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Protecting yourself and your home with a security system is often a good idea. This is especially the case if you live in a city like Atlanta, where—according to some studies—burglary rates per 100,000 people are twice as high as they are nationally.
A home security system can give you peace of mind that your home is protected with 24/7 monitoring, live footage from strategically installed security cameras, or other features that keep you feeling safe. To help our readers find high-quality security solutions for their homes, the This Old House Reviews Team analyzed and ranked the best home security companies based on cost, quality of security equipment, reputation, and other important factors.
Continue reading to learn about the providers that offer the best home security in Atlanta.
Top 5 Home Security Systems in Atlanta
The highest-rated home security systems in Atlanta include:
- ADT: Best Overall
- Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration
- SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation
- Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration
- Abode: Best for Customization
Compare Home Security Companies
ADT Home Security
The This Old House Reviews Team’s top recommendation is ADT. ADT serves millions of homeowners and has more than 140 years of experience in the home security industry—making it the most experienced home security company in the country. ADT home security comes with 24/7 professional monitoring, a six-month money-back guarantee, and an app that allows homeowners to easily arm and disarm their system from their smartphone.
ADT Package Comparison
| Feature | Secure | Smart | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Professional Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Intrusion Detection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 24/7 Fire, Flood, & Carbon Monoxide Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ADT Go Mobile App | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Touchscreen Panel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Alexa Guard / Voice Control Integration (with Amazon Alexa) | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| ADT Mobile App and Remote Access | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video Surveillance (Motion activated + alerts) | – | – | ✔ |
| Stored Video Clips (Up to 8 cameras) | – | – | – |
| Smart-Home Automation | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Feature | Secure | Smart | Complete |
You can also purchase this optional equipment at a one-time cost:
- Touchscreen keypad
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Video doorbell camera
- Smoke detector
- Flood sensor
- Glass break sensor
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Panic button
ADT Pricing
| Pricing | Secure | Smart | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront | $599-$899 | $919-$1,219 | $1,049-$1,449 |
| Monthly for 60 months | $55.97-$60.97 | $65.31-$70.31 | $75.47-$82.14 |
| Professional Monitoring | $45.99 per month | $49.99 per month | $59.99 per month |
| Pricing | Secure | Smart | Complete |
Learn more: ADT Home Security Review
Vivint Smart Home Security
Vivint offers integration for a wide variety of smart home devices and platforms, such as Nest thermostat, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Kwikset smart locks. The company also offers in-house equipment development and professional monitoring. Vivint’s equipment is technologically advanced and customizable, and its security system can be controlled by mobile app, key fob, or voice.
Vivint Package Comparison
| Feature | “Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit” Package | “Home Security System” Package | “Smart Home Control” Package | “Video Security” Package | “Smart Complete” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyControl Panel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Entry Sensors (2) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Voice Control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Smoke Detector | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Element Thermostat | ✔ | – | ✔ | ||
| Smart Lock | ✔ | – | ✔ | ||
| Smart Garage Door Opener | ✔ | – | ✔ | ||
| Doorbell Camera | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Outdoor Camera | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Ping Indoor Camera | ✔ | ||||
| Feature | “Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit” Package | “Home Security System” Package | “Smart Home Control” Package | “Video Security” Package | “Smart Complete” Package |
Vivint offers five home security packages. For a package that falls in the middle of comprehensiveness and price, look into the Smart Home Control Bundle Package; it contains all of the same equipment as the first two packages, along with useful smart devices like a smart garage door opener.
- Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit: The starter kit uses a mobile app-controlled touchscreen panel, the Smart Hub, two entry sensors, a water sensor, and a motion sensor. Vivint also gives you a $100 credit to purchase more sensors with this package.
- Home Security System Bundle: This package includes the Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit’s equipment, plus a smart smoke detector that you can integrate with the security system to control smart locks when the smoke alarm system is triggered.
- Smart Home Control Bundle: This package contains the devices listed above, along with a smart thermostat, smart lock, and smart garage door opener. A Vivint Smart Home Video Plan is required to fully use this package.
- Video Security Bundle: This combo kit features the Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit’s equipment and its video surveillance, including an indoor camera, an outdoor security camera, and a doorbell camera. Wi-Fi-enabled storage is included. You’ll need a Smart Home Video Plan subscription to fully use this package.
- Smart Complete Bundle: This package offers the most comprehensive security with a combination of the equipment from the Video Security Bundle and the automation of Vivint’s Smart Home Control Bundle.
