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If you want to save some cash and monitor your security system yourself, we highly recommend SimpliSafe’s loud sirens and prompt notifications.
Updated May 16, 2025
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You’re looking for a home security system that you can monitor yourself. We get that, but while we understand self-monitoring can be appealing, professional monitoring ensures someone is watching your property even when you can’t. That’s why we always recommend choosing a company that offers both. That way, if you happen to go out of town or your security needs should change, you have options. All three entries on this list offer self-monitoring and professional monitoring, and they all operate on month-to-month contracts. That means it’s easy to switch back and forth between plans.
Our favorite pick? SimpliSafe. Every SimpliSafe system comes with high-quality, reliable equipment, and the company is always looking for new ways to innovate. That equipment alerts you any time it’s triggered, and if you’ve purchased cameras, you have the option to pull up live footage. Plus, DIY installation means you can save a bit of additional money, and SimpliSafe makes the process simple and easy.
We’re fans of abode and ADT as well. And if you’re mainly looking for security cameras, Ring and Arlo are our runners up. Keep reading to get the details on all these no-monitoring systems.
From Wes Hartkemeyer, Police Officer and Home Security Expert
Pro Tip: Most of our top picks offer a free trial of their monitoring service. Take advantage of the trial to see how professional monitoring works and take the time to consider if you can live without it.
The best way to offer honest and trustworthy recommendations is by getting hands-on experience with home security systems. So we buy the systems and set up each device in our own homes. We test each system for weeks, sometimes months, so we can get a feel for what it’s like to live with it and its different features. This way we can give you our accurate, unbiased findings.
To ensure a level playing field, all of our test systems are installed in the same house – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our security experts. In our experience, testing systems in a real location gives us the most accurate and authentic results.
We also buy the same devices for each brand and install them in identical locations. Here’s what our typical system setup looks like:
To give you the best self-monitored security systems, we focused on the three most important factors for such systems. In our expert opinion, they are:
After comparing our top picks based on these criteria, here’s how we rated them:
Rating the Best Security Systems Without Monitoring
We’ve all seen those websites that review everything from microwaves to golf balls. But our team of security experts exclusively reviews security and safety equipment. The specialists assigned to this review include:
With over 75 years of combined industry experience, we are the most accomplished home security team online. Our work on SafeHome.org began in 2016 and has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other major outlets. Together, we have:
Every recommendation we make is based on first-hand product experience and a thorough understanding of the home security industry. Now, it’s time to find out more about the best security systems without monitoring.
SimpliSafe is at the top of this list because it doesn’t just offer no-monitored systems – it invented them. DIY monitoring is completely free with SimpliSafe, but you still get some great features like real-time alerts and access to live footage through the SimpliSafe app. Those are essential tools if you’re going to be handling your security on your own. For just $10 a month, you can add cloud storage to your self-monitoring plan and hang on to important footage in case, you know, the police need it. Plus, as we mentioned in the introduction, you always have the option of switching to one of SimpliSafe’s several professional monitoring plans.
>>Find out More: SimpliSafe Review
One of the nice things about SimpliSafe is that it offers multiple self-monitoring options. If you don’t need video recording, you can actually self-monitor for free. There’s definitely something to be said for never having to pay another dime for your system once you’ve installed it. You can also just add cloud storage for $9.99 a month. That price buys recording for up to ten cameras. And honestly, if you’re going to purchase one of the best security cameras on the market, you should probably make full use of it.
As for the cost of equipment, SimpliSafe’s pricing is among the most competitive we’ve seen. Forget other brands that offer starter kits worth over $500; you can get a basic SimpliSafe security system for around $250, and a comprehensive one with multiple security cameras included for about $700. What’s more, SimpliSafe loves doling out discounts. If you check out our guide to SimpliSafe deals, you’ll see that security systems are often on sale for at least 20-percent off. So far, the biggest we’ve seen this year was during SimpliSafe’s Black Friday sale where everything was 70-percent off.
Installing a SimpliSafe entryway sensor.
FYI: Like a number of home security companies, SimpliSafe lets you finance your equipment. However, you must buy at least $200 worth of equipment to qualify. When they’re on sale, the two least expensive packages – the Foundation and the Essentials – don’t cost enough for financing.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT
Affordable equipment isn’t the same thing as cheap equipment. All of SimpliSafe’s devices are solid and well-built. Take the outdoor camera, for example. It’s rated IP65, which means it’s dust-tight and can withstand water droplets. As we note in our SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera review, It’s also capable of withstanding temperatures up to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. That might not protect you in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but it should work for almost everyone else.
And SimpliSafe is always improving its equipment. It’s on its third generation of devices, and it just introduced a brand-new Smart Alarm Indoor Camera with built-in AI that can distinguish between people and pets — pretty handy for eliminating false alarms.
