1. Best overall: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers seven customizable home security system packages. We think the setup is straightforward, and we like the system’s sleek design and user-friendly app. There are six monitoring options, ranging from free to $79.99 a month, which you can pay for monthly and cancel anytime without entering a long-term contract.
Simplisafe Foundation bundle. Image courtesy Simplisafe.
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.
In addition to its well-known doorbells, Ring also offers full alarm systems with built-in Eero routers to extend or replace your Wi-Fi. Amazon owns Ring, so it automatically integrates with an Amazon account and any Alexa-enabled smart home device, though it won’t work with Google Home.
Courtesy Ring.
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
$199.99
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
$19.99
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
3. Best smart home integration: Abode
One great thing about Abode is that you can buy a camera or doorbell from another company and easily integrate it with an Abode alarm system. In fact, Abode is compatible with the widest range of smart home products of any provider we tested, including Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomeKit. It offers three base security alarm bundles with different hub models.
Courtesy Abode.
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.
4. Best multifunction sensors: Arlo
Arlo is a budget-priced home security provider that offers self-installed home security alarm systems, cameras and doorbells. Its multifunctional sensors can perform eight different types of detection: motion, open/close, water leaks, freezing, tilting, light and listening for sounds from smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms. The company also offers several reasonably priced self- and pro-monitoring plans, but you can still use the alarm system’s basic features without paying for a plan.
Courtesy Arlo.
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
$199.99
Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free three-month pro monitoring trial.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99
Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $9.99 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 owns six U.S.-based professional monitoring centers, leading to fast alarm response times. We think the packages are expensive compared to other providers, especially for self-setup packages and basic equipment. But the professional monitoring is tried-and-true. ADT alarm systems integrate with some Nest cameras (mostly newer models) but not all: they won’t connect with the Google Nest Cam Indoor or Outdoor, the Google Nest Hello, or Nest Cam IQ cameras.
Courtesy ADT.
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 comes with 1 ADT Smart Home Hub and 1 ADT Door/Window Sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99 and up
$44.99 with cameras and $34.99 with other smart home devices. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for self setup and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a self-setup system for free after the first month.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
6. Best professionally installed option: Vivint
Vivint isn’t a DIY option; it must be professionally installed and hardwired into the house. Our three-hour professional installation was time-consuming but not difficult or stressful. However, Vivint is the most expensive home security system we’ve reviewed. You can control the system via the smart hub, the keypad or the Vivint mobile app. It also offers smart lights, speakers and thermostats that integrate with Google Home, Nest and Amazon Echo.
Courtesy Vivint.
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
$449.99
Base kit includes Vivint Smart Hub Control Panel,
2 door/window sensors, and 1 motion sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99
Systems with smart home devices start at $39.99 per month and cost an additional $5 per month per camera.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and water sensor.
Other things to consider when choosing a home security system
1. Professional monitoring vs. self monitoring
You can choose to have your home security system professionally monitored, or you can respond to alerts yourself. Some providers, such as Vivint, only let you use professional monitoring with their equipment, but others offer both options.
Professional monitoring comes with additional fees: typically around $20 to $50 per month. However, the benefits can be worth the price in an emergency.
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When an event triggers your alarm, your provider’s call center is instantly notified, and a representative calls you to check in. If you don’t respond, they contact emergency or police services.
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Some providers, such as SimpliSafe, offer the option to let a representative access your camera footage to investigate what triggered the alarm before calling authorities.
If you opt for self-monitoring, you’ll need to respond to the phone alerts your alarm system sends you and decide what steps to take.
Some providers, such as Ring, offer professional monitoring without a contract, so you can purchase temporary alarm monitoring during a vacation, for example.
2. Smart home integration
Smart home devices let you control your home’s temperature, lighting, music and more from your phone, computer or tablet.
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Many home security systems also integrate with existing WiFi-connected smart home networks, such as Google Home and Alexa, to give you the ability to activate and disarm your alarm system — and check your cameras — from your personal devices too.
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If you already use a specific smart home network, you may want to choose a security system that integrates with that network. Abode, for example, integrates with a wider variety of smart home systems, while Google Nest is best matched with other Google Home products.
