The 11 Best Home Security Companies

Best Quality: Vivint

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Offering a full line of high-quality proprietary cameras, sensors, and everything else your home needs to help keep you and your family safe, Vivint's premium services include 24/7 professional monitoring and customer service by phone or online chat. 

The company offers three equipment packages to get you up and running: Starter, Premium, and Premium Plus. Its starter package provides access to the mobile app, a touchscreen control panel, and intrusion sensors. Other packages add items like security cameras, video doorbells, voice control, smart door locks, and home automation. Each package is fully customizable for your home and security needs. You'll also need to choose one of the required monitoring plans starting at $29.99 per month. 

Professional installation is necessary for the initial setup, with costs as low as $49. But you can expand your device collection anytime and install the new equipment on your own. Although a 60-month contract is standard with Vivint, your paid-in-full equipment order qualifies you for a month-to-month contract. Expect a sign-up fee of $99 to activate your service, after which you'll have three days to decide if the system is right for your needs.

Best Startup Pricing: Wyze

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Although Wyze products and monitoring services aren't free, the company makes getting your system up and running easy on your wallet. Starting with equipment, Wyze offers only custom systems that you can build from the company's long list of devices, so you get the protection your home and family need without paying for anything you don't want. If you're uncertain about where to start, Wyze provides suggestions for what devices to have in your security systems according to the size of your home, all of which begin with the Wyze Sense Hub, starting at $29.99. You can add entry sensors, leak sensors, motion sensors, and climate sensors to further expand your security. 

Wyze does require you to sign up for its monitoring service, and the only plan the company offers is an inexpensive $9.99 per month option. You can save even more by choosing to pay $99.99 upfront for a year of monitoring. Wyze will even include the security system hub at no charge if you pay a year at a time. Without the plan, you'll still be able to view live feeds of your cameras, but you won't be able to view footage of previous events.

Professional installation is available for Wyze products and costs a bit more than average, depending on how many devices make up your system. But again, Wyze allows you the ability to keep startup costs low by providing no-tool installation products that are easily connectable to your smart home products through the company's app.

Best Professional Monitoring: Deep Sentinel

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Home security systems are only effective in real time if someone keeps an eye on notifications and alerts. Deep Sentinel ensures your property is observed by live operators all day and night. Additionally, the company's heavy-duty camera equipment comes complete with extreme temperature batteries, night vision, and two-way audio that allows the live guard to speak through the system directly to would-be intruders. Deep Sentinel's reaction times are extremely fast as well, with reports of sub-20-second response times common, and you can view your camera feeds in real time or watch videos as old as 32 days in case you missed something. 

You're not wrong if you think that all that personal attention must be expensive. However, few other companies offer this kind of service with this level of protection. Deep Sentinel requires you to sign a one-year monitoring contract that costs $100 monthly for the first camera and $50 each for subsequent ones. You'll also need a $200 deposit to start your service.

Most Popular: ADT

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

You've likely heard of our next pick. ADT has been in the security business for over 140 years and continuously ranks high on several consumer review platforms. As a trusted name in the home security industry, and with that kind of experience, ADT has learned a thing or two about protecting your home. 

The company offers three pro-installation equipment packages starting with a basic plan that includes ADT's touchscreen control panel, app access, a few door and window sensors, and a motion detector. It also offers three self-setup packages, from a basic setup that varies from the pro package by eliminating environmental alarms to a premium collection that includes video and smart home controls. You can install the DIY system packages yourself without specialized tools, and ADT makes itself available virtually should you need assistance.

From there, the device list grows in the other packages to include a smart lock, a video doorbell, and an outdoor camera. Of course, you can choose from ADT's long list of other products that you can add to any package. All of these components come with a six-month money-back guarantee.

Choosing ADT means you can choose professional installation, costing between $99 and $199 depending on equipment, and a 36- or 60-month contract, except in California, where 24 months is standard. For 24/7 professional monitoring services, prices start at $45.99 per month for the professionally installed packages and $24.99 to $34.99 monthly if you choose a self-setup package.

Best DIY: SimpliSafe

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

If you're a DIY enthusiast, or just want to save a few dollars on installing and monitoring your home's security system, SimpliSafe may be your solution. The company offers seven distinct and thoughtful equipment packages to choose from, all of which are expandable with à la carte device additions like additional motion sensors, panic buttons, and cameras. Customers also have the option to build their own package from scratch. Whatever package you decide on qualifies for the company's longer-than-average 60-day trial period, plus the first month is free. 

If you choose DIY installation and setup, and also opt to self-monitor your system, SimpliSafe won't charge a monthly fee. However, choosing SimpliSafe's first-tier Self Monitoring plan for $9.99 monthly allows you to view live footage and store unlimited amounts of recorded video from up to five cameras. The mid-range, $17.99 Standard Monitoring plan offers a one-year equipment warranty and professional monitoring. And to unlock smart home integration for use with your other smart home devices, choose the Interactive Monitoring plan, $27.99 per month, which also provides 10 percent discounts on subsequent device and hardware purchases. Both the Standard and Interactive plans feature push notifications, 24/7 emergency dispatch, and live video feeds. The Interactive plan, though, has unlimited camera recording capabilities, whereas the Standard only retains seven days' worth of video footage.

