The Best Home Security Systems in 2025 With No Monthly Fees

SimpliSafe blew us away with its affordable DIY equipment starting from $250.

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Most Flexible

SimpliSafe
SecureScore™: 9.2/10

With SimpliSafe, there are no monthly fees, installation costs, or long-term contracts required. Buy your equipment upfront and self-monitor your system if you want with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Optional monitoring plans start at just $1 per month.

Get SimpliSafe
844-956-0681

Abode
SecureScore™: 8.0/10

If you’re looking for smart home features without a subscription, abode is one of the few systems that offers integrations with all major smart home ecosystems in their free plan. Basic packages start at just $179, too, making it affordable upfront and in the long-run.

Ring Alarm
SecureScore™: 8.2/10

Ring’s indoor and outdoor video camera surveillance system has no required monthly fees. Just pay the upfront cost of the cameras and monitor the feeds yourself. Want to see what’s happening at the front door? Ring sells video doorbells starting at $49.99.

View on Amazon Links to Amazon
  • Highest Rated

    Most Flexible

    SimpliSafe

    9.2 / 10 SecureScore™
    SimpliSafe
    Get SimpliSafe
    Call SimpliSafe: 844-956-0681
  • Abode

    8.0 / 10 SecureScore™
    Abode
  • Ring Alarm

    8.2 / 10 SecureScore™
    Ring Alarm
    View on Amazon Links to Amazon

We want to start off by saying that we always recommend 24/7 professional monitoring, which requires a monthly fee. You never know when you’re going to be too busy to answer an alert yourself. With professional monitoring, that’s not a problem.

That said, a security system without professional monitoring is still better than no security system at all. And thankfully, there are plenty to choose from that don’t require any monthly fees at all. After testing over a dozen security systems with no monthly fee, we liked SimpliSafe, abode, Ring Alarm, and Arlo the best. We’ll dig into the details of our experience with each so you can pick the best option for you. Let’s get started.

>> Check Out: Home Security System Guide

Expert Examined

From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert

Anthony Travaglia

“Self monitoring is better than no monitoring at all. A good home security system can definitely be self-monitored and reliable. And having loud alarms is the first step to a good system. Deterring criminals upon entry requires a siren of  about 100 db. Most criminals will flee once they hear that ear piercing sound. Thankfully, the top security systems available (SimpliSafe, ADT, Ring, etc.) all meet this requirement.” Learn more about Anthony.

Our Methodology – How We Test and Rank Security Systems Without Monthly Fees

Our Approach

There are two essential components to any trustworthy home security system review. First, you have to actually test systems yourself. We know it seems obvious, but you might be surprised at how many people claim to know what they’re talking about when they don’t.

Second, and just as important, you have to spend your own money purchasing the systems you review. Let a company send you a system for free, and you never can tell when they may want you to say something nice about them. It sort of undercuts the objectivity of the reviewer.

We purchase systems with our own money, and we review them ourselves, from apps to door sensors to cameras to smoke detectors. We can give you an honest evaluation of these systems because we’ve lived with them, we’ve put them to the test, and we’re beholden to one.

Our Testing Setup

It’s important to compare apples to apples. So we make sure to install all of our test units in the same environment – in this case, a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our security experts. We believe that testing security systems in a real home yields the most accurate results.

We also try to buy the same components from each brand we’re testing (cameras, sensors, etc.) and set those up in the same locations. You can see below where we typically install each piece of equipment we buy:

Our Home Security Testing Setup

We also used our industry expertise to decide which features are most important to no-monthly-fee security systems. These features and factors should be top-priority:

  • Affordability (40%): Security systems without monthly fees almost always require upfront equipment purchase. So reasonably affordable equipment is a must.
  • Equipment options (30%): You’ll rely heavily on your security equipment if you self-monitor your home, so keep an eye on equipment quality and available options.
  • Self-monitoring features (30%): It’s also critical to know what each security system can do if you forego monthly fees and do the monitoring on your own.

