The Most Affordable Security Systems in 2025: All Under $400

SimpliSafe Pricing

We recommend buying a SimpliSafe system when there’s a sale, which is pretty much all year round. Right now (August 2025), for example, all pre-built packages are 50 percent off, and you get a free outdoor camera with every purchase. Here’s a comparison of SimpliSafe’s regular price versus the sale price:

SimpliSafe Equipment

SimpliSafe doesn’t offer as many equipment options as other companies, but they cover all the necessities. When it comes to SimpliSafe’s cameras, for example, choose between the SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Camera, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera we tested, and the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell we reviewed. Everything you could need without any fluff.

We recommend starting with one of the equipment packages we mentioned above. They’re designed for different needs and home sizes. From there, you can add more devices. Of course, if you don’t see a package you like, you can always start with the base station and keypad and go from there.

We bought SimpliSafe’s Foundation package and added a Wireless Indoor Camera and a smoke and CO detector.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

If you really want to cut down on home security costs, you can skip professional monitoring altogether and use SimpliSafe without monthly fees. It’s one of the best self-monitored security systems because of its reliable and robust equipment.

That said, if you can pay a small monthly fee, we recommend going with professional monitoring. Monthly prices start at $21.99 for basic monitoring, but we recommend the Core plan that costs $31.99 per month. In addition to monitoring, it lets you store videos from up to 10 SimpliSafe cameras, and use the Intruder Intervention feature. During emergencies, monitoring agents can peek in through the Wireless Indoor Camera, and then use two-way talk to deter intruders. It’s the best value-for-money plan from SimpliSafe, in our opinion.

>> Find Out More: Best Self-Monitored Systems

Our Experience Testing SimpliSafe

It only took us 30 minutes to set up with our seven-piece SimpliSafe system, which included the Outdoor Camera. Most of the equipment easily screws into walls or sticks to surfaces. The Wireless Indoor Camera can just sit on a shelf.

Just a piece of advice, if you don’t plan on moving anytime soon, use the included screw mounts instead of the peel-and-stick adhesive to attach sensors to walls. While the adhesives hold up well, we’ve had a motion sensor fall to the ground a few months into testing. The screw mounts are more secure.

This is the same Entry Sensor we use for our garage door.

Living with SimpliSafe day-to-day was pretty much stress-free. We like how the keypad is easy to use, even if you’re not techie. It’s not a touch screen, and there are buttons dedicated to arming and disarming the system.

Alerts came in quickly, too. Text alerts are included in professional monitoring plans. They typically arrive within 5 to 10 seconds of a sensor being triggered. The same is true for app alerts, which are included in all plans (even the free, self-monitoring plan).

SimpliSafe does have its downsides, too. For example, the equipment selection is more limited compared to brands such as Vivint and ADT. We had to put an indoor camera in the garage because SimpliSafe doesn’t have a garage door sensor. If you’re in the market for solid equipment at affordable prices, though, SimpliSafe is the best option.

>> Compare: SimpliSafe Vs. ADT

Cove Pricing

Cove doesn’t offer pre-built equipment bundles like SimpliSafe, but it’s easy to build one from scratch. You’ll start with the touch screen keypad and hub, then you can add as many sensors and extra components as you need. Your total cost is always visible, so you can see how much you’re spending and how much you’re saving from discounts.

When we bought a Cove security system, we got enough sensors to cover a 2,800 square feet house for under $350. We even got a free indoor camera, and then bought a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide sensor. Just note that security cameras and smoke/CO detectors are exempted from the sale. They were discounted when we got them (up to $40 off), but the sale price didn’t reflect the 65-percent-off sale that was running at the time.

Cove Equipment

Cove equipment is sleek, which means it’ll suit most decors. It has a nice heft to it, too. The touch-screen hub, for example, weighs a full three pounds. We live in an older home, so that’s too heavy to mount on our walls. So, we let our hub sit nicely on an end table in our living.

The entry sensors are discreet and blend in nicely with our decor. As for the motion detector, it’s a little chunky compared to what we’re used to and it feels more plastic. We like the Eufy security cameras, though, as they are small but powerful. For example, the Wired Indoor Camera offers a complete 360-degree view and records footage in 2K resolution.

Cove’s low prices meant we could afford tons of equipment while sticking to our budget.

>> Also See: Video Doorbell Buying Guide

Cove Monitoring

Cove doesn’t offer self-monitoring plans like SimpliSafe. You’ll need a professional monitoring subscription for the equipment to function. The good news is you only have two plans to choose from, and the cheapest one is $20 a month.

Both professional monitoring plans offer environmental monitoring, InstaText notifications, cellular backup, access to the app, and hourly automated check-ins. The $29.99-per-month plan adds smart features and camera support. We only recommend it if you buy cameras with your system.

>> More Options: Best Systems With Cellular Connections

Our Experience Testing Cove

Buying a security system on Cove’s website was a great experience. We could add and remove devices and see exactly how much our system would cost. With window alarm sensors only costing $4.50 a piece, we got one for every window in our house.

