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Best Professional Monitoring
ADT Home Security
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
ADT has been in the security business for over 150 years and continues to lead the industry. The professional monitoring team responds quickly to emergencies. Plus, Nest Cams, which are some of the best cameras on the market, are available as part of the lineup.
A budget-friendly DIY home security system, SimpliSafe offers innovative professional monitoring features like Intruder Intervention and Active Guard Outdoor Protection. These let SimpliSafe agents see and speak to intruders to deter crimes and speed up police responses.
Vivint is a top-of-the-line wireless security system with advanced smart home features and indoor and outdoor cameras designed to detect and deter crime before it happens. It comes with a hefty price tag and requires a contract unless you pay up front.
Bottom Line: ADT is a highly-customizable system that offers wireless and hardwired systems. We consider them the pioneers of home security and the most popular provider amongst homeowners.
Bottom Line: There’s a lot going for SimpliSafe, a no-contract system that simplifies home security. SimpliSafe delivers DIY protection at refreshingly affordable prices.
Bottom Line: Vivint is a high-end wireless system that offers speedy professional installation. They have indoor, outdoor, and doorbell camera options and advanced smart home capabilities.
With dozens of home security systems available, how do you choose one that suits your needs? In our expert opinion, we recommend looking at factors like equipment range, monitoring options, and affordability.
We looked beyond the price of a security system to narrow down the best home security systems. Our team tested dozens of brands and scrutinized every feature to ensure our home was secure. ADT did the best job with its top-of-the-line equipment, monitoring service, and smartphone app. We also listed seven alternatives that might better suit your needs.
Our Methodology: How We Tested and Ranked The Top Security Systems of 2025
Our Approach
We believe the only way to give you trustworthy home security recommendations is by testing the systems ourselves. To do that, we buy the systems, set them up in our own homes, and live with them for weeks or months at a time. This rigorous approach to testing helps us compare the equipment, quality of service, and how well they provide protection. That way, we can give honest and trustworthy recommendations.
Our Testing Setup
Many factors come into play when testing security systems, so we level the playing field. We test the equipment in a two-story, 2,200-square-foot house owned by one of our security experts. We find that testing security equipment in an actual home yields the most objective and accurate results.
We also installed components in roughly the same locations to fairly compare their performance. Here’s what our setup looks like:
We use our security expertise to choose the most critical factors when choosing the best security systems. These are the factors that are the top priority:
Equipment (40%): Components like security cameras and sensors must be high quality so you’re not replacing them right after the warranty expires.
Monitoring (30%): We’re big proponents of professional monitoring, and the response has to be fast. Keep in mind the industry average is 45 seconds.
Price (30%): We take into account the cost of the equipment, financing options, hidden fees and any other charges related to owning a security system.
Why You Can Trust Us
Unlike other review sites critiquing everything from TVs to pillowcases, our experts only focus on home security and personal safety topics. Our full focus goes to rigorously reviewing and testing security systems. The experts who worked on this guide include:
Rob Gabriele, Editorial Director & Home Security Expert
Andrew Garcia, Lead Editor & Home Security Researcher
Jaime Fraze, Security Camera & Video Doorbell Expert
Derek Prall, Home Security Expert & Testing Coordinator
Joshua Lee, Former patrol officer and detective for a police department in Arizona.
Paul Frew, Home Security System Expert & Security Camera Expert
Our team is the most experienced home security team on the internet. We have been testing security systems since 2016, and our work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and dozens of other major outlets. Collectively, our experts bring to the table:
10,000+ research hours on security topics
60+ security system reviews
40+ industry research pieces
Dozens of security and safety guides
Every recommendation comes from firsthand product experience and a deep understanding of the home security industry. With that, let’s look at the best home security systems of 2025.
“A few years ago, we responded to a homeowner who told us that someone was trying to get into his house. He was first alerted to the intruder by his doorbell camera. The suspect then jumped the back fence, but the homeowner was able to track the intruder through his yard with his perimeter cameras. The homeowner gave us a very detailed description of the intruder, so when we arrived, we were able to quickly apprehend him.” Read more about Joshua Lee →
Partnering with Google Nest has improved ADT’s camera offerings, but its professional monitoring service is the main reason it’s on our list. ADT has 12 monitoring centers across North America – more than any other brand we’ve tested. ADT also sends instant alerts when an alarm triggers. You can confirm or cancel these via text message to avoid delaying assistance.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
DIY and professional installation available
24/7 professional monitoring from 12 monitoring centers
SMART monitoring via text message for faster response
Intuitive smartphone app
Financing available
Six-month money-back guarantee
Cons:
No touch-screen control panel
Video support is only available on the most expensive monitoring plan
No local storage options
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
ADT offers DIY installation, but we had one of their technicians handle it. The technician chose the best spots to place our equipment for maximum coverage. They even told us how our devices work and showed us how to manage them in the ADT+ app.
During our break-in simulations, we got a text message to verify or cancel the triggered alarms. We learned that if you don’t respond in about 30 seconds, ADT calls and dispatches help. ADT also has a messaging app where you can add emergency contacts. It gives everyone in the group chat an opportunity to respond before ADT calls 911.
