The Best Home Security Systems of 2024 | Security.org

Featuring affordable packages and smart home automation, ADT tops our list as the best home security system, especially with its new Trusted Neighbor feature.

With your and your family’s safety at stake, you wouldn’t want to use just any security system. You should go with the best option, which actually differs from one home to another. We can’t choose the best security system for you, but we’re here to give you a list of the top options.

Every year, we select the cream of the crop the home security industry has to offer by testing dozens of security systems. We narrow it down to an elite group of brands that offer the highest quality equipment, best features and monitoring services, and good pricing value. ADT tops the list this year, but SimpliSafe, Vivint, and Cove also earned our seal of approval. Want to see what they offer? Keep reading.

Editor’s Note: ADT secured the top spot with its reliable equipment and monitoring, but ADT is launching a new security system and feature that can potentially make it even better. We added new information about ADT Plus (new security system) and Trusted Neighbor (new feature) below, so keep reading.

Home security systems are used to protect against burglaries and theft, and they often include entryway sensors, motion sensors, security cameras, and a central base station. Most systems cost under $500, and users can also get 24/7 professional monitoring for an additional cost.

FYI: Traditional home security systems include a central hub, intrusion sensors, and motion sensors. But modern security systems also come with glass break sensors, security cameras, video doorbells, and home automation devices.

ADT is the embodiment of a traditional home security brand. It has required professional installation for a long time, much different from DIY companies like SimpliSafe and Cove. However, ADT’s new system called ADT Plus changes that, as it now allows both DIY and professional installation. But let’s go back to the pro-installed ADT system we tested.

When it comes to equipment and technology, ADT is far from old-school. It offers innovative features, like ADT security cameras made by Google Nest that offer person detection and A.I. facial recognition. Using the latter, we set up alerts so that we’d get notified if our regular house sitter accessed the keys we hid in our secret hiding spot one time we went out of town. And sure enough, our outdoor Nest Cam recognized her. We didn’t need to play back the recording; the app notification told us it was her.

The new feature ADT rolled out takes the integration even further. Along with a compatible Yale smart lock, you can give people you trust access to your house at certain times or during certain events (e.g. if the smoke alarm goes off). Trusted Neighbor uses Nest Doorbell facial recognition to detect when a neighbor, friend, family, or service provider you trust is at your door. It automatically unlocks the door and disarms the system for them, although you can set up time-based and event-based rules to limit their access. This shows ADT’s innovation, not just in home security but in home automation.

>> Related: Google Nest Cam (Battery) Review

ADT equipment was among the best we tested. In addition to security cameras, Google Nest also provides video doorbells and smart home equipment for ADT.1 Our package included one each of the indoor and outdoor cameras, a smart video doorbell, and the Google Nest Hub Max — a smart display. You can read our independent Nest Hub Max review for more details, or you can check out our guide to the Google Nest Cam.

Of course, ADT primarily offers security and safety equipment, and it’s got that part well-covered. We bought motion sensors, door and window sensors, glass break sensors, and even smoke alarms.

What some might not like though is that ADT requires a fee for professional installation of those components. Even weirder, they’re the same devices in the ADT Self Setup offering, which is completely DIY. So see our ADT Self Setup review if you’re looking to save on installation fees. That said, we like professional installation, especially from ADT. It’s one of the best professionally installed systems. So if you don’t mind paying an installation fee, the service is well worth it.

>> Check Out: DIY vs. Professionally Installed Security Systems

FYI: ADT’s new ADT Plus system can be installed DIY or by a technician. It essentially merges ADT’s DIY and professionally installed systems into one system that offers the same components. We’ll update this review once we finish testing ADT Plus, but given that it offers the same components and features as the system we tested (with a few additions), ADT remains our top pick.

Another aspect of ADT that some might view as a drawback is that all ADT systems require professional monitoring. If you’re looking to save by self-monitoring, ADT isn’t for you. Again, we’d recommend a DIY option like SimpliSafe or ADT Self Setup. But if you want the best protection possible, ADT is an excellent choice. It has the largest monitoring network in the country with 12 state of the art monitoring centers, each with backup generators and communications. In comparison, Vivint (#3 on this list) has only two facilities,2 and Frontpoint (#6 on this list) outsources the job to Rapid Response.3

With ADT monitoring, we got response times of between 30 to 45 seconds after an alarm is triggered. That’s pretty good. We would have preferred it a little bit faster (around 15 seconds), but that’s the industry average. At least we had peace of mind in knowing that ADT’s monitoring centers are always online thanks to their redundancy.

>> Compare: Vivint vs. ADT Home Security Systems

ADT’s prices were reasonable. As we alluded to earlier, our system with security sensors and a few smart home gadgets and security cameras cost us about $800. It sounds expensive, but we’re paying that over the course of 24 months (about $35 monthly), so it’s easier on the wallet. You can even choose to pay over 36 or 60 months.

Besides the equipment fee, set aside a budget for professional monitoring, which is required. We signed a three-year agreement at $44.99 per month for the top-tier monitoring plan. That’s more than reasonable. Companies like Vivint and Frontpoint charge $50 per month for their top-tier plans, although, there are options cheaper than ADT. For example, SimpliSafe’s highest plan costs only $29.99 monthly.

