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Bottom Line:
SimpliSafe is one of the most flexible companies out there. With no complicated contracts to sign, you’re never locked into anything. It’s even easy to switch between monitoring plans and scale your system as your security needs change.
Bottom Line:
Cove may be new to the home security game, but it has already proven itself as a flexible and reliable home security option. With easy DIY installation that rivals SimpliSafe and affordable prices, it’s a strong no-contract option for homeowners and renters on a budget.
Bottom Line:
ADT used to be known for its long-term contracts and professional installation. But now, they also offer high-quality, easy-to-install equipment to go with their best-in-industry professional monitoring service.
Did you know that some of the best home security systems don’t require a contract? You can pay for your equipment upfront, install it yourself, and monitor it on your terms. With some no-contract security systems, you just pay a monthly professional monitoring fee starting at $5.
We tested dozens of no-contract security systems and found SimpliSafe to be the best option. Not only is it one of the best DIY home security systems, but SimpliSafe offers flexible monitoring plans, affordable equipment, and intruder deterrent features. Cove and ADT Self Setup are great alternatives if you have different security needs. Here’s a breakdown of each option to help you choose the right one.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
There’s only one way to make unbiased and trustworthy recommendations, and that’s by testing home security systems ourselves. That means spending our own money to buy the equipment, setting them up in our own homes, and testing each system extensively for weeks and sometimes months. We aim to get a feel for the usability, response time, app, and features of each security system so we can give you honest recommendations based on first-hand experience.
We try our best to compare apples to apples. For example, we install every test unit in the same environment, a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our security experts. We find testing security systems in real houses gives us the most accurate results.
We also buy the same equipment for each test system and install the devices in identical locations. Below is our typical testing setup:
After setting up the test units, we draw upon our extensive expertise to choose the factors most important for the category we are testing for. These are the top-priority items for security systems without contracts:
Using those criteria, here’s how we scored our top picks.
Rating the Best Security Systems Without Contracts
Our team of experts only reviews safety and security equipment. We’re not like those other websites that review everything from robot vacuum cleaners to dishwashers. This approach means we analyze every aspect of a test system to give readers reliable recommendations. The experts who worked on this guide include:
With over 75 years of combined industry experience, we are the most accomplished home security team online. Since SafeHome.org began in 2016, our team has been featured in multiple major outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. Together, we have achieved:
Every recommendation on SafeHome.org is based on first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the home security industry. Now, let’s learn more about the best security systems without contracts.
| System |
SimpliSafe
|
Cove Security
|
ADT Self Setup
|
Ring Alarm
|
Abode
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking |
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
| SecureScore™ | 9.2 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Best feature | Professional monitoring service | Equipment and monitoring price | Equipment and monitoring | Security cameras | Home automation |
| Equipment package cost | Starts at $250 | Starts at $150 | Starts at $194.98 | Starts at $244.95 | Starts at $159.99 |
| Equipment financing | Yes, via Affirm | No | No | Yes, via Affirm | Yes, via Bread |
| Monthly monitoring fee | Starts at $22.99 | Starts at $19.99 | Starts at $24.99 | $10 add-on | $25.99 |
| Self-monitoring option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security cameras | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited options) |
| Home automation | Integrations, but limited automation | Yes, but limited integrations | Yes | Yes, but limited integrations | Yes |
| Read our review | SimpliSafe Review | Cove Security Review | ADT Self Setup Review | Ring Alarm Review | abode Review |
SimpliSafe has gone from being just one of the best security systems for apartments to becoming a sophisticated security system capable of securing even larger homes. It offers advanced monitoring features like Intruder Intervention and Active Guard that effectively deter criminals, but its no-contract approach means it’s flexible no matter your budget and needs, unlike brands that require a contract such as ADT.
Intruder Intervention was easily SimpliSafe’s best feature when we tested it. Typically, monitoring centers call your registered emergency contacts during emergencies. With Intruder Intervention, they can use the Wireless Indoor Camera’s two-way talk. Not only is that easier to reach you when you’re home, it can also deter intruders if the camera is within their earshot.
Intruder Intervention is available in the Core, Pro, and Pro Plus professional monitoring plans. Since SimpliSafe is contract-free, you can switch between these options whenever you want to change your level of coverage.
We created a SimpliSafe security system from the ground-up and could easily integrate more devices any time.