We compared our top picks based on those criteria, and here’s our verdict.

Ranking the Best Security Systems Without Monthly Fees

Ranking the Best Security Systems Without Monthly Fees

Why You Can Trust Us

We are a team of home security and safety experts. Unlike most other review sites, we spend all our time testing and reviewing security and safety-related products only – you won’t find smartphone and mattress reviews on our website. Safety and security are on our minds 24/7. Our security experts include:

  • Derek Prall, Home Security Expert & Testing Coordinator
  • Paul Frew, Home Security System Expert and Security Camera Expert
  • Jaime Fraze, Security Camera and Video Doorbell Expert
  • Andrew Garcia, Lead Editor & Home Security Researcher
  • Rob Gabriele, Editorial Director & Home Security Expert
  • Joshua Lee, Former patrol officer and detective for a large municipal police department in Arizona.

Combined, we are the most experienced home security team on the internet, hands down. We started SafeHome.org back in 2016, and since then our work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, and other major outlets. Collectively, we have:

  • 75+ years of combined experience
  • 10,000+ research hours
  • 60+ published security system reviews
  • 40+ industry research and studies published
  • Dozens of home security guides created

Rest assured, our recommendations are always based on hands-on product experience and a deep knowledge of the home security industry and the brands we cover. So keep reading to find the best no monthly fee security system for your home and budget.

Best No-monthly Fee Home Security Systems

  • 1. SimpliSafe - Most Flexible

    SecureScore™ 9.2
    SimpliSafe Equipment Package
    844-956-0681
    Get SimpliSafe
    Customer Service
    9.0
    Value
    9.4
    Equipment
    9.0
    Features & Technology
    9.2
    Ease Of Use
    9.2
    SecureScore™
    9.2

    SimpliSafe is one of the best home security systems thanks to its advanced monitoring features, but it also offers some great self-monitoring tools included in a free plan. We got real-time alerts and 24/7 access to live video footage. In addition, SimpliSafe’s paid plans are contract-free. Once in a while, you might need a month or two of professional monitoring. Vacation, right? With SimpliSafe, you can switch between paid and free plans based on your changing needs.

    • Offers no-monthly-fee self-monitoring
    • Stylish wireless equipment
    • Professional installation service available
    • Equipment packages start at $250
    • Active monitoring features for SimpliSafe’s indoor and outdoor cameras
    • Missing a few types of equipment, like garage door sensors
    • Limited smart home and home automation capabilities
    • Monitoring price increases regularly
    • No touch-screen keypad

    Price

    Obviously, SimpliSafe lets you save money with no-monthly-fee monitoring. You can also save on equipment. An entry-level Foundation system lists for just $250, and SimpliSafe’s top-of-the-line package, the Beacon, is only $730. Turns out, though, that SimpliSafe never actually charges its list prices. It’s always running a sale, sometimes up to 60 percent off. Do the math and you’ll discover that SimpliSafe is frequently one of the cheapest systems on this list.

    Equipment

    SimpliSafe equipment

    SimpliSafe equipment

    SimpliSafe’s camera line includes an outdoor camera that is one of the best-equipped outdoor cameras on the market, with HD video, night vision, 10x zoom, and available Active Guard protection. Add a wireless indoor camera with two-way audio and a video doorbell with smart sensors and no one is getting by your perimeter.

    Of course, three cameras isn’t a lot of options, particularly when you compare it to the dozens of different models Lorex offers. If all of those cameras are top-notch quality with industry-leading features, though, maybe you don’t need a lot of choices.

    Did You Know? SimpliSafe’s cameras do not support local storage for recordings. That means if you want to record videos, you’ll need to subscribe to their $9.99 per month self-monitoring plan. This provides 30 days of storage for unlimited clips from up to 10 cameras.

    Monitoring

    No monthly fees always means self-monitoring your system. SimpliSafe’s no monthly fee plan includes instant alerts, live streamed camera footage, and access to the app. We tried it out, and without video recording, we had to check camera livestreams immediately after receiving an alert. At least we could arm our system from afar with the app, though.

