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With packages starting as low as $250, we found SimpliSafe is the most affordable option without sacrificing quality.
Updated April 16, 2025
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We’d be lying if we told you that price isn’t important when looking for a home security system to buy. It is; very much so. However, it shouldn’t be the most important consideration. What we mean by that is that even if you’re looking for a budget-friendly security system, you shouldn’t base your buying decisions on the prices alone. Buying a $1,000 car that breaks down a lot isn’t saving you money compared to buying a $2,000 reliable vehicle. The same principle applies to security systems.
The good news is that there are plenty of great options at low price points. In fact, some of the best home security systems are also the most affordable. SimpliSafe is a shining example and our top pick. It offers affordable, heavily discounted packages, it’s DIY so there’s no installation fee, and it doesn’t require a monthly fee. You can subscribe to a monthly subscription if you want, but it’s optional.
Other than SimpliSafe, we also saw practical home security solutions from Cove, ADT Self Setup, abode, Frontpoint, and Brinks. So get your calculators ready as we look at each option.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
We believe the only way to give unbiased and trustworthy recommendations is by testing security systems ourselves. Not only do we order and install systems, but we use our own money to do it. We don’t want to be beholden to a company just because they provided us with a free system. We set these systems up in our own homes and test them extensively for weeks. In the end, we write with authority about app usability, monitoring center response times, and which features do and don’t work because we’ve lived with them. We want you to have honest, accurate findings.
We try our best to provide fair and objective comparisons. We start by installing all our test units in the same environment – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home where one of our security experts lives. In our experience, testing security systems in a real home versus a lab provides the most precise results.
We also buy the same components from each system we’re testing and set them up in the same locations. The picture below shows where we typically install different types of security equipment:
To zero in on the best affordable security systems, we used our expertise in the home security field to decide the most critical factors to consider. They are:
We compared our top picks based on those criteria, and here’s our verdict.
Rating the Most Affordable Home Security Systems
Unlike other websites that review everything from kettlebells to ceiling fans, our team of experts exclusively reviews security and safety equipment. It means we can dedicate our focus to the task at hand and guarantee our recommendations are trustworthy. The experts who contributed to this guide include:
With over 75 years of combined industry experience, SafeHome.org is the most accomplished home security team online. Since our site launched in 2016, we have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other major outlets. Collectively, we have:
Every recommendation comes from our first-hand product experience and thorough understanding of the home security industry. So let’s take a look at the most affordable home security systems in 2025.
If you’re going by the retail prices listed on the SimpliSafe website, you can get a basic security system for around $250 upfront and $0 in monthly fees. Are there cheaper systems out there? Sure. But these numbers are well below industry averages. Most starter security systems cost $400 or more. Here’s a little secret about SimpliSafe, though – the company never charges full retail price. It’s always running a sale, so the truth is you’ll pay even less for a starter system than $250.
You can save even more with SimpliSafe if you self-monitor. In fact, depending on how you choose to monitor your system, you can pay absolutely nothing after you’ve purchased equipment. That’s zero dollars per month. You can’t record footage, but you get real-time alerts and you can pull up live views any time. For a few dollars a month, you can add cloud storage. We recommend professional monitoring, though, which costs a little more. The nice thing about SimpliSafe is that you can change your plan any time. That means you can save money now, while your budget is tight, and add professional monitoring later, once you’ve gotten that big raise at work.
SimpliSafe offers a package and a monitoring plan for every budget. The cheapest package is $249.96, while packages max out at just over $700. But SimpliSafe is always running a deal, so you can often purchase basic systems for as little as $100. As part of its New Year’s sale, for example, SimpliSafe marked down its equipment prices by fifty percent. Prices aren’t always that low, but you can expect to see at least 20 percent off all year round.
When it comes to monitoring, you can DIY your monitoring. If all you’re looking for is real-time alerts and access to live footage, you pay nothing. Add basic coverage and video storage for just $10 a month. Or invest in professional monitoring – always our recommendation – for between $21.99 and $31.99 a month.