SimpliSafe offers self-monitoring and professional monitoring plans. All options are contract-free. When you switch, the change happens at the end of the billing month. We tested with the free self-monitoring plan and changed to Core after 30 days to try out Intruder Intervention.
Core is one of four professional monitoring plans SimpliSafe offers. Standard is ideal if you don’t need security camera support. Core includes the Intruder Intervention we mentioned earlier, and Pro and Pro Plus feature Active Guard Outdoor Protection. It’s similar to Intruder Intervention, but for outdoors. Here’s a breakdown of SimpliSafe’s subscriptions:
| Standard | Core | Pro | Pro Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 emergency dispatch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video verification | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intruder Intervention | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active Guard Outdoor Protection | No | No | Yes (8pm to 6am) | Yes |
| Cost | $22.99 per month | $32.99 per month | $49.99 per month | $79.99 per month |
FYI: Subscription fees are non-refundable, which means if you cancel in the middle of your subscription month, it will remain active for the rest of the month. It just won’t renew.
SimpliSafe has fast response times, partly thanks to Intruder Intervention. Most security systems we’ve tested have a response time of 30 to 45 seconds. With SimpliSafe, a monitoring agent contacted us via the Wireless Indoor Camera within 10 seconds.
If you don’t respond, SimpliSafe’s monitoring center calls within 30 seconds, which is standard with most systems we’ve tested. The monitoring center also uses the camera to verify if police response is needed. We think this type of protection is worth the $32.99 per month fee, considering a similar alternative, like Frontpoint, is more expensive and requires a long-term contract.
>> Compare: Frontpoint vs. SimpliSafe
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $250.96 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $22.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
We think Cove is an excellent option if you want access to reliable but affordable equipment. It reminds us of the Frontpoint system we reviewed in that the equipment and monitoring are solid, but unlike Frontpoint, Cove doesn’t require contracts. One way Cove keeps prices down is by using Eufy security cameras. The only downside is that you need to switch between the Cove and Eufy apps to manage devices, but that doesn’t hold it back from being one of our favorite no-contract DIY security systems.
Cove offers buy now, pay later via Affirm, but you might not need it since Cove’s pricing is cheaper than SimpliSafe and ADT Self Setup. Cove runs sales throughout the year, although even without discounts it’s one of the most affordable security systems.
Cove’s monitoring plans are also more affordable than SimpliSafe. You can choose between the $19.99 and $29.99 plan. You’ll need to pick the $29.99 option if your system includes security cameras.
FYI: With the Cove+ monitoring plan, you’ll get $5 per month to go towards extra equipment. It’s a nice little bonus, especially as we intend to add more devices to our system in the future.
Like SimpliSafe, you can switch between professional monitoring plans any time you want. The only catch is that if you need security camera support, you’ll need Cove+. Video support isn’t the only benefit. Here’s a rundown of what’s included in each plan.
| Features and cost | Cove Basic | Cove+ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $19.99 | $29.99 |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Text notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Equipment warranty | 1 year | Lifetime for the life of the plan |
| Video verification | No | Yes |
Cove’s motion sensors shine bright red when they detect movement.
Cove isn’t as advanced as the Vivint system we tested, but that doesn’t make it any less reliable. Cove’s main hub and touchscreen panel have a built-in 85 dB siren. When an alarm is triggered, you’ll get text and app notifications within 20 seconds and a phone call in under 45 if you don’t respond.
Did You Know? 92-percent of 911 agents believe having more data about alarms would help them expedite the response process.1 Thankfully, Cove uses RapidSOS to send your details directly to first responders so you don’t have to repeat anything or relay it yourself.
Like SimpliSafe, Cove doesn’t offer home automation features. The closest you get is voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant. If you’re looking for a security system with home automation, check out our next pick.
| Monitoring options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $99 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $17.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
Professionally installed ADT systems required a contract, but ADT Self Setup systems don’t. Plus, ADT’s pricing for Self Setup monitoring is $10 cheaper a month. The best part is that you still get access to the same equipment range and monitoring features, including Trusted Neighbor.
When we do an ADT review, we get it professionally installed so that the technician chooses the best spots to place our equipment. The only catch is there is a contract. If you don’t mind setting up security devices yourself, we recommend choosing an ADT Self Setup bundle, which includes all the same perks.