    Recording videos requires SimpliSafe’s $9.99 per month cloud storage plan that supports up to 10 cameras. They also offer affordable monitoring plans starting at $21.99 per month, which we recommend but understand if it’s outside of your budget. Since SimpliSafe never requires contracts, you can always opt into monitoring at a later date.

    FYI: It’s easy to switch SimpliSafe monitoring plans. We went on vacation in the middle of testing the system and didn’t feel like dealing with alerts while we were lounging at the swim-up bar. So we tried the Fast Protect plan for a month. When we got back relaxed and refreshed, we switched back to the free self-monitoring plan.

    Our Experience Testing SimpliSafe

    SimpliSafe systems give you maximum control over your home security. First, you get a choice between eight packages, more than any other on this list. Installation is completely DIY, but you can opt for professional installation. You can even move the system to a different house if you move.

    Testing out SimpliSafe's keypad.

    Testing out SimpliSafe’s keypad.

    Simplisafe gave us control over our monitoring, too. Since we were putting this list together, we went with true DIY self-monitoring. No monthly fees, but we were still in charge of our entire system. We got real-time alerts when the outdoor camera noticed someone lurking on our lawn and pulled up live footage from our Wireless Indoor Camera. Turns out it was just a neighborhood kid whose bike had gotten a little off course, but at least we knew what was happening.

    The nice thing about SimpliSafe is that the company lets you add monitoring features if you need them. Heading out of town for a business trip? For $30 per month, you can have your home professionally monitored, and since there are no long-term contracts, you can cancel it once you get back home.

    But SimpliSafe is by no means perfect. On our SimpliSafe wish list are free video storage options. If we could save video to a local storage device or to the cloud, we’d truly have control over our system, even without having to pay monthly fees. For now, video storage requires a fee. Although $10 per month for five cameras worth of recordings isn’t outrageous, free is always better.

    Expert Examined
    From Wes Hartkemeyer, Police Officer and Home Security Expert
    Wes Hartkemeyer
    “When responding to a residential alarm, officers often get minimal information on their way to the call. Most of the time all police get are notification of an alarm from the security company, and we respond to whatever comes along the way. Having immediate access to live video footage is a game changer, providing crucial details before police even arrive. Having confirmation of an intruder and a suspect description gives officers the ability to request backup, set a perimeter, call for k9, etc.” Read more about Wes Hartkemeyer →

    >> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT

    Monitoring options Professional and DIY
    Installation Professional and DIY
    Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home
    Equipment cost Packages starting at $250.96
    Monthly monitoring cost From $21.99
    Contract length Monthly
  • 2. Abode - Best Smart Home Features

    SecureScore™ 8.0
    Abode Product Selection
    Customer Service
    7.3
    Value
    8.3
    Equipment
    8.2
    Features & Technology
    8.3
    Ease Of Use
    8.0
    SecureScore™
    8.0

    Abode offers some of the most affordable equipment packages, but don’t let the price fool you. This isn’t some cut-rate security system; you can get high-tech features that rival full-service companies like Vivint. And you get most of those features even if you choose to self-monitor. That means full integration with Alexa, Google Home, and even Apple HomeKit. You can unlock even more features with a professional monitoring plan, but abode offers plenty for a system with no monthly fees.

    • Home automation powered by Abode’s CUE engine
    • Multiple hubs to choose from
    • Integrates well with third-party smart home products
    • Innovative iota All-in-One hub comes equipped with a camera and motion sensor
    • Only one security camera offered
    • Setup could be more intuitive
    • No touch-screen panels; app reliant
    • Limited equipment in starter kits

    Price

    You can buy a basic abode system for just $159, and even the company’s most expensive package is just $380. These sound like sale prices, especially when you compare them to ADT packages that range from $269 to more than $1,500. That makes abode one of the lower-priced security systems on the market.

