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Rural living doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice safety. The best home security companies now offer reliable systems with 24/7 monitoring for homes in rural areas. Here are a few of our favorites.
Updated June 30, 2023
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Home security can seem daunting to customers who live in rural areas, since Wi-Fi signals may be weak or nonexistent. Communication lines between your home system and the security company is one of the most vulnerable pieces of home security. The good news is that the six security systems outlined in this article provide multiple ways to connect the system to the monitoring company, and many provide landline service at a cheaper rate. One thing is for sure, these companies offer rural customers options. Check out how the best home security systems for rural areas of 2023 rank.
SimpliSafe was founded in 2006 and has been shaking up the home security market ever since. SimpliSafe prioritizes affordability and reliability with every customized system they sell, so it’s no wonder that these high-tech security systems are so popular among rural users. Here is a snapshot of some positives and negatives with SimpliSafe:
If you love the independence that rural living provides, then SimpliSafe could be the company for you. With SimpliSafe, you’ll never sign a contract or be forced to purchase monitoring. This is home security on your terms. SimpliSafe do-it-yourself systems deliver award-winning security without breaking the bank.
SimpliSafe is one of the most affordable security systems on the market, with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an expensive system. The system is designed by SimpliSafe engineers and designers, which saves you money by cutting out the middleman. You will have to purchase equipment up front, but you only buy the equipment that you want. If you decide at any time that you want monthly monitoring, then you can buy it for the month(s) you want it with no obligation to continue monitoring.
SimpliSafe has designed their home security systems with customers in mind. Customers in rural areas are often farther from police and emergency personnel, so it’s important that these systems protect you even if your power is out for days. Other DIY security systems can’t say the same. SimpliSafe makes SmashSafe keypads that offer an important backup in case an intruder breaks the keypad. SmashSafe technology will alert SimpliSafe, and a monitoring professional will call the police for you. You can buy monitoring for your system with no contract and no obligation. If you do, SimpliSafe confirms every alert with you and monitors your home from all six of their monitoring centers.
| Monitoring Options | Professional Monitoring Available |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa, Google Home, and August Smart Locks |
| Equipment Cost | From $249.96 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $9.99 |
| Contract Length | Month to Month |
Vivint provides affordable, yet high-end security and is a great choice for rural customers. The company has been improving their security systems since 1999 and now serves more than one million customers in North America. Vivint is all about home automation, so if you want a smart home in the country, Vivint is worth a look. Here is a snapshot of some positives and negatives with Vivint:
Vivint creates smart home systems perfect for rural areas. Vivint systems can connect by either landline or cellular, both of which can cover rural customers. A landline connection is reliable except during a power outage, but cellular coverage works in 98% of the United States without having to rely on local weather conditions or your home’s power. Vivint combines cell connectivity with a battery backup so that your home is still protected when the power goes out.
Vivint’s home automation systems can make home security easy, because all you need is a smart phone. You can access and control your cameras, doors, and central control hub as long as you can connect using your mobile data. Outdoor cameras help you keep an eye on your barn, shed, livestock, tools, or anything that is of value to you. Your cameras allow you to view live feed and to record clips to watch later. Vivint allows you to set up customized rules for your equipment to help you protect and monitor your family and animals. For example, you can set up outdoor cameras to monitor a chicken coop to make sure that the chickens are safe from predators at night. The rules you provide the cameras will ensure that any motion they detect is logged and sent to your phone.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | $600 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $20-$70 |
| Contract Length | 42-60 months |
ADT is another great choice for home security in a rural area. Founded in 1874 as the first home security system network, ADT’s customers have trusted the brand ever since. In fact, ADT is the largest home security provider in North America, protecting more than 8 million customers. With ADT, there’s a lot for rural customers to love. Here is a snapshot of some positives and negatives with ADT:
ADT ranks highest for rural customers, because they can reach otherwise unreachable areas to keep you safe. ADT allows you to choose how your security system connects to their monitoring stations. Rural customers often have to rely on landline connections, but ADT doesn’t stop there. If your home security system connects via a landline, ADT provides a backup solution called Safewatch Cellguard just in case the power goes out in your home or the phone lines are cut. Safewatch Cellguard can transmit alarm signals through a cellular network. You can also choose to fully connect your system only through the cellular network.