Expert Insight: We recommend getting familiar with the ADT+ app. It includes several helpful features, such as adjusting motion sensor sensitivity and creating Activity Zones to ignore irrelevant events. You can even set up registered guests for Trusted Neighbor.
ADT Equipment
ADT has six packages ranging from $349 for the starter pack up to $1500+ for Total Safety. These bundles come with a range of equipment including sensors, security cameras, and smart locks. You can also add extra devices. We picked up a Google Nest Cam to review and some extra entry sensors.
We wanted the extra devices to set up home automation. ADT+ lets us schedule when lights turn off and regulate the temperature of the Nest Thermostat. The ADT+ app even lets us add third-party devices, similar to Vivint and abode. You can find a full list of compatible products on ADT’s website.
FYI: ADT is offering up to 60 percent off Trusted Neighbor systems. That drops Video Essentials to just $199. We keep track of ADT deals, so check out our guide for more savings.
ADT Pricing
Professional installation starts at $100, cheaper than SimpliSafe, though we paid $150 because we bought a few extra devices. You also have the option to set everything up yourself for free. However, we recommend professional installation to get the most out of your equipment.
ADT’s professional monitoring plans are not as flexible as SimpliSafe’s. Packages start at $24.99 per month, but if you’re using security cameras, you’ll need to pay for the top plan, which starts at $39.99 per month. However, you’re also getting all the premium features like facial recognition and cloud storage for the Nest Cams.
You don’t need to sign a contract with ADT if you’re setting it up yourself, but getting professional installation requires a three-year contract. You’ll also sign a separate financing contract if you finance your equipment. You can finance professionally installed ADT systems for up to 60 months and DIY-installed ADT Self Setup for up to 36 months.
You can discuss this option with ADT’s customer service team. They are available via phone and chat. You can even video call them while you’re setting up an ADT Self Setup system. They’ll talk you through every step so you install your equipment correctly.
The ADT technician installed our Nest Cams, but if we did it ourselves, it was good to know we could video call ADT for support.
SimpliSafe’s Intruder Intervention and Active Guard Outdoor Protection use the Wireless Indoor Camera and Outdoor Camera to detect trespassers and allow agents to interact with them via the two-way speaker on the security cameras. You need the appropriate professional monitoring plan to access these features, but, since SimpliSafe is one of the most affordable security systems, it shouldn’t break the bank.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Affordable equipment and monitoring
No long-term contracts or monthly fees required
Professional monitoring plans starting at $21.99 per month
DIY and professional installation available
60-day money-back guarantee
Intruder Intervention and Active Guard Outdoor Protection features
Facial recognition and smart motion detection
Free self-monitoring plan
Cons:
Limited camera and equipment range
No third-party integrations besides Google Assistant and Alexa
Only offers cloud storage for video clips
No home automation features
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
SimpliSafe outsources its professional installation to OnTech, with prices starting at $124.99. But SimpliSafe specializes in DIY security systems, so we decided to do it ourselves. We finished in under an hour, with most of the time dedicated to setting up the hardwired SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro.
During testing, we simulated Intruder Intervention scenarios. About five seconds after “breaking in,” our Wireless Indoor Camera’s privacy cover snapped open and we heard a voice telling us to get out or they’d call the police. We also learned about video verification. When SimpliSafe verifies the alarm with camera footage, the team passes confirmation on to emergency services, potentially resulting in faster response times.1
Expert Examined
From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant
I am a big supporter of the ethical uses of artificial intelligence in security and crime prevention, and facial recognition is a fantastic option for homeowners. I had a case where a home security camera was able to record one of our suspects with an unidentified young girl. We were able to use facial recognition on the girl and identified her as a missing person who had an alert for being sex trafficked. This finding was crucial, not only in recovering the missing girl but in proving our suspect was trafficking young women.
SimpliSafe Equipment
SimpliSafe offers equipment bundles to get you started. They’re designed for different types of homes – from small apartments to large houses. Prices start at $250, and like ADT, you can add as many extra devices as you need. Just be aware the selection isn’t as broad as that of ADT.
For example, SimpliSafe only offers one indoor camera, one outdoor camera, and one video doorbell. While there are enough essential devices to protect your home, we wish there were more variety.
While SimpliSafe’s product range is limited compared to other brands, we found it one of the easiest systems to install.
SimpliSafe Pricing
SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring plans are more flexible than ADT’s. It doesn’t matter what equipment you own – you can switch to any package, including the self-monitoring options. While a free self-monitoring plan is tempting, we recommend going with professional monitoring so you don’t have to manage alerts.
Plans start from $21.99 per month. However, we suggest choosing the $31.99-per-month Core plan or $49.99-per-month Pro plan. Both include Intruder Intervention, cellular backup, cloud storage, and voice control via Google Assistant and Alexa. The latter includes Active Guard, which is similar to Intruder Intervention but for outdoor cameras.
Expert Tip: You can switch SimpliSafe monitoring plans anytime. If you find the Pro plan doesn’t suit you, drop down to Core. You can always upgrade again if you change your mind.