SimpliSafe doesn’t offer quite as many equipment options as other companies. When it comes to cameras, for example, choose between two different SimpliSafe indoor cameras, one SimpliSafe outdoor model and one SimpliSafe video doorbell.
The company does make up for its limited selection, though, by letting you choose how you put equipment packages together. SimpliSafe offers several packages, or you can start with a base station and a keypad and add whatever devices you want.
Pro Tip: The blue light from the control hub is a little bright, so you might not want to install it in a room where it might disturb anyone’s sleep. Just something to keep in mind!
SimpliSafe equipment
| System Name | Number of Pieces | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Beacon | 10 | $709.90 |
| The Lighthouse | 7 | $469.93 |
| The Haven | 14 | $519.86 |
| The Knox | 12 | $479.87 |
| The Hearth | 9 | $399.91 |
| The Essentials | 6 | $279.95 |
| The Foundation | 4 | $249.96 |
SimpliSafe’s flexibility is on full display when it comes to monitoring. As mentioned, there’s a free self-monitoring option. You can’t get any more affordable than free. Then, you have the mid-tier professional monitoring options for $21.99 per month without cloud video storage to $31.99 with cloud storage and Live Guard. The moment your system senses a problem, real monitoring agents pull up live video feeds and assess the situation. They’re even trained to talk with potential home invaders to try and work out peaceful solutions.
We always sign up for professional monitoring because we’re sometimes too busy to answer a system alert ourselves. SimpliSafe offers DIY monitoring options, though, and there’s no denying that you can save even more money if you go that route. If you don’t video recording, self-monitoring is free, or you can add cloud storage for as little as $4.99 a month. As a bonus, SimpliSafe doesn’t require monitoring contracts. So you can switch back and forth between DIY and professional monitoring as your needs change. That’s the perfect balance of security and affordability.
>> Find Out More: Best self-monitored systems
SimpliSafe offers professional installation, but we recommend doing it yourself. The thing is, this is a company that pioneered DIY installation, and it’s got the entire process down to a fine art. We purchased a six-piece system with a bonus outdoor camera (thanks to a great SimpliSafe deal on Black Friday) and it took us right around 30 minutes to get everything up and going. Once we plugged in the base station, it provided step-by-step instructions for connecting everything else. We chose to mount everything using peel-and-stick options (don’t worry, you can screw-mount equipment as well, and almost as quickly), and really, most of that thirty minutes was spent deciding where we wanted to install everything. Of course, DIY installation saved us money, and SimpliSafe promised there would be no charge if we ever moved.
This is the same Entry Sensor I use for my garage door.
FYI: One bonus of choosing SimpliSafe – a modern design aesthetic. The SimpliSafe hub, for instance, is sleek, unobtrusive, and looked great in our home.
SimpliSafe does have its downsides. For example, we think the company could stand to expand its research and development department. Its equipment selection is certainly more limited than other companies’. If you’re in the market for solid equipment at affordable prices, though, you’re really not going to do any better than SimpliSafe.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe Vs. ADT
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $21.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
Cove’s a new home security company that’s still trying to make a name for itself and draw in new customers. That’s the perfect time to invest. All of Cove’s equipment is low priced, even cameras, so you can save money on the front end. Monitoring plans are as cheap as $18 a month, so you save money on the back end as well. Best of all, Cove doesn’t require long-term contracts. Everything is month-to-month. That means we weren’t locked into a plan in case we found a better option.
We mentioned Cove’s pricing already. Cove is basically a cut-rate version of a premium system. That is, the company requires you to purchase a monitoring plan, but it offers those plans at a significant discount over other companies. Plans start at $17.95 per month, which is $2 cheaper than Ring. They max out at $27.95 per month, which is more expensive than Ring, but still $2 cheaper than SimpliSafe. In addition, most equipment is less than half of what you’d pay with Ring, and that includes cameras. Even Cove’s outdoor camera is just $100.