Best for Small Homes: Abode

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

If you're a smart home enthusiast, you understand the convenience of having several compatible devices working in sync. Now, you can add home security to your collection with products and services from Abode. Starting with voice command compatibility with devices like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, Abode products also work with over 20 industry-leading smart home brands and can do so without a monitoring plan. You can also choose from two available paid plans that max out at $21.99 per month. Annual plans are also available but would require an upfront payment of $149 for the Pro plan and $65.99 for the Standard plan. Abode also provides financing options. 

But that's not all the company has to offer. Abode understands that smart home customers may not want or need constant professional security monitoring, but they don't want to do it themselves all the time, either. For that reason, the company offers on-and-off monitoring services that you can toggle in three or seven-day increments, which is perfect for traveling or when you're unable to monitor your home yourself. 

All of Abode's equipment is available in packages that start with a hub and a pair of sensors. Choose from cameras, video doorbells, and several other sensors to round out your custom equipment choices, then choose from DIY or professional installation. Abode's products feature a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year device warranty.

Best Customization: Frontpoint

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Although most home security companies allow you to customize your security equipment collection, Frontpoint leads the way by offering an extensive list of high-quality and affordable devices, with three-year warranties, that you can add to any of its three prepackaged kits. Or you can choose an entire build-your-own package option. 

Prepackaged kits start at a $129 option that includes a hub and keypad, a motion sensor, and a door or window sensor. The most extensive package at $349 includes the starter kit plus two additional window or door sensors, a video doorbell, an indoor camera, and a keychain remote control. 

To build your own system, choose to add devices to one of the packages, or start with a $99 hub and keypad and add motion or window and door sensors, cameras, doorbells, environmental alarms, and accessories. Prices range from around $25 per window sensor to $149 for premium indoor or outdoor cameras and around $180 for a wireless video doorbell. 

When you receive your Frontpoint devices, you can easily install them yourself with the company's setup application. When complete, sign up for the mandatory, single-option, $49.88 per month monitoring service, available as a month-to-month contract that you can cancel anytime.  

All Frontpoint's security alarm devices operate using 4G LTE technology to ensure your system remains functioning and you still receive notifications when the Wi-Fi goes out.

Best on a Budget: Ring

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Ring's home security system offers comprehensive protection without breaking the bank. The company's Basic device packages start at just under $200 and top out at around $420 for a 14-piece sensor kit. It's a great starter kit for smaller homes and apartments to secure two areas like a window or hallway. Customers also have the option to add devices from an extensive list of cameras, doorbells, and other equipment choices to round out their system purchase, all of which can be self-monitored at no cost. 

Video recording plans cost extra and are around $3 per month. They allow phone app access or a $20 professional monitoring service to accompany your system. You can save even more by taking advantage of discounts for full upfront annual payments. 

Ring devices are designed for simple, peel-and-stick installation. However, professional installs are available if you'd like assistance. Ring equipment is compatible and pairable with several smart home products, including Alexa, Yale, and Schlage locks, Chamberlain garage door openers, and others for complete smart home integration.

Best Customer Assistance: Brinks

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Whether you're new to home security, or you're changing providers and equipment, Brinks offers comprehensive security solutions, tailored to your home and needs, while providing all the support to get you started and feel comfortable. 

Starting with your system purchase, Brinks requires you to contact them to discuss your needs and receive a price quote. While that's not everyone's favorite way to shop these days, the result is a fully customized system for your home. When it's time to install your devices, Brinks can do it for you or will provide video and phone app installation assistance, in addition to the peel-and-stick sensors and equipment for you to do it yourself.  

After installation, you'll need to sign up for Brink's three-year contract. The company continues its customer assistance afterward by verifying alerts through text, the app, or by telephone before dispatching the authorities to eliminate false alarms.

Best Basic Setup: Cove

Pros & Cons

Why We Chose It

Cove was founded in 2018, so you may not be familiar with the company, but current customers seem happy with the service. Though it doesn't have an extensive variety of devices like some of its competitors, Cove has high-quality standard devices to give you a simple but complete home security system. You won't get overwhelmed looking at what you need with different specs and stats.

Like other home security companies providing consumers with lower-than-average costs, Cove products aren't sold in prepackaged bundles. Customers can choose just the devices they need for their home and skip anything unnecessary. The company's alarm panel retails for $249, while an indoor camera costs $99. 

Prepaying for your system frees you from needing to sign up for a three-year contract with Cove. You can install the system yourself, or Cove can put it in for you starting at $79 for the service. You'll need to sign up for one of the company's monitoring plans to use your new equipment, and access to the proprietary app is only available in the higher-priced plan.