ADT keeps rural customers safe by providing wearable panic buttons that work outside of the home. Medical-alert devices by other companies typically work only close to a central control panel, but the ADT panic buttons work anywhere covered by AT&T, even if you are across the country from your home. The wearable panic button gives you immediate communication with emergency dispatches, and the built-in GPS dispatches help to the exact location where you triggered the alert. You can wear the panic-button pendant as a bracelet or a necklace or clip it to your clothes, and it is waterproof.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | Starting at $109 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | Starting at $45.99 |
| Contract Length | 36 months |
Link Interactive is a family-owned and operated company that was founded as a door-to-door fire alarm company in 1952. Link Interactive security systems are high quality and fully customizable. The company strives to provide the best safety and security for every customer by helping you get the most out of your Link Interactive system. Here is a snapshot of some positives and negatives with Link Interactive:
Link Interactive built their systems with the rural customer in mind, since they use cellular-based security instead of Wi-Fi. The cellular-based security uses a secure and dedicated cellular connection for the most reliable protection that won’t be interrupted. When the internet isn’t working, you will still be covered. If your power goes down, your security system will continue working for 24 hours on the backup battery. Many security companies cater to rural customers with a landline connection, but Link Interactive’s cellular communication is fast and more reliable than landline. The security equipment uses Crash & Smash tamper-resistant technology that ensures your security system continues working even if an intruder destroys your control panel or cuts the phone line.
Link Interactive customizes every system to fit your specific needs. You can choose from equipment for home security, environmental protection, home automation, and surveillance. You install everything yourself in 30 to 45 minutes using their easy-to-use instructions. Link Interactive gives you the independence you want with the DIY installation and customized systems, but they don’t leave you hanging when you need assistance. Customer support is there for you when you need them and is available by Skype, phone, live chat, and email.
Rural areas are full of beauty and privacy, but there are certain things to keep in mind to find the best home security system. In a rural area, you're farther away from emergency services, so it will take longer for them to arrive. You will typically have more area to secure. It may not make financial sense to fence in a home on a large amount of land, so you may be prone to trespassers — both (animal and human). While you do have more privacy in the country, it also means that you won't have as many neighbors to watch over your home.
Rural customers typically need a monitored home security system with outdoor cameras. These keep your home protected and help reduce any delay between a potential threat and contact with the appropriate authorities.
Rural home security systems are like urban and suburban security systems, but rural homes are farther away from emergency responders and are limited by connection methods. Here are some common features of rural home security systems:
Tamper Protection puts a virtual force-field around your control panel and other devices. This home security feature ensures that any attempt to disable the system is met with an equal and opposite reaction. That is, alerting the strong arm of the law. Tamper protection is especially important for rural areas. It expedites response times so you get the help you need, when you need it.
It’s nice to have options when you live in the country. If you count yourself among the DIY crowd, go with an affordable and easy-to-install wireless system. Wireless home security systems excel when it comes to flexibility and reliable response. Or go with a hardwired system, which typically requires professional installation, but over-delivers in comprehensive home protection.
Arm and disarm your home security system from your smartphone, your control panel, a remote control device, and even using your voice! Most modern alarm systems offer this mobile feature. And good thing, especially if you live in a rural area and are unable to physically be home to control your system. Look for Arm/Disarm capabilities. You won’t be sorry.
The best home security systems for rural homes offer Specialized Alert Zones. This feature lets you secure custom micro-zones with an added layer of protection. Maybe you have a room that houses expensive art, guns, or jewelry. Set up a specialized alert zone, and you’ll be alerted whenever anyone steps foot into that room. Your prized possessions have never been so safe.
Every security system, whether for urban or rural homes, features Entryway Sensors as a standard component. Mount these magnetic sensors on door frames and windows, and they work overtime to secure the perimeter. When the sensors are triggered by a door or window opening, the alarm sounds and alerts are sent. More often than not, this is enough to send intruders packing.
Let’s be honest, burglars break glass. That’s why Glass Break Sensors are fast-becoming a critical component in any home security ecosystem. Place these sensors near windows around your home. They leverage microphone technology to listen for the sound frequency of breaking glass. When the sensor is triggered, the alarm sounds and alerts are sent. Yet another helpful feature for rural home security systems.
While entryway sensors secure the perimeter, Motion Detectors secure the interior of your home. These powerful devices use infrared technology to sense movement and motion. If an intruder makes it past your entry sensors, a motion detector is sure to stop them in their tracks. When triggered, the alarm sounds and alerts are sent. The best rural motion detectors can even distinguish between pets and people.
Your Control Panel is the central hub of your home security system. The top providers of rural systems offer modern control panels stacked with touchscreen technology. This is where you program your features, arm and disarm the system, communicate with the monitoring center, and even view live-stream video of your security cameras. Look for a rural home security system with a top-shelf control panel.
If you live in a rural area, you’ll want a security system that can be expanded over time. Thankfully, expandable systems are becoming the norm. These home security systems allow for seamless integration of third-party devices. Add security cameras, smart door locks, lighting, and other home automation equipment. The sky’s the limit when you choose expandable. So keep a look out for this feature.