Cove equipment is sleek, which means it’ll suit most decors. It has a nice heft to it, though. This is equipment that’s packed with high-end technology and built to last. The touchscreen hub, for example, weighs in at a full three pounds. That might have been a problem if we’d had to mount it on the wall. We live in an older home and serious mounts are a no-no. Luckily, Cove’ hub is designed to sit nicely on countertops and end tables. There’s a nice range of additional equipment as well, including indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras.
Cove equipment
>> Also See: Video Doorbell Buying Guide
Cove offers two affordable monitoring options. Both give you professional monitoring, environmental monitoring, Insta-text notifications, cellular backup, and hourly automated check-ins. If you want smart features, you have to go with the more expensive of the two plans. Fair enough. We were a little disappointed, though, that we didn’t get app control of our system without that more expensive plan.
>> More Options: Best systems with cellular connections
Cove is a relative newcomer to the home security market, having been around for just over five years. We found that lack of experience came with both pros and cons.
For instance, Cove’s equipment isn’t going to win any design awards. It’s bulky, which means that anyone trying to break in will probably spot it right away. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you can be sure your guests will spot all your equipment pretty quickly too. You’d think as large as the devices are there’d be plenty of room for cutting-edge technology inside. Unfortunately, no. Cove cameras include zero AI so we got around two dozen false alarms at work – the neighbor’s dog was loose and apparently likes the smell of our place.
Pro Tip: When you’re installing your security cameras, make sure they’re about 6 to 8 feet off of the ground. That’s the sweet spot for picking up activity, and it also makes it so would-be burglars can’t easily tear them down.
Unboxing my Cove security system.
On the other hand, new companies have to work harder to attract customers, and Cove certainly does that. Prices are low, for instance, On the other hand, because they’re a relatively new company, Cove is working harder to pull in customers. Prices are low, and that includes equipment and monitoring. Cove requires all customers to sign up for a professional monitoring plan but its top plan costs around $6 less per month than SimpliSafe. That plan includes full app control of the system as well as support for both Alexa and Google Google Home. Or if you’re looking to save money, you can forego the extras and pay just $18 a month. Even with that plan, you get cellular backup, and Cove throws in a lifetime guarantee on all equipment. You won’t find those kinds of deals with more established companies.
| Monitoring options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | From $300 for hub and keypad |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $19.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
There’s a reason ADT has been around as long as it has. It understands the market, and it’s responsive to customer needs. The last several years have seen ADT completely revamp its pricing model. In fact, this is the only company we know of that’s lowered prices over the last two years. Meanwhile, it’s continued to improve its product, offering Nest cameras, for example, and building twelve separate monitoring centers throughout the country. Add to this the fact that ADT now offers DIY installation and DIY monitoring – both huge money savers – and you can see why we just had to add this company to our list of most affordable systems.
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. Plus, you don’t have to order a pre-made equipment package. You can build your own, which saves you money on devices you don’t need.
Professional monitoring has gotten more affordable as well. It starts at $29.99 per month and maxes out at $44.99. And OK, that’s steep enough to keep ADT from being our top pick on this list. There are different ways to define affordable though. In this case, we’re defining it as top-notch system that you can get for a very reasonable price. Value matters.
ADT offers some of the best equipment on the market, though it doesn’t necessarily offer a wide selection of devices. The company outsources its sensor manufacturing to GE, a name synonymous with reliability. As for cameras, those all come straight from Google Nest, maybe the best manufacturer of security cameras, doorbell cameras, and smart home accessories on the market. Unfortunately, ADT’s equipment selection is a bit limited. Google Nest offers some pretty cool smart home devices like thermostats, but if you’re looking for highly specific pieces of equipment like garage door tilt sensors, you’ll need to check out someone other than ADT.
That’s me testing the touch screen controller of my ADT security system.