Contracts and Customer Service
Like ADT, SimpliSafe offers payment plans via Affirm. You can pay off the system over a maximum of 24 months as long as your order is over $150. If you finance your equipment, that’s the only time you’ll sign a contract. And mind you, it’s a financing contract, not a monitoring contract that locks you into a subscription plan like ADT or Vivint have. With SimpliSafe, you can opt in and out of professional monitoring even if you have a financing contract.
SimpliSafe offers phone and chat support if you need help. You can also ask the community for help. Unlike Reddit’s endless scroll, questions are organized into categories like products and software. We found it very easy to look for answers on our iPhone, even while we’re up a ladder installing one of SimpliSafe’s sensors.
ADT and SimpliSafe have some smart home features, but they don’t come close to Vivint’s. We set up a series of smart device actions triggered by events like unlocking the door or arming the system. While Vivint’s equipment is more advanced than ADT and SimpliSafe’s, it’s also more expensive. You can finance the equipment to reduce your up-front costs, though.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Wireless equipment
Advanced home automation and customizations
7-inch touch-screen smart home hub
AI-powered outdoor, indoor and doorbell cameras
Professional installation service
Cellular monitoring with two monitoring facilities
Cons:
Equipment can be pricey
Requires a contract up to 60 months
Short three-day cancellation window
Lack of pricing transparency on its website
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
Vivint wouldn’t let us buy a system online like ADT and SimpliSafe. We had to call a sales rep to discuss options and schedule professional installation. On the day, the setup process took over two hours, which included the technician explaining how the system and Vivint’s home automation features work.
We used the Vivint Smart Hub to control our system. It’s shaped like an iPad and wall-mounted. We used it to adjust equipment settings, arm and disarm the system, and set up home automation routines. We had to adapt to using Vivint’s Smart Hub, especially after using two of the best smartphone apps for security systems to manage ADT and SimpliSafe.
Expert Tip: Garage doors are a popular entry point for burglars. 2 We recommend speaking to Vivint about installing a garage door sensor or motion detector to secure it. See our guide to the best garage security systems for more advice.
Vivint Equipment
Like ADT and SimpliSafe, Vivint has bundles you can start with and build upon. There are three to choose from. The Starter Package comes with the Smart Hub, two entry sensors, and a motion sensor. Alternatively, there are two premium bundles that add security cameras and hazard sensors.
You can also add extra equipment to these bundles, including a range of smart home products. We got a smart lock and garage door control, but you’ll also find smart lighting, a keypad, and a thermostat.
FYI: You can integrate some third-party smart home products with Vivint, including Philips Hue light bulbs, Kwikset smart locks, Google Nest speakers and thermostats, and Alexa Echo devices.
Vivint Pricing
Vivint does not advertise prices on its website. You need to call to discuss costs. Based on our conversations with Vivint, packages range from around $600 to $1,800. You can pay for everything up front or finance the equipment and spread the payments over a maximum of 60 months.
Professional monitoring is also required and starts from around $30 per month. Like ADT, you’ll need to pay for the most expensive plan for camera support, which is around $50 per month.
As we mentioned earlier, you can pay for a Vivint system upfront or over a maximum of 60 months. We chose to finance the equipment because we were spending over $1500. We had to sign a five-year contract, and during this term, we can’t cancel our monitoring service without paying cancellation fees. Not that we’d want to cancel; Vivint only works as a professionally monitored security system.
As Vivint’s equipment is state-of-the-art, you might need tech support every now and then. You can call Vivint or chat with the support team on the website. We also found plenty of helpful guides online. You can also email Vivint, but response times vary.
Vivint’s technicians are just as friendly as the customer support team, and are ready to answer all your questions.
Relying on Wi-Fi is not the best connection type for everyone with a home security system. That’s why we recommend Cove if you want a system that will stay online if your internet drops or the power goes out. The equipment is not as advanced as ADT, SimpliSafe, or Vivint’s, but the devices are affordable and the response times are fast.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Monitoring starts at $19.99 per month
Simple but functional mobile app and touchscreen controller
85 dB siren built into each Cove Hub and touchscreen keypad
Affordable equipment options
Frequently offers deals and discounts
Cons:
Security camera support is only available on the most expensive monitoring plan
Limited home automation and integrations
Doesn’t offer equipment financing
More limited equipment options than other brands
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
Since Cove’s DIY equipment comes pre-programmed, our system was up and running in less than an hour. The only issue we had was integrating the Eufy security cameras. We also struggled with managing the cameras through the Eufy app and the rest of the system with Cove Connect. It’s not ideal if an alarm is triggered and you want to check the live feed before confirming an alert.
If your alarm is triggered, you can expect fast results from Cove. We got a text message instantly when we accidentally set it off. Like ADT, we could confirm or cancel it. Cove followed up with a call in around 35 seconds when we took too long to respond.
FYI: Cove uses RapidSOS, which sends your data directly to 911 centers so you don’t need to relay all your information to them. This helps speed up response times and allows responders to plan ahead before they arrive on the scene.
Cove Equipment
Cove has a smaller equipment range than other brands on this list, even SimpliSafe. You’ll still find entry sensors, motion detectors, and cameras, which are the essential devices for home security. However, if you don’t like the look of them or they’re missing features you want, there are no alternatives. You can’t integrate third-party devices either.
