Best Security Systems Without Monitoring in 2026

Our best security systems picks lean heavily toward professional monitoring, and for good reason. It's the most reliable way to keep your home covered around the clock, with a team of professionals ready to respond the moment something triggers an alarm. But professional monitoring isn't the only route to solid protection, and it often comes with a monthly fee that not everyone wants to pay.

Self-monitored security systems let you handle alerts yourself through an app — no monitoring contract, no extra recurring cost. We put more than 30 security systems through hands-on testing, evaluating everything from equipment quality to app usability, and among the self-monitoring options, SimpliSafe came out on top. Abode and ADT Blu also delivered strong results. Here's what sets each of these three apart.

Expert Examined

From Wes Hartkemeyer, Police Officer and Home Security Expert

“A self-monitored system is only as effective as the person operating it. I’ve seen tech-savvy homeowners with immediate access to every angle of their home, and I’ve seen people who couldn’t navigate a remote control, much less a security system. The bottom line is you need to think carefully about how much energy you’re willing to spend on securing your home. If you want to get it set up and stop worrying, a professional system is the way to go.” Read more about Wes Hartkemeyer →

Runner-Ups

Ring

Ring has evolved considerably, though some limitations remain. When we reviewed Ring Alarm, we found it a little light in the sensor department, which isn't ideal for a self-monitoring security system. However, Ring now offers expanded sensor options and improved app functionality that makes self-monitoring more accessible.

The Ring Alarm system we reviewed came with only a motion sensor and entryway sensors.

On the plus side, Ring's cloud storage plans are affordable. The Ring Protect Basic plan runs $4.99 per month (or $49.99 per year) per device, while the Ring Protect Plus plan covers all your Ring devices for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Installation is also easy — our system only took 25 minutes to set up.

Arlo

Arlo's high-resolution cameras with color night vision deliver outstanding video quality, and we appreciate the AI-based motion detection that cuts down on false alarms. They use AI to recognize regular visitors and connect to other smart home devices. These premium features require a subscription, though. Plans start at $7.99 per month for a single camera, or $17.99 per month for unlimited cameras, making it a bit of an investment.

Considering the Arlo Pro 4.

But the cameras are exceptional. In our Arlo review, we learned they have an integrated spotlight and two-way audio. We could also create up to three activity zones per camera to reduce notifications from street traffic and neighbors.

Researching the Best No-Monitoring Systems

We try to make your life as easy as possible by doing all the home security research and hands-on testing for you. Below is a quick rundown of what we look for in a no-monitoring system.

The three main things to consider when choosing a home security system are:

• Equipment: Self-monitoring requires smart detection to minimize false alarms. We recommend AI-powered cameras that distinguish between people, packages, animals, and vehicles. At the very least, you’ll need a hub, entryway sensors, and a motion sensor. But we also recommend outdoor security cameras and a video doorbell. Finally, be sure the company offers a mobile app so that you can access and control your system from your smartphone.
• Monitoring: You’re looking for a self-monitored system. Beyond basic alerts, check if the system offers thumbnail previews in notifications, two-way audio, and local storage options for when the internet is down. And does the company offer professional monitoring too? It’s always nice to have options, as you may decide to upgrade at some point.
• Price: Basic self-monitored setups typically run $200 to $400 for equipment. Since there's no monthly fee, your ongoing costs stay low. If you opt for premium equipment or professional installation, we recommend budgeting anywhere from $600 to $1,200 upfront.

Pros and Cons of Self-monitoring

Self-monitoring has evolved thanks to smartphone technology. Let's take a look at the advantages and limitations to ensure it's right for your situation.

Benefits

We preach the gospel of professional monitoring most of the time – and we’ll get to that in just a bit. We recognize, though, that there are plenty of instances when paying for professional monitoring just isn’t practical. In fact, despite our insistence that professional monitoring is best, we don’t actually need it ourselves. We live in a pretty secure apartment building. Not so secure that we’re willing to do without a video doorbell and an entry sensor. And we like having an indoor camera in the living room so we can check on our cat during the work day. But it’s definitely safe enough to forego a professional monitoring plan.

Installing a SimpliSafe motion sensor.

Without question, self-monitoring is also cheaper than professional monitoring. Sometimes it’s not just cheap – it’s completely free. If you don’t mind checking alerts yourself, there is always something to be said for avoiding contracts and monthly payments.

Here’s a more complete rundown of all the advantages to skipping the monitoring plan.

