Best Home Security Systems with Doorbell Cameras

ADT is a well-respected home security company that offers a wide variety of equipment including the Google Nest video doorbell camera. Their prices tend to be a bit higher than the industry average, but they give you more for the money so it all washes. Additionally, you can purchase a basic package and continue to add on to it as needed.

For its traditional systems, ADT security packages start at $599, with monitoring plans that start at $45.99 per month. ADT also has plenty of home automation products that you can add to your security system if you want even more convenience and control over your home whether you’re there or not. ADT also offers ADT Pulse, an app that lets you remotely access and control your home security system.

With ADT Blue, the doorbell camera costs $199.99. Remember, there are no additional monitoring or installation costs. You will self-monitor using the free Blue mobile app.

The traditional ADT systems come with a nice perk for customers — a six-month money-back guarantee. They must really trust their products! ADT Blue offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is standard for this type of DIY system.

Recently, ADT added facial recognition software to its video doorbells. All you have to do is turn on the Familiar Faces setting. Any time an unfamiliar face shows up on your doorstep, the doorbell asks you if you can identify it. Over time, it learns all the people you know and sends you customized alerts so you know exactly who’s knocking.

Vivint is a wildly popular brand with more than a million customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Vivint has several purchase options, as well as several ways to pay. They have a 42- or 60-month Vivint Flex Pay Pricing option with zero-percent financing (with approved credit) so you can buy your equipment upfront). Or, you can opt for one of their monthly equipment plans that start at $53.99 per month. Additionally, Vivint has monitoring plans that start at $30.00 per month. Either way, you can choose from one of their packages or customize one of your own. One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot order a system or a single camera online. To place an order, you need to speak to a company representative via phone.

The Vivint video doorbell comes standard with 2-way talk, 1-way video, night vision, 30-second video clips on demand, custom alerts, a 180-degree wide-angle lens, and 24/7 continuous video for up to four cameras for up to 30 days. In addition, it includes smart visitor detection; it knows the difference between people, passing cars, shadows, etc. And it has a Vivint app integration feature that allows you to unlock your front door or garage door, turn on your lights, and more.

Consistently rated one of the best in the industry, Frontpoint is a widely used home security and home automation brand that also offers a video doorbell. Their equipment is easy to use and can usually be installed in under 30 minutes without any special tools or skills required.

Frontpoint offers three equipment packages that range in price from $403 to $791. You can also create a build-it-yourself package that includes a hub and keypad for $99. A wired doorbell camera can be added for $66 and a wireless doorbell camera can be added for $125.

The Frontpoint contracts are either one-year or three-year agreements. Their monitoring plans range from $34.99 per month to $49.99 per month. Additionally, they frequently run specials which sometimes include a free Doorbell Pro camera, among other things. Be sure to check their website frequently for the most current specials available.

Brinks has a 26-year history, over one million subscribers, and one of the fastest response times in the industry. Additionally, they currently have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They also offer a 90-day risk-free trial and a two-year warranty on their equipment which is compatible with up to 119 smart home devices.

Brinks has two monitoring plans ranging from $29/mo. to $39/mo. and there’s no upfront equipment cost because it’s included in the monthly monitoring price. However, if you want the video doorbell, you’ll have to go with the upper tier plan because that’s the only one that includes the video doorbell.

The Brinks plans include tamper protection, LiveVoice Assist, smartphone controls, and home automation (depending on the plan you choose). Their plans are also flexible because you can buy the one you need now and add-on to them as your needs change.

Ring began life as a video doorbell company, so their equipment is some of the best in the industry. In the last decade, they’ve grown beyond doorbells into a well-respected home security brand with a huge following. Part of that popularity has to do with the company’s commitment to constant innovation. All video doorbells, for instance, let you monitor your own home, but with real-time crime alerts and information on your neighbor’s Ring doorbells, you can monitor your entire neighborhood.

Ring has three plan options. The Free plan is free of charge; however, that plan only offers limited functions. Then they have a Protect Basic plan that costs $3.99/mo. or $39.99 annually which includes the recording for one camera. The Protect Plus plan is $10/mo. or $100 and expands recording to all your Ring devices. Finally, there’s the Pro plan with video monitoring plus full-service 24/7 monitoring.