While we have some issues with the security cameras, we appreciate that they offer local storage. We used a 32 GB SD card on the outdoor camera to save video events. This gave us about two months of footage, which is better than paying extra for cloud storage. Additionally, the device is solar-powered, so we didn’t have to worry about the battery running out.
Installing our Eufy cameras wasn’t difficult, but integrating them with our Cove system took longer than we liked.
Cove Pricing
Cove always seems to be running a sale, with discounts as high as 70 percent. We’ve even scored free equipment like security cameras. Even when there isn’t a sale, Cove prices are affordable.
Cove offers two professional monitoring plans, but like ADT and Vivint, you’ll need Cove Plus (the more expensive plan) for video camera support. Cove Plus also includes equipment warranty for the life of the plan and voice control using Alexa and Google Assistant. Thankfully, both plans come with cellular backup.
FYI: Cove has a self-monitoring plan for $9.99 per month that includes camera streaming. But, you’ll need to call Cove to switch to this option.
Contracts and Customer Service
Cove’s prices are affordable, but the company still offers financing with Affirm if you’d rather break up the cost into smaller amounts. Alternatively, you can take advantage of Cove’s 60-day money-back guarantee before fully committing. And, unlike Vivint, even if you finance your equipment, you won’t need to sign a monitoring contract.
Another perk is that Cove offers 24/7 web chat. You’ll even chat with actual people, not bots. You can also call Cove if you’d rather hear someone’s voice.
Alder promises a response time 10 times faster than the best-monitored security systems. That turned out to be partly true. We got a call within 15 seconds of an alarm being triggered, faster than our previous picks. Sadly, fast response times don't translate to being the best security system, as you’ll find out.
Like Vivint, you’ll need to call Alder to buy a security system. The good news is that it ships pre-programmed. That meant our Alder installation took less than an hour. Alder’s touch-screen panel walked us through the entire process and was a great way to get familiar with the device.
The Alder Hub works differently from the Vivint Smart Hub, but it’s still a solid touch-screen hub. We mainly used the mobile app, though. Some of the notifications were slightly delayed compared to the hub, but the app offers full functionality. We created motion zones for the cameras to focus on and set up notifications for when the front door closed or the garage door opened.
Expert Tip: We recommend setting up home automation sequences for different activities, like “Going to Work.” We included locking the door, closing the garage door, and arming the system after 8:30 a.m.
Alder Equipment
Alder doesn’t have a broad home security range compared to others on this list. You can still get the essentials, like a touch-screen panel, entry sensor, motion detector, and security camera. The rest of the lineup is light beyond these basics.
The cameras come from Eufy, the same brand Cove uses. You can integrate a Eufy indoor, outdoor, and doorbell camera with your Alder system. Eufy also offers an NVR camera that’s powered over Ethernet ports. All footage is stored locally, and each camera comes with its own cable.
All of the Alder equipment we installed and tested in our home.
Alder Pricing
Alder’s prices aren’t on their website. In our chats with Alder, we learned packages range from $40 to $60 per month, but the final figure depends on how many products you buy. You must also commit to a three-year contract.
You’ll also need to add professional monitoring costs on top. Basic protection starts from around $40 per month. But, if you want video support and home automation features, you’re looking closer to $60 per month.
Contracts and Customer Service
Despite being a DIY system, Alder prefers you sign up for a three-year commitment. Like Vivint, you can get out of it by paying for your system upfront. At least Alder has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is better than Vivint’s three-day offer.
Alder’s customer support is primarily phone-based. Email and online forms are also available. We think you’ll get a faster response by speaking to someone directly.
Expert Examined
From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant
I remember responding to a call where the monitoring agency watched a suspect break into a home. While the suspect was rummaging through the kitchen, the agency remoted in and told the suspect the police were on their way. The suspect dropped everything and ran outside, but unfortunately he disappeared before we could arrive. Because the monitoring agent was able to speak to the suspect, the suspect got scared and left everything he was going to steal.
Frontpoint’s home security equipment might look big and bulky. But, you can connect hundreds of Z-Wave devices to the Frontpoint Hub and manage them inside the app. That means you can integrate smart locks, lighting systems, and other security components. You can even set up automations like changing the color of smart light bulbs when the alarm is activated.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
High-quality wireless equipment
DIY installation with professional install option
Fully cellular communication
Customizable automations
Outstanding app
Cons:
You have to call Frontpoint for cheaper monitoring plans
No touch-screen control panel included in basic packages
Outsourced monitoring
Limited keypad functionality; more app reliant
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
Our Frontpoint security system was up and running in no time. Since it relies on cellular networks, we didn’t have to connect the system to our Wi-Fi. We did anyway, in case the cellular service dropped. For the rest of our devices, we used the app to guide us through how to set them up correctly.
After the first night, we noticed we were getting a lot of motion alerts. The app showed us how to adjust the settings so the sensors were less sensitive. We also explored other app features like Scenes, which sets up home automations, and Geofencing, which alerts you when you’ve left the house and forgotten to arm the system.
FYI: We also used the app to integrate third-party devices since Frontpoint is Z-Wave compatible. You can even incorporate this equipment into home automations.
