Shopping around for a home security system isn’t straightforward. You need to know what equipment you need, where it’s going to go in your house, and who’s going to monitor it. Plus, you have to set it up or pay someone to do it for you. You want to get it right the first time, so you don’t have to uninstall it and pack it up to return it.

After installing and testing over 60 security systems in our homes over the past few months, we learned that ADT is the best option overall. The equipment is reliable, and the monitoring service is one of a kind. But it’s not the best home security system in every situation. So we’re also including some other excellent options from SimpliSafe, Vivint, Cove, and Alder. Let’s take a look.

 

Editor’s Note: ADT secured the top spot with its reliable equipment and monitoring, but ADT is launching a new security system and feature that can potentially make it even better. We added new information about ADT Plus (new security system) and Trusted Neighbor (new feature) below, so keep reading.

Lineup of the security systems we've tested
Lineup of security systems we’ve tested

What are Home Security Systems?

Home security systems protect against burglaries, thefts, and invasions. The most popular components include entryway sensors, motion sensors, and security cameras. They’re generally connected to a base station, and you can use a smartphone app to manage the devices. You can get a home security system for under $500 and pay extra for professional monitoring.

 

FYI: Entryway and motion sensors are the most common components of a security system. But some also include glass break sensors, video doorbells and home automation devices.

The Best Home Security Systems of 2024

  1. ADT – Best Equipment and Professional Monitoring
  2. SimpliSafe – Best Home Security Video Monitoring
  3. Vivint – Best Professional Installation
  4. Alder Security – Best Professional Monitoring Response
  5. Cove – Most Affordable DIY System
  6. Frontpoint – Best Customer Service and Support
  7. Brinks Home Security – Best Smart Home Integrations
  8. abode – Best No-Contract Monitoring
  9. Ring Alarm – Best Security Cameras and Video Doorbells

Overview of the Best Home Security Systems

System
ADT
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe Product Image
Vivint
Alder Security
Ranking1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th
Ratings9.8/10
Best equipment and monitoring
9.2/10
Best video security monitoring
9.4/10
Best professional installation
9.0/10
Best monitoring response
8.7/10
Most affordable
8.9/10
Best customer service
8.6/10
Best smart home integration
8.0/10
Best no-contract monitoring
7.7/10
Best security cameras and doorbells
Installation typeDIY or professionalDIY or professionalProfessionalDIY or professionalDIY or professionalDIY or professionalProfessionalDIY or professionalDIY or professional
Monitoring typeProfessionalProfessional or self-monitoringProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessional or self-monitoringProfessional or self-monitoring
Requires professional monitoringYesNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNo
Requires contractYesNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNo
Read ReviewADT ReviewSimpliSafe ReviewVivint ReviewAlder Security ReviewCove ReviewFrontpoint ReviewBrinks Home Security Reviewabode ReviewRing Alarm Review

Which Home Security System Is Best for You?

  • 1. ADT – Best Equipment and Professional Monitoring

    SecurityScore:
    9.8 /10
    855-908-4461
    View Sale 
    Links to ADT
     Up to 60% Off Systems
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment CostsPackages starting at $349
    Monitoring OptionsProfessional and DIY
    Monthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $30 per month
    Contract LengthsMonth-to-month 36 months and up
    Installation OptionsProfessional and DIY
    Smart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google Home
855-908-4461
View Sale 
Links to ADT
 Up to 60% Off Systems

ADT Overview

Arming the ADT Home Security Control Panel
Arming the ADT System

ADT used to require professional installation for all security systems, but the latest ADT Plus system now allows either DIY or professional installation, much like SimpliSafe. It still includes best-in-class equipment though. ADT security cameras are from Google Nest, which offer AI person and facial recognition. Our Nest Cam is pointed at where we hide our backup keys and it notifies us whenever it sees our dog walker, specifically saying it’s her so we don’t need to playback recordings. That’s how smart our ADT system is.

The Trusted Neighbor feature, launched this year, took the integration further. By controlling our Yale smart lock, ADT knows to let our dog walker in and disarm our sensors, but only when she comes by between 3pm and 4:30pm. This feature relies on facial recognition to know who to let in, and ADT’s smart home control to perform the right actions.