    You can save even more money on monitoring. If you’re willing to do the job yourself, you can self-monitor for no money whatsoever. Just purchase your adobe equipment and you’re done, or you can add cloud storage for $6.99 per month. That’s three dollars cheaper than what both Ring and SimpliSafe charge, and it covers an unlimited number of cameras.

    Typically, we recommend signing up for a professional monitoring plan since you never know when you may be too busy to check your camera feeds yourself. Abode has you covered there, too, for $25.99 per month. That’s cheaper than SimpliSafe’s $31.99-per-month Core plan for systems with security cameras, but note that abode doesn’t offer video verification like SimpliSafe does.

    Equipment

    abode Equipment

    abode Equipment

    Abode takes a unique approach to home security equipment packages. Most companies offer a single line of equipment. You pay more depending on how many devices you order. The equipment itself, though, is the same no matter how much you spend. Not so with abode. The company offers three lines of equipment. If you order abode’s best package, the Iota, you don’t just get more equipment. You get better equipment. The Iota includes a hub with a built-in HD camera and support for Z-wave technology.

    Abode offers just one camera, which has to do double-duty as both an indoor and outdoor device. However, the abode camera is rated IP65 so it can withstand the elements no matter where you decide to install it. There’s also a wireless video doorbell, which abode sells for under $100. Of course, as with all of abode’s other equipment, both these devices are fully compatible with smart home ecosystems like Alexa and Google Home as well as thousands of other smart home devices.

    Pro Tip: Our favorite abode feature is the CUE automation platform. We’ve accumulated our share of smart devices over the years, so we connected them via the abode app. We don’t even turn off the lights when we go to bed anymore. WE set up a rule to do it for us.

    Monitoring

    Abode’s commitment to affordable home security extends to its no-monthly-fee self-monitoring option. You pay no money, but you still get all the tools you need to monitor your security, from real-time alerts to live video footage through the abode app.

    While abode’s free self-monitoring option is fairly comprehensive, we still recommend a subscription for cloud storage and professional monitoring when you can afford it. That’s why we like abode’s no commitment approach allowing you to switch to a paid plan anytime you want, even if it’s just for a month.

    >> Compare: abode vs. SimpliSafe

    Our Experience Testing abode

    You just aren’t going to find any self-monitored, no-monthly-fee systems that offer the kinds of smart features abode does. The truth is that abode offers a lot of the same smart home integrations you’ll only get with more expensive systems like ADT and Vivint. Heck, those two don’t work with Apple HomeKit like abode does. And with Z-Wave technology, you can connect to literally thousands of smart home products or take advantage of IFTTT functionality.

    Abode Cam 2

    Abode Cam 2

    We connected our abode app to our our cell phone’s morning alarm system so motion detection shut off when we got up in the morning. Just for good measure, we also connected the toaster. We put a couple of bagels in before bed, and they were ready for cream cheese by the time we got out of the shower.

    >> More Options: Best Security Systems for Apple

    Some of the best smart functions require you to pay for abode’s Standard plan. They offer their full smart home integrations, but their CUE home automation system requires a subscription. That’s still better than most, which is why you’ll find abode on our list of the best self-monitored systems

    How many times do we need to say it? No system is perfect, and abode does have its downsides. You get far more home automation features with abode than you get with, say, SimpliSafe. But abode doesn’t offer the same level of customer support as SimpliSafe. You don’t get access to live support at all unless you sign up for a monthly paid plan. And you may need that support. abode’s DIY installation isn’t quite as intuitive as SimpliSafe’s.

    Pro Tip: The abode hub we tested (iota All-in-One) sounds like a dial-up modem with the amount of beeps it makes. We suggest jumping into your system settings and selecting mute all sounds. You can thank us later.