ADT has always offered the best professional monitoring in the business. The company employs a dozen monitoring centers across the country, so you can be sure someone always has eyes on your home, no matter where you happen to live. The company’s SMART monitoring feature gives you time to confirm or call off an alarm via text message. That cuts down on false alarms and means when ADT does contact emergency personnel, they get on site faster. In terms of value, it’s worth noting that ADT recently reduced the cost of its professional monitoring service. That price used to be up to $60 a month. Now you can get a basic plan for just $34.99 a month and a comprehensive system for $49.99. You can get all the details in our complete guide to ADT’s pricing.
The real news, though, is that ADT now offers customers the option to self-monitor their systems. Professional monitoring is always going to be the safer route, but if you’re looking for affordability it’s hard to beat no dollars per month. Plus, since the company has also done away with lengthy monitoring contracts, you can order a single month of professional monitoring when you need it – vacation anyone? – and go right back to self-monitoring once you get home from the beach.
Pro Tip: Like SimpliSafe, ADT actually provides customers with the option to self-monitor their system. We don’t really recommend this, but it can definitely help save money if you’re protecting your property on a budget.
I also really like their SMART monitoring feature, which allows users to confirm or call off an alarm via text message. That means you’re dealing with far fewer false alarms, and can speed authorities to your property if there’s an actual emergency.
ADT is the exact opposite of Cove when it comes to experience. This is a company that’s been around for 150 years.
On the one hand, you’re not going to find a company offering as good a mix of equipment and professional monitoring (you can also self-monitor with ADT now if you’re looking to save a little extra money). No one else in the industry offers Google Nest cameras (well, except for Google Nest). No one else maintains 12 monitoring centers across the country. Despite the fact that ADT is new to the DIY game, installation was a breeze, and ADT’s intuitive app made it easy to control the entire system, even when we were on the beach for a week during the summer. Plus, while ADT isn’t the most affordable system on this list, it’s the only company on this list to have lowered prices in the last two years.
The downside of a large company with a storied history? It can sometimes move a little slowly, particularly when it comes to customer service. Don’t get us wrong, ADT was responsive, but we sometimes had to bounce around from one department to another before we got answers to our questions. The virtual setup assistant was great, and the app is helpful as well, but getting a person on to respond when we needed it took a little more time.
Installing an ADT security camera
If you’re looking to save on an ADT system, going the Self Setup route is definitely a good choice.
| Monitoring options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $269 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $24.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
What’s better than a low-cost home security system? A low-cost home security system with the same high-tech features you’d find in much more expensive systems. Abode is one of the most affordable systems on the market, but it also comes with some fairly astonishing features for the price, features that give even Vivint a run for its money, like smart home integration and IFTTT capabilities. Keep in mind as well that there are no installation fees – Abode is 100 percent DIY. And you can self-monitor as well. Both of those options can save you even more money. In fact, once we purchased our system online, we never paid another dime. Over the long haul, you just can’t beat that kind of affordability.
Abode is just a touch cheaper than SimpliSafe, and that’s true across the board. Abode’s cheapest camera, for instance, costs just $60, $40 less than SimpliSafe’s cheapest offering. Abode’s professional monitoring is $10 cheaper than SimpliSafe’s as well. And Abode even wins when it comes to self-monitoring. Both companies offer totally free plans, but if you want to add cloud storage to your self-monitoring, you’ll pay about a third less with abode.
Abode doesn’t just offer different sized packages like most other home security providers. It offers three different sets of equipment – the Security Kit, the Smart Security Kit, and the Iota Security Kit. Each comes in different sizes, so you get a wide range of options. Like SimpliSafe, abode camera options are limited – nothing like the selection you get from a camera-based company like Lorex. We do like abode’s AI camera features, though, like built-in person/pet/package detection on all cameras and the fact that everything works with Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT.
abode Equipment
>> Find Out More: Best IFTTT Systems
You’re going to find several companies on this list that let you DIY your monitoring. While we always recommend professional monitoring, there’s no getting around the fact that self-monitoring saves money. You can buy equipment and pay nothing else. Ever. Abode is another one of these systems. Like SimpliSafe, though, it offers professional monitoring when you need it, with no contracts. And it’s $10 per month cheaper than SimpliSafe monitoring. One important note: you’ll need to purchase a plan in order to get access to most of the cameras’ advanced technology. Plans start as low as $6.99 a month, though, so you won’t have to give up your morning latte.