Frontpoint Equipment
Frontpoint has two packages available, and they always seem to be on sale. We’ve seen discounts as high as 80 percent off. The Essential Home Security System includes the hub, a keypad, two entry sensors, and stickers, and a yard sign. The Total Home Security System adds an extra entry sensor, a motion sensor, a smoke and heat sensor, and a security camera.
You don’t have to go with either package; you can build your own system. Just know there aren’t many devices to choose from. But that’s the benefit of Frontpoint offering Z-Wave connectivity: You can add as many third-party security devices as you want.
We recommend getting a Frontpoint outdoor camera as it comes with customizable intruder deterrence, such as flashing color-changing lights and sirens.
Frontpoint Pricing
Frontpoint prices are slightly more expensive than ADT and SimpliSafe. For instance, an entry sensor with ADT and SimpliSafe costs $15 to $20, but is $35 from Frontpoint. A Frontpoint motion sensor is $70, double what SimpliSafe charges. Thankfully, Frontpoint regularly runs sales with discounts as high as 86 percent.
There are three professional monitoring plans available. The cheapest starts at $15 per month, but is only ideal for Frontpoint security cameras. At $45 per month, the Interactive Monitoring plan includes cellular backup, hazard protection, and home automation – but no video support. The Ultimate Monitoring plan includes everything Frontpoint offers and is $50 per month.
FYI: The Video Only and Interactive Monitoring Plans can’t be purchased online. You’ll have to call Frontpoint to sign up for one.
Contracts and Customer Service
Frontpoint offers financing for up to 36 months and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. The three-year financing contract will also serve as your monitoring contract. You’ll need to pay a penalty if you decide to cancel your monitoring subscription early.
If you need to speak to the support team, you can reach them via phone, chat, and web form. Just take note that Frontpoint operates on Eastern Time.
If you want to transform your house into a smart home, consider Brinks. We bought some of their smart devices, including a thermostat, smart lock, and garage door opener. But, we also grabbed some home security equipment. Plus, like Frontpoint, Brinks connects with Z-Wave devices, so you can expand your system.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Rate-lock guarantee
High-quality modern security system
Third-party smart-home integrations
Strong home automation
Alarm.com equipment
Cons:
App is new; still has bugs and kinks to iron out
Lack of pricing transparency
Requires a 36-month contract
Some components and sensors look dated
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
Brinks offers free professional installation, which is better than ADT and Vivint. The technician chose the best places for our security equipment and our smart home devices. They also showed us how to integrate Z-Wave devices and create automations in the Brinks app.
Once we got the hang of the automation steps, we started setting up rules. We set up a sequence for when we went to sleep and woke up. The rules included arming and disarming the system, switching lights in the bathroom and kitchen, and changing the temperature on the thermostat.
Our tester got familiar with the Brinks Control panel before using it to integrate Z-Wave and Zigbee third-party devices.
Brinks Equipment
Some of Brinks’ equipment, like the cameras and video doorbell, comes from Alarm.com. We had no trouble integrating them with our Brinks system and liked that the indoor camera includes local storage and the outdoor camera has intruder-deterrent features.
The rest of the lineup is light. You’ll still find entry sensors, motion detectors, and hazard sensors, but they all look a little outdated compared to ADT, SimpliSafe, and Vivint. We were impressed with the Touchscreen Panel. It works with Wi-Fi and cellular connections, and it acts like a digital photo frame when it’s not in use.
Expert Tip: If you live in a two-story house, we recommend getting a second Touchscreen Panel. You can install one next to the front door and have the second one as a mobile option. We keep ours by the bedside table for quick access.
Brinks Pricing
You won’t find any Brinks pricing on the website. Like Vivint and Frontpoint, you’ll need to speak to someone for a personalized quote. When we spoke to Brinks, we learned that equipment packages range from $360 to $800. Brinks also offers free installation with all systems. However, you’ll need to sign up for a three-year contract when you become a customer.
Professional monitoring starts at $39.99, which is expensive compared to brands like SimpliSafe. Plus, for security camera support, you’ll need the top plan, which is $49.99 per month. That puts it on par with ADT and Vivint.
As we mentioned earlier, Brinks requires a minimum 36-month commitment on all plans. You have a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you’re responsible for the shipping costs if you return it.
Brinks offers phone, text message, and chat support. Text messaging and chat are available 24/7. Brinks also has a knowledge center if you prefer digging for the answer yourself.
Ring is known for its popular doorbell cameras.But, the company has expanded its lineup to include security cameras, entry sensors, and environmental alarms. Everything from the devices to the subscriptions is budget-friendly – even when Ring isn’t running a sale, which is rare. However, there are some missing features you should know about before signing up.
Plenty of security and doorbell cameras to choose from
Affordable professional monitoring
30-minute DIY installation
Seven-day practice mode for new professional monitoring subscription
Loud, built-in siren
Cons:
Limited sensor options
Has had privacy and security breaches (which have been resolved)
Cameras need a subscription to record
Slower professional monitoring response times
Our Experience:
Our Testing Results
Setting up our Ring Alarm system took less than an hour. This included installing security cameras, entry sensors, and motion detectors. To be fair, the Ring Stick Up Cams are wireless and can sit on shelves or mount to walls. But the Ring Floodlight Cam needs power.