While ADT isn’t a perfect system, those are just two of the many reasons that we believe ADT offers the best equipment and security features right now. Let’s double down and see more of them.

 

Pro Tip: If you’re put off by the costs, you can wait for an ADT sale. ADT runs sales during the holiday season with discounts as high as 60 percent off.

>> Related: Google Nest Cam (Battery) Review

What We Like
  • Expert installation service
  • Offers equipment from Google Nest
  • Over 145 years of experience as a company
  • Reliable monitoring with multiple centers
What We Don’t Like
  • Requires a contract
  • Customer service is hit-or-miss
  • Not the cheapest monitoring service
  • Limited security camera and doorbell options

Equipment

ADT System Components
Our ADT security system was mostly wireless, but key components such as the hub and a couple of cameras were wired.

In addition to security cameras, Google Nest also provides video doorbells and smart home equipment for ADT.1 Our package included one each of the indoor and outdoor cameras, a smart video doorbell, and the Google Nest Hub Max — a smart display. You can read our independent Nest Hub Max review for more details, or you can check out our guide to the Google Nest Cam.

Of course, ADT primarily offers security and safety equipment, and it’s got that part well-covered. We bought motion sensors, door and window sensors, glass break sensors, and even smoke alarms.

Even better, ADT now lets you install those pieces of equipment yourself. It’s still the best professionally installed security system if you wish to go down that route, but see our ADT Self Setup review for details about ADT DIY installation.

>> Check Out: DIY vs. Professionally Installed Security Systems

ADT Door/Window Sensor On Window

Monitoring

Another aspect of ADT that some might view as a drawback is that all ADT systems require professional monitoring. If you’re looking to save by self-monitoring, ADT isn’t for you. Again, we’d recommend a DIY option like SimpliSafe or ADT Self Setup. But if you want the best protection possible, ADT is an excellent choice. It has the largest monitoring network in the country with 12 state of the art monitoring centers, each with backup generators and communications. In comparison, Vivint (#3 on this list) has only two facilities,2 and Frontpoint (#6 on this list) outsources the job to Rapid Response.3

With ADT monitoring, we got response times of between 30 to 45 seconds after an alarm is triggered. That’s pretty good. We would have preferred it a little bit faster (around 15 seconds), but that’s the industry average. At least we had peace of mind in knowing that ADT’s monitoring centers are always online thanks to their redundancy.

>> Compare: Vivint vs. ADT Home Security Systems

Cost

ADT’s prices were reasonable. As we alluded to earlier, our system with security sensors and a few smart home gadgets and security cameras cost us about $800. It sounds expensive, but we’re paying that over the course of 24 months (about $35 monthly), so it’s easier on the wallet. You can even choose to pay over 36 or 60 months.

Besides the equipment fee, set aside a budget for professional monitoring, which is required. We signed a three-year agreement at $44.99 per month for the top-tier monitoring plan. That’s more than reasonable. Companies like Vivint and Frontpoint charge $50 per month for their top-tier plans, although, there are options cheaper than ADT. For example, SimpliSafe’s highest plan costs only $29.99 monthly.

Finally, we paid a little over $100 for the professional installation service. This was required when we tested the system, but the new ADT Plus system we mentioned earlier lets you choose whether to DIY (free) or go with professional installation (with a fee). A new, remotely-guided DIY setup (also free) is now also available.

ADT isn’t the most affordable home security system. But if you’re looking for top-notch protection with quality equipment and reliable monitoring, our personal experience assures us that it’s a good choice.

>> Discount Guide: ADT Deals and Discounts for 2024

ADT User Experience

We enjoyed several user-friendly features during our month-long test of ADT, but our favorite was the ADT Control app. To be honest, we used the app more than the touchscreen control panel because it offers more control options. It lets us manage our smart home devices (the smart bulbs, smart lock, and smart thermostat we paired to ADT), arm and disarm the system conveniently from anywhere, and monitor our security cameras.

We also liked the SMART monitoring feature – basically a group chat for our family circle where we could collectively confirm or cancel an alarm. It’s a nice feature that can speed up and make alarm responses more efficient.