>> Head-to-head: Abode Vs. SimpliSafe
No question abode is affordable. You can pick up an abode Cam 2 for just $60 (that’s at full price. Currently abode is offering these cameras for 50 percent off), and an entire system can be had for just $160. Abode has something else going for it as well, though – some seriously impressive high-tech features. For example, all camera models feature person/pet/package detection, the same sort of AI you’d find in far more expensive equipment. When we were expecting an important package, we didn’t have to worry if our video doorbell alert was about the package or the neighbors’ stray dog out again. The alert came tagged so we knew exactly what was happening. Plus, abode integrates seamlessly with Alexa, Google Home, and thousands of smart home devices.
Abode systems make use of Z-wave technology, a communication protocol that allows them to talk with over 4,000 different smart products, from vacuum cleaners to toasters, so you can control your whole house right from your abode app. That’s not even the best part, though. Abode is also compatible with IFTTT, a handy little service that lets you design custom routines involving multiple devices. When our cameras detect packages on our porch, our stereo comes on and plays Celebration by Kool and the Gang. It’s the little things in life that matter.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to be using a lot of smart home technology, you need to protect your home network from intruders as well. Smart home devices are notorious entry points for hackers to gain access to your valuable information.
Testing out the abode Keypad
We should point out that access to all this smart-ness requires you sign up for abode’s $5.83 per month Standard Plan or one of its more expensive plans. In other words, you can’t go the no monthly fee home security route and still expect to get cutting-edge technology. The Standard Plan comes with camera storage, though, and premium customer support. And hey, if you compare $5.83 to Vivint’s monitoring price, which can run as high as $60 per month or more, well, you can see why abode’s on this list. Plus, unlike Vivint, abode runs frequent sales, so you may be able to get an even lower price.
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit |
| Equipment cost | From $159.99 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $7.99 |
| Contract length | Month-to-month |
When it comes to affordability, Frontpoint is a tale of two companies. For a full-service, professionally monitored system, Frontpoint’s equipment packages are surprisingly reasonable. Frontpoint charges about what SimpliSafe charges. Even better, Frontpoint runs sales about as often as SimpliSafe. Right now, for instance, the company has a New Year’s sale going with discounts up to 82 percent. On the other hand, Frontpoint’s monthly monitoring charges are a bit pricey. The company does provide outstanding professional monitoring, 24/7. Even so, you can get the same service from other companies for less.
Let’s be clear. Sometimes affordable is a relative term. Frontpoint doesn’t offer self-monitoring. It’s a full-service home security system and that means a full-service home security system price. Monitoring, for instance, costs $49.99 per month. That’s more than ADT charges for monitoring. It’s more than Vivint charges.
The good news is that Frontpoint keeps equipment costs down by manufacturing its own devices. Frontpoint packages start at just $325. That’s just about half of what ADT and Vivint charge for their basic packages. And $325 is the list price. Frontpoint never charges that. Usually, systems are marked down 60, 70, even 80 percent. Keep in mind as well that installation is DIY, so you save money there as well.
Frontpoint systems center around a hub and keypad, but you can add lots of other devices, from smoke and heat sensors to panic pendants. We like the company’s range of smart products: thermostats, outdoor smart plugs, and wireless light controls. Frontpoint offers cameras, too, though it doesn’t manufacture its own video doorbells. We found the Skybell Slim Line, which it does offer, to be hardy enough, but the video quality is only 720p resolution. 1080p HD is the industry standard these days.