Finally, we paid a little over $100 for the professional installation service. This was required when we tested the system, but the new ADT Plus system we mentioned earlier lets you choose whether to DIY (free) or go with professional installation (with a fee). A new, remotely-guided DIY setup (also free) is now also available.

ADT isn’t the most affordable home security system. But if you’re looking for top-notch protection with quality equipment and reliable monitoring, our personal experience assures us that it’s a good choice.

>> Discount Guide: ADT Deals and Discounts for 2024

We enjoyed several user-friendly features during our month-long test of ADT, but our favorite was the ADT Control app. To be honest, we used the app more than the touchscreen control panel because it offers more control options. It lets us manage our smart home devices (the smart bulbs, smart lock, and smart thermostat we paired to ADT), arm and disarm the system conveniently from anywhere, and monitor our security cameras.

We also liked the SMART monitoring feature – basically a group chat for our family circle where we could collectively confirm or cancel an alarm. It’s a nice feature that can speed up and make alarm responses more efficient.

SimpliSafe offers the versatility that ADT does not. Users can choose to install the system themselves or have a technician do it. And even if you choose the DIY route, SimpliSafe is easy to work with and scalable. It’s actually our favorite DIY security system right now.

SimpliSafe also gives you the option to self-monitor or get a professional monitoring plan. We like SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect professional monitoring in particular. It’s one of the few services that offer live monitoring for security cameras, in addition to video verification. There are also no long-term contracts. You can upscale or downscale your monitoring service according to your budget and needs. We’ve had a SimpliSafe system for three years now, and whenever we need to test it, we just reactivate our monitoring plan and pay for one month at a time. We’re all about the flexibility.

FYI: SimpliSafe never once asked us to sign a contract, but subscription offerings are paid for on a monthly basis. If you sign up and decide to cancel one week in, your monitoring plan will remain active for the rest of the month that you paid for.

Each SimpliSafe base station supports up to 100 devices, meaning that SimpliSafe is scalable. It also covers all the bases as long as we’re talking about security and safety. It has motion, door, and glass break sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors, and even temperature monitors. However, it notably lacks a garage door sensor. It also lacks any smart home offerings besides a smart lock that’s always out of stock.

For video monitoring, we relied on three SimpliSafe cameras. First was the wireless indoor camera (Smart Alarm) that monitored our living room. Then outside, we positioned the outdoor camera in the backyard and the hardwired video doorbell to monitor the front door. SimpliSafe offers enough equipment to secure your home indoors and outdoors.

>> See It Here: SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro Review

You can self-monitor SimpliSafe, but there are good reasons that we recommend grabbing a monitoring plan, one of which is cellular backup. SimpliSafe relies on your Wi-Fi to send alerts, and if your internet provider is anything like ours, that connection is not always dependable. With a monitoring plan, the system will be able to send alerts offline via cellular signals. That’s called cellular backup, and SimpliSafe is one of the best cellular systems out there.

SimpliSafe’s more advanced monitoring options, Core, Pro, and Pro Plus, also include interesting features, particularly Live Guard Protection. In the event of an emergency, SimpliSafe agents will be able to access your indoor camera feed and two-way talk to dissuade the intruder and verify the alarm. Within 20 seconds of tripping our door sensor, our Smart Alarm’s privacy cover snapped open and an agent started talking to us through the camera’s speakers. It was a little creepy even to us, so imagine if that happened to an actual burglar.

Pro Tip: The Pro and Pro Plus plan enables Live Guard Protection-like monitoring on the outdoor camera. Pro is best for overnight protection as it only allows outdoor monitoring between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. (local time). Pro Plus, on the other hand, enables around-the-clock outdoor camera monitoring.

>> See More: The Best Self-Monitored Security Systems

SimpliSafe is somewhere in the middle in terms of equipment cost. It’s cheaper than traditional systems like ADT and Vivint, but it’s a little pricier than some DIY options like Cove.

Fortunately, SimpliSafe deals abound all year round. It’s common to see SimpliSafe equipment packages go for 20 to 60 percent off. On a regular day, though, expect to pay at least $250 for a basic package (one hub, one keypad, one door/window sensor, one motion sensor). To give you one of our insider tips, this $250 package regularly comes with a free indoor security camera while getting discounted to under $125. Our 14-piece kit with cameras and a video doorbell cost us just over $500, which we paid upfront. Much like ADT, though, you can finance your equipment but only for up to 24 months. There’s also a $150 minimum order required to finance equipment.

Other than the equipment fee, there were no mandatory fees to use SimpliSafe. DIY installation cost us nil. Professional monitoring was also optional, but we highly recommend it. Here’s SimpliSafe’s pricing:

FYI: The Pro Plus plan sounds expensive – and it is – but for the features it offers, it’s actually cheaper than similar options on the market. Deep Sentinel, for example, charges a minimum of $100 per month to monitor one outdoor camera similar to what SimpliSafe does.

SimpliSafe is built on simplicity, so before buying one, make sure it’s the type of system you want. You’re not going to get a touchscreen control panel and a bunch of home automation features from it. Instead, you’ll rely on a semi-digital keypad and an app to control your security system.