You can build your security system from the ground up on the website. The site includes a selection of ADT and Google Nest products as well as pre-built equipment bundles. You can opt to self-monitor, but we recommend choosing a professional monitoring plan. Subscriptions start at $24.99, but if you want camera support, you’ll need the top option. It’s $39.99 per month and includes cloud storage, facial recognition, and video verification.
Did You Know? ADT ranks as the most trusted home security system in America. Other brands include SimpliSafe, Ring, and abode, which are all on our list of the best no-contract security systems.2
Our Google Nest Cam works indoors and outdoors, but it requires ADT’s most expensive monitoring plan.
One of our highlights while testing ADT’s professional monitoring was the text-based alerts. ADT’s SMART monitoring system sends messages within 10 seconds of an alert to designated contacts. If no one responds, ADT starts making calls.
SMART Monitoring connects to police eight times faster than a traditional voice call. While we were testing, the platform let us manage alerts and label them as a false alarm. Another button we spotted was labeled emergency request. We didn’t press it but learned that ADT handles 95 percent of these alarms within 60 seconds.
Beyond those monitoring features we’ve mentioned, ADT’s equipment offers a strong sense of security and safety. For starters, the cameras are made by Google Nest. As you can see in our Google Nest Cam review: these cameras have advanced facial recognition technology. We use this feature to receive a special notification whenever our indoor camera sees a person it doesn’t recognize.
ADT doesn’t offer a touch screen panel like Cove, which we didn’t mind as we used the app to manage our system. We even found the hub useful. It automatically connects to cellular networks if the internet drops out and has a backup battery for power outages. The keypad also has buttons for police, medical, and fire, so the monitoring center knows which type of emergency responder to send.
| 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 |
Ring Alarm has some of the best security cameras on the market. Ring is also one of our favorite doorbell camera brands. You can even pair the cameras with other security equipment, such as motion detectors, entry sensors, and smoke alarms. While the product range is limited compared to SimpliSafe and ADT, Ring monitoring plans have some better features, like 180 days of video event history.
We already mentioned that Ring is one of the best security systems with video doorbells, but we also like its security camera range. The Ring Indoor Cam we reviewed was one of the standouts. We could adjust the camera’s motion sensor sensitivity and control how many notifications it sent.
FYI: Ring doesn’t just sell battery-powered cameras. They also have a range of hardwired, solar, and power over Ethernet options.
The Ring Spotlight Cam includes many of the same features. One of the standouts is the 110-decibel siren, which you can use to scare off intruders from the Ring app. We also liked that you can exclude areas to reduce notifications for street traffic and pedestrians.
>> Learn More: Ring Security Camera Costs
All Ring plans are self-monitoring packages. For professional monitoring, you’ll need the AI Pro plan, which is only $20 a month. It also comes with AI video description, facial recognition, and smoke and CO2 monitoring Here’s how each package compares:
| Features and cost | Solo | Multi | AI Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $4.99 | $9.99 | $19.99 |
| Up to 180 days of video event history | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular backup | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Professional monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Extended warranties | No | Yes | Yes |
FYI: Ring also lets you pay annually, saving you $40 versus monthly payments. You’ll even get a prorated refund for unused months if you cancel during the year.
>> Compare: Arlo vs. Ring comparison.
Our Ring Floodlight Cam also required hardwiring, for which we paid a local electrician to do.
Ring relies heavily on its security camera range to keep you safe. While motion detectors and entry sensors are on the website, we don’t think they match the quality of SimpliSafe or ADT.
>> Read More: Door Alarm Sensors: What They Are and How They’re Used
The professional monitoring also falls short compared to SimpliSafe, Cove, and ADT. During our testing, the average response time from the monitoring center was around 45 seconds. Ring sent a text and notification initially, and then someone rang us when there was no response. We did notice a faster reaction when pushing the SOS button in the app. It can dispatch police, fire, and ambulances.
Ring offers a virtual security guard plan that’s similar to SimpliSafe’s Intruder Intervention feature, but it costs $99 a month. The plan also includes live video monitoring and video verification for faster police responses. Considering SimpliSafe’s plan is just $32.99 a month, it’s hard to justify the price of this option.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa |
| Equipment Cost | From $199.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $19.99 |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month or 1-year |
We normally have to pay a premium for smart home automation features, but not with Abode. It’s included in all subscriptions, even the free one. We still recommend signing up to a plan to access Abode’s CUE engine. You can use it to schedule automations and integrate third-party devices.