Frontpoint equipment
There’s only one monitoring option with Frontpoint – professional 24/7 monitoring. That’s okay, since that’s what we always recommend. Plus, Frontpoint makes it worth your while. In addition to monitoring, you get plenty of perks, like backup cellular in case your Wi-Fi goes down and smart device functionality. We’d like to see the company offer more than one plan. Making everyone pay the same price no matter how many cameras they might have seems a little un-democratic. We trust Frontpoint to keep a close eye on our homes, though, so the price is worth it, even if others may wind up with a slightly better deal than us.
FYI: You can use the app to set up routines for your notifications. That way your phone won’t be buzzing all night from cats and raccoons walking into the path of your security cameras.
Frontpoint’s ethos is full-service. We felt like we’d signed up for an ADT or a Vivint system. For instance, we had to sign up for a professional monitoring plan. No self-monitoring options available. We paid a premium price for that service – more, in fact, than we paid for ADT or Vivint monitoring. But, as with those other companies, we got great value for our money.
Like smart home automation: Frontpoint not only plays well with Alexa and Google Home, but it works great with a long list of smart home products. We were able to use our Frontpoint app, for example, to open the Yale locks on our front door. Pretty handy when we went out to the movies and left a pizza cooking in our oven. Luckily, we were able to let a kind neighbor in through the app and turned the oven off before things got out of hand.
Now, you might be asking yourself at this point just how Frontpoint wound up on a list of the most affordable home security systems. After all, system retail prices are high. So are monitoring prices. Remember, though, that you’ll never pay retail prices for Frontpoint equipment. Those are inflated to make you feel like you’re getting a deal. Ultimately, Frontpoint systems are several notches cheaper than ADT and Vivint. And while Frontpoint’s monitoring prices are still a bit steep, affordability isn’t always just about low prices. We prefer to talk about value rather than price. The fact is, even at Frontpoint’s higher prices, you’re still getting a great deal for you money.
Holding a Frontpoint sensor
Go with ADT or Vivint and you could wind up paying up to $60 per month or more. More importantly, Frontpoint charges about half what those other two charge for equipment, and there’s no installation fee, since installation is 100% DIY.
Think of Frontpoint, then, as a premier system that allows you to shave a little money off your bottom line. You get solid equipment and reliable service, you can rest assured that someone is always keeping an eye on your home, and you still get the satisfaction of knowing you saved money.
| Equipment Cost | Packages starting at $386.93 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring Options | Professional |
| Monitoring Cost | Starting at $14.99 per month |
| Contract Lengths | Monthly or 36 months |
| Installation Options | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, and Siri |
Brinks offers an affordable alternative to ADT. It’s the only company that’s been around as long as ADT, for example, and it offers both top-tier equipment and full professional monitoring. Plus, every system is professionally installed. And OK, so Brinks doesn’t offer quite the equipment selection that ADT does, but it also doesn’t cost quite as much. Across the board, you can get equipment and monitoring for about 30 percent of what ADT charges.
On Paper Brinks may not look like much of a discount system. It charges around $360, for instance, for its lowest-priced packages. That’s roughly equivalent to ADT’s lowest-priced packages. The thing is, Brinks is frequently running a sale of one sort or another. Right now, for example, you can get any Brinks camera for 50 percent off when you purchase another camera at full price. And while the two companies charge about the same amount for full-service monitoring, Brinks offers professional installation for free. The only way to get free installation with ADT is to do it yourself.
>> Check Out: Best Systems for Those With Poor Credit
Brinks doesn’t sacrifice forward-thinking in the name of low prices, though. All devices, for instance, work well with Alexa and Google Home. And we’re particular fans of the touchpad hub. Among its many features, it includes an SD card that records video any time someone tampers with the system. That way, even if someone does manage to take the system down somehow, you’ll have a record of who did it and how it happened.
We used to knock Brinks when the company didn’t offer its own video doorbell. That changed in the last year. And when the company decided to produce its own model, it made sure to do it right. This doorbell lets you set up virtual zones so you decide what triggers the motion detection. It comes with intelligent notifications that can tell the difference between people, animals, and vehicles. And it’s compatible with smart home devices. We connected ours to our front room lights so that any time someone stepped foot on our front porch it looked like we were home, even when we weren’t.