But as far as the user experience goes, we loved our SimpliSafe system, especially its responsiveness. It arms and disarms quickly – almost instantaneously when using the keypad. It has a loud 105 dB siren. It also has backup power and cellular connectivity for when the power and internet goes out. That cellular connectivity requires a monitoring plan. Still, SimpliSafe is simple and reliable.

Vivint’s equipment – like the tablet-like, wall-mounted panel above – is smarter and more advanced than that of SimpliSafe. (See our Vivint vs. SimpliSafe comparison.) We can best describe Vivint as a smart home security system because of its extensive automation capabilities. And of course, a system like that requires expertise to set up. Fortunately, Vivint offers professional installation services that rival ADT.

We can best describe Vivint as a smart home security system. The equipment makes advanced capabilities like seamless and customizable home automation possible. As you can probably imagine, installing such a system requires effort and expertise. Fortunately, Vivint offers professional installation. That’s the only way you can have a Vivint system installed in your home.

>> Compare: Vivint vs SimpliSafe

We’ve had several Vivint systems installed over the years and it has been consistently good. The service consists of an expert consultation where the technician looks at the key areas of protection, followed by the installation. After that, the technician showed us a welcome video on his tablet and explained how the system works. That level of service added to Vivint’s premium feel.

>> Learn More: The Best Professionally Installed Security Systems

Vivint has sensors, some smart home devices like smart thermostats and smart locks, and smoke alarms for fire protection. It’s all pretty standard.; that is, until you get to the security cameras. In our opinion, Vivint cameras are the smartest in the industry.

We say that because of the Smart Deter feature. When we tested the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, we saw it use AI to detect people just like the Nest Cams do. On top of that, it uses rules and algorithms to detect suspicious behavior.

For example, when a neighbor stopped in front of our yard to admire our Halloween decorations (we presume), Vivint warned us that there could be a lurker on our property. He had been standing there for a couple of minutes, which the camera thought suspicious.

More than that, Vivint takes a proactive approach to deterring crime. We made a rule that anytime anyone stays on our property for more than two minutes, Vivint would sound an ear-piercing warning tone. Sure enough, it activated when it detected our neighbor and it drove him away. Don’t worry; we apologized afterwards and explained the situation.

>> Also See: Vivint Doorbell Camera Review

Vivint requires professional monitoring and, unfortunately, a monitoring contract. This contract can be up to five years long, depending on your equipment payment plan. The only way to avoid signing a contract is to pay off the equipment upfront. And as you’ll see in a minute, that isn’t the most practical route to take.

On top of that, Vivint doesn’t give customers much leeway before the contract takes full effect. Customers have only three days to cancel to avoid penalties, unlike SimpliSafe that has a 60-day money-back option. This isn’t a deal breaker for us, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Was Vivint’s monitoring worth it, at least? Of course! It wouldn’t have made this list if it weren’t. In fact, it’s better than most systems because Vivint has two monitoring centers. There’s one in Utah and another in Minnesota. We know that’s not as many as ADT’s nine facilities nationwide, but Vivint’s monitoring centers have proven themselves fast, responding to our simulated break-ins within 30 to 60 seconds.

>> Learn More: Vivint FAQ

So far, we’ve shown you that Vivint can go toe-to-toe with ADT, our #1 pick. It’s even better than ADT in terms of security camera technology and home automation (as you’ll see below). So why isn’t it our top pick? We’re not going to sugarcoat it: Vivint is a bit pricey. The outdoor camera from earlier cost us $399.99. The indoor camera and video doorbell, both of which have the same AI features, each cost $249.99. That’s nearly double the standard outdoor, indoor, and doorbell camera prices in the industry.

Of course, the Vivint cameras offer better features than most options out there, so if you can afford them, they are a solid pick. Vivint’s monitoring plan pricing is also affordable, or at least within industry norms. We paid $49.99 per month for monitoring with home automation and video security. That’s the same as we paid for our Frontpoint system, another solid option but whose cameras aren’t as good as Vivint’s. So overall, we got good bang for our buck.

That said, watch out for the installation fee. It can cost up to $200 if you’re having security cameras installed. That’s $200 that you could better spend on additional equipment. But if you’re willing to wait, Vivint occasionally offers free installation deals. Check out our page on Vivint deals for more information on that, or stay tuned for our Vivint Black Friday 2024 updates. Last time we saw a free installation offer was last year’s Black Friday.

Vivint may seem like a complex system at first, what with all that talk about the system’s advanced automation and smart features from the cameras. But in reality, it’s user-friendly. It’s the type of system you can set and forget. And because it’s installed by an expert, there’s not much setting up to do. We programmed our system to arm everyday at 11 p.m., making sure it’s armed before we sleep. We also have lights that turn on when our front door sensor is triggered. Its automation-rich app might make Vivint seem complicated to use, but in our opinion, those automations are exactly the reason that Vivint is user-friendly.

Alder flies under the radar, but it’s a good option for those who want a professionally monitored system but are looking to save money with DIY installation. It’s because of that that we think it’s a good ADT alternative. Alder is more affordable than ADT, yet it offers one of the fastest monitoring response times in the industry. More on that later.