Vivint Pricing
| Pricing | “SkyControl Starter Kit” Package | “Home Security System” Package | “Smart Home Control” Package | “Video Security” Package | “Smart Complete” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $599.00 | $709.98 | $1,049.95 | $1,379.95 | $1,789.92 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $9.98 | $11.83 | $17.50 | $23.00 | $29.83 |
| Pricing | “SkyControl Starter Kit” Package | “Home Security System” Package | “Smart Home Control” Package | “Video Security” Package | “Smart Complete” Package |
Learn more: Vivint Home Security Review
SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe is a DIY security system that is easy to install and is used by millions of people in the U.S. and the U.K. SimpliSafe offers two monthly monitoring plans, a lengthy trial period, and a convenient month-to-month contract. You can integrate the system with your smart home devices, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
SimpliSafe Package Comparison
| Feature | “The Foundation” Package | “The Essentials” Package | “The Hearth” Package | “The Knox” Package | “The Haven” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Station | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keypad | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Entry Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 6 included | ✔ 4 included |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 2 included |
| Siren | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keyfob | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoke Detector | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Panic Button | – | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Temperature Sensor | – | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Water Sensor | – | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Feature | “The Foundation” Package | “The Essentials” Package | “The Hearth” Package | “The Knox” Package | “The Haven” Package |
SimpliSafe offers five standard home security packages and an additional package that gives you the option to create the specific package you want. If you’re interested in getting a siren to further deter burglars, consider the middle-tier Hearth package.
- The Foundation: The basic package contains all of the essential equipment, including a base station, key pad, motion sensor, and entry sensor.
- The Essentials: Adding onto The Foundation, this package provides additional cameras for extra security.
- The Hearth: This package contains extra security equipment like a key fob and siren for peace of mind.
- The Knox: The Knox Package features all of The Hearth Package’s security equipment and offers a total of six entry sensors—the most of any package.
- The Haven: This package offers the most protection with all of the essential equipment, plus a panic button, a temperature sensor, and a water sensor.
You can customize your home security system by taking the following steps:
- Start with the essentials: a base station and wireless keypad.
- Choose your desired protection sensors (smoke detectors, water sensor, temperature sensor, and carbon monoxide sensor) and burglary sensors (entry sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, SimpliCam, and panic button).
- Select your add-on equipment to complete your package (pro setup help, extra keypad, key fob, extra 105db siren, extra yard sign).
SimpliSafe Pricing
| Pricing | “The Foundation” Package | “The Essentials” Package | “The Hearth” Package | “The Knox” Package | “The Haven” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $229.00 | $259.00 | $374.00 | $449.00 | $489.00 |
| Pricing | “The Foundation” Package | “The Essentials” Package | “The Hearth” Package | “The Knox” Package | “The Haven” Package |
The Standard Monitoring Plan costs $14.99 per month, while the Interactive Monitoring Plan costs $24.99 per month.
Learn more: SimpliSafe Home Security Review
Frontpoint Home Security
One of the most prominent DIY home security companies in the industry, Frontpoint home security comes with 24/7 professional monitoring and no long-term contracts. We named Frontpoint as the best home security company for smartphone integration because it provides highly customized smartphone notifications.
Frontpoint Package Comparison
| Feature | “Safe Home Starter” Package | “Safe Home Everyday” Package | “Safe Home Select” Package | “Safe Home Preferred” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hub and keypad | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 5 included |
| Door/Window Sensor | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 4 included | ✔ 5 included |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 2 included |
| Glass Break Sensor | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoke and Heat Sensor | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Indoor Camera | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Feature | “Safe Home Starter” Package | “Safe Home Everyday” Package | “Safe Home Select” Package | “Safe Home Preferred” Package |
Frontpoint offers four security packages with varying levels of comprehensiveness and costs. The Safe Home Preferred Package includes the greatest amount of door and window sensors, ideal for homes with more entrances and square footage.
- Safe Home Starter: This package contains all of the basic devices: a hub, keypad, a motion sensor, and two door/window sensors.
- Safe Home Everyday: This package builds on the starter package’s devices and includes an additional motion sensor and door/window sensor.
- Safe Home Select: This package provides a greater degree of protection with a glass break sensor and smoke and heat sensor.
- Safe Home Preferred: The preferred package has more equipment than all of the above, as well as an indoor camera.
Frontpoint Pricing
| Pricing | “Safe Home Starter” Package | “Safe Home Everyday” Package | “Safe Home Select” Package | “Safe Home Preferred” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $99.00 | $295.94 | $383.92 | $479.90 |
| Monthly Financing Cost | $17.00 | $25.00 | $32.00 | $40.00 |
| Pricing | “Safe Home Starter” Package | “Safe Home Everyday” Package | “Safe Home Select” Package | “Safe Home Preferred” Package |
You can pay for your Frontpoint security equipment one of two ways. You can either purchase your equipment in a one-time, upfront payment or finance it through the payment service Affirm with a three-, six-, or 12-month payment plan.