Abode is one of our favorite Vivint alternatives because it offers customization, advanced smart home features, and affordable pricing. Our favorite feature is the CUE automation engine. You don’t need to be a tech genius to use it. The app walks you through how to customize rules, schedule automations, and set up easy-to-activate routines. We created a rule for our Nest Thermostat to warm up the house before we get out of bed.
Pro Tip: We’re always in a mad rush in the morning and sometimes forget to lock the front door. Now we rely on our Abode automation to immediately lock the door every time it closes.
You can set up automations without an Abode monitoring plan. We recommend signing up for a subscription to access the CUE platform. This is the feature that stood out to us the most when we compared Abode to SimpliSafe.
The premium self-monitoring option for $7.99 per month includes CUE, camera recordings, 10-day history logs, an in-app panic alarm, and premium customer support. Alternatively, there’s the Pro Plan ($25.99 per month), which comes with professional monitoring.
Abode’s home automation features are impressive, but we were disappointed in the lack of equipment options. Abode only offers one camera, and there isn’t a smoke alarm. You’ll only find a device that listens for sirens from smoke alarms. You can connect third-party equipment to make up for it, but it’s not the same as integrating native devices.
We didn’t find the lack of equipment impacted Abode’s reliability. During our testing, app alerts arrived within 10 seconds of tripping an alarm. We also like that the Pro Plan offers cellular backup, in case the internet drops out. Our system also sent accurate, personalized notifications for people, packages, and pets.
Abode doesn’t offer a lot of security equipment, but you can integrate third-party devices to round out your system.
| Monitoring Options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit |
| Equipment Cost | From $130 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $16.58 |
| Contract Length | Monthly |
We think we can all agree that installing a security system is a good idea. After all, our latest research found that 39 million U.S. households have one. But that’s not all we discovered. Some other stats that stood out to us are:
Home security systems are reliable whether you have a contract or not. We still recommend doing your due diligence and weighing the pros and cons of monitoring contracts before you commit.
>> Learn More: The Ins and Outs of Home Security Contracts
Long-term contracts are not always a bad thing. During our testing, we’ve committed to home security systems for years at a time. These are some of the benefits we’ve discovered:
Installing the latest version of the SimpliSafe Motion Sensor
Warranties and offsetting costs are great, but monitoring contracts aren’t for everyone. Before you sign on the dotted line, consider these factors:
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
Ring equipment bundles are a great launching off point to building a robust home security system.
Just because there is no contract doesn’t mean there are no terms and conditions. Buying a security system is a significant investment, and we recommend reading the fine print before you sign up with a provider. Here are some of the criteria we suggest reviewing:
Expert Tip: We recommend signing up for professional monitoring, especially as security providers are offering more advanced features. Trends include using AI to distinguish between humans and animals as well as hazard monitoring to detect fires and floods.3
Situations change and needs evolve. When they do, your security system should adapt with you. This might mean changing a monitoring plan or adding more equipment. This can be challenging when you’re locked into a contract.
However, this isn’t an issue with SimpliSafe, Cove, ADT, Ring, and abode. While some are more flexible than others, these security systems allow you to make changes, or even cancel, at any time without hefty fees.
No-contract security systems typically allow month-to-month payments with no cancellation fees. However, your equipment may not function without a subscription to a monitoring plan.
Yes, you can. SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Ring, and abode offer professional monitoring plans without long-term commitments.
With companies like SimpliSafe, you can revert to a free self-monitoring plan. You’ll still receive push notifications for alarms, but you’re responsible for contacting emergency services. As for other companies, your equipment might not work without an active subscription.
Yes, they are. The equipment, push notifications, and alerts work identically to those in contract systems.
SimpliSafe, ADT, Cove, Ring, and abode allow you to add more security equipment at any time without extra charges.
RapidSOS. Top 3 Reasons Why Security Alarm Responses are Delayed (and how to speed them up)
https://rapidsos.com/top-3-reasons-why-security-alarm-responses-are-delayed-and-how-to-speed-them-up/
CBS42. (2025). ADT Ranked America’s Most Trusted Home Security System Brand for Sixth Consecutive Year, Lifestory Research 2025 Study
https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/777303059/adt-ranked-americas-most-trusted-home-security-system-brand-for-sixth-consecutive-year-lifestory-research-2025-study/
Money. (2024). Home Security and Property Value Trends in 2024
https://money.com/home-security-and-property-value-trends/