As for the overall quality of the security system, Alder is a notch lower than our top three picks. It doesn’t make its own equipment like SimpliSafe does; it doesn’t offer as many equipment options as Vivint; and while it gets cameras from a third party like ADT does, Alder’s cameras are from eufy. eufy is a solid brand (we tested the eufy 2K camera), but it’s not on the same level as the Nest Cams ADT uses.

We were satisfied with the options we got from Alder. When we called to get a quote, the sales rep offered us security sensors; safety sensors; some accessories, like panic buttons and remote key fobs; and indoor and outdoor cameras made by eufy. We agreed to get one of each, and two days later, they all arrived in a well-packaged box, ready for DIY installation.

Although it was a DIY system, Alder was nice enough to pair everything for us before sending us the package. All that’s left to do after unboxing was to turn on and mount the sensors. We did things methodically, starting with the touchscreen control panel and then pairing the sensors one by one. All in all, it took us less than 35 minutes. Alder’s DIY installation rivaled SimpliSafe (our #1 DIY pick).

>> Related: Are Wireless Security Systems Reliable?

We were eager to test Alder’s professional monitoring service because in 2017, it reportedly had a response time almost 10 times faster (3.4 seconds) than the industry average (30 seconds).4 It wasn’t as fast as that in our actual testing, but it was indeed faster than most. In all three instances where we purposely triggered the alarm, we were on the phone with an agent in less than 20 seconds. That surpassed our results from ADT (30 to 45 seconds) and Vivint (30 to 60 seconds).

It’s worth noting, however, that Alder’s monitoring plans don’t include smart home features. In fact, it doesn’t look like the Nintendo Switch-looking control panel supports home automation at all, so if smart home security is what you’re looking for, look elsewhere.

>> See Here: The Best Smart Home Security Systems

You won’t find any pricing information on Alder online, so calling to get a quote is the only option. To our surprise, they charged us only $150 for the comprehensive system we got. According to the bill, they charged us only for the smoke alarm and the outdoor camera. The rest of the equipment – the motion sensor, door sensor, control panel, and key fob – was all free. Or was it?

The catch was that we had to sign a three-year monitoring agreement, and for the features it offered, we believe the cost of those “free” pieces was rolled into the $55 monthly fee. Most companies that charge that much per month include smart home features. Vivint, Frontpoint, and ADT are some examples. Alder doesn’t offer any such features. By our estimate, about $10 to $15 of that monthly fee goes to the equipment cost. That’s about $350 to $450 in three years. Still a fair price.

>> For Reference: How Much Is a Home Security System?

Alder’s unique-looking touchscreen control panel was the highlight of our user experience. It doesn’t take much to learn how to navigate it. That’s partly because it doesn’t offer many custom features, but also because it’s really intuitive. It combines physical buttons and touchscreen control. For example, that call button on the right of the screen is a quick-access panic button. We also like that it has voice prompts – it comes handy if you or someone you live with has vision impairment.

And lastly, all the controls you’d ever need for your Alder system are packed into the touchscreen panel’s interface. You can arm and disarm the system, test your sensors individually, create zones, and more. It may not be as advanced as Vivint’s control panel (the gold standard in our opinion), but we found that Alder’s keypad is solid all around.

A security system doesn’t have to be expensive to be good; we’ve seen that many times today, but none compares to Cove’s affordability. We’ll go more into the details of that later on. All we will say for now is that we got a comprehensive security system for less than $300. That’s hard to beat.

Cove is a DIY system that requires professional monitoring. In that regard, it’s similar to Alder and — as you’ll see after this — Frontpoint. We think Cove is a better option for renters than homeowners, though, due to its limited equipment. Nonetheless, it’s the best option available if you want a reliable security system without breaking the bank.

>> Other Options: Affordable Home Security Systems

We noticed that Cove’s equipment is exactly the same as Alder’s, from the control panel to the eufy cameras. In fact, we didn’t bother buying cameras from Cove because we already tested the same cameras from Alder. That’s kind of a normal thing in the industry though. Many brands offer equipment from the same suppliers. Very few actually do their own research and development, like SimpliSafe and Vivint. So Cove seemingly “copying” Alder’s equipment wasn’t a dealbreaker to us.

What’s more important is that Cove can protect homes. It offers enough types of sensors to detect security and safety threats.

Cove requires a professional monitoring subscription, but the service is contract-free. What that means is you can cancel your monitoring anytime without penalties. Just bear in mind that Cove won’t work without service. It’s not a self-monitored security system, unlike SimpliSafe.

Cove’s monitoring offers 24/7 live monitoring, cellular backup, and security camera access. We went for the cheaper option, Cove Basic, because we didn’t buy any cameras. But if your system comes with security cameras, be sure to buy Cove Plus. It costs $10 more per month than Cove Basic but includes video verification and cloud video storage.

>> Learn More: The Best Contract-Free Home Security Systems and Services

Cove’s biggest selling point is the low cost of its equipment and monitoring. Basic costs $17.99 per month, while Plus costs $27.99. Cove’s pricing is $2 cheaper than the SimpliSafe plans and offers similar features.

As for the equipment, while we had to pay for it upfront, we got a massive discount. Cove packages were at 60 percent off at the time of our purchase, so we got a security system that originally cost over $500 for only $260. We suggest timing your purchase to get a deal as good as ours. Cove runs monthly deals that range from 20 to 65 percent off.

