SimpliSafe is our top overall home security system, and it’s also our favorite DIY home security system pick. The company offers device packages that were easy for us to set up and control through the SimpliSafe app, and the company’s setup instructions were very thorough.
If you want a completely DIY experience, you can self-monitor your SimpliSafe alarm system, or you can purchase professional monitoring for a monthly fee with no long-term contract. Often, home security system providers only provide access to certain features if you pay for a monthly monitoring plan. Compared to other providers we reviewed, we like that SimpliSafe includes the most features with free self-monitoring, including remote arming and disarming and smart detection.
The company also has technicians who can set up your system for $124.99 and up.
SimpliSafe Security System
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$249.96
Base kit includes one base station, one keypad, one entry sensor and one motion sensor. Sometimes you can get a free Smart Alarm wireless indoor security camera and a free trial of professional monitoring if they’re running a promotion.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$21.99
Self monitoring available for $9.99 per month. You can also access basic features with no plan.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector, water and temperature sensor.
Abode offers budget-priced home security equipment and packages. You can self-monitor your system for free with limited features, pay a small monthly fee for smart notifications or pay a higher monthly fee for professional monitoring.
Abode doesn’t offer professional installation, but like SimpliSafe, all of its equipment can be DIY setup. We had a hiccup or two setting up devices in the app, but nothing major. Most Abode equipment can also be easily installed with stick-on adhesive and doesn’t require drilling.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$159.99
Base kit includes security hub, key fob and mini sensor for door/window.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99
Self monitoring with extra features is $7.99 per month, but you can also use basic features for free.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke alarm monitor and leak detector.
No actual smoke/CO detector.
Ring’s home security equipment is a popular DIY option, though we found the Wi-Fi router more complicated to set up than other providers. Otherwise, device setup is straightforward, and the app provides dozens of customizable features — more than any other system we tried — to tailor the system to your needs.
However, Ring requires you to sign up for a paid plan if you want to arm and disarm the system remotely and receive intelligent alerts. Other DIY providers offer this for free.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
on Money.com and Amazon.com
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$244.95
Base kit includes alarm base station, keypad, door/window contact sensor, motion detector, alarm range extender and free 30-day trial of Ring Protect professional monitoring. Pro starter kit comes with a Wifi router.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$20
Other features/self monitoring available with plans starting at $4.99 per month. You’ll need at least the basic plan to arm and disarm your system remotely.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and listener, flood and freeze sensor.
on Money.com and Amazon.com
Arlo also offers affordably-priced DIY home security equipment. The app doesn’t have as many features as Ring’s or SimpliSafe’s, but the devices are functional and relatively easy to set up.
Arlo’s alarm systems have eight functions, though not all the functions are accessible for free; some features, such as smoke and CO alarm alerts, require a paid monthly plan. You’ll still be able to receive basic alerts with the free version, and you can upgrade to a higher-priced plan for professional monitoring.
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$199.99
Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free three-month pro monitoring trial.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99
Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $7.99 per month.
Hazard detection
Sensors can detect water and temperature and alert you when a smoke/CO detector goes off.
No actual smoke/CO detector, and you’ll need a paid monthly plan to use the sensor’s alarm listening feature.
ADT offers both professionally installed and self-setup systems. The self-setup system is pricier than other DIY home security system providers on this list, but ADT has long-standing professional monitoring capabilities that may be worth the splurge for some.
We found the setup for the ADT equipment itself to be simple, though we had much more trouble integrating it with partner Nest’s camera and smart home devices.
ADT requires a minimum one-month purchase of professional monitoring with any equipment. After that month, you can downgrade to free self-monitoring with remote arming and basic notifications.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$269.00
Base kit from ADT comes with a hub and one sensor. ADT sells equipment directly but also works with third-party dealers and installers such as Safe Haven, whose prices and equipment packages may differ.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99 and up
Monthly monitoring rises to $44.99 with cameras and $34.99 with other smart home devices. A one-month minimum monitoring plan is required with self-install equipment purchase; a several-year contract is required with a professionally installed system. ADT also works with third-party dealers whose monitoring and installation fees may differ.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
Blink, owned by Amazon, offers camera-only security systems that are affordable and simple to set up on your own. Among providers, it was one of our most straightforward systems to install, with high-quality camera feeds without any delays.
Blink is the only DIY home security provider on this list that doesn’t offer any professional monitoring; you can pay a monthly fee for camera recordings and other advanced features.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$199.97
Base kit includes Outdoor 4 camera, Mini 2 camera, Video Doorbell, and Sync Module 2 (hub).
Professional monitoring monthly cost
No professional monitoring available.
Self monitoring with video recording and other advanced features available for $3 per month for one camera or $10 per month for multiple devices.
Like Blink, Nest only offers cameras, not a sensor-based alarm system. Nest devices are ideal for smart home automation, though you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription starting at $8 per month for advanced features such as facial recognition, glass-break detection and video storage.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$229.00
Nest doesn’t offer a traditional alarm system; this price is for the Nest Hub device.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$34.99 and up
Self-monitoring with Nest Aware starts at $8 per month. Pro monitoring is available from ADT at $44.99 per month and includes a Nest Aware subscription.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector.
No leak/water protection.