FYI: In addition to cameras, SimpliSafe offers a whole range of security equipment, including entryway sensors, motion detectors, glass break detectors, and flood and fire sensors. All those devices are routed through the SimpliSafe hub, which is modern, white, and emits a soft glow from underneath.
| Package | Retail price |
|---|---|
| The Beacon (10 pieces) | $709.90 or $29.58 for 24 months |
| The Haven (14 pieces) | $519.86 or $21.66 for 24 months |
| The Knox (13 pieces) | $479.87 or $19.99 for 24 months |
| The Lighthouse (7 pieces) | $469.93 or $19.58 for 24 months |
| The Hearth (9 pieces) | $399.91 or $16.66 for 24 months |
| The Essentials (5 pieces) | $275.95 |
| The Foundation (4 pieces) | $249.96 |
We’ve already mentioned the features you get with SimpliSafe’s self-monitoring plan, so let’s talk a little about SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring plans. At a minimum, these plans provide you with 24/7 protection. Agents respond to system alerts night or day, even when you’re too busy to deal with an emergency. In the last year, the company has rolled out some even more impressive plans that make use of SimpliSafe’s high-tech camera technology. In simple terms, AI keeps track of who’s coming and going on your property and alerts a monitoring agent any time there’s a problem. That agent then has the option of confronting the situation directly through two-way audio or using video verification technology to summon immediate help. Best of all, you can sign up for a single month of professional monitoring with no long-term commitment.
SimpliSafe gave us the option to self-monitor and the tools we needed to do that effectively. As a starting point, we got real-time alerts every time our system picked up motion. We also had access to real-time video via the SimpliSafe app. A week into our SimpliSafe tests, for example, our SimpliSafe video doorbell let us know someone was on our front porch. We pulled up the live footage to discover a crew worker in a safety vest. There was some pipeline maintenance going on in our neighborhood but we got the full scoop without having to leave work.
Pro Tip: In our tests, we noticed a bit of a lag when trying to communicate through the doorbell. It’s not so bad that you can’t give the delivery guy some instructions, but it’s bad enough that you probably won’t be able to have a full-blown conversation.
Here’s the thing: we actually tested SimpliSafe as both a self-monitored and professionally monitored system and we know that it offers high-quality professional monitoring. Having professional monitoring as an option makes self-monitoring a little easier. Let’s say you’ve got a big trip planned. You can sign up for a month of SimpliSafe’s professional plan. Then, as soon as you’re back in town, you go right back to self-monitoring. It’s this kind of flexibility that led us to name SimpliSafe our best no-contract home security system in addition to our best system with no monitoring.
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $21.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
Self-monitoring doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up access to fancy high-tech features like smart hub integration and voice-activated protocols. Abode offers the tools you’d expect from white-glove companies like Vivint, but it does so for a fraction of the cost. And it gives them all to you even if you don’t have a monitoring plan. As we point out in our full abode review, these systems work smoothly with Google Home, Alexa, and even Apple HomeKit (Vivint can’t say that). Abode equipment is compatible with thousands of additional smart home devices, from Hue lightbulbs to Bose speakers, and it works with IFTTT, so you can create custom routines to simplify your life.
Just how affordable is abode? You can get a complete system for just $139.99. That’s not a sale price; that’s abode’s everyday retail price. abode’s most expensive kit, the Iota All-in-One, is just $379.99. You can add an abode Cam 2, which works both indoors and outdoors, for just $60 more. That’s $40 cheaper than SimpliSafe’s SimpliCam.
Testing out the abode Keypad
Monitoring is equally affordable with abode. For starters, you can self-monitor for free, and you can’t get much cheaper than free. And like SimpliSafe, abode allows you to ramp up your monitoring when you need to. Add video recording for just $5.83 per month, about half of what SimpliSafe charges. Or, you can get full professional monitoring, 24/7, 365 days a year, for – get this – $12 per month. That almost makes it a shame to self-monitor.
>> See for Yourself: abode vs. SimpliSafe
Abode offers all the equipment you need to outfit your home, from hubs to entry sensors, cameras to smoke detectors. However, it doesn’t offer much selection, especially when it comes to cameras. There’s a video doorbell and a camera. Not an indoor camera and an outdoor camera. Just a camera – one that has to do double duty depending on where you need it. Luckily it is hardy enough to withstand the outdoors, but that means it’s hardier than it really needs to be if you’re using it inside.