Even on a regular day, you won’t spend much on equipment. Door sensors cost $15 each, compared to ADT’s door sensors, which cost $50 each. Motion sensors cost $30 from Cove; ADT’s cost $100. Just from those examples, we can see that Cove is around three times more affordable than the competition, even without discounts.

Given they have the same equipment, Cove gave us the same level of usability as Alder. Alder’s app gave us slightly more customizability, but Cove stood out for its uniquely low monthly fees. Since we didn’t get any cameras from Cove, we paid only $17.99 per month for security and fire monitoring. No other top-tier security system we tested offers professional monitoring at that price point. The only one that comes close is SimpliSafe’s $19.99 Standard plan. Because it’s so cheap to use, we believe Cove is a top option for folks who want a monitored security system for a fraction of its usual cost.

Frontpoint is another DIY option with a non-negotiable professional monitoring service. The monitoring subscription is packaged with the system, and unlike Cove, there’s a three-year contract. That’s not ideal for some people, but if you’re looking for a monitored system anyway, you can add Frontpoint to the list of systems to consider.

What stood out the most during our testing was Frontpoint’s customer service. Even in the early 2010s, Frontpoint was already known for its customer-friendly policies. It took things up a notch lately by adding live chat support and extending phone support hours to as late as 11 p.m. (EST). Those are vital for a DIY system. You’re doing all the work yourself, so you deserve to have easy access to support whenever you need it.

Frontpoint doesn’t make its own equipment, but instead gets it from reputable suppliers like Alarm.com, GE, and Honeywell. It also offers smart home equipment and security cameras from various brands, such as Yale, Kwikset, and SkyBell. The SkyBell Video Doorbell we reviewed is the same one Frontpoint offers.

The best Frontpoint component we tested by far was the hub itself. It was roughly the size of the PlayStation 1 we had growing up, but it was packed with features. It had a 24-hour battery backup, built-in cellular chip, and wireless modules for Zigbee and Z-Wave, both used for smart home connectivity. You can connect Zigbee and Z-Wave smart home devices to the hub even if they didn’t come from Frontpoint.

FYI: While you can add third-party smart home equipment to your Frontpoint system, you might not be able to access all features from the Frontpoint app. The hub and the app have pre-set controls for certain types of smart devices only (e.g. temperature adjustment for smart thermostats).

One thing we really didn’t like about Frontpoint was the universal pricing of its monitoring plan. All customers have to pay a $49.99 monthly monitoring fee, regardless of the types of equipment you have. In contrast, ADT, SimpliSafe, Vivint, Alder, and Cove all have at least two monitoring options. Frontpoint offers only one.

That option, which used to be called the Ultimate Plan, offers everything from monitoring and smartphone access to home automation and cloud video storage. It bode well for us because we had cameras, a smart thermostat, and a smart lock from Frontpoint installed. Our monitoring subscription gave us access to home automation and video security, in addition to professional monitoring. But just know, if you’re looking to get a more basic system – no automation and cameras – you might not get your money’s worth.

>> Compare: ADT vs. Frontpoint

Frontpoint’s fixed monitoring rate is $49.99 per month. That’s a good price if you’re able to utilize all its features. You’ll want to buy security cameras and smart home devices to do that.

That said, if you’re buying only sensors and some basic equipment (smoke alarms, water leak detector, etc.), it’s not worth it. Professional monitoring without smart home and video features typically costs $30 per month or less. ADT’s Essential plan costs $24.99 per month, for example. That means if you buy a basic Frontpoint system, you’ll pay nearly twice the industry average for monitoring.

As for equipment, we think Frontpoint’s pricing is competitive. We started with a basic system for $129 — a hub, a keypad, and a couple of door sensors — and added sensors for $35 to $75 each depending on the type. Frontpoint’s cameras are all over $100 ($119 to $299), so the cost can quickly stack up. In total, our Frontpoint system cost us more than $600.

There are two sides to our Frontpoint user experience. On one hand, it was easy to arm and disarm the system using either the app or the keypad. On the other hand, the keypad’s lack of a screen means it can’t do much else besides that. That’s why we had to rely heavily on the Frontpoint app, which was fortunately very intuitive. It was through the app that we accessed our cameras and controlled our smart home equipment. Additionally, it was the only home security app we tested with built-in geofencing. It arms the system when you leave a geofenced radius and disarms it when you get back inside. Not even our top smart home security pick, Vivint, offers that feature.

Brinks was a big name in home security back in the 1990s, and after a couple decades of silence, it has been making a resurgence lately. Now, it offers wireless security systems with a strong focus on smart home integrations.

We’re big fans of Alexa and Google Assistant. You can see as much if you read our Echo Show 8 review and Nest Hub review. With the security system we got from Brinks, we were able to control and monitor our home security using both smart displays. That, plus Brinks’ integration with third-party smart home brands like Kwikset (smart locks), myQ (garage door controller), and Alarm.com, makes it the best option for smart home enthusiasts.

Brinks offers the whole shebang in terms of equipment — from sensors to smart home products. It actually provides more smart home automation options than any other system we tested, given that it has smart garage door controllers in its lineup.