We couldn’t have done it without the Ring – Always Home app. It’s one of the best companion apps we’ve tested. It makes integrating devices and testing the system effortless. Since Ring is an Amazon brand, it works great with Alexa for voice control and home automation features. However, we didn’t have access to the same features when using Google Assistant.
FYI: The Ring app also let us integrate products from EcoLink, GE, and Kidde to name a few. You can add smoke alarms, dimmer switches, and sirens if you’re looking for an upgrade from the Ring’s own devices.
Ring Alarm Equipment
We recommend starting with a Ring home security bundle. They come with the base station, a keypad, entry sensors, motion detectors, and cameras. Prices range from $300 to $740, depending on how many devices are in the package.
If you’ve already got a Ring Doorbell or camera, there are alarm system bundles that only include the base station, a keypad, entry sensors, and motion detectors. These packages range from $200 to $640. Alternatively, you can build your system from scratch. Keep in mind that Ring offers a wide variety of camera models, but it has a limited selection of other product types.
We integrated our Ring Floodlight Cam with our Ring Alarm system so we had our indoor and outdoor areas covered.
Ring Alarm Pricing
Ring’s equipment pricing is in the same ballpark as other budget-friendly brands like SimpliSafe. Ring also runs frequent sales and throws in free cameras to make it worth your while.
Ring subscriptions are also affordable, with prices starting at $4.99 per month for one doorbell or camera. For Ring, we recommend the $9.99 per month Standard plan so you can access 180 days of video event history. You can then add professional monitoring for an extra $10 per month, but this is optional.
FYI: Ring’s professional monitoring dispatches help any time your alarm system detects an emergency. For an extra $99 per month, trained security professionals can access your live camera stream and dispatch authorities when needed.
Contracts and Customer Service
Ring lets you finance purchases via Affirm over 2, 6, or 12 months if you don’t want to pay upfront. You also get to try Ring Home for 30 days free before billing begins. Keep in mind, Affirm’s financing contract isn’t a monitoring contract. You’re free to choose whether to get professional monitoring or not.
Ring support is available 24/7 via phone and live chat. Like SimpliSafe, you can also connect with the community to find answers.
Product Specs:
Monitoring Options
24/7 professional and DIY
Installation
DIY
Smart Platform Integration
Alexa
Equipment Cost
From $244.95
Monthly Monitoring Cost
$4.99
Contract Length
1-12 months
Expert Examined
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
A reliable security system can allow faster response times from police, which in turn gives police a better chance at arriving while the crime is in progress. For instance, while on patrol in the northeast part of Las Vegas, I was dispatched to a burglary in progress from a home security monitoring company. I arrived with a couple other officers, including one K9 officer, to find the front door kicked in and the alarm system going off.
I and another officer made entry into the home and began our slow, methodical search. After searching the entire house we could not find anyone inside. The K9 officer decided to let the dog go search the house just in case we missed something. The dog kept alerting us to the hallway where we noticed the attic access door was a little ajar. We eventually found the suspect hiding in the attic, thanks to our four-legged friend! The suspect stated he attempted to flee, but as he was doing so officers were already arriving, so he hid in the attic.
Those precious seconds allowing officers to arrive quickly meant the difference of the burglar getting away and being caught.
Other Security Systems We Tested
You might have noticed that some well-known security systems didn’t make the cut. For example, abode, Link Interactive, Arlo, Lorex, Deep Sentinel, Bay Alarm, and CPI Security.
We included these brands in the pool of 33 security systems we evaluated. However, there were a few reasons they didn’t make our top 8.
While we picked Vivint for its smart home features, it’s not in everyone’s budget. The abode system we reviewed was more affordable and it was DIY. It could also connect with Z-Wave and Zigbee devices and create automation routines. However, its equipment range was too limited to make our list.
We didn’t include Deep Sentinel because it only specializes in outdoor security cameras. You won’t find any indoor equipment or motion detectors with this system. That said, the Deep Sentinel cameras we tested are state-of-the-art and they are monitored live.
When we reviewed Link Interactive, it gave us plenty of equipment options and easy DIY installation. However, the up-front costs are high compared to DIY systems like SimpliSafe and Cove.
Lorex is also one of the top security camera providers right now, with 4K cameras and ultra-rugged outdoor cameras in its arsenal. It doesn’t offer security sensors or monitoring, but the Lorex cameras we reviewed could be great for supplementing a security system.
Bay Alarm and CPI Security could have made our list with their impressive features, but we didn’t include them because of their limited coverage. Both are available only in select states.
About Our Rankings and SecureScore™
Our ranking system, SecureScore™.
We use a proprietary ranking system to give every home security system a numbered score, from 1 to 10. We call it the SafeHome.org SecureScore™.
The SecureScore™ can be an easy way to compare security systems. It condenses the results of our hours of research and months of testing and evaluation. The breakdown of our ratings for Customer Service, Value, Equipment, Features & Technology, and Ease of Use can also give you a clear overview of the system’s strengths and weaknesses.
One of our experts testing how easy it is to install Cove’s entry sensors.
That being said, there are some crucial factors we simply can’t summarize with a SecureScore. That’s where guides like this come in, where we test security systems side-by-side for an even more in-depth comparison.
