Best Home Security Systems That Work With Google Home

Our Experience Testing ADT

ADT doesn’t just work with Google Home; it has a full-on partnership with Google. ADT now offers Google Nest cameras with each plan, and the two companies have jointly designed a security system as well, the ADT Plus. ADT installers are now trained to optimize your ADT system’s connection to the Google Home platform. And if you use ADT’s mobile app, you get full Google Home functionality.

We’ve always preferred Google Nest Cams over ADT’s security camera range.

What does all of that mean? It means that your system’s capabilities are virtually endless. We invested in some of the best smart locks, then set our system up so all we needed to do was say, “Unlock the front door,” to make it happen. You can get even fancier by connecting your locks to other smart home products, like your ADT video doorbell (see more in our ADT video doorbell review). Then, operate the whole shebang from your phone.

That said, ADT isn’t the cheapest option on the market. Professional monitoring plans start around $24.99 per month for basic coverage, while the top-tier plan with video monitoring begins at $39.99 per month. You can finance the equipment instead of paying for everything upfront. But this means signing up to an ADT contract, which has a minimum length of 36 months.

Market Comparison: Best Alternatives to ADT Systems

Google Functions

Once you’ve paired your ADT system with Google Home, you can operate the entire system with your “Hey, Google” commands. Use your voice to pull up camera footage, adjust your thermostat, and control the locks on your doors. But the best feature is Trusted Neighbor, which is exclusive to ADT’s highest-tier professional monitoring plan. Trusted Neighbor leverages the Nest Cam’s Familiar Faces to disarm security systems and unlock doors for registered visitors. We use it for our dog walker so they can enter and exit with ease while we’re at work.

Installation

ADT now offers flexible installation options to fit different budgets and preferences. While professional installation can add up to $200 to your upfront costs, certified technicians handle the setup to ensure it is done correctly. If you prefer a DIY approach, ADT’s self-installation systems come with step-by-step instructions and full Google Home integration.

Like the rest of ADT’s Google Nest range, the Floodlight Cam is easy to install.

Pricing

ADT has made home security more accessible with competitive pricing on both equipment and monitoring. ADT system prices start at $269, making professional-grade security more affordable than ever.

Monthly monitoring plans begin at $25 per month for the Self Setup plan, significantly lower than ADT’s historical pricing. There are also a decent amount of ADT deals and discounts to check out.

>> Keep Reading: ADT review

Our Experience Testing Vivint

The centerpiece of Vivint’s system is its touchscreen hub. We configured ours as a monitoring station to watch our dog’s activities while preparing meals. The two-way audio feature on the indoor camera proved useful for gentle reminders when he tried climbing onto the furniture. Vivint’s complete Google Home integration enabled seamless system control from any room in our house.

Vivint’s equipment is state-of-the-art, which is why it requires professional installation.

Vivint’s indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras use AI technology to distinguish between animals and people, significantly reducing false alarms—particularly valuable for pet owners like us. These cameras include standard premium features like two-way audio and full HD resolution. Despite their advanced capabilities, the outdoor cameras are built to withstand various environmental conditions. It’s one of the reasons Vivint tops our list of the best outdoor security systems.

Google Functions

Similar to ADT, Vivint works with Google Home to arm your system, manage lighting, adjust thermostat settings, and control door locks. The convenience of checking lock status by simply asking, “Hey, Google. Is the Vivint front door locked?” proved invaluable during our testing. Even better, voice commands like “Hey Google. Lock our front door” provided instant security if we forgot to lock it.

Installation

Since the equipment is so technologically advanced, it’s not as easy to install as the top three Vivint alternatives. But you’re better off with professional installation anyway. You can be sure that sensors and cameras will be perfectly positioned, and your friendly Vivint installer can troubleshoot your system for you. They’ll even integrate your system into Google Home.

Here’s Don, my Vivint technician, installing the Vivint Window Sensor

Pricing

All this technology comes with a significant investment. Vivint offers customized packages, with equipment costs varying based on your selections. Professional installation is typically included with new system purchases. Monitoring plans start at $24.99 per month, and the costs add up quickly. Additionally, you’re locked into at least a 36-month Vivint contract when financing equipment. You’ll also need to contact customer service for detailed equipment prices, since Vivint doesn’t list them on their website.

Our Experience Testing Cove

Cove’s equipment often costs half as much as competitors. Monitoring is also reasonable—at just $29.99 per month, you get full Google Home integration and all the bells and whistles. Plus, Cove is the first system on this list that doesn’t require a monthly contract. However, like ADT, using security cameras requires the most expensive monitoring plan.

Cove’s cameras are smaller than Nest Cams, but they can pan and tilt to maximize coverage.

The first thing we noticed when reviewing Cove was how easy it is to get started. Our Cove system arrived preprogrammed, so it was ready to go out of the box. With 3M adhesives included, the whole thing took around 20 minutes. Testing the system took a little longer because we kept debating whether to mount our indoor camera on the wall or put it on an end table.

Cove’s equipment isn’t as high-tech as ADT or Vivint. The indoor cameras, for instance, lack built-in AI, and the hub feels a little clunky. Still, if you’re looking for an affordable home security system that integrates with Google Home, Cove offers good bang for your buck.