At the center of our Brinks system was the touch screen control panel, which functioned as a hub and then some. For example, it doubled as a glass break sensor, alerting our phones when we accidentally dropped and broke a salad bowl. It also had a built-in camera designed to capture snapshots whenever someone enters the wrong disarm PIN. If someone’s secretly trying to guess your PIN, you’d know. It’s those little thoughtful features that made Brinks a sensible choice.

Thankfully, unlike Frontpoint, Brinks offers multiple levels of monitoring subscriptions. The cheapest option provides just smartphone access and professional monitoring. The mid-level option provides the same, plus smart home features (e.g., the ability to control Brinks using Alexa). The most expensive one, which is what we went for, adds access to cameras and video recording.

Brink’s monitoring was decently quick. It beat the 30-second industry average one time, but we clocked a 45- to 60-second response time from all the other tests. We’d say it’s about as fast as Vivint, but not as fast as ADT and certainly not Alder.

>> Compare: Brinks vs. ADT

Brinks’ pricing isn’t available on its website, and that lack of transparency might give some a pause, but in our experience, Brinks is an affordable option. We’d say its equipment costs about the same as Frontpoint’s, give or take $5 to $10. For example, Brinks quoted us $40 for a door sensor, which costs $35 from Frontpoint. The Brinks glass break sensor costs $80; it’s $75 from Frontpoint.

As for the monitoring rates, Brinks offers three levels. Based on the quote we got, the cheapest one is $39.99 per month, followed by $45.99, and $49.99 for the complete package.

We wouldn’t call it the most user-friendly security system, but Brinks is up there with the best of them in terms of usability. It has an easy-to-use touchscreen control panel that reminds us of the ADT control panel in design and size. It’s a low-profile, seven-inch touchscreen tablet. Brinks also offers its own app now, which it didn’t when we previously tested it. It used to offer the Alarm.com app. Now with the Brinks Home app, users can customize their systems, create basic automations using compatible smart home products, and customize the arming modes (i.e. set which sensors are active in home and away modes).

abode is SimpliSafe’s closest competition on this list. It’s a DIY system with professional and self-monitoring monitoring options, but unlike our No. 2 pick, abode offers multiple systems focused heavily on home automation.

Besides the diversity of abode’s offerings, we liked that it has flexible monitoring plans. Basic self-monitoring is always free, but there’s also a premium self-monitoring option and an affordable professional monitoring plan. Best of all, all those subscriptions are contract-free. We’ve been able to switch between professional and self-monitoring as needed without any penalties or hidden fees.

>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. abode

For any abode system, choosing a hub is always the first step. This part confused us at first, but we went with the most practical (but also most expensive) one: the Iota All-in-One hub. We call it practical because for just a few bucks more than the other hubs, we got one with a built-in camera and motion sensor. That’s good use of money and space.

After that, we built a system of sensors and cameras. Take note that abode offers only one choice for security cameras and another one for video doorbells. The camera works inside and outside the house, but we still think abode should have a dedicated outdoor camera.

>> Other Options: The Best Outdoor Security Cameras

Once we set up the DIY abode system, we were given the option to self-monitor for free, upgrade to a paid self-monitored plan, or buy a professional monitoring subscription. We recommend trying out each option since abode is one of the few companies that will let you do that, due to its being contract-free.

We started with free self-monitoring, which didn’t suit us because of its lack of access to home automation (one of the main selling points of abode). Next, we upgraded to the paid self-monitoring plan, which worked great at first. It gave us video recording options for our cameras plus automation through the CUE feature. However, it remained internet-reliant, so when our Wi-Fi cut out, our home was left unprotected for hours. That’s when we upgraded to the professional monitoring plan, which gave us cellular backup, 24/7 live monitoring, and priority customer support.

>> Check It Out: The Best Security Systems Without Monthly Fees

abode’s price is another strong selling point for the brand. The system is designed for scalability, since the hubs can handle up to 160 individual devices (60 more than the SimpliSafe base station). The compatible devices range from simple sensors to smart devices like smart lights. You can also pair your existing smart home equipment if it’s compatible with Zigbee or Z-Wave.

To encourage users to build out their systems, abode kept its pricing low — as low as $39.99 for the weatherproof Abode Cam 2 security camera. That’s almost on par with the Wyze Cam v3 we reviewed, one of the most affordable security cameras there is.

For monitoring, the premium self-monitoring plan costs $6.99 per month, but once you’re sure about it, we suggest going with a one-year subscription for $69.99 to save $14. The professional monitoring plan, on the other hand, costs $22.99 monthly, or $219.99 for one year (save over $50).

Abode’s lack of a touchscreen panel could pose a problem for homeowners who prefer a physical keypad over an app to control their systems. But we must say, abode’s app is a game-changer. We liked the CUE feature in particular – abode’s built-in automation engine. It rivaled Vivint’s custom home automation rules. In fact, you could say it’s slightly better because it supports more integrations. It can control Z-Wave and Zigbee devices that are compatible with the abode Iota hub, while the Vivint hub supports only Z-Wave. You’d need a Zigbee bridge to pair Zigbee devices to Vivint, and even then, only smart lights will work.