Again, though, all of abode’s equipment comes ready to work with virtually any smart home device on the market. Plus, because the system is compatible with IFTTT, you can create custom routines linking all your smart devices together. The company even began offering its own proprietary front door locks, with the choice of a Bluetooth keypad or fingerprint access. Already, these have become some of the best smart locks on the market. We connected our front door to our TV and made sure the news came on the moment we walked in after work. It’s the little things that make life worth living.
Pro Tip: Smart home devices are notorious entry points for hackers to gain access to your network. When we were testing abode, we made sure to use a router-level VPN to keep ourselves safe.
Like SimpliSafe, abode offers a range of monitoring options. You can, of course, self-monitor for free. Why else would we have included the company on this list? The free Basic plan includes push notifications, live video streaming, and the ability to turn the system on and off using the app.
The real icing on the cake is that you get smart platform integration with abode. A lot of companies don’t even offer that, and those that do typically charge a premium fee. For example, if you want smart features from Vivint, it’ll cost you at least $45 per month. Even SimpliSafe requires you to sign up for a $20-per-month monitoring plan if you want to run your system through Alexa or Google Home. Abode gives you these same features even if you’re self-monitoring.
We were actually surprised by how many high-tech features abode provided us. Our system paired with a ridiculous number of smart devices, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit (even Vivint can’t say that). Whatever smart ecosystem you prefer, you can control all your security equipment with just your voice.
FYI: Abode is Z-Wave compatible. Z-Wave technology gives you access to thousands of smart home devices, from thermostats to toaster ovens, and the company even manufactures its own devices. You can get smart light bulbs, smart plugs, and even a smart lock for your front door. You can build an entire smart world and never have to pay abode a cent in monitoring fees.
Adobe also works with the IFTTT platform, and that unlocked a seemingly unlimited number of additional features. IFTTT lets you create sophisticated routines linking multiple smart home devices. Every night when we went to bed, we told Alexa “good night.” She turned down our lights, armed our abode system, and hit us with some sleepytime jazz music. No surprise that abode makes our list of the best security systems for IFTTT.
We had to install our abode equipment ourselves. That’s to be expected. Most self-monitored systems don’t come with professional installation. No problem. Except that, unfortunately, abode isn’t as straightforward and simple to install as most of the other DIY-installed systems we’ve tried. We were particularly thrown by the fact that we had to use an ethernet cable to connect the hub to our router. Once we did that, it worked fine via Wi-Fi, but seems like an unnecessarily complicated process to get to that point.
The other knock on abode? Only one camera option. The good news is, that camera is rated IP67. That means it’s dust-tight and can withstand a pummeling with water jets. In addition, it can handle temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s perfect for outdoor use in most climates. The bad news? We don’t really need something that hearty in our living room.
Bottom line: you can do better than abode if you’re willing to spend the money. For its price, though, no one gives you more high-tech features.
| 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 $7.99 |
| Contract length | Month-to-month |
Introducing…ADT. OK, so ADT isn’t exactly new to the home security market. In fact, it’s the oldest company out there, with 150 years of experience. In all that time, though, ADT has never offered a self-monitored system. Until now. In the last year, the company rolled out self-installed systems, and that worked so well it decided to offer self-monitored systems as well.
Of course, ADT remains the industry leader when it comes to professional monitoring, with a dozen different monitoring centers scattered throughout the country. And it has to be said – when companies make such big changes, there’s sometimes a steep learning curve. ADT doesn’t have the experience with self-monitored systems that SimpliSafe and abode have. Nevertheless, this is the best home security system on the market, bar none, and now you can get in without monitoring. That’s a big deal.
ADT used to be one of the most expensive systems around, but like we said above, they’ve paid attention to industry trends and consumer desires. Now they offer much more flexible, much more affordable options.
While almost every company in the world has raised its prices over the last few years, ADT lowered the cost of its equipment. Prices for sensors, for example, now start at $20 for the entryway sensors. Motion sensors go for just $40. Even ADT security cameras are now more affordable, and that’s despite the fact that they are all new with improved quality. ADT currently offers Google Nest products, and they offer them with no markup. Indoor, plug-in cameras cost just $99. Indoor/ outdoor battery-powered models cost $179. You can build a pretty comprehensive system using these components, and keep an eye on it all yourself. That’s a huge departure from ADT’s traditional posture, but we’re glad to see they’re keeping up with the times.
If you’re looking for professional monitoring, you’re not going to do much better than ADT. For most of its 150 year history, the company only offered professional monitoring. That’s plenty of time to get it right. And with 12 monitoring centers around the country all with their own redundancies built in, you never have to worry about reliability with ADT.
Installing an ADT security camera
ADT’s pioneering SMART monitoring feature, which gives homeowners the option of confirming an alarm with monitoring centers to cut down on false alarms and get emergency personnel to your home faster.