Dig Deeper: Best Wireless Security Systems

Google Functions

Like ADT and Vivint, Cove lets you arm and disarm your system using your voice. You can also access footage and review event history. We viewed security camera footage on our Android tablet, which has a better view than our phone. It was easier to zoom in on smaller details and scrub through footage. However, aside from voice control, there’s not much else you can do with your Cove system via Google Home.

Installation

Cove’s default is self-installation. You can get professional installation if you need it, with prices starting from $129. But we recommend saving your money. Installing your own home security system with Cove is a lot easier than you think. You let Cove know what your home setup is when you order, and all the equipment comes preprogrammed. It can take a little more time to get Google Home connected, but that has more to do with talking to Google Home than it does with anything on Cove’s end.

Cove’s equipment is preprogrammed, so all we had to do was decide where to put our devices.

Pricing

Cove makes it easy to order only the equipment you need. You can build a system from the ground up, or answer a questionnaire about your living situation for device recommendations. All the equipment from Cove is low-priced, sometimes as much as half of what you’d pay with other companies. Cove’s outdoor camera, for instance, costs $129.99, about $70 less than the price of SimpliSafe’s outdoor camera. Or compare Cove’s entry sensor price to Ring’s. Cove’s charges $15. A comparable entry sensor from Ring Alarm costs $20.

Our Experience Testing Brinks

Brinks has been in business almost as long as ADT — over 100 years. But it hasn’t evolved with the times like ADT, as it still requires professional installation and a minimum 36-month professional monitoring contract.

>> Compare: ADT Vs. Brinks

As we mention in our Brinks review, for our money, Brinks has a couple of things going for it that ADT doesn’t. First, its equipment prices are more affordable. Second, you get all the advantages of Google Home integration with every plan. ADT requires you to invest in its most expensive plans if you want to control your system with your voice. But we will say the premium price of ADT does show in its quality of equipment and services. You also get cellular backup with every system and plan. That came in handy over the winter when we lost Wi-Fi and power for over 24 hours.

While we could unbox our Brinks equipment, we needed a professional to install it.

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Google Functions

If it comes with your Brinks home security system package, it works with Google Home. We could control all our components with voice commands and create routines so that multiple devices work together. One schedule we set up armed the system automatically after locking the doors in the morning. And there are plenty of other routines you can create to strengthen your home safety practices.

Installation

Brinks is another one of those companies that requires professional installation. As we’ve mentioned with other companies, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re looking to connect your system to Google Home. Our installation tech showed up early, was incredibly friendly, and answered all our questions. We should point out that Brinks doesn’t have quite enough techs to handle its volume, so our appointment was three days out from when we ordered.

Some of the Brinks equipment looks dated compared to Google Nest and other company’s products.

Pricing

Just make sure you really like Brinks before you invest. Its monitoring fees aren’t exactly the cheapest on the market, ranging from $40 to $50 per month depending on the system you purchase. Plus, as we mentioned, you’ll need to sign a 36-month contract.

But at least Brinks systems are personalized. The only issue is that you’ll have to speak with a sales representative to organize a system. That can mean fighting the hard sell. Brinks’ cheapest packages are around $360, which is at the low end of the market. The nice thing is that even that basic package comes with full Google Home functionality.

Our Experience Testing Scout

Scout offers self-monitoring, but you’ll pay $10 per month plus $3 per camera for video storage. For most users, the $20/month professional monitoring plan is a better value. That said, having the self-monitoring option is nice if you want to save money.

With either plan, Scout provides full Google integration and cellular backup. Thanks to IFTTT support, we connected our system to other devices—like triggering our TV to turn on when motion is detected—giving the illusion that someone’s home, even when we’re away.

Be warned: This isn’t a Vivint-style, sophisticated system. You won’t find any AI features with Scout. The company doesn’t even offer a dedicated outdoor camera, let alone a high-quality outdoor camera. But if you’re looking for affordable security with some nifty smart integration, Scout’s a pretty solid option.

Comparison Shopping: Best Self-Monitored Home Security Systems

Google Functions

While Scout systems connect to Google Home, we’re more impressed by its compatibility with other smart platforms and devices, like Yale, Hue, Z-Wave, and IFTTT. It used to integrate with Nest devices, but the partnership ended in 2019.

Google Home functionality is limited to voice controls. We could arm and disarm the system as well as get status updates, which is similar to Cove and Brinks.

Installation

Scout isn’t quite as plug-and-play as Cove. Most sensors are peel-and-stick, which was easy, but the system isn’t preprogrammed, so connecting everything to the hub took about 30 minutes. We also ran into a minor hiccup with the indoor camera—it wouldn’t power on until we twisted the lens slightly. Small issue, but it added a bit of extra setup time.

Pricing

Scout isn’t the cheapest option compared to Cove or SimpliSafe, but its equipment is reasonably priced. Entry sensors run about $20—comparable to Ring—though premade packages can offer additional savings.

Scout also frequently runs promotions, like giving the basic package free when you commit to a year of professional monitoring. At just $20 per month, that’s a solid value. After the first year, you can switch to self-monitoring for $10 per month, which includes push alerts and live camera monitoring.