Setting up the system was easy enough, taking less than 30 minutes. We wouldn’t say the equipment is state-of-the-art. The cameras don’t have facial recognition or include features to reduce false alarms or deter intruders. We also had to use two apps to manage the system – one for the cameras, and another for the rest of the system. In an emergency, this isn’t ideal.

Our Cove security system came shipped neatly organized in a box for easy installation.

ADT Pricing

No question that ADT’s prices are more competitive than they were in the past. Entryway sensors that used to cost $30 to $50? They now cost only $20, roughly the same price as SimpliSafe’s door/window sensors. You can get motion sensors now for only $40, devices that used to cost $100.

Even better, ADT regularly offers huge discounts on their packages that compete with SimpliSafe’s sales. They regularly discount packages over 60 percent off, making their premium packages cost as much as their basic packages. If you DIY your install, you don’t need to sign a long-term contract either.

ADT Equipment

ADT offers some of the best equipment on the market, though it doesn’t necessarily offer a wide selection of devices. They offer every component we use to protect our home, though, and they’re some of the highest-quality versions we’ve tested.

As for cameras, those all come from Google Nest, one of the best manufacturers of security cameras, doorbell cameras, and smart home accessories. They also offer other smart home devices like thermostats. However, if you’re looking for niche equipment like garage door tilt sensors, you won’t find it through ADT.

Here we are DIY-installing our ADT entry sensors ourselves to avoid their professional installation fee.

ADT Monitoring

ADT has always offered the best professional monitoring in the business. The company has a dozen monitoring centers across the country. They also use text-based alerts to speed up and streamline the alarm process. ADT’s SMART monitoring sends a group message to you and your chosen contacts, so everyone is informed and can verify or cancel alarms.

Unfortunately, ADT’s pricing is not as flexible as SimpliSafe. While prices start at $24.99 per month, systems with cameras require the top plan. For DIY installs it’s $39.99 per month and $49.99 per month for professionally installed systems. You do unlock some advanced features in these plans like facial recognition, activity zones, and Trusted Neighbor, which we’ll talk about in the next section.

Our Experience Testing ADT

We’ve been testing ADT for years, so we’re used to their white-glove professional installation. It was weird installing our ADT system ourselves, but the experience went off without a hitch. We followed the instructions on the app step-by-step and had our system up and running in about 30 minutes.

After finishing the install, it worked like any other ADT system we’ve tested in the past. Everything functioned in harmony; even the Google Nest Cams worked well with the ADT system. We particularly liked their Trusted Neighbor feature that automatically lets in particular guests using our Nest Video Doorbell’s facial recognition capabilities.

Here’s everything that came with our Google Nest Cam.

Abode Pricing

Abode is cheaper than SimpliSafe, and that’s true across the board. For instance, Abode’s cheapest camera costs just $60, $40 less than SimpliSafe’s cheapest offering. Their subscriptions are about 25 percent lower than SimpliSafe, too, including monitoring and cloud storage plans.

Even Abode’s premium iota hub that enables their advanced home automation capabilities costs the same as SimpliSafe’s base station and keypad, which can only integrate with Alexa and Google Home for basic voice control.

Abode Equipment

Abode’s equipment is a great bang for your buck, but it’s not the most technologically advanced. You’ll find everything you need to protect your home, such as entry sensors, motion detectors, and environmental sensors. Abode even offers glass break sensors, smart locks, and video doorbells.

Where Abode’s equipment gets confusing is with their three hubs. There’s the Security Hub, Smart Security Hub, and Iota Hub. Each hub offers different levels of smart home capabilities, but we recommend the Iota for Abode’s full suite of capabilities. It only costs $50 more than the other two hubs, too.

We bought the Abode Iota Security Kit along with a few extra entry sensors and a motion detector.

>> Find Out More: Best IFTTT Systems

Abode Monitoring

If you’re looking for an affordable security system, avoiding a monthly fee is a major plus. Abode’s free plan offers more capabilities than SimpliSafe and ADT. They include full access to their app and all their smart home integrations in their free plan. SimpliSafe and ADT lock app features and smart home integrations behind their subscriptions.

As for professional monitoring, Abode keeps their prices low, as long as you’re willing to sign up for a year upfront. An annual plan brings their monitoring price down from $24.99 per month to $16.58. Or, for just cloud storage, they charge $7.99 per month or $6.25 when billed annually.

>> Head-to-head: Abode vs. SimpliSafe

Our Experience Testing Abode

There’s no question that Abode is affordable, but it’s intelligent, too. Their smart home capabilities are one of their main selling points, and, after testing it ourselves, we can see why. We integrated our system with all of our current smart home equipment thanks to their ZigBee and Z-Wave compatibility, which supports over 4,000 smart home devices.3

After integrating our equipment, we used Abode’s CUE system to set up all of our home automation. Since their camera features AI that can differentiate between people, pets, and packages, we set an automation that turned on our porch light when there was a package at our doorstep to deter porch pirates.