But you’re not looking for professional monitoring, so…Luckily, ADT just recently began offering self-monitoring as an option. As with the other systems on this list, you get real-time text alerts and access to live footage, and you never have to pay a dime for a monthly subscription plan. And while ADT is still relatively new to this sector of the home security industry, it offers one advantage no one else does. The ADT name. You can be absolutely sure you’re getting the very best quality equipment and service, even if you choose to DIY your own monitoring.
FYI: If you’re having trouble getting your equipment set up right, you can do what we did and call up ADT’s virtual installation support. They were able to walk us through the ins and outs of everything and helped us avoid a mistake or two as well.
Even if you self-monitor, you get access to some of the best home security equipment in the industry. ADT may be new to offering self-monitoring, but it’s already as good as companies like Cove and SimpliSafe. Real-time alerts show up just as quickly, and with ADT’s intuitive app, it was actually a little easier to pull up live footage.
That said, ADT doesn’t offer local storage options for security cameras. Likewise, many of ADT’s best features, like facial recognition, don’t work without a monitoring plan. Still, you can now save a little bit of money long-term and still get the safety and security of the number one home security system.
Pro Tip: If you plan to self-monitor your ADT system, we recommend at least buying a Nest Aware plan for your security cameras. ADT offers Nest Cams, and their affordable cloud plans unlock cloud storage and facial recognition starting at $8 per month for unlimited cameras.
| 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 |
We think Ring has some great, affordable cameras and video doorbells. But when we reviewed the system, we found it was a little light in the sensor department, which isn’t ideal for a self-monitoring security system.
The Ring Alarm system we reviewed came with only a motion sensor and entryway sensors.
The other flaw is that if you need somewhere to store your video footage, you’ll have to pay for it or upgrade to a professional monitoring plan. On the plus side, Ring’s security system is easy to install – it only took us 25 minutes. The app is also user-friendly and makes handling notifications a breeze.
Arlo’s security cameras are some of the best around and are reasonably priced. They use AI to recognize regular visitors and can connect to other smart home devices. The only issue is that these features are not included in the self-monitoring plan.
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 set up activity zones so we weren’t getting constant alerts whenever our dog was rolling around on the fresh-cut grass.
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:
OK, so you came here looking for a great self-monitoring system. It never hurts to consider all the options, right? Let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of unmonitored systems just to make sure you’ve thought it all through.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less expensive/free | No professional oversight |
| More customizable | Less peace of mind |
| More control | Usually have to install yourself |
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.
Pro Tip: If you purchase home security cameras with local storage, you can save video without having to invest in a cloud storage plan, saving you even more money. Most Lorex cameras, for example, use either a microSD card or a DVR/NVR setup.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert:
If an alarm sounds but nobody responds, is that alarm truly useful? The biggest drawback of unmonitored security systems is that they won’t notify dispatchers when there’s a problem. A second drawback is that unmonitored systems often rely on broadband internet to send text alerts. Most professionally monitored systems offer some form of cellular connection, which is far more reliable. Ultimately, professionally monitored systems offer the peace of mind you just can’t get from doing it yourself.
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.
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.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert:
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.
You’re giving something up when you choose to self-monitor your system. Professional monitors keep an eye on your home 24/7. You don’t have to worry about security when you’re sleeping, get a root canal at the dentist, or having drinks at a friend’s. That’s not to say you shouldn’t go that route. There are advantages to be had from self-monitoring, too. If you’re giving up the protection of having trained personnel take care of your security, though, you want to make sure you’re fully equipped to take over the job yourself.
Installing an ADT Control Panel.
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.
You’ll find even more information about the best unmonitored security systems in this FAQ section.
No, home security systems don’t need professional monitoring. There are a number of systems on the market, including SimpliSafe, abode, and Canary, that allow you to monitor your home security yourself. These provide real-time alerts so that you know there’s a problem as well as access to live footage so that you can find out what the problem is.
The biggest advantage of a self-monitored home security system is that you never have to pay for monthly monitoring. Once you pay for the equipment, you never have to pay another dime. These systems also give you total control over your security, and they prevent many false alarms.
There are two ways self-monitored systems store video footage: via local storage or through some form of cloud storage. Most companies charge for cloud storage. Alternatively, you can forego storage and rely entirely on live footage to see what’s happening at your home. If you purchase cameras with local storage — DVR, NVR, or micro SD cards — you can review footage any time at no additional cost.
Yes. SimpliSafe, abode, and Canary all offer professional monitoring as an option. In addition, all three let you sign up for a single month of professional monitoring, so you can add a month when you need it and cancel it when you don’t.
Yes. A lot of self-monitored security systems work with Alexa, Google Home, and even Apple HomeKit. However, many of them require you to purchase a monthly plan in order to access smart functions.