Our last entry on this list is Ring Alarm, and the reason it’s here isn’t just the security system itself, but the Ring brand as a whole. Ring is best known for its video doorbells and security cameras. We tested a number of its cameras ourselves, including the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. We can say that Ring’s security cameras are some of the best in the market.

Now, here’s where Ring Alarm comes in. In addition to working with the Ring cameras and video doorbells via the same app, the Ring Alarm covers areas the cameras don’t. More specifically, it focuses its protection indoors, while the cameras focus outdoors. They complement each other, which is why they are the best choice if you want extensive video security with a conventional home security system.

Ring Alarm equipment is pretty standard. There are security sensors and smoke alarms, but no smart home devices at all. Ring makes up for that with a bunch of security cameras and video doorbells, though.

For security cameras, Ring offers an indoor camera, a semi-outdoor camera called the Stick Up Cam (weather-resistant but not weatherproof), a spotlight-equipped camera, and a floodlight-equipped camera. For the outdoor models, including Stick Up Cam, you can choose from different power options (battery, plug-in, solar, or wired). You can access our review of the complete Ring lineup for more details.

For video doorbells, Ring offers eight models, from simple and affordable, like the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, to smart but slightly more expensive, like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2. There’s a selection of wired and battery-powered options, all of which we covered in our Ring Video Doorbell review.

Monitoring was completely optional, but we highly suggest getting a Ring Protect Pro subscription, especially if you’re buying security cameras. Protect Pro includes 24/7 monitoring. Ring monitored our security system (but not the cameras like Deep Sentinel did), but on top of that, it also provided cloud video storage for our Ring cameras. It doesn’t matter how many cameras you have, they will all have cloud storage.

We recommend the Protect Pro plan because of the cost. We paid only $20 per month, and there were no contracts to sign. That’s a good deal, considering that the cloud video storage alone costs $10 per month if bought separately. That means we were essentially paying just $10 per month for professional monitoring. That’s hard to beat.

As for the equipment, however, prepare to spend at least a few hundred bucks. The smallest kit costs $200, which is good for small homes or apartments only. It includes only one motion sensor and one door sensor, plus the hub, keypad, and a wireless range extender.

If you want to save, we suggest getting bundles. The bundles typically include a Ring Alarm starter kit (five to 14 pieces), a security camera, and a video doorbell. The price range is from $300 to $700.

>> Learn More: Ring’s Pricing, Monitoring Plans, and Packages

The Ring App puts camera feeds front and center, making it easy to visually monitor your surroundings. Ring made sure not to push aside the Ring Alarm, though. You can choose an arming mode (Disarm, Home, Away) at the top part of the app’s interface. Better yet, you can make the Ring cameras arm the same time you arm your Ring Alarm. That ties them all together as one comprehensive system rather than just individual devices from the same brand.

We have just presented you 10 really good options from our latest round of home security system testing, but we know each home is unique. What works for you might not work for your neighbor, and what we deemed the best might not actually be the best option for you.

We designed this entire page to help you narrow down your options and select the most suitable system for your unique needs. Here’s the ‘cheat sheet’ for how to best use this guide.

>> For More Information: The Complete Guide to Home Security Systems

Our team is composed of both homeowners and renters, so we know firsthand that someone’s living situation has a strong impact on their decision-making. After all, someone renting an apartment might have different security needs than someone who lives in a home they own.

This page is a general guide to choosing a security system. We also have guides for specific living situations, preferences, and property type. Check them out:

Ideally, we’d all choose a security system that offers the equipment and features we need no matter the price, but not all of us have that financial freedom. The more realistic approach is to set a budget and go from there. But how much budget do you need to get one of the top security systems?

All security systems require equipment, and it’s not free. It can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000, depending on the size, type of equipment, and brand.

The cheapest comprehensive security system we got was from Cove, which cost us about $260 after discounts. One thing we’ve learned over the years is that when alarm companies offer discounts, it’s almost always for the equipment. Take advantage of that. Time your purchase. For example, there are home security Black Friday deals in November and Prime Day deals for SimpliSafe and other DIY brands that offer products on Amazon in July and October.

Another thing we’ve learned is that you don’t always have to buy the equipment upfront. Most companies today offer flexible financing options managed in-house or by a third party. If shelling out hundreds of dollars right away isn’t ideal for you, you can use financing to pay the equipment fee monthly over a period of up to five years.

Once you have your equipment, the next part is installation. Now, if you go with a DIY system and set up the equipment yourself, you won’t have to pay an installation fee. However, if you go with a professionally installed system, it will likely range from $100 to $200 — again, depending on the system size, type of equipment, and brand.

There are a few options that offer free installation from time to time, like Vivint during the Vivint Black Friday sale last year. Timing your purchase, if possible, is also the key here.

Lastly, we have the monitoring cost. We recommend professional monitoring, which unfortunately always requires a monthly service fee. The cost can range from as low as $17.99 (from Cove) to $100 or more (from Deep Sentinel), but on average, it costs $30 to $60 per month depending on what the service includes.

Watch out for the contract, though. Some alarm companies require a contract of between three to five years, during which you can’t cancel the service. If you have to cancel, you’ll be charged an early-termination fee. If you’re not sure that paying $30 to $60 per month is viable, look for no-contract monitoring options like the one from SimpliSafe, Cove, abode, and Ring Alarm. Those companies will let you opt out anytime.