Learn more: Frontpoint Home Security Review
Abode Home Security
Abode is a home security system that can be used with Zigbee, Google Assistant, and a variety of other home security devices. With Abode, you can receive security alerts to your smartphone without a professional monitoring plan. It can connect to up to 160 different devices for customizable security.
Abode Package Comparison
| Feature | “Smart Security Middle” Package | “Iota Kit Middle” Package | “Smart Security Kit Elite” Package | “Iota Kit Elite” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keypad | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Key Fob | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sticker | ✔ | – | ✔ | – |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ 1 included | – | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 1 included |
| Door/Window Sensors | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 4 included | ✔ 4 included |
| Smart Device integration | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in Motion Detector | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Wi-Fi-Enabled | – | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Type of Gateway | Gen 2 | Iota | Gen 2 | Iota |
| Feature | “Smart Security Middle” Package | “Iota Kit Middle” Package | “Smart Security Kit Elite” Package | “Iota Kit Elite” Package |
Abode offers four security packages. Two use the standard Gen 2 gateway as the core, and two use the advanced iota All-in-One Gateway, which features built-in motion detection. The basic package includes three door/window sensors, making it fairly comprehensive for a starter kit.
- Smart Security Middle: This package uses the Gen 2 Gateway and consists of one motion sensor, one sticker, one keypad, one key fob, and three door/window sensors.
- Iota Kit Middle: This package is like the Smart Security Middle Package but uses the more sophisticated iota All-In-One Gateway. The package contains one keypad, one key fob, and three door/window sensors.
- Smart Security Kit Elite: The elite package uses the Gen 2 Gateway and features one sticker, one keypad, one key fob, two motion sensors, and four mini door/window sensors total.
- Iota Kit Elite: The most sophisticated package provides advanced security with the iota All-In-One Gateway, one motion sensor, a keypad, a key fob, and four mini door/window sensors.
Abode Pricing
| Pricing | “Smart Security Middle” Package | “Iota Kit Middle” Package | “Smart Security Kit Elite” Package | “Iota Kit Elite” Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $342 | $379 | $389 | $445 |
| Pricing | “Smart Security Middle” Package | “Iota Kit Middle” Package | “Smart Security Kit Elite” Package | “Iota Kit Elite” Package |
Learn more: Abode Home Security Review
Our Conclusion
Based on our extensive analysis of home security systems in Atlanta, the This Old House Reviews Team recommends ADT as the best overall home security company in Atlanta. We also recommend Vivint, SimpliSafe, Alder, Frontpoint, and Abode as alternative home security providers depending on your needs. When evaluating home security providers, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few companies to find the most competitive prices:
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Security System in Atlanta
- Preferred method of installation: Some home security companies, such as ADT and Vivint, only offer professional installation, while others, such as SimpliSafe, are designed primarily for DIY installation.
- Smart home integration capabilities: If you are seeking a home security system that integrates with a smart home device you use, make sure you purchase a security system that works with that device.
- Cost of equipment and monitoring plan: Consider the cost of the security equipment and monitoring plans you are considering and whether or not they fall within your budget.
- Types of equipment offered: If you need specific security equipment for your home, make sure that the provider you are considering offers the necessary devices.
- Reputation of provider: Research the companies you are considering on the Better Business Bureau and other review sites to see what customers think about the security systems. Take note if certain companies receive much better reviews than other companies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security in Atlanta
Is Ackerman Security good?
Our Ackerman Security review found that Ackerman provides quality, customized plans and helpful customer service to homeowners in the Atlanta area. However, it did not make our list of the best home security companies of 2021.
Which security system is the best?
We recommend choosing the security system that best suits your needs. For each of the top providers in Atlanta, we have highlighted which qualities make each system stand out so you can find the option that best suits you.
Should you put a security sign in your yard?
Yes, putting a security sign in your yard is a good way to deter burglars. ADT and Frontpoint, for example, offer packages that include security signs to put in your yard.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for home security providers is on a 100-point scale based on 10 factors:
- Number of systems (5)
- Special features (10)
- Installation options (5)
- Connectivity and smart home automation (15)
- Pricing (15)
- Contract period (5)
- Warranty (15)
- Trial period (15)
- Usability (5)
- Trustworthiness (10)
Our Reviews Team reviewed 32 companies and spent 744 hours researching and testing out products to help us compare home security systems on key factors such as package options, cost, reliability, and ease of use. Read more on our methodology here.
*ADT’s Money Back guarantee only applies after the company has made attempts to resolve a system-related issue and has not been able to resolve that issue within the first six months of your contract. Equipment must be fully removed before a refund will be processed. Conditions preventing normal system operation cannot be caused by the customer.
Other Resources:
- SimpliSafe vs. ADT
- SimpliSafe vs. Vivint
- Abode vs. SimpliSafe
- Frontpoint vs. Vivint
- Frontpoint vs. SimpliSafe
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.