    Monitoring Options Professional and DIY
    Installation DIY
    Smart Platform Integration Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit
    Equipment Cost From $159.99
    Monthly Monitoring Cost From $16.58
    Contract Length Monthly
  • 3. Ring Alarm - Best DIY System

    SecureScore™ 8.2
    Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit View on Amazon Links to Amazon
    Customer Service
    8.0
    Value
    8.3
    Equipment
    8.4
    Features & Technology
    8.2
    Ease Of Use
    7.9
    SecureScore™
    8.2

    In contrast to Abode and Simplisafe, you don’t even have to buy a complete Ring security system. You can grab a single spotlight cam or one of its video doorbells, and never have to buy another piece of equipment. As for monitoring, you can go full-on self-monitoring for free, or add cloud storage for as little as $4.99 per month.

    • 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
    • Limited sensor options
    • Has had privacy and security breaches (which have been resolved)
    • Cameras need a subscription to record
    • Slower professional monitoring response times

    Price

    We like that Ring lets you set up your home security in ways that will suit your budget. They have options all the way from a standalone Indoor Camera that costs $60 up to premium packages for about $1,000.

    Ring’s actual home security systems called Ring Alarm start at $199.99 and go up to about $600. If you ever want Ring’s professional monitoring service, you’ll need a Ring Alarm system. Of course, you can always start with a standalone camera or two and then add a Ring Alarm system at a later date.

    Pro Tip: Ring is owned by Amazon, so we managed to grab a bargain when the system was on special during the Prime Day sales. But keep your eye on their website as they have discounts and bonuses running all the time.

    Equipment

    Ring Alarm (2nd Gen) Equipment

    Ring Alarm (2nd Gen) Equipment

    Ring’s real strength is its cameras. After all, this is a company that made its name by inventing the doorbell camera. The company offers a large selection, with models that come with unique features and functions. If you’re looking for a great indoor camera, for instance, you might dig further into our complete Ring Indoor Cam review. As we note there, this is a camera you can set up and forget about.

    FYI: We watched videos on how to set up the equipment in the Ring app. They went for about two minutes each and took us through each step in the setup process.

    If you’re looking for outdoor cameras, you’ll find even more options from Ring. There are models with two-way audio, models with floodlights and spotlights, wired models and wireless models. You can even get solar panels and save time and money dealing with batteries. Everything is rated to withstand the elements including rain, shine, and even blizzards. As we note in our full Ring camera review, whatever your security needs, there’s probably a Ring camera for you.

    And while Ring may not be known for its other home security equipment – entry sensors, glass break monitors, and smoke detectors – the company offers everything you could need to set up a complete home security system. You can even purchase front door locks and smart thermostats.

    Monitoring

    Ring is another of those systems that gives you monitoring options. You can self-monitor for free, of course. Otherwise, why would Ring be on this page, right? And, of course, self-monitoring is entirely free if you forego cloud storage. Even for free, you get real-time notifications any time motion triggers a detector or someone opens a door, and you can pull up live footage any time. In fact, we connected Ring to Alexa so we were able to pull up video with just our voice.

    Cloud storage costs extra – $5 a month covers one camera, while $10 covers an unlimited number of devices. And, like both SimpliSafe and abode, Ring offers a professional monitoring plan, but as an add-on to cloud plans. Monitoring costs $10 per month, which, added to the cloud plan, totals to only $20 per month.

    Our Experience Testing Ring Alarm

    Ring began life as the Ring Video Doorbell company. It didn’t sell entry sensors, smoke detectors, or offer professional monitoring. It didn’t even sell other cameras. Nowadays, Ring offers all of those things and more. They didn’t abandon that earlier approach and still offer free self-monitoring.

    Ring Alarm sensors

    Ring Alarm sensors

    The Ring app makes it easy to self-monitor. During our tests, we had complete control over all the system’s most important features through the intuitive app. When the neighborhood Girl Scouts were out selling cookies, our Ring doorbell let us know the moment they stepped on our front porch. Two-way audio let us order our Thin Mints, and they never even knew we were out to lunch with friends the whole time.