  • 2. SimpliSafe – Best Video Security Monitoring

    SecurityScore:
    9.2 /10
    800-544-5942
    View PackagesLinks to SimpliSafe
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment CostsPackages starting at $249.96
    Monitoring OptionsProfessional and DIY
    Monthly Monitoring CostsStarts at $21.99 per month
    Contract LengthsMonth-to-month
    Installation OptionsDIY or professional
    Smart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google Home
    • 800-544-5942
    View PackagesLinks to SimpliSafe

    SimpliSafe Overview

    SimpliSafe System's full device lineup
    SimpliSafe’s full device lineup

    SimpliSafe offers the versatility that ADT does not. Users can choose to install the system themselves or have a technician do it. And even if you choose the DIY route, SimpliSafe is easy to work with and scalable. It’s actually our favorite DIY security system right now.

    SimpliSafe also gives you the option to self-monitor or get a professional monitoring plan. We like SimpliSafe’s Core professional monitoring in particular. It’s one of the few services that offer live monitoring for security cameras, in addition to video verification. There are also no long-term contracts. You can upscale or downscale your monitoring service according to your budget and needs. We’ve had a SimpliSafe system for three years now, and whenever we need to test it, we just reactivate our monitoring plan and pay for one month at a time. We’re all about the flexibility.

     

    FYI: SimpliSafe never once asked us to sign a contract, but subscription offerings are paid for on a monthly basis. If you sign up and decide to cancel one week in, your monitoring plan will remain active for the rest of the month that you paid for.

    What We Like
    • No long-term contracts to sign
    • Easiest installation of any DIY system we tested (professional installation optional)
    • Competitive pricing for monitoring plans
    • Cellular and battery backup
    What We Don’t Like
    • Limited home automation capabilities
    • Professional installation (optional) starts at $125
    • Limited security camera options
    • Hasn’t had a new package since 2018 (but new products have been released since)

    Equipment

    Each SimpliSafe base station supports up to 100 devices, meaning that SimpliSafe is scalable. It also covers all the bases as long as we’re talking about security and safety. It has motion, door, and glass break sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide sensors, and even temperature monitors. However, it notably lacks a garage door sensor. It also lacks any smart home offerings besides a smart lock that’s always out of stock.

    SimpliSafe Entry Sensor
    SimpliSafe Entry Sensor

    For video monitoring, we relied on three SimpliSafe cameras. First was the wireless indoor camera (Smart Alarm) that monitored our living room. Then outside, we positioned the outdoor camera in the backyard and the hardwired video doorbell to monitor the front door. SimpliSafe offers enough equipment to secure your home indoors and outdoors.

     

    Pro Tip: SimpliSafe is one of the most affordable security systems on this list. But there are specific dates throughout the year when you can get it even cheaper. Keep an eye on our SimpliSafe deals page to find out when you can snap them up for a bargain.

    >> See It Here: SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro Review

    Monitoring

    You can self-monitor SimpliSafe, but there are good reasons that we recommend grabbing a monitoring plan, one of which is cellular backup. SimpliSafe relies on your Wi-Fi to send alerts, and if your internet provider is anything like ours, that connection is not always dependable. With a monitoring plan, the system will be able to send alerts offline via cellular signals. That’s called cellular backup, and SimpliSafe is one of the best cellular systems out there.

    SimpliSafe’s more advanced monitoring options, Core, Pro, and Pro Plus, also include interesting features, particularly Active Guard Protection. In the event of an emergency, SimpliSafe agents will be able to access your indoor or outdoor camera feed and two-way talk to dissuade the intruder and verify the alarm. Within 20 seconds of tripping our door sensor, our Smart Alarm’s privacy cover snapped open and an agent started talking to us through the camera’s speakers. It was a little creepy even to us, so imagine if that happened to an actual burglar.

     

    Pro Tip: The Pro and Pro Plus plan enables Active Guard Protection-like monitoring on the outdoor camera. Pro is best for overnight protection as it only allows outdoor monitoring between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. (local time). Pro Plus, on the other hand, enables around-the-clock outdoor camera monitoring.

    >> See More: The Best Self-Monitored Security Systems

    Cost

    SimpliSafe is somewhere in the middle in terms of equipment cost. It’s cheaper than traditional systems like ADT and Vivint, but it’s a little pricier than some DIY options like Cove.

