1
Vivint
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monthly Fees
$29.99
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Your home is one of your most important possessions, so investing in a good home security system is paramount. It will not only help improve your safety and protection from burglars and break-ins while you’re home, but also give you peace of mind that your home is safe while you’re away on vacation. Knowing the best home security company for you will allow you to rest easy knowing that both you and your home are secure.
We analyzed data on dozens of home security companies, ranking them based on factors like costs and contracts, app and customer reviews, customer support, features and smart home integration, equipment and warranties.
1
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monthly Fees
$29.99
Excellent
No
$29.99
Vivint is our top choice for home security companies because it has over 20 years in the business and combines great customer and app reviews with top-notch smart home integration features all at a reasonable price.
Vivint systems integrate with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and all monitoring plans offer 24/7 professional monitoring and mobile app support, making it extremely accessible to most. Its five packages include a panel and entry sensor, motion sensor and even voice control, and its advanced packages offer even more. When it comes to cameras, Vivint is a top contender as well. The company’s cameras all offer 1080p HD quality and have night vision and two-way audio.
Vivint’s customer service is extensive and quick, providing customers 24/7 phone access and live chat options, as well as a blog and a helpful How-To section for your system or camera of choice.
Excellent
Yes
$28.99
ADT is one of the most established home security companies on this list with over 146 years of experience and a shining reputation in the professional monitoring space. We like that ADT has plenty of options for pro monitoring and self-monitoring, though their professional services are 24/7.
ADT offers pro-installed systems, wireless systems, WiFi security cameras, doorbell cameras, outdoor cameras and even options for fire detection, medical alerts, panic buttons, water leak detection, gas break sensors and door-window sensors. With competitive pricing, ADT provides five home security packages, which include elements like a keypad panel and motion sensors. ADT’s cameras have 720p HD, two-way audio and night vision.
ADT’s customer service is top-notch as well, offering 24/7 phone access and live chat, in addition to a blog and instructions on how to use and manage your equipment or systems properly.
Read our full ADT review.
Excellent
No
$6
Excellent
No
$6
Abode may be a new company (having launched in 2014), but it shines when it comes to customizing your home security experience. With its Build My System option, customers can rest assured that all their concerns and needs are addressed in their home security package. Customers start with a questionnaire that connects them to a representative who can talk through all the recommended devices and systems.
Abode also offers four comprehensive home security packages that cover DIY systems, as well as professionally installed systems, wireless systems, WiFi security cameras, doorbell and outdoor cameras, fire detection, panic buttons, water leak detection, glass break sensors and door-window sensors.
Professional monitoring can be charged per day rather than per month with Abode, which works for customers who may not need pro monitoring for a full 30 days and beyond.
Good
Yes
$30.99
Link Interactive is a great choice for those who have Z-wave-compatible home automation devices. As one of the more highly-rated security companies, Link Interactive offers a build-your-own system as an alternative to choosing from packages. With the Alarm.com app, Link Interactive offers remote professional monitoring.
Homeowners can choose the length of their contract, but a contract is required unless you can pay for all your equipment upfront. Link Interactive equipment and systems include wireless security systems, WiFi security cameras, plug-in security cameras, doorbell and outdoor cameras, fire detection, panic buttons, glass break sensors and door-window sensors, so you have your pick of home security features.
Link Interactive offers a 3-year warranty on their systems and equipment, which is longer than most competitors’ 1-year warranties.
Good
No
$10
Good
No
$10
Ring is a home security company that delivers on both low pricing and customer support. Ring not only offers live chat and 24/7 phone support, but also gives customers access to a community forum. You can read how-to’s on their blog as well when you have questions about your home security system.
Ring partners with Amazon Home Services (AHS) to help fully install Ring products in your home. If one of your priorities is security cameras, Ring offers a wide range of affordable cameras. Otherwise, it also offers wireless systems, doorbell and outdoor cameras, fire detection, panic buttons, water leak detection and door-window sensors.
You aren’t required to opt into a contract, and professional monitoring starts at just $10 a month. If you’re looking for a monitoring system that’s camera-focused, Ring could be the home security company for you.
Very good
Yes
$39.99
Very good
Yes
$39.99
Brinks, which is supplied by Alarm.com, is a popular option for those who want to focus their home security efforts on sensors. The company offers a wide variety of products that are, overall, priced lower than many competitors and are smart home-compatible on many fronts, connecting to Anixter, 2GIG, ADI, DSC, Kwikset and more.
Customer reviews indicate that Brinks equipment may not be as sophisticated as some competitors, but it has a lower price tag for low-budget options. Package pricing starts at $199 and monitoring starts at $39.99 a month.
You do have to opt into a three-year contract to receive professional monitoring, so prepare to stick with Brinks for the long haul if you’re drawn to their products.
Good
No
$14.99
SimpliSafe offers no-contract, low-cost options to those who aren’t able to drill into walls or doors easily (like renters). With monthly monitoring costs starting at just $14.99, the home security company allows customers to bundle features into packages and offers five security packages.
All packages come with a keypad, entry sensor and motion sensor. Top-tier packages include smoke detectors, panic buttons and sirens as well.
There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee on all products and systems, which all come with a three-year warranty.
