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Protecting your business is one of the best investments you can make. Take a look at our best business security systems below.
Updated October 11, 2023
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If you own a business, a top-quality security system is not an option, it is a necessity. The market is full of business security systems that offer a wide variety of features and options designed for functionality and convenience. Here are the top three business security systems that are highly rated by our researchers, testers and consumers alike.
ADT has been in business for over 140 years and offers a number of business security options. Additionally, they have over 200 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, not to mention they have over 7 million customers. ADT also offers a free security risk assessment for your business. You can select one of their security packages or customize a security solution of your own.
ADT Security is one of the most trusted names in the security industry. Despite a century’s worth of tech advances and industry changes, ADT’s monitoring has remained both reliable and affordable, and its system features are plentiful. They also offer incentives, guarantees, and access to experienced experts in the security field. ADT has a wide variety of features including door and window, sensors, motion detection, glass break sensors, hold-up button, temperature controls, flood monitoring. ADT’s security cameras offer both on-site and cloud-based video storage. And, to sweeten the deal, ADT’s business automation features include climate controls, smart plugs, and lighting controls.
And for your entry and exit security, ADT offers smart locks, keycard readers, and two-way communication intercoms. ADT’s business security systems allow you to schedule your automation features, and they come with a cellular backup system to keep your security system going if you ever lose your landline connection. For more benefits and tips, visit our full ADT review.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $499.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $24.99 |
| Contract Length | Three years |
Vivint has been in business for 20 years and has a wide variety of awards from well-respected companies such as J.D. Power, PCMag.com, U.S. News, Forbes, and more. They also offer more than just business security systems and are always adding new facets to their service lineup such as Vivint Car Guard, high-tech housing for adults with autism, and they have been added to the 2019 Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity.
Vivint’s business security options are plentiful. They offer best-in-the-biz features like environmental monitoring, wireless equipment, and access to the award-winning Vivint Smart Home app. Vivint’s home automation features allow a fully connected experience, with lots of third-party compatibility and device triggers. This will allow you to make sure your employees are on-task and that everything is running according to your plans and goals. Their motion-activated security cameras are great for monitoring sensitive areas like safes, your office, and the sales floor. As we detailed in our full Vivint review. And if you work in an office, we’re happy to report that Vivint is one of the best home security systems for offices, too.
Vivint’s smart features will also enable you to unlock your doors remotely with their electronic locks, which means you can avoid expensive key cards, traditional keys, and lockouts. With a Vivint system, you can program individual key codes for each employee so you will know who’s coming and going at all times.
You will get all the equipment you need such as touchscreen panels, window and door sensors, motion detectors, non-emergency alerts, 24/7 monitoring, and Vivint has a wide variety of optional equipment as well.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $599.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $39 |
| Contract Length | 48 to 60 months |
Frontpoint security systems rank among our favorites for home security as well as business security. Aside from being one of the best security systems overall, Frontpoint is also known as a top pick for customer service. They have been in business for 11 years and currently have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Frontpoint has been nationally recognized for best customer service, and they include smart security in every system they offer.
Since Frontpoint doesn’t offer specific business plans, you are able to customize one to suit your particular business needs. Frontpoint prides themselves on producing high-quality security systems, and they go into great detail on their blog explaining how you can customize one specifically for your business. They state their systems are 100% wireless, they are easily customizable, portable and can be moved around to grow with your business.
Their indoor cameras have a range of up to 50 feet, include infrared technology, and record motion-activated clips. They also offer pan and tilt cameras, as well as outdoor cameras that can be synced with a smartphone app with a live feed so you will always be able to see what’s going on day or night.
The Frontpoint equipment components combine security and automation features and come in a variety of price ranges with their most expensive premium indoor and outdoor cameras costing $199/ea.
For more information on pricing as well as how Frontpoint works, visit our comprehensive Frontpoint analysis.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $219.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $50 |
| Contract Length | 1-36 months |
Cove hit the DIY home security market in 2018 with a cheap, light-weight security system minus the expensive monitoring fees and long-term contracts of traditional providers. Their packages — which can include environmental sensors, 1080p HD cameras, and reliable 24/7 cellular monitoring — may be a good choice for small businesses looking for a custom-fit security system on a budget.
Most businesses want, and need, security of some kind. The problem has always been that small businesses can easily slip through the cracks of commercial security solutions designed for bigger businesses. That was the problem Cove set out to solve. Cove realized leaner businesses didn’t need elaborate commercial security systems to keep safe, and they developed a line of affordable but well-designed wireless security equipment any CEO with a screwdriver could install himself in under an hour.
If you’re a smaller business, the advantage of a Cove security system is you won’t get bogged down in multiyear contracts with high maintenance fees. You just pay a flat fee that ranges from $14.99-$24.99 per month. That gives you round-the-clock monitoring with live assistance and rapid response (RapidSOS), which we actually put to the test. Read our hands-on Cove home security review for our experience with Cove’s emergency specialists.