    Our 14-piece kit with cameras and a video doorbell cost us just over $500, which we paid upfront. Much like ADT, though, you can finance your equipment but only for up to 24 months. There’s also a $150 minimum order required to finance equipment.

    Other than the equipment fee, there were no mandatory fees to use SimpliSafe. DIY installation cost us nil. Professional monitoring was also optional, but we highly recommend it. Here’s SimpliSafe’s pricing:

    • Standard plan: Offers just professional monitoring with cellular backup for $21.99 per month
    • Core plan (formerly Fast Protect): Includes Standard plan features, plus video storage for 10 cameras, Live Guard Protection for the Smart Alarm indoor camera, and video verification for $31.99 per month
    • Pro plan: Includes everything in the Core plan plus Active Guard Outdoor Protection between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. (local time) for $49.99 per month.
    • Pro Plus plan: The same features as Core and Pro, but offers Active Guard Outdoor Protection 24 hours a day for $79.99 per month

     

    FYI: The Pro Plus plan sounds expensive – and it is – but for the features it offers, it’s actually cheaper than similar options on the market. Deep Sentinel, for example, charges a minimum of $100 per month to monitor one outdoor camera similar to what SimpliSafe does.

    SimpliSafe User Experience

    SimpliSafe is built on simplicity, so before buying one, make sure it’s the type of system you want. You’re not going to get a touchscreen control panel and a bunch of home automation features from it. Instead, you’ll rely on a semi-digital keypad and an app to control your security system.

    The SimpliSafe keypad

    But as far as the user experience goes, we loved our SimpliSafe system, especially its responsiveness. It arms and disarms quickly – almost instantaneously when using the keypad. It has a loud 105 dB siren. It also has backup power and cellular connectivity for when the power and internet goes out. That cellular connectivity requires a monitoring plan. Still, SimpliSafe is simple and reliable.

  • 3. Vivint – Best Professional Installation

    SecurityScore:
    9.4 /10
    844-922-0575
    View Sale 
    Links to Vivint
     Use VHOLIDAY2024 for up to 6 Months Free Monitoring
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment costsStarting at $449
    Monitoring optionsProfessional
    Monthly monitoring costsStarting from $30 per month
    Contract lengthsStarting at 42 months
    Installation optionsProfessional
    Smart platform integrationAlexa and Google Home
    • 844-922-0575
    View Sale 
    Links to Vivint
     Use VHOLIDAY2024 for up to 6 Months Free Monitoring

    Vivint Overview

    Vivint Base Hub

    Vivint’s equipment – like the tablet-like, wall-mounted panel above – is smarter and more advanced than that of SimpliSafe. (See our Vivint vs. SimpliSafe comparison.) We can best describe Vivint as a smart home security system because of its extensive automation capabilities. And of course, a system like that requires expertise to set up. Fortunately, Vivint offers professional installation services that rival ADT.

    We’ve had several Vivint systems installed over the years and it has been consistently good. The service consists of an expert consultation where the technician looks at the key areas of protection, followed by the installation. After that, the technician showed us a welcome video on his tablet and explained how the system works. That level of service added to Vivint’s premium feel.

    >> Learn More: The Best Professionally Installed Security Systems

    What We Like
    • Integrates with plenty of smart home brands and products
    • Modern equipment (like the touch screen control panel)
    • Lifetime warranty on equipment
    • Standout professional installation service
    What We Don’t Like
    • Pricey equipment, particularly security cameras
    • Long-term contracts (up to five years)
    • Not as easy to move as DIY systems
    • Non-transparent pricing

    Equipment

    Vivint has sensors, some smart home devices like smart thermostats and smart locks, and smoke alarms for fire protection. It’s all pretty standard.; that is, until you get to the security cameras. In our opinion, Vivint cameras are the smartest in the industry.

    Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2)

    We say that because of the Smart Deter feature. When we tested the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, we saw it use AI to detect people just like the Nest Cams do. On top of that, it uses rules and algorithms to detect suspicious behavior.

    For example, when a neighbor stopped in front of our yard to admire our Halloween decorations (we presume), Vivint warned us that there could be a lurker on our property. He had been standing there for a couple of minutes, which the camera thought suspicious.