    We sometimes think Ring is a little too DIY-centered. This is not a company that’s going to help you out if you’re having trouble deciding what equipment you need. Installation is mostly DIY as well. Ring will track down a local installer if you really need one, but you can do it easily yourself. And customer service is a bit … corporate. If you want no monthly fees, though, you’re probably a do-it-yourselfer anyway, so all of that may be right up your alley.

    Expert Examined
    From Wes Hartkemeyer, Police Officer and Home Security Expert
    Wes Hartkemeyer
    “Quick response by a homeowner is crucial when it comes to alarms. Responding officers likely don’t know who should be at the house, and will assume anyone onsite to likely be an intruder until confirmed otherwise. I’ve stood by while a son had to call his parents while they were on vacation because they forgot to tell him the passcode to the alarm.”

    >> Compare: Ring vs. abode

    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
  • 4. Arlo - Best Cameras

    SecureScore™ 8.2
    Customer Service
    8.0
    Value
    7.1
    Equipment
    7.8
    Features & Technology
    9.0
    Ease Of Use
    8.9
    SecureScore™
    8.2

    Arlo has expanded and now offers complete home security equipment packages and monitoring plans. On top of that, it still makes some of the most advanced cameras on the market, like the Arlo Go that works without Wi-Fi. You can also still self-monitor your Arlo system with no monthly fees.

    • Up to 4K resolution
    • AI-driven detections
    • Wi-Fi connectivity
    • Long battery life
    • Local storage options
    • Higher end models are expensive
    • Requires a subscription to access all features
    • Mounting hardware a little flimsy

    Price

    Even though Arlo offers a full security system, it’s not their main product. They still focus most of their efforts on their security cameras. And that shows all the way down to their pricing. The security system starts at $200, right in line with most providers, whereas their cameras start at just $40. That’s $20 less than Ring’s cheapest camera, but the same price as their security system.

    Pro Tip: If you’re going to buy Arlo’s cameras, make sure you have a good internet connection. 2K and 4K cameras need reliable Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you might be reviewing pixelated footage.

    By this point, you know the drill – self-monitoring with Arlo is free. Cloud storage is $10 a month for one camera, $20 a month for unlimited cameras. That’s a bit steep compared to Ring, but you get a number of extra features for that price, including package detection and person recognition. We found audio detection to be the most useful of these. We knew the neighbor’s dog was on our porch, even though he wasn’t in front of the camera, by the click of his paws. Professional monitoring? That’s $29.99 a month.

    Equipment

    Arlo Pro 4: What’s in the box?

    Arlo Pro 4: What’s in the box?

    When Arlo decided to offer security systems, it took an innovative approach. Arlo sells only one sensor capable of performing eight different functions. It’s a motion detector, a smoke detector, an entry sensor, and five other things. That sounds nice, but in reality, you can’t use all functions at once. You don’t need a water leak sensor stuck to your front door. That’s why we primarily recommend Arlo for their security cameras.

    Monitoring

    All of Arlo’s equipment connects to the mobile app where you can check alerts and live footage for free. Cloud storage costs start at $8 per month for one camera or $18 per month for unlimited cameras. That unlocks Arlo’s smart features too. They also offer professional monitoring with cloud storage for $25 per month, but it requires an Arlo security system, not just cameras.

    Our Experience Testing Arlo

    Arlo has always made great cameras at affordable prices. Even the $40 wired indoor camera comes with a 130-degree field of view, and some cameras max out at 180 degrees. We installed an Arlo Ultra with 4K resolution and were astounded. We could make out the return address label on the package that was delivered while we were at work. Turns out, it was a box with dog toys. Because of Arlo, we were able to text our neighbor from work and let them know their dog toys arrived. We’re sure Fido was pleased.

    We’ll confess, we were a little skeptical of Arlo’s multi-purpose sensors. One sensor to handle eight different functions? Turns out, they do just that. You have to designate what exactly you want a particular sensor to do, and you can’t use one sensor to do multiple jobs at the same time. Our motion sensor couldn’t detect flooding water. We had to set up another sensor for that. Still, pretty impressive, and a nice aesthetic approach as well, since every sensor in our system matched perfectly with the others.