Cove equipment, on the other hand — motion and environmental sensors, 1080p HD cameras with AI detection, and hub — is a one-time payment that will set you back roughly $150-$350, depending on the size of your premises. If you go with the slightly more expensive premium Cove Plus plan ($24.99 per month), you’ll enjoy a lifetime warranty for your business, plus a few other perks like being able to sync and monitor your equipment via the Cove smartphone app.
| Monitoring Options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $87 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $17.99 |
| Contract Length | 1 month |
If you have a business, installing a top-quality security system is not optional. There are a number of reasons a security system is necessary; otherwise, you could risk losing everything.
A security system will help protect your business and your employees from crime. If you were to encounter a break-in it could cost you thousands of dollars in stolen assets which could take time and money to recover and/or recoup the losses if you are able to at all.
Unfortunately, there are people out there who make a living at suing businesses for money. A well-placed security camera will serve as undeniable proof of the staged “accident.” The same goes for employee/customer accusations of harassment, discrimination, etc.
The best way to make sure your customers and/or employees aren’t making off with your inventory is by installing security cameras. A surveillance camera will help you monitor and control what comes in and what goes out of your place of business and whether it's being paid for…or not.
As you could imagine, there is a broad spectrum of costs associated with a business security system. Some systems are available as package deals and others can be built and customized to fit your specific needs.
When choosing a security system for your business, it’s important to determine how you plan to install the system. Do you want an industry-leading professionally installed system? Or would you rather keep the installation DIY? The DIY systems are usually wireless and fairly easy to install. A hardwired security system will almost always require professional installation due to the complexity of the electrical factors and wiring of the components.
Unfortunately, most business security system providers don't disclose the associated costs upfront which means you have to request a quote before you will even know if any given system will fit your budget. However, the overall costs will depend on how large of a coverage area you have. A top-quality DIY business security system can generally be purchased for less than $500. A professional installation will usually range somewhere between $100 for small business spaces all the way up to $2,000 or more for larger business spaces.
You can also expect an annual cost for your security equipment to run you about $300-$500. And the monitoring costs will generally run somewhere between $50-$300+ per month depending on the service plan you selected.
Here are some of the most common business security system features and how they are used.
Specialized Alert Zones is a powerful feature included with the best business security systems. For an added layer of security, protect ‘micro-areas’ and guard high-risk rooms with these specialized alert zones. Your system will alert you of any activity in these zones, and will even record real-time video if you have the right cameras. Recommended for businesses with high-ticket inventory.
Turnover happens. And it makes you wonder who has the keys to your business. Avoid instances of foul play with smart door locks. This business security feature automates your door locks, and many even boast a sleek keypad. Simply assign employees a key code and delete when needed. Most electronic locks even offer an incredibly useful activity report.
The Security Camera is a key component to any business security system. Set up an ecosystem of surveillance cameras and rest easy knowing your livelihood is better protected from crime, fraudulent lawsuits, discrimination, and the like. It has never been easier and more affordable to outfit your business with indoor and outdoor cameras — many of which deliver features like pan, zoom, tilt, and cloud storage.
Mobile Alerts are another must-have feature for the vigilant business owner. Thankfully, most business security systems include real-time mobile alerts with their plans. You’ll receive helpful alerts if and when there’s a security breach. And you can customize your alerts to be notified when customers and employees enter and exit your business, when detectors sense motion, when video begins recording, and more.
Most business security systems now offer Remote Access with a nifty companion app. Mobile apps put your security commands close-at-hand, no matter where you are. If your business is in Pittsburgh, but your vacationing in Palm Springs, simply login to monitor and control your business security system with a few taps of the screen. How’s that for safe and sound?
Entryway Sensors are the backbone of business security systems. You’ll mount these magnetic sensors on door frames and windows. When the sensors trip, they will sound the alarm and send you an alert. If you have 24/7 monitoring, your system will also alert the monitoring center on your behalf. When the dust settles, Entryway Sensors dramatically reduce break-ins and loss of inventory.
Your business is your baby. That’s why many business owners purchase Motion Detectors for an added layer of security. Strategically place these devices inside to protect extra-sensitive areas. The moment they detect motion, they sound the alarm and send real-time alerts. Some motion detectors even boast smart features like facial recognition. Stop a burglar in his tracks with motion detectors.
Security Lights are your first line of defense and a crime deterrent for businesses big and small. This feature often comes with advanced options like flood lights, motion lights, photocell sensitive lights, and the list goes on. As an added benefit, indoor and outdoor security lights help to protect your customers and employees from criminals lurking in the dark.
Let’s be honest, a wise business owner keeps a close eye on taxes. And outfitting your business with security just so happens to be tax deductible. That’s money in your pocket. Small- to medium-sized businesses can write off 100% of their security system purchases on an existing commercial building. This can lower your security system costs by a cool 25-30%. Not bad.