    More than that, Vivint takes a proactive approach to deterring crime. We made a rule that anytime anyone stays on our property for more than two minutes, Vivint would sound an ear-piercing warning tone. Sure enough, it activated when it detected our neighbor and it drove him away. Don’t worry; we apologized afterwards and explained the situation.

    >> Also See: Vivint Doorbell Camera Review

    Monitoring

    One of Vivint’s downsides is that if you don’t pay for the equipment upfront, you’ll have to sign a contract. That contract will be as long as your equipment financing term, which is usually four to five years. That’s longer than ADT’s standard three-year contract. Vivint also doesn’t give users much leeway to change their minds, as there’s only a three-day cancellation period. If you cancel beyond that, you’d have to pay a termination fee. SimpliSafe gives users 60 days to change their minds.

    Was Vivint’s monitoring worth it, at least? Of course! It wouldn’t have made this list if it weren’t. In fact, it’s better than most systems because Vivint has two monitoring centers. There’s one in Utah and another in Minnesota. We know that’s not as many as ADT’s 12 facilities nationwide, but Vivint’s monitoring centers have proven themselves fast, responding to our simulated break-ins within 30 to 60 seconds.

    >> Learn More: Vivint FAQ

     

    Pro Tip: As you’ll find out in just a bit, Vivint monitoring ranges from $29 to $49 per month. The final amount depends on how much equipment you need and if you want automation features in the plan. Cloud storage is also included in the price.

    Cost

    We’re not going to sugarcoat it: Vivint is a bit pricey. The outdoor camera from earlier cost us $399.99. The indoor camera and video doorbell, both of which have the same AI features, each cost $249.99. That’s nearly double the standard outdoor, indoor, and doorbell camera prices in the industry. Those cameras are also better than most you’ll find in the market though. And that’s true for most of Vivint’s products. They are expensive, but they are top-of-the-line.

    As for Vivint’s monitoring pricing, they’re not much more expensive than ADT. It starts at $29.99 for basic monitoring, but could go up to $49.99 if you add home automation features and security cameras. We’re paying the maximum because we have those in our Vivint system.

    That said, watch out for the installation fee. It can cost up to $200 if you’re having security cameras installed. That’s $200 that you could better spend on additional equipment. But if you’re willing to wait, Vivint occasionally offers free installation deals. Check out our page on Vivint deals for more information on that.

    Vivint User Experience

    Vivint Door Sensor
    Vivint Door Sensor

    Vivint may seem like a complex system at first, what with all that talk about the system’s advanced automation and smart features from the cameras. But in reality, it’s user-friendly. It’s the type of system you can set and forget. And because it’s installed by an expert, there’s not much setting up to do.

    We programmed our system to arm everyday at 11 p.m., making sure it’s armed before we sleep. We also have lights that turn on when our front door sensor is triggered. Its automation-rich app might make Vivint seem complicated to use, but in our opinion, those automations are exactly the reason that Vivint is user-friendly.

  • 4. Alder Security – Best Professional Monitoring Response

    SecurityScore:
    9.0 /10
    844-965-1405
    View PackagesLinks to Alder Security
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment CostsStarting at $0
    Monitoring OptionsProfessional only
    Monthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $35
    Contract Lengths36 months
    Installation OptionsProfessional or DIY
    Smart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google Home
    • 844-965-1405
    View PackagesLinks to Alder Security

    Alder Overview

    Alder Security System

    Alder flies under the radar, but it’s a good option for those who want a professionally monitored system but are looking to save money with DIY installation. It’s because of that that we think it’s a good ADT alternative. Alder is more affordable than ADT, yet it offers one of the fastest monitoring response times in the industry. More on that later.

    As for the overall quality of the security system, Alder is a notch lower than our top three picks. It doesn’t make its own equipment like SimpliSafe does; it doesn’t offer as many equipment options as Vivint; and while it gets cameras from a third party like ADT does, Alder’s cameras are from eufy. eufy is a solid brand (we tested the eufy 2K camera), but it’s not on the same level as the Nest Cams ADT uses.