Pro Tip: We don’t recommend trusting any “expert” industry site that doesn’t readily share their editorial guidelines or ranking methodology. Remember, not all advice is equal.
What Are Home Security Systems?
The security systems we evaluated offer both security equipment and professional monitoring services. They feature a variety of equipment, from security and environment sensors like smoke alarms to security cameras and home automation devices.
These companies also provide equipment monitoring. If anything happens, they can alert you or send police to emergency response.
We recommend including entry sensors and motion detectors in your security system.
DIY Vs Professionally Installed Systems
DIY systems are designed to be easy to set up with pre-programmed devices and sensors that stick to walls. These setups are ideal for renters and anyone watching their budget. Despite the flexibility, we still recommend choosing professionally installed systems. Technicians offer invaluable, tailored advice and use their expertise to place devices for optimal coverage.
Average Cost of DIY Security Systems
DIY security systems range from $200 to $1000, depending on how many devices you buy. For a pure DIY approach, you can opt for free self-monitoring, but this requires hands-on management. We recommend subscribing to professional monitoring for 24/7 protection and features like video storage and cellular backup.
Average Cost of Professionally Installed Systems
Professionally installed systems start at $200 and go beyond $1500 with setup fees and equipment costs. Monitoring costs are comparable to DIY systems, but some companies, like ADT, charge extra for professionally installed systems. Others like Vivint and Brinks require multi-year contracts.
While we paid extra for Vivint professional installation, our technician chose the perfect spots for our equipment and showed us how to use the system.
How to Pick a Home Security System
We’ve presented you with eight outstanding home security systems to choose from. Now it’s time for you to take your pick. The best advice we can give you to narrow down your search is to be clear on the type of protection you need. How many entry points do you need to secure? Do you need outdoor cameras or video doorbells? Do you need home automation? How much is your budget? Once you know those things, you can start evaluating these factors:
Installation: Take a look at our guide on how to install a security system. If you feel confident you can do it yourself, consider a DIY security system. We recommend professional installation because the experts know the best spots to set up your equipment.
Monitoring: This is another aspect you can do yourself. Self-monitoring is a budget-friendly option, but it comes with limited features, like cloud video storage. Professional monitoring also means the company dispatches help, even if you miss an alert notification.
Cost: Consider all the costs involved with a home security system before you buy. Equipment, installation, and monitoring are the primary costs. Think about replacement costs, moving fees, and device prices if you want to add anything else to your system in the future.
Ease of use: We encourage reading app reviews for security systems you’re interested in. They can give you further insights into how easy it is to manage equipment and use features. Some will even include experiences with customer service teams.
Features: Decide whether you need all the bells and whistles or just the basics to protect your home. Some security systems include features like voice integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant. Others solely rely on the app.
Add-ons: We add new equipment to our security system regularly. As your needs change or your home grows, you might need a few extra devices. Find out how easy it is to integrate into your setup or if you need to start over.
How Much Do the Best Security Systems Cost?
While comparing the best security systems, we recommend tracking both upfront and recurring costs. The three most important include equipment costs, installation fees, and monthly monitoring subscriptions.
System
Equipment Packages Starting Cost
Installation Fee
Monthly Monitoring
Contract Length
ADT Home Security
$349
From $100
From $24.99
Monthly
SimpliSafe
$250
From $125
From $21.99
Monthly
Vivint Smart Home
$600
From $200
From $30
48 to 60 months
Cove Security
$300
From $130
From $19.99
Monthly
Alder Security
$360
Free
From $40
36 months
Frontpoint Home Security
$387
From $99
From $14.99
36 months
Brinks Home Security
$200
Free
From $39
36 months
Ring Alarm
$245
From $160
From $4.99
Monthly
While costs are important, you also need to consider what you’re getting in return. For example, the features in a Google Nest Aware subscription are included in the ADT Complete plan for free. All the best home security systems include unique features that help justify costs and keep you safe.
Key Features to Look For In a Home Security System
Before you get too excited about burglar prevention features, it’s important to focus on core security components first. For example, what type of cameras or sensors do you need? This helps narrow down your options, especially as companies offer different features and devices. Take a look for yourself.
System
Professional Monitoring
Camera Options
Types of Sensors
Smart Home Integration
Cellular Backup
Environmental Sensors
ADT Home Security
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke, CO2, water, heat, and temperature
SimpliSafe
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke, CO2, water, and temperature
Vivint Smart Home
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke, CO2, and water leak
Cove Security
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke, CO2, and water leak
Alder Security
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke
Frontpoint Home Security
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry and motion
Google Home, Alexa, and Siri
Yes
Smoke and heat
Brinks Home Security
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Google Home and Alexa
Yes
Smoke, CO2, and water leak
Ring Alarm
Yes
Indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell
Entry, motion, and glass break
Alexa
Yes
Smoke and CO2 listener, flood and freeze sensor
We recommend choosing a security system with a broad range of equipment. While you may only need the basics now, you can always add more devices later if you move homes or need more coverage.
Frontpoint offers a lot of the same equipment as other providers, but we would like to see them extend its hazard sensor range.