Unlike before, where you had to pay a one-time activation fee to activate a system, most security systems today don’t have hidden fees. That said, your local city or state might require you to get an alarm permit, which can cost you between $25 and $100. That’s especially true for monitored security systems with police dispatch. Your local police department might also impose fines for police dispatch caused by false alarms, so be sure to keep your system in tip-top condition.

On the other side of the fence, you might also be able to save money just by having a security system. Insurance companies often offer discounts on homeowners insurance to homeowners with a monitored security system. Talk to your insurance advisor and ask if they have such offers and, if they do, which specific security systems would make you eligible.

>> Learn More: Are Security Systems Tax Deductible?

To cap off this guide, allow us to give you a glimpse into our testing process and the factors we consider when choosing a security system to recommend.

First, we look at the equipment available from each brand. A security system usually includes:

Some security systems also offer smart home devices like smart locks and smart lights.

Once we know what types of equipment are offered, we plan and build out our system. For our tests, we usually buy security sensors, safety sensors, security cameras, and video doorbells so we can get a feel of what the system is fully capable of.

Next, we assess the cost. Most brands now have pricing on their website, making our lives infinitely easier. However, some still require buyers to get a quote over the phone.

We try to learn as much about the cost and buying process before actually purchasing a security system, as should you. We research or ask about the warranty, refund policy, contract, cancellation policy, moving policy, whether or not there’s a credit check, and so on. Once we’re ready, we make a purchase.

>> Learn More: How to Cancel a Security System Contract

The next factor we assess is the installation, which can be either DIY or professional. Like we said earlier, we’re divided. Some of us prefer DIY; others prefer it done by technicians. We know the same is true among our readers, so when testing security systems, we take an impartial stance on installation methods.

For DIY systems, we assess them based on the user-friendliness, ease of setup, availability of customer support, and so on. For professionally installed systems, we judge them based on cost and the quality of the service.

Once a security system is installed, we test it for a few weeks and sometimes up to three months. That way, we can really familiarize ourselves with the system and see how effective it is at deterring crimes. We perform break-in simulations to test things like the range of motion sensors, how loud the sirens are, how quickly the system reacts, and if the system has any weaknesses or blind spots.

Of course, as part of our test of features, we also spend a considerable amount of time with the app. The app is usually where we monitor, access, and control a security system, so it’s important that it also works reliably.

>> Related: The Best Security Systems With an App

Almost every security system offers professional monitoring, so even if it’s optional for some, we always test the monitoring service of the systems we test. Some of the things we look at are:

We also do break-in simulations for this part of the test.

Lastly, we assess the customer service and support. Good customer service is often underappreciated, but we believe it’s necessary for your peace of mind. After all, it’s easier to trust that a company will be there for you during a crisis when you can see it’s there for you during non-emergent situations, like when there’s something wrong with your security system.

To gain firsthand experience with a company’s customer service, we reach out with questions. We try different contact methods, such as phone, email, and live chat. We note how quickly they respond as well as how well they handle our queries.

We also take a look at the company’s policies, and sometimes we get to test if its money-back guarantee is valid.

Choosing a security system is a very personal decision, but that doesn’t mean you can’t seek the help of experts. Our goal is to help you find the best security system for you, so we conduct these tests every year to give you up-to-date information on the best security systems currently available.

Security systems aren’t our only focus, though. We also test out security cameras, video doorbells, and other home and personal security products. We want everyone to be as safe and secure as possible, so here are our lists of the best security cameras and the top video doorbells of 2024.

Overall, SimpliSafe and Cove topped our list of the most affordable security systems. Cove is slightly more affordable, but SimpliSafe offers better protection because it has a more well-rounded selection of equipment and more advanced professional monitoring features.

The best smart home security system is Vivint. Vivint works with Alexa and Google Assistant as well as IoT devices from other companies. That includes everything from Kwikset smart locks to Nest thermostats to smart Philips Hue lamps and bulbs. We created automated triggers and controlled everything from the Vivint Smart Home app.

These devices aren’t necessary, per se. But installing outdoor security cameras and a doorbell camera can help you to monitor the exterior of your home and ward off package thieves. So, in some ways, they are necessary, especially if you’re looking for complete home protection.

Almost all of our top-pick security systems work with Alexa. Because we are smart home enthusiasts, Alexa (and Google Assistant) integration is important to us, which is why we picked the best systems that work with smart home platforms.

If you sign up for professional monitoring, you can expect to pay between $30 to $40 per month on average. That said, some companies offer monitoring for $10 to $20 per month, and others charge $50 to $60 for monthly monitoring. But, if you choose a self-monitored security system, you won’t pay a dime for professional monitoring.

Google. (2020). A partnership with ADT for smarter home security.blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-smarter-home-security/

Vivint. (2021). Vivint Smart Home Named the TMA Monitoring Center of the Year for 2021.vivint.com/company/newsroom/press/vivint-named-tma-monitoring-center-of-the-year-2021

Frontpoint. (2010). How Do Home Security Monitoring Centers Work.frontpointsecurity.com/blog/whos-monitoring-your-alarm-system-247

Alder. (2024). Home Security.alder.com/home-security/