    What We Like
    • 30-day trial period
    • Faster-than-average monitoring response
    • Simple DIY installation
    • Low upfront cost
    What We Don’t Like
    • Three-year contracts
    • Lack of pricing transparency
    • Monthly fees for monitoring and equipment quickly add up
    • Lacks home automation

    Equipment

    We were satisfied with the options we got from Alder. When we called to get a quote, the sales rep offered us security sensors; safety sensors; some accessories, like panic buttons and remote key fobs; and indoor and outdoor cameras made by eufy. We agreed to get one of each, and two days later, they all arrived in a well-packaged box, ready for DIY installation.

    Alder motion detector

    When we say DIY, we didn’t really do much except unbox the equipment and mount it to the walls. Alder already paired the equipment together, so all we had to do was connect the control panel to our Wi-Fi. Overall, it took us less than 35 minutes to set everything up, which is on par with SimpliSafe.

    >> Related: Are Wireless Security Systems Reliable?

    Monitoring

    We were eager to test Alder’s professional monitoring service because in 2017, it reportedly had a response time almost 10 times faster (3.4 seconds) than the industry average (30 seconds).4 It wasn’t as fast as that in our actual testing, but it was indeed faster than most. In all three instances where we purposely triggered the alarm, we were on the phone with an agent in less than 20 seconds. That surpassed our results from ADT (30 to 45 seconds) and Vivint (30 to 60 seconds).

    It’s worth noting, however, that Alder’s monitoring plans don’t include smart home features. In fact, it doesn’t look like the Nintendo Switch-looking control panel supports home automation at all, so if smart home security is what you’re looking for, look elsewhere.

    >> See Here: The Best Smart Home Security Systems

    Cost

    You won’t find any pricing information on Alder online, so calling to get a quote is the only option. To our surprise, they charged us only $150 for the comprehensive system we got. According to the bill, they charged us only for the smoke alarm and the outdoor camera. The rest of the equipment – the motion sensor, door sensor, control panel, and key fob – was all free. Or was it?

    The catch was that we had to sign a three-year monitoring agreement, and for the features it offered, we believe the cost of those “free” pieces was rolled into the $55 monthly fee. Most companies that charge that much per month include smart home features. Vivint, Frontpoint, and ADT are some examples. Alder doesn’t offer any such features. By our estimate, about $10 to $15 of that monthly fee goes to the equipment cost. That’s about $350 to $450 in three years. Still a fair price.

    >> For Reference: How Much Is a Home Security System?

    Alder User Experience

    Alder sensors on it’s panel

    The tablet-like touch screen control panel was the center of our user-experience. It didn’t take long for us to learn how to use it, and once we got the hang of it, managing our Alder security system came naturally. We also liked that it has physical buttons, such as the call button that calls the emergency response center with one press. The voice prompts were also a nice touch and could be helpful for someone who has vision impairment.

    And lastly, all the controls you’d ever need for your Alder system are packed into the touchscreen panel’s interface. You can arm and disarm the system, test your sensors individually, create zones, and more. It may not be as advanced as Vivint’s control panel (the gold standard in our opinion), but we found that Alder’s keypad is solid all around.

  • 5. Cove – Most Affordable DIY System

    SecurityScore:
    8.7 /10
    View Sale 
    Links to Cove
     50% off all equipment
    Product Logo for Cove
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment CostsSystems start at $330
    Monitoring OptionsProfessional
    Monthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $19.99 per month
    Contract LengthsNo contract required
    Installation OptionsDIY
    Smart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google Home
     
    View Sale 
    Links to Cove
     50% off all equipment

    Cove Overview

    Cove Security System

    A security system doesn’t have to be expensive to be good; we’ve seen that many times today, but none compares to Cove’s affordability. We’ll go more into the details of that later on. All we will say for now is that we got a comprehensive security system for less than $300. That’s hard to beat.

    Cove is a DIY system that requires professional monitoring. In that regard, it’s similar to Alder and — as you’ll see after this — Frontpoint. We think Cove is a better option for renters than homeowners, though, due to its limited equipment. Nonetheless, it’s the best option available if you want a reliable security system without breaking the bank.