• Cost: Obviously, if you’re truly self-monitoring, you never have to pay monthly fees. Even if you choose to add video storage, you can usually save quite a bit over a fully monitored system. Also, self-monitored systems tend to be cheaper overall than professionally monitored systems, with more affordable equipment. Plus, unmonitored systems usually require DIY installation, so you’ll also save money on setup.
• Home automation: As a general rule, professionally monitored systems tend to be old-school in their approach. Self-monitored systems tend to be newer and more progressive. That difference extends to home automation. Self-monitored systems are designed to give you control, so you can expect the best user-friendly apps, integration with Alexa and Google Home, and lots of smart device compatibility. Most of these systems are IFTTT compatible, and some even offer their own proprietary line of smart products.
• Fewer false alarms: If you’re in charge of your home security, you don’t have to worry so much about false alarms. Research shows that over 99 percent of alarm activations do not require a call to the police.1 By managing your own system, you can always take the time to verify an alarm before contacting emergency personnel.
• Control: With self-monitored systems, you get to do your security your way. You don't have to worry about who might be watching camera footage. You get to decide exactly what constitutes a genuine emergency; you can be as paranoid or as cavalier as you choose. Plus, many self-monitored systems, including SimpliSafe, Abode, and Ring, let you add features like person detection and video storage on demand or buy a single month of professional monitoring whenever you need it. You're in charge.

Drawbacks

What happens when an alarm goes off and you're not around to act on it? That's the core weakness of self-monitored security systems. There's no dispatcher automatically calling for help on your behalf. Many self-monitored systems also rely on broadband internet to send alerts. That’s less reliable than the cellular backup connections most professionally monitored systems include. Professional monitoring still brings major advantages over self-monitoring, including:

• Convenience: It may seem obvious, but it’s worth pointing out: You don’t have to monitor a professionally monitored system — ever. The system works and you’re protected, whether or not you’re paying attention. Too busy mowing the lawn to respond to an alert? No problem. At the dentist with a mouth full of novocaine? No problem. Self-monitoring, on the other hand, can be a little taxing.
• Level of security: Self-monitoring doesn’t come with quite the same level of security as professional monitoring. Again, you must recognize that your home security works only if you are available. When you’re too busy or distracted or asleep to check an alert, your home goes unprotected. Also, most truly unmonitored systems don’t include video storage. That means you can’t go back and check an alert you missed, and you can’t provide police with footage if there’s a break-in.
• No home insurance discount: Most professionally monitored home security systems offer some level of discount on homeowners insurance. Most self-monitored systems don’t. Insurance companies recognize that professional systems just offer a higher level of security overall.
• Peace of mind: Here’s the bottom line: A professionally monitored system is going to give you greater peace of mind over the long haul. Can you protect your home through self-monitoring? Of course. But you have to realize that you don’t have any backup.

Keep in mind that crime rates are not the same everywhere. According to our research, there are residents of some states that might need professional monitoring more than others. Here’s the rate of break ins per 1,000 homes.

• New Mexico 12.84
• Mississippi 12.55
• Louisiana 11.17
• Oklahoma 11.09
• Nevada 10.78

When you plot out the data, it seems nearly half of all residential burglaries occurred in Southern states, though rates are also high in the West.

Tips for Self-monitoring

As we’ve pointed out, there are some real advantages to self-monitoring your home security. It’s important to know what you’re in for. Here are a few handy tips that can help make it a little easier.

• Sign up for cameras if you can afford them. Entry sensors can be useful, but if you’re self-monitoring, you’re going to want to know what’s happening when a sensor goes off. Without cameras, you’re essentially blind.
• Position your cameras carefully. If you’re totally in charge of your monitoring, you don’t want to leave any blind spots in your home. Place cameras where they can do the most good and where you can maximize your field of view.
• Review every alert you get. Any one of them could be an emergency. Look for equipment that uses AI-powered detection, like Google Nest Cams, to cut down on false alarms and make sure every notification actually means something.
• Add recording to your cameras whenever possible. Some cameras support local storage — DVRs, NVRs, or microSD cards — so you can review footage anytime without a subscription. Other companies offer cloud storage for a modest monthly fee, often much less than what you'd pay for professional monitoring. Either way, stored video gives you a clear picture of what happened and solid evidence to hand over to police if needed.

Final Thoughts

While self-monitoring can save money, we always recommend professional monitoring. There's no telling when you'll need to respond to an urgent alert — it could be while you're asleep, stuck in a meeting, or out to dinner with friends. Professional monitoring ensures every alert gets an appropriate response. That said, it's not in everyone's budget. If that's the case for you, make sure to choose a system that gives you the tools needed to keep your home secure.

We made sure our ADT sign was prominently displayed in our front yard to ward off criminals.

Every system on this list provides you with the tools you need to monitor your own security, including real-time alerts, access to live video feeds, and the option to store footage. Don’t worry, they save you money too, by leaving the monitoring up to you. Our number one priority, though, is keeping you safe, and we think this list gives you what you need to do that.

FAQ

You’ll find even more information about the best unmonitored security systems in this FAQ section.