Affiliate Disclosure: This Old House‘s Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. To support this business model, This Old House may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website.
A security system will protect your Richmond home whether you are watching television in the living room, asleep in bed, or away on a trip. It comes with a variety of protective devices like security cameras, smoke detectors, and motion sensors so that you can protect every part of your home.
To help you find the right system for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team analyzed a variety of home security systems based on factors such as equipment, installation, and pricing. Keep reading to learn about the best home security systems that came out on top.
Top 6 Home Security Systems in Richmond
- ADT: Best Overall
- Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration
- SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation
- Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration
- Abode: Best for Customization
- Alder: Best for Medical Alerts
Compare Home Security Systems
ADT Home Security
ADT has been around for over 140 years. During that time, the company has established both a large network of monitoring centers and a large network of customers, proving that it is qualified to give you coverage.
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 |
Customers can add any of the following equipment to their base package:
- Video doorbell camera
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Touchscreen keypad
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Flood sensor
- Glass break sensor
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 Home Security
If you’re a homeowner looking for technologically advanced security equipment, Vivint may be the best fit for you. Vivint’s doorbell camera, for example, is widely considered one of the most sophisticated cameras in the industry. It provides package delivery notifications and has a user-defined surveillance zone for motion detection.
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 equipment packages. If you want simple equipment, the Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit Package or Home Security System Package should work well for you. The Smart Home Control Package is good for homes with smart devices, while the Video Security Package is good for video surveillance. If you want both home automation and video surveillance, opt for the Smart Complete Package.
Vivint Pricing
| Pricing | “Vivint Smart Hub 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 | “Vivint Smart Hub 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 one of the most popular security systems in the industry because of its ease of use. SimpliSafe offers DIY installation so that you don’t have to pay or wait for professional installation. The company also offers month-to-month contracts so that homeowners don’t have to commit to a long-term contract.
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 | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Key Fob | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 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 preset packages. The Haven Package is SimpliSafe’s most comprehensive package and is a great fit for homeowners that want a variety of life-saving equipment in addition to the basics like motion sensors and keypads. The Foundation Package is SimpliSafe’s most basic package and works well for homeowners who have a small home or want a simple setup.
SimpliSafe also has a build-your-own option. You can start with a base station and keypad and add whatever hazard or burglary sensors you want. You can finish up by tacking on extra equipment like a yard sign or key fob.
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 |
Learn more: SimpliSafe Home Security Review
Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint is known for its customizable smartphone notifications, relatively inexpensive equipment, and sophisticated security sensors. Like SimpliSafe, Frontpoint offers 24/7 professional monitoring with no long-term contracts.
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 | ✔ 1 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 equipment packages. All of the packages include a hub, a keypad, at least two door/window sensors, and at least one motion sensor. Each package after the Safe Home Starter Package adds more door/window sensors and motion sensors along with other equipment like glass break sensors, smoke and heat sensors, and indoor cameras.
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 |
Frontpoint allows you to pay for all of the equipment up front or in three-, six-, or 12-month segments through the payment service Affirm.
Learn more: Frontpoint Home Security Review
Abode Home Security
Abode is a good choice for homeowners who want to monitor their homes themselves or have a large number of security devices. The company gives you the choice of DIY monitoring and allows you to connect up to 160 devices at once.
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 has four packages. The Smart Security Middle Package and the Smart Security Kit Elite Package use the Gen 2 Gateway, with the latter package having more window/door and motion sensors. The Iot Kit Middle Package and the Iota Kit Elite Package have the more advanced Iota All-In-One Gateway.
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
Alder Home Security
Alder is a great option for senior citizens or citizens that have medical conditions. The company offers a medical alert pendant that notifies emergency services if you need help, which is especially useful if you live alone.
Alder Packages & Equipment
Alder doesn’t offer preset packages like the other providers in this review. Instead, you get to build your own package from the list of devices below.
- Touchscreen panel: Controls the security system
- Indoor security camera: Obtains video footage of the inside of the home
- Outdoor security camera: Monitors the yard around your home
- Motion sensor: Detects movement in your home
- Door/window sensor: Alerts you to an open door or window
- Smart smoke detector: Detects carbon monoxide and smoke
- Medical alert pendant: Sends emergency services when the button is pressed
- Flood and freeze detector: Alerts you of excess water in the home
- Doorbell camera: Gives a livestream of the front door
Alder Pricing
Because Alder only sells customized packages, cost will vary from package to package. We called Alder to determine the cost of a basic security package for a 2,000-square-foot home. The quote we received was $46.99 per month with an $89 activation fee and included two door entry sensors, two glass break detectors, one outdoor camera, one security panel, and one yard sign.
Learn more: Alder Home Security Review
Our Conclusion
Our Reviews Team found that ADT, Abode, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Vivint, and Alder offer the best home security systems in Richmond, Virginia. Each of these providers scored highly in our analysis on factors such as special features, installation options, and trustworthiness.
Before zeroing in on a provider, get quotes from a few of them to see what protection would look like for your home. Our tool below will help you get started with the quote process.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Security System in Richmond
- Preferred method of installation: If you prefer professional or DIY installation, make sure that the home security provider you are considering offers that option.
- Cost of equipment, monitoring, and installation: A home security system is a big investment, as you have to pay for the equipment and sometimes professional monitoring and installation. Make sure you have room in your budget for every expense before making a purchase.
- Smart home integration capabilities: If you use smart home devices such as a Nest thermostat or a Kwikset smart lock, look for a provider that has smart home integration so that you can use these devices with your home security system.
- Types of equipment offered: If there is a specific piece of security equipment you want for your home, make sure that it is offered by the companies you are considering.
- Reputation of provider: Explore the security system provider’s reputation by reading online reviews from sites such as the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Yelp. We also recommend talking to your friends and family to see what they like and dislike about their systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security in Richmond
What is the best home security system available?
Our Reviews Team named ADT as the best overall home security system in the industry, but we think that Vivint, Alder, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Abode are excellent alternative options depending on what you’re looking for.
Is Vivint better than SimpliSafe?
Vivint and SimpliSafe both sell high-quality security systems. Vivint is better for homeowners that want top-of-the-line security equipment that is professionally installed, while SimpliSafe is better suited for homeowners that want a simple, DIY security system.
Does SimpliSafe work if my power goes out?
Yes, the SimpliSafe base station comes with a backup rechargeable battery that can keep the base station powered for up to 24 hours after an outage.
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.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.