    >> Other Options: Affordable Home Security Systems

    What We Like
    • Frequent deals and discounts (up to 60 percent off at times)
    • Easy DIY setup
    • Simple touch screen control panel
    • Industry-lowest monitoring rates
    What We Don’t Like
    • Limited equipment options
    • Professional monitoring is required (but no contract)
    • No home automation equipment available
    • New app; still has bugs to iron out

    Equipment

    Cove Security System and Cameras

    We noticed that Cove’s equipment is exactly the same as Alder’s, from the control panel to the eufy cameras. In fact, we didn’t bother buying cameras from Cove because we already tested the same cameras from Alder. That’s kind of a normal thing in the industry though. Many brands offer equipment from the same suppliers. Very few actually do their own research and development, like SimpliSafe and Vivint. So Cove seemingly “copying” Alder’s equipment wasn’t a dealbreaker to us.

    What’s more important is that Cove can protect homes. It offers enough types of sensors to detect security and safety threats.

    Monitoring

    Cove requires a professional monitoring subscription, but the service is contract-free. What that means is you can cancel your monitoring anytime without penalties. Just bear in mind that Cove won’t work without service. It’s not a self-monitored security system, unlike SimpliSafe.

    Cove’s monitoring offers 24/7 live monitoring, cellular backup, and security camera access. We went for the cheaper option, Cove Basic, because we didn’t buy any cameras. But if your system comes with security cameras, be sure to buy Cove Plus. It costs $10 more per month than Cove Basic but includes video verification and cloud video storage.

    >> Learn More: The Best Contract-Free Home Security Systems and Services

    Cost

    Cove’s biggest selling point is the low cost of its equipment and monitoring. Basic costs $19.99 per month, while Plus costs $29.99. Cove’s pricing is $2 cheaper than the SimpliSafe plans and offers similar features.

    As for the equipment, while we had to pay for it upfront, we got a massive discount. Cove packages were at 60 percent off at the time of our purchase, so we got a security system that originally cost over $500 for only $260. We suggest timing your purchase to get a deal as good as ours. Cove runs monthly deals that range from 20 to 65 percent off.

    Even on a regular day, you won’t spend much on equipment. Door sensors cost $15 each, compared to ADT’s door sensors, which cost $50 each. Motion sensors cost $30 from Cove; ADT’s cost $100. Just from those examples, we can see that Cove is around three times more affordable than the competition, even without discounts.

     

    Pro Tip: November is usually one of the best months to buy a Cove security system because of its jaw-dropping Black Friday discounts. Right now, for example, you can take 70-percent off of your Cove package cost. The hub and touch screen keypad that usually cost $150 each are selling for as low as $90 as a pair. That’s one of the better home security Black Friday deals we’ve seen thus far.

    Cove User Experience

    System armed on the Cove mobile app

    Given they have the same equipment, Cove gave us the same level of usability as Alder. Alder’s app gave us slightly more customizability, but Cove stood out for its uniquely low monthly fees. Since we didn’t get any cameras from Cove, we paid only $17.99 per month for security and fire monitoring. No other top-tier security system we tested offers professional monitoring at that price point. The only one that comes close is SimpliSafe’s $19.99 Standard plan. Because it’s so cheap to use, we believe Cove is a top option for folks who want a monitored security system for a fraction of its usual cost.

  • 6. Frontpoint – Best Customer Service and Support

    SecurityScore:
    8.9 /10
    844-933-2405
    View Sale 
    Links to Frontpoint
     25% off All Packages and Add-Ons
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment CostsStarting at $386.93
    Monitoring OptionsProfessional only
    Monthly Monitoring CostsStarting at $49.99
    Contract Lengths1-36 months
    Installation OptionsDIY
    Smart Platform IntegrationAlexa and Google Home
    • 844-933-2405
    View Sale 
    Links to Frontpoint
     25% off All Packages and Add-Ons

    Frontpoint Overview

    Security.org’s Frontpoint System
    Frontpoint Security System

    Frontpoint is another DIY option with a non-negotiable professional monitoring service. The monitoring subscription is packaged with the system, and unlike Cove, there’s a three-year contract. That’s not ideal for some people, but if you’re looking for a monitored system anyway, you can add Frontpoint to the list of systems to consider.

