hacked, and the only hacking that happened was to the original SimpliSafe system by a senior security consultant. SimpliSafe’s new system has end-to-end encrypted communication, with frequent software updates over the air so issues can be patched as soon as possible.
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Are there bad home security systems?
Unfortunately, there are a handful of security systems you should absolutely avoid. They experience issues that can compromise your home’s security instead of enhance it, like security cameras prone to hacking.