    FYI: We make sure anyone approaching our home can see our security cameras, even at night. The Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation revealed that 60 percent of convicted burglars said the presence of a security system would cause them to seek another target.1

    The Arlo Pro 4

    The Arlo Pro 4

    You should know that you’ll give up some Arlo features if you decide to self-monitor your system. Only paid plans include person detection, for instance. Google Home and Alexa integration? You’ve got to sign up and pay a monthly fee.

    Not paying monthly fees has a lot of advantages, but you have to do all your own monitoring and you don’t usually get a lot of extra tools to help you do that. In the end, that old adage turns out to be true more often than not: you get what you pay for.

    >> Compare: Arlo vs. Ring

    Connectivity Wi-fi, Ethernet
    Power Wired, battery, PoE
    Field of View Up to 180°
    Resolution Up to 2160p
    Storage Cloud
    Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home

Runner Up: ADT Self Setup

ADT has been around for over 150 years, but it’s the new kid on the block of self-monitored, DIY security systems. Still, we think it’s a great option. ADT Self Setup – the company’s DIY brand – offers the same equipment and monitoring plans as the well-renowned ADT security system.

The main difference is that ADT Self Setup is more affordable and flexible. You won’t pay an installation fee since the system is DIY. You also won’t need a monitoring plan, and even if you sign up for one, you can cancel anytime. Unlike the main ADT system, you won’t have to sign a contract.

ADT’s motion detector.

Setting up an ADT motion sensor.

ADT still has some room for improvement when it comes to self-monitoring. It doesn’t offer an affordable cloud storage plan, for instance. Basically, the only way to record footage is to sign up for monitoring. Still, even with no monthly fees ADT offers

  • Remote arm/disarm via the ADT+ app
  • Custom alerts
  • Security camera live streams

So while we’re not quite ready to endorse it as strongly as we endorse SimpliSafe, abode, Ring, and Arlo, ADT now offers a strong alternative if you’re looking to save a little money in monthly fees.

Doing Your Own Research

You’re into self-monitoring; otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this. So it makes sense that you might want to do a little home security system research for yourself. Here’s what we might suggest you look for during your search.

Obviously, you want to start by finding systems that offer no-monthly-fee security. Plenty of systems out there require you to sign up for paid professional monitoring — ADT and Vivint, for instance. You want to avoid those brands.

On the other side of the coin, you want to make sure that eliminating monthly fees won’t compromise your safety. A DIY system should be straightforward for you to operate. It should also have a few minimum features to help you police your own property such as:

  • Push alerts: If you aren’t going to get real-time notifications when a motion detector or entry sensor picks up activity, you aren’t going to know when to take action to protect your home.
  • Live video: If your home security system includes cameras, you don’t just want alerts. You want to be able to see what’s happening at your house. Any time your system notifies you something’s going on, you should be able to pull up the live feed and see for yourself.
  • System control: Finally, you should be able to use your smartphone to turn your system on and off. If you’re at the office and there’s a 120 dB siren blaring at your house because your sister stopped by to say hello, you will drive your neighbors crazy unless you can disarm the system remotely.

Of course, you want all the other aspects of your system to be top tier as well. There’s no reason to have a home security system if it’s not going to do its job. So, as we’ve talked about here, you also want to consider:

  • Price: What does your system cost and, more importantly, what does it deliver for that cost?
  • Equipment: What kind of equipment does the company offer, and how reliable is that equipment?
  • Monitoring: If you’re looking at no-monthly-fee systems, they’ll definitely offer self-monitoring. Do they also offer professional monitoring if you need it?