    What stood out the most during our testing was Frontpoint’s customer service. Even in the early 2010s, Frontpoint was already known for its customer-friendly policies. It took things up a notch lately by adding live chat support and extending phone support hours to as late as 11 p.m. (EST). Those are vital for a DIY system. You’re doing all the work yourself, so you deserve to have easy access to support whenever you need it.

    What We Like
    • Full home security and automation features
    • Easy DIY installation
    • High-quality equipment
    • Accessible customer support
    What We Don’t Like
    • Requires a three-year contract
    • Can be prone to false alarms
    • Requires a credit check
    • Universal monitoring plan and pricing for all customers

    Equipment

    Frontpoint outdoor camera

    Frontpoint doesn’t make its own equipment, but instead gets it from reputable suppliers like Alarm.com, GE, and Honeywell. It also offers smart home equipment and security cameras from various brands, such as Yale, Kwikset, and SkyBell. The SkyBell Video Doorbell we reviewed is the same one Frontpoint offers.

    The best Frontpoint component we tested by far was the hub itself. It was roughly the size of the PlayStation 1 we had growing up, but it was packed with features. It had a 24-hour battery backup, built-in cellular chip, and wireless modules for Zigbee and Z-Wave, both used for smart home connectivity. You can connect Zigbee and Z-Wave smart home devices to the hub even if they didn’t come from Frontpoint.

     

    FYI: While you can add third-party smart home equipment to your Frontpoint system, you might not be able to access all features from the Frontpoint app. The hub and the app have pre-set controls for certain types of smart devices only (e.g. temperature adjustment for smart thermostats).

    Monitoring

    One thing we really didn’t like about Frontpoint was the universal pricing of its monitoring plan. All customers have to pay a $49.99 monthly monitoring fee, regardless of the types of equipment you have. In contrast, ADT, SimpliSafe, Vivint, Alder, and Cove all have at least two monitoring options. Frontpoint offers only one.

    That option, which used to be called the Ultimate Plan, offers everything from monitoring and smartphone access to home automation and cloud video storage. It bode well for us because we had cameras, a smart thermostat, and a smart lock from Frontpoint installed. Our monitoring subscription gave us access to home automation and video security, in addition to professional monitoring. But just know, if you’re looking to get a more basic system – no automation and cameras – you might not get your money’s worth.

    >> Compare: ADT vs. Frontpoint

    Cost

    Frontpoint’s fixed monitoring rate is $49.99 per month. That’s a good price if you’re able to utilize all its features. You’ll want to buy security cameras and smart home devices to do that.

    That said, if you’re buying only sensors and some basic equipment (smoke alarms, water leak detector, etc.), it’s not worth it. Professional monitoring without smart home and video features typically costs $30 per month or less. ADT’s Essential plan costs $24.99 per month, for example. That means if you buy a basic Frontpoint system, you’ll pay nearly twice the industry average for monitoring.

    As for equipment, we think Frontpoint’s pricing is competitive. We started with a basic system for $129 — a hub, a keypad, and a couple of door sensors — and added sensors for $35 to $75 each depending on the type. Frontpoint’s cameras are all over $100 ($119 to $299), so the cost can quickly stack up. In total, our Frontpoint system cost us more than $600.

    Frontpoint User Experience

    Frontpoint Keypad
    Frontpoint Keypad

    There are two sides to our Frontpoint user experience. On one hand, it was easy to arm and disarm the system using either the app or the keypad. On the other hand, the keypad’s lack of a screen means it can’t do much else besides that. That’s why we had to rely heavily on the Frontpoint app, which was fortunately very intuitive. It was through the app that we accessed our cameras and controlled our smart home equipment. Additionally, it was the only home security app we tested with built-in geofencing. It arms the system when you leave a geofenced radius and disarms it when you get back inside. Not even our top smart home security pick, Vivint, offers that feature.

  • 7. Brinks Home Security – Best Smart Home Integrations

    SecurityScore:
    8.6 /10
    View PackagesLinks to Brinks Home Security
    Product Logo for Brinks Home Security
    How We Review

    Product Specs

    Equipment costsStarting at $360
    Monitoring optionsProfessional
    Monthly monitoring costsStarting at $39.99 per month
    Contract lengths36 months
    Installation optionsDIY or professional
    Smart platform integrationAlexa and Google Home