Brinks equipment
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
Comparing Brinks to ADT is a serious compliment. After all, ADT is our number one rated home security system. Brinks has a lot in common with ADT, though, beginning with a long history in the industry. Brinks hasn’t been around for quite as long, but the company does date back to the 1800s. In keeping with this long history, Brinks takes an old-school approach to home security. The company doesn’t publish prices online, for instance. You talk with a real honest-to-goodness human being about your security needs and purchase a system that’s custom-designed, especially for you. Then Brinks shows up and installs all of your equipment for free – assuming you’ve signed up for at least three months of professional monitoring.
Yet Brinks is also a forward-thinking company. We got full voice control of our system, for instance, through Google Home. Don’t worry – Brinks also works well with Amazon Alexa, if that’s your preferred smart home ecosystem. Voice control was especially useful when we got an alert on Sunday afternoon while we were up to our elbows in bread dough. Turns out it was just our sister arriving with that extra cup of flour we needed. Luckily, we were able to unlock our Brinks smart lock for her – again, using just our voice.
We’re not saying that Brinks is quite as good as ADT. You get what you pay for, after all. The differences are subtle, but they do matter. For instance, ADT offers its own user-friendly app; Brinks requires you sign up with a third-party app – Alarm.com. In addition, ADT offers a choice between its own cameras and Nest cameras. Brinks’s equipment selection is more limited. ADT has nine monitoring centers across the country, and there’s built-in redundancy; so if one goes down the others step up. Brinks has backup servers and backup generators, but that’s a step down from ADT. In the end, it’s all about price. If you can live without the extras, Brinks makes an excellent backup choice.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $199 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $39 |
| Contract Length | 36 months |
If you’re going to save money on a home security system, it helps to know where the costs are. That way, you can make informed decisions about what it’s reasonable to cut and what kinds of cuts might put your security in jeopardy.
Installing a SimpliSafe motion sensor.
There are three primary costs when it comes to home security systems:
The goal isn’t to simply cut everything and go with the cheapest options in all these categories. Rather you want to weigh your particular needs against the costs you’ll pay. Then choose a system that balances security with affordability.
The right home security system can save you tons of money in equipment and monitoring fees. If you’re looking to save even more, though, you want to keep your eyes peeled for deals and discounts. Almost every company out there offers extra savings on equipment from time to time, and a few even offer monitoring discounts. Heck, if you play your cards right, you can sometimes even score a top-tier system for affordable system prices.
A few home security companies always seem to be running some sale or other. For instance:
You may need to keep your eyes peeled, but there’s a deal out there that’s right for every homeowner or renter.
Look, it’s a dangerous world out there, and it’s only getting more dangerous. No matter what your financial situation, you need a home security system. Luckily, there are a number of companies these days that offer quality equipment for an affordable price. OK, so you may have to do a little work yourself – installing the system and taking care of monitoring it – but the industry is making it easier to do these things yourself. As the systems on this list readily demonstrate, home security is within the budget of anyone these days, and there’s really no excuse for leaving your home unprotected.
Arming the ADT system
Yes, many home security systems, including those with low prices, offer professional monitoring services. SimpliSafe, abode, and Frontpoint are three great examples.
Yes, some home security systems with low overall costs often have upfront equipment costs. They may be set up to save you money long-term by allowing you to avoid long-term contracts or professional monitoring. Or, they may charge lower equipment costs than other companies so that even if you’re paying upfront you’ll still save money.
In most cases, you can return a home security system. Many companies offer trial plans or money-back guarantees for a set number of days or months. This is a great way to test out a system to see how well it works for you.
Yes, in some cases you may need to purchase additional equipment to build your home automation up. In addition, a number of companies only provide premium services and equipment functionality if you pay a monthly fee.
Not all home security systems that are affordable will require a long-term contract. Some systems do. Abode and SimpliSafe, for example, do not. Frontpoint has a longer contract requirement than other systems.