>> Read About: Can Smart Lights Deter Burglars?

We like the design of the Abode Keypad, and the tactile feel of the buttons is surprisingly satisfying.

We should point out that even though Abode supports smart home integrations with their free plan, they require a subscription to access their CUE automation system. That said, the free plan still supports IFTTT, which is a similar open-source home automation system, keeping them on our list of the best no-monthly-fee security systems.

Frontpoint Pricing

Not all Frontpoint pricing is available on the website, like the professional monitoring plans. The Ultimate Monitoring plan is $49.99 per month, which is more expensive than ADT and Vivint. There are two cheaper options, but they require calling Frontpoint to activate.

The equipment prices are available online, and are low. Bundles start at $69 after discounts. We haven’t even seen SimpliSafe or Cove drop prices that low during their best sales.

Frontpoint Equipment

Frontpoint systems center around a proprietary hub that connects their equipment sourced from several manufacturers. Most of their equipment is made by Alarm.com but not all of it. For instance, their smart lock is made by Yale. Either way, Frontpoint sources some of the highest-quality equipment on the market. You’ll even find Yale on our roundup of the best smart locks.

>> Learn More: Frontpoint Home Security Camera Review, Cost & Pricing in 2025

We bought the Frontpoint Essential Home Security System and added four entry sensors.

Frontpoint Monitoring

Frontpoint offers three monitoring plans on its website, but two of them require a phone call to subscribe. We called to inquire and learned the Video-Only Plan is $14.99 per month and is a self-monitoring option with live and recorded video included. The Interactive Plan is $44.99 per month and has professional monitoring for intrusion and hazards as well as home automation, but not much else.

We opted for the $49.99 per month Ultimate Monitoring Plan so we could test all of Frontpoint’s capabilities. If you don’t need security cameras, you can get by with the Interactive plan, although we’d say it’s pricey for a mid-tier plan. ADT charges as low as $29.99 for similar capabilities.

Our Experience Testing Frontpoint

Frontpoint might charge more than some of the companies on this list, but we find they consistently deliver good bang for your buck. For example, the home automation features are on par with Vivint, but Frontpoint charges less than half the price of the equipment. We even like the geofencing tool that reminds us if we leave the front door unlocked after leaving our home’s perimeter.

Here’s a look at the size of Frontpoint’s Door/Window Sensor compared to our hands.

Brinks Pricing

Brinks doesn’t look like much of a discount system – on paper. Its cheapest packages, for instance, cost around $360. That’s not exactly Vivint territory, but it’s more than ADT charges these days for its lowest-priced packages. The company runs frequent sales, though, and that can save you big. If you time things right, for example, you can sometimes get a Brinks camera for 50 percent off when you purchase another camera at full price. Plus, Brinks offers professional installation for free. You won’t find a deal like that with Vivint or ADT.

>> Check Out: Best Systems for Those With Poor Credit

Brinks Equipment

Considering the price, Brinks has some reliable and sophisticated equipment. We like that every device connects to Alexa and Google Home, so you can control the system with your voice. Another neat feature is how the touchpad records footage of anyone tampering with it and saves the video to the internal SD card.

What previously held Brinks back was its lack of a doorbell camera. That changed in 2024 when the company released its first one. Brinks’s video doorbell includes virtual zones to reduce false alarms and intelligent notifications for people, animals, and vehicles. You can also integrate it with smart home devices. We connected it to our front room lights so they would turn on when someone approaches the door.

Brinks equipment

Brinks Monitoring

Brinks offers two monitoring plans, the Home Complete and the Home Complete with Video. Of course, that means you can’t self-monitor, but we always recommend professional monitoring anyway. You can never tell when you’re going to be too busy to respond to an alert. As an added bonus, both plans also include cellular backup. Even if your Wi-Fi should go down, you can be sure your system will keep working.

>>Check Out: Brinks vs. ADT

Our Experience Testing Brinks

Like Vivint, Brinks requires calling and speaking to someone about your needs. Our Brinks representative tailored a system for us based on our home layout and security requirements. Next, we scheduled an installation. The good news is that Brinks didn’t charge us for this service. The bad news is we had to commit to a three-year monitoring contract.

As part of the installation, the technician demonstrated voice control with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. We used it to arm and disarm the system when our hands were full and unlock the smart lock to let guests in. The smart features were more impressive than SimpliSafe, but not on the same level as Vivint or ADT.

While both brands started in the 1800s, Brinks and ADT serve different security needs. We like that ADT is more user-friendly and compatible with the Nest Cam range. Brinks equipment range is limited, although we do like that it has a touch-screen panel, something ADT lacks.

ADT also has 12 monitoring centers across the country that back each other up. Brinks offers backup servers and generators, but this doesn’t match ADT’s physical redundancies. Brinks also requires you to use the Alarm.com app, while ADT has its own app. It’s not a dealbreaker, but these differences explain Brinks’ more budget-friendly pricing.