If you’re starting to question whether a home security system is worth the money, we suggest reading some studies. Some of the data that surprised us included:

  • One in four Americans have a security system protecting their home.
  • Approximately 2.5 million burglaries occur every year, leading to an estimated loss of $3.4 billion.2
  • Stolen TVs and office equipment are the least likely items to be recovered in a burglary.3
  • 41 percent of burglaries are spur of the moment, and 12 percent are planned in advance.4

Once you’ve got a list of systems that meet all these criteria, you can start comparing features, like how much home automation a particular system offers and whether or not you get a cool key fob and yard signs when you sign up. The main thing is that you and your family are protected. And, if you’ve looked carefully at price, equipment, monitoring, alerts, video feeds, and system control options, you will be protected.

How Exactly Does Self-Monitoring Work?

We’ve mentioned it a couple of times already: If you’re looking for a home security system with no monthly fees, you’re going to need to monitor it yourself. Companies don’t give professional monitoring away for free. Of course, having no monthly fees is going to save you money over the long haul (maybe a lot of money). You’ll have to do the setup and monitoring yourself if you want to keep your home and your family safe. What’s involved?

  • System setup: Most self-monitored systems require DIY installation. Luckily, there are plenty of great DIY systems out there that make installation simple and easy. You want to make sure that you position equipment where it will do the most good. Motion sensors, glass break sensors, and cameras need to be placed where they can pick up as much activity as possible. The more your system detects, the more control you have over your security.
  • System monitoring: When your system picks up activity — whether that’s smoke detection, a potential home flood, or a break-in — it should send you an alert. It’s then in your hands to decide how to respond to that alert.
  • Add a camera: Your real-time alerts may tell you what particular sensor has gone off, and that can suggest how you should react. However, you’re probably going to want to add a camera to your system at some point. This will allow you to pull up live footage and actually see what’s happening. You can make more informed decisions that way. Do you need to call the police, or do you just need to tell the delivery person where to set the package on your porch?

Finally, keep in mind that you’re on your own when it comes to monitoring your home security; that means you need to get into the habit of checking when alerts come through. That includes nighttime alerts. It also includes all those times when you’re busy getting your teeth cleaned, sitting comfortably in your movie theater seat, or out biking. It can be helpful, in these situations, if you have someone to back you up, someone who can watch for alerts until you can take over again.

Expert Examined

From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert

Anthony Travaglia

“Having cameras is definitely a good way to self monitor. When you get a notification of an alarm, having cameras can help you see what the issue is and whether or not to call the police. Getting the police there asap is always the best way to stop and or catch a burglar or burglary in the act. The faster officers can arrive in the area and on scene the better chance they have at apprehending the criminal.”

The Bottom Line

There’s something to be said for no-monthly fee security systems. There’s the saving money bit, and maybe that’s the best part, but there’s also the don’t-have-to-worry-about-your-system bit as well. You don’t have to keep up with bills, or worry about automatic debits when you’re short on cash. And you don’t have to worry about pushy customer service agents trying to upsell you on new products and improvements when they contact you about your bills.

If you’ve learned anything reading through this guide, let it be this. There are affordable systems, and then there are cheap systems. Just because a home security package comes with a low sticker price doesn’t mean it’s going to protect you. For that, you have to do your research. You have to know what you’re getting and you have to think about value rather than just the bottom line. Or, you can trust us to do that for you.

FAQs

Citations
  1. Security Magazine. (2013). Study Says Convicted Burglars Confirm Value of Alarms, Other Deterrents.
    https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/84343-study-says-convicted-burglars-confirm-value-of-alarms-other-deterrents

  2. Securiteam. (2024). US Burglary Statistics 2024.
    https://securiteam.us/2024/04/23/us-burglary-statistics-2024/

  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2023). FBI Releases 2022 Crime in the Nation Statistics.
    https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-2022-crime-in-the-nation-statistics

  4. ScienceDaily. (2013). Through the eyes of a burglar: Study provides insights on habits and motivations, importance of security.
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130516160916.htm

Rob Gabriele
Written By
Rob Gabriele
Managing Editor & Home Security Expert

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.