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.
Homeowners who want peace of mind that their homes are safe when they’re away should consider a home security system. There are many options on the market in Houston, each offering different features like 24/7 professional monitoring, DIY installation, no contract requirements, and more.team has reviewed the on critical metrics like equipment packages, cost, and more. Read on to find out about our top recommendations.
To help you narrow down your options, the This Old House Reviews Team has reviewed the best home security systems on critical metrics like equipment packages, cost, and more. Read on to find out about our top recommendations.
The Top 5 Home Security Systems in Houston
- 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 Systems
ADT Home Security
ADT sits in the top spot because it has nearly 150 years of experience and millions of customers across the US. With the largest network of professional monitoring centers and a six-month, money-back guarantee, every customer will feel protected.
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 add on this equipment at an extra charge: Indoor and outdoor cameras, touchscreen keypad, video doorbell camera, glass break sensor, flood sensor, smoke detector, panic button, carbon monoxide detector
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
Vivint’s home security system provides seamless smartphone and smart home integration, allowing it to connect to third-party devices like the Kwikset smart lock, Nest thermostat, and Philips Hue smart light.
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 gives you a choice between five packages of varying levels of protection. The most extensive protection can be found in the The Smart Complete Bundle Package, which includes both home automation and video surveillance.
- Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit: Features the essentials, including a touchscreen panel, a motion sensor, two smart entry sensors, and The Smart Hub. It also gives you $100 toward purchasing more sensors.
- Home Security System Bundle: Includes every device from the Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit as well as a smart smoke detector that you can integrate with your security system to unlock smart locks whenever the smoke alarm is triggered.
- Smart Home Control Bundle: Includes every piece of equipment from the prior package plus a smart thermostat, smart garage door opener, and smart lock. Customers need to subscribe to the Vivint Smart Home Video Plan to use this package.
- Video Security Bundle: Adds to the Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit with an outdoor security camera and video doorbell. It also features Wi-Fi enabled storage to keep all playback recording. Customers must have a subscription to the Smart Home Video Plan in order to use this package.
- Smart Complete Bundle: Includes the most equipment, combining the automation from Vivint’s Smart Home Control Bundle with the video surveillance from the Video Security Bundle.
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 a flexible home security system, giving you the choice between DIY installation and professional installation depending on your budget and preference. You also get seamless smart home integration for items like smartphones 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 | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 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 home security packages plus a customizable package that lets you cherry pick the exact equipment you want.
- The Foundation: This basic package gives you all of the primary equipment, including the base station, entry sensor, motion sensor, and keypad.
- The Essentials: Builds on The Foundation’s devices, adding two more entry sensors.
- The Hearth: Includes all of The Essentials Package’s devices along with extra features like a key fob, siren, and smoke detector.
- The Knox: Features everything in The Hearth Package, but it doubles the number of entry and motion sensors.
- The Haven: Offers the most comprehensive protection from SimpliSafe with all of the base equipment plus a panic button, water sensor, and temperature sensor.
You can build your SimpliSafe security package by following these three steps:
- Start with a base station and wireless keypad.
- Choose the protection sensors you want. This includes hazard sensors like smoke detectors and water sensors along with burglary sensors like motion sensors and glass break sensors.
- Decide on any optional equipment to finish your package like a key fob or siren.
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
Frontpoint is a popular DIY home security system that doesn’t require a long-term contract. It’s designed for customers on the go with smartphone notifications that customers can tailor to fit their needs.
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 different home security system packages. Each package features a hub, a keypad, two or more door/window sensors, and one or more motion sensors.
- Safe Home Starter: Includes a keypad, a hub, a motion sensor, and two door/window sensors.
- Safe Home Everyday: This package adds an additional door/window sensor and motion sensor to the first package.
- Safe Home Select: This package includes a smoke and heat sensor and a glass break sensor for added peace of mind.
- Safe Home Preferred: The most protective package combines every feature of the preceding packages and adds a 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 upfront through a one-time 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’s home security system allows you to connect up to 160 different devices for comprehensive protection. The provider doesn’t require a contract or professional monitoring, giving you lots of flexibility.
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 home security packages. Each package is built around one of two gateways—the basic Gen 2 Gateway or the advanced Iota All-In-One Gateway.
- Smart Security Middle: The most affordable package includes Abode’s Gen 2 Gateway, one motion sensor, two door/window sensors, one sticker, one keypad, and one key fob.
- Iota Kit Middle: This package builds off of the foundation of The Smart Security Middle, featuring the Iota All-In-One Gateway, three door/window sensors, one keypad, and one key fob.
- Smart Security Kit Elite: Like the Smart Security Middle Package, this package uses the Gen 2 Gateway. It also has one keypad, one key fob, one sticker, two motion sensors, and four mini door/window sensors.
- Iota Kit Elite: This package provides extensive protection, including Abode’s All-In-One Gateway, a keypad, a key fob, four mini door/window sensors, and a motion sensor.
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
We have determined that ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Abode are the top providers for Houston home security systems. Each of these companies offers must-have features like professional monitoring and indoor cameras along with unique pros that make them stand out from the crowd like no contract requirements and smart home integration.
We recommend that you contact several providers so that you can compare cost and coverage for your specific home. You can use the tool below to contact the first three companies on our list.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Security System in Houston
- Reputation: You can learn about a company’s benefits and drawbacks by reading online reviews and by talking to family and friends who have the company’s systems.
- Types of equipment: Different home security systems offer different equipment. Before you choose a home security system, make sure it offers all of the equipment you need.
- Installation method: Some systems only allow professional installation instead of giving you a choice between DIY and professional. This could be a con, as there is typically a fee for professional installation.
- Cost: Before investing in your home security system, confirm that you can afford all of the costs associated with equipment, installation, and professional monitoring.
- Smart home integration: Certain home security systems can be seamlessly integrated with smart home devices like thermostats and lights if you have those devices in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Security Systems in Houston
Why does my security system come with stickers and signs?
Yard signs and window stickers are meant to deter potential intruders by telling them that you have a security system.
What is home automation?
Home automation refers to homes that have smart devices that connect to the internet and are controllable via a mobile app. Many security system providers, including most of the ones in this review, give you smart equipment that falls under the home automation umbrella like smart base stations and smart smoke detectors.
Is Ring better than ADT?
We believe Ring is a solid choice because of its low monthly prices, wide range of equipment, and no contract requirement. However, ADT is our top recommendation for home security systems because of its years of experience and large monitoring network.
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.
Other Resources:
- Best Home Security Systems of 2022
- Best Wireless Home Security Systems
- SimpliSafe vs ADT
- Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe
- Frontpoint vs Vivint
- Abode vs SimpliSafe
- SimpliSafe vs Vivint
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.