Very good
Yes
$39.99
Very good
Yes
$39.99
Alder is a great choice for home security novices for many reasons. You can customize a package based on your needs (Alder only offers customized packages), especially if you require more medical monitoring. The company offers buttons and professional monitoring in the case of any medical emergency, fires and flooding.
With most packages, you receive a touchscreen panel, indoor and outdoor cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, and doorbell cameras in addition to the medical alert buttons. Plus, monitoring fees start at $39.99 a month, which is on the lower end of the price spectrum.
While the company’s systems and products are smart home-compatible with Amazon Alexa, they are otherwise limited. Plus, you have to opt into a three-year contract at minimum to receive professional monitoring. You have 30 days to try your product before returning it, and Alder offers a one-year warranty on all its items and systems.
Good
No
$49.99
Frontpoint is a home security company that shines for its mobile monitoring experience without a contract. Also working with Alarm.com to supply a variety of sensors, Frontpoint offers month-to-month monitoring, which is perfect for those who aren’t sure how long they need it.
Frontpoint’s equipment is fairly sophisticated, though the company doesn’t offer as many smart home compatibility options. You have to purchase the highest-tiered plan of the four basic plans offered in order to access the smart home integration and video monitoring features.
Most packages include a keypad, door and window sensors, motion sensors, a yard sign, window decals and a door sticker while more comprehensive plans include smoke and heat sensors, glass-break sensors and indoor cameras.
Good
No
$9.99
Scout is another flexible and low-cost home security option for people who don’t want to be tied down with a contract. The company offers month-to-month plans, including 4G LTE cellular and battery backup, and plans start at just $9.99 a month.
Reviews say the products aren’t particularly easy to install, and they don’t have an outdoor camera option or two-way audio for the indoor camera. Also, the sensors have a limited range. However, the top package boasts elements like a water sensor to help catch early fires or flood damage. Every package includes a yard sign and window stickers.
Customers can access monitoring through the Scout mobile app and expect a 60-day return policy on all products, as well as a three-year warranty.
1
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monthly Fees
$29.99
Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating - Image | Best For | CUSTOMER REVIEWS | CONTRACT REQUIRED | LOWEST MONTHLY FEES | Learn More | Learn more CTA below text |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vivint | 4.6 | Overall | Excellent | No | $29.99 | Learn More | On Vivint's Secure Website | ||
ADT | 4.6 | Pro Monitoring | Excellent | Yes | $28.99 | Read More | On ADT's Secure Website | ||
Abode | 4.4 | Customization | Excellent | No | $6.00 | View More | |||
Link Interactive | 4.4 | Customer Rating and Reviews | Good | Yes | $30.99 | Learn More | On Link Interactive's Secure Website | ||
Ring | 4.3 | Customer support | Good | No | $10.00 | View More | |||
Brinks | 4.2 | - | Very good | Yes | $39.99 | View More | |||
Simplisafe | 4.1 | - | Good | No | $14.99 | Learn More | On Simplisafe's Secure Website | ||
Alder | 4.1 | - | Very good | Yes | $39.99 | View More | |||
Frontpoint | 4.0 | - | Good | No | $49.99 | Learn More | On Frontpoint's Secure Website | ||
Scout | 4.0 | - | Good | No | $9.99 | Learn More | On Scout's Secure Website |
In order to find the best home security system for you, it’s important to map out your priorities and particular needs, as well as your budget and a few other factors. Consider the following aspects of finding a home security system before you make your final choice:
Do you want a more flexible plan or do you not mind being locked into a contract? Depending on how comprehensive your plan is (and your budget), it may be worth opting into a contract, especially if you plan to stay in your home long-term.
Your options for home security systems vary widely in terms of equipment costs and monthly monitoring costs. Figure out exactly how much you can allocate to your home security system each month before moving forward with a home security company.
Do you prefer to have more medical monitoring, or is your focus on security cameras? Depending on you and your family’s needs, you may want to consider a more customizable plan that offers you the ability to mix and match elements you need. Some people prefer to opt into packages if they want an easy, comprehensive option.
Home security system costs can vary greatly depending on the system you decide to use. Home security equipment costs can vary from $0 (with the purchase of a contract) to more than $600 for an advanced security package. All home security systems charge a monthly fee for monitoring services. The home security system monthly monitoring cost typically ranges from about $10 to $50, with prices varying depending on the amount of equipment being monitored and how advanced the services are.
To determine the best home security companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed third-party data on dozens of companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Yes, you can install a home security system in a rented space. We recommend wireless systems, which don’t require any wiring or drilling, but we also recommend letting your landlord know before moving forward with a particular system.
Simplisafe is our top choice for the best security system without a monthly fee. We love the flexible, cancel-anytime plan as well. However, Simplisafe is lacking in remote features and smart home compatibility.
Surveillance cameras are mostly used to detect and record, and they require a monitoring service or person to watch the tapes closely and consistently to find any crimes retrospectively. (To be able to take immediate action, they would need to catch any wrongdoing in the act, right then and there.) Security cameras are used to signal that something is f out of the ordinary within the home, including motion detection or breaking glass, and alerts monitoring services in real-time.
Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.