The Benefits of Having a Security System
While reports of residential burglaries declined in 2024 compared to 2023, car theft and porch piracy continue to rise.3 A security system is designed to alert you after a break-in has occurred, but there are several other benefits to installing one in your home. Here are a few examples:
Protection:Home invasions are more dangerous than typical burglaries because they put your life at risk. It’s also harder to call for help when you’re trying to hide from the intruder. But, with a monitored security system, you won’t have to call for help yourself. The monitoring center dispatches police on your behalf.
Deterrence: As we found in our “Five Things Burglars do NOT Want You to Know” research, security system equipment like security cameras, video doorbells, and security lights are effective crime deterrents. They don’t just alert you to crime after the fact – they can also prevent it from happening in the first place.
Peace of Mind: With a professionally monitored security system, you know that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, your home is safe in the hands of your alarm company.
Convenience: Smart security systems with home automation make daily tasks easier. This feature integrates multiple devices together to perform tasks autonomously, from locking doors at bedtime to turning on lights at sunset.
Why People Buy Home Security Systems
Our research on home security highlights the reasons why people invest in this equipment. These are some of the stats that got our attention:
72 percent of home decision-makers have installed some form of home security system.
37 percent of these people also plan on purchasing their first video doorbell in the next 12 months.
Houses without security systems are 300 percent more likely to experience a burglary.
Over half of American adults have had a package stolen from their home.
74 percent of respondents felt overall secure after installing a home security system.
We felt safer using the Ring app to check our front door and review updates from neighbors on crimes in the area.
The Best Security Systems For Different Situations
As you go through our list of the best home security systems, you might have shortlisted a few options. We asked our experts for some personalized recommendations for specific scenarios, which can help you choose the best one.
Best DIY Security Systems
SimpliSafe offers the best DIY security system. You can place the indoor camera on a shelf, the sensors stick to walls with adhesives, and the video doorbell uses existing wiring. ADT Self Setup and Cove are also great alternatives.
Did you know that SimpliSafe was originally founded to address the security needs of renters? That’s why the products are affordable and easy to install. The equipment is also easy to take with you when it’s time to move on. We also recommend Cove and Ring for renters.
Another SimpliSafe benefit is that subscriptions are optional. You can monitor the system yourself instead of paying for professional monitoring. It’s even easy to switch between plans as your needs change. Ring Alarm is another alternative that doesn’t force you to subscribe to any packages.
Buying a security system is easier than you think. For more traditional systems like Vivint, the process starts with calling the company for a quote. They help you build your security system and organize installation. Once the equipment is set up, professional monitoring is activated.
Reviewing our people-detection notifications on the Vivint Smart Hub.
We’ve already highlighted some of the benefits of security systems, but there are many other advantages they offer, including:
Remote monitoring: You can check in on your property any time using the app. If you have a security system for your vacation home, it’s a good way to monitor guest activity and check for weather damage.
Reduced insurance premiums: Some insurance companies offer discounts if you have a home security system. Insurers know that installing one reduces the risk of theft and damage.
Evidence collection: If you need to prove something was stolen or your home was vandalized, security systems can provide the evidence you need.
There are some drawbacks to consider as well, such as:
Privacy concerns: Some people may have problems with security camera surveillance and where footage is stored. Some companies like SimpliSafe address these issues with features like privacy shutters and activity zones.
Reliance on internet: Most security systems connect to your Wi-Fi, but if your internet is unreliable, it can impact monitoring and alerts. Other alternatives exist, including cellular security systems and Power-over-Ethernet cameras.
Complexity of equipment: Not everyone is comfortable with technology. State-of-the-art security systems can be overwhelming to learn. We recommend reading our guide on best home security customer service to overcome this concern.
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that all our recommendations come from firsthand testing experience and our deep understanding of the home security industry. All the security systems we listed are the best in the industry right now, so any of them could be the right choice. Now, it’s up to you to choose the best security system for your home based on your security needs and budget.
DIY home security systems are as reliable as professionally installed systems. In a lot of cases, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between setting up devices yourself or a technician doing it for you. Our expert tip is to choose a DIY system that offers cellular backup so it stays online even if your internet connection goes out.
Some of the best smart home features to look for are automated routines, real-time alerts, and voice assistant integration. We also recommend looking out for compatibility with third-party devices like smart locks or thermostats so you can expand your system.
No system can 100 percent prevent break-ins, but security systems are a reliable deterrent. Visible alarms, cameras, and window decals or yard signs discourage burglars from targeting your home. Monitored systems can also intervene before intruders enter your home.
Start by looking at how many doors and windows you want to protect, then factor in your square footage. For larger homes, we recommend installing more entry sensors and cameras. If you have multiple floors, think about adding a camera and sensor to each level. For small homes, motion detectors and a single camera might work best.
We recommend installing entry sensors, motion detectors, and glass break sensors. Environmental sensors like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are also worthwhile.
As a home security expert and Managing Editor for SafeHome.org, Rob Gabriele has written and edited over 1,000 articles related to home security. His expertise is in smart home protection with thousands of hours of testing and research under his belt. Formerly a reporter and producer for the USAToday network, Rob has been a writer and editor for over 10 years. He holds a Master’s of Science with an emphasis on writing from the University of Montana, and he currently lives in Indianapolis, IN.
Updated July 9, 2025
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