9 Best Home Security Systems

ADT offers five home security system packages. Packages can include a keypad panel, motion sensor, remote key fob, life safety equipment (e.g., panic buttons) and wireless door/window sensors. Advanced packages include mobile app access, an indoor/outdoor camera, a doorbell camera, a smart lock, and a smart plug. ADT’s cameras feature 720p HD, night vision, and two-way audio connections.

ADT pricing is between $28.99 and $59.99 per month, not including equipment costs. Equipment must be paid for up front unless you choose the monthly financing option.

All professionally installed packages require a 36-month monitoring contract. Early. and installation fees apply. Taxes addt’l. For full terms and pricing visit www.adt.com/legal.

Superlative: Best Overall

Recommended Package: We recommend the ADT Complete Package. For $59.99 a month, you can receive professional monitoring, mobile app integration, video surveillance, and smart home automation features.

ADT is one of the most comprehensive options on this list. The company offers professional and self-monitoring options for both wireless and landline security equipment. Landline equipment is an excellent option for business owners or anyone looking for higher quality video and is an uncommon offering nowadays. The company also provides plenty of smart-home options and a user-friendly mobile app to control your system with.

SimpliSafe prices range between $229 and $489 for the package equipment and $14.99–$24.99 per month for professional monitoring. The company often runs deals that allow customers to bundle professional monitoring and an alarm system. Here’s the pricing breakdown for each SimpliSafe package when bundled:

• The Foundation Package: $160*
• The Essentials Package: $181*
• The Hearth Package: $262*
• The Knox Package: $314*
• The Haven Package: $342*

*When bundled with 24/7 professional monitoring as of May 4, 2021

Note: SimpliSafe provides a 60-day money-back guarantee with these packages.

Superlative: Best for Easy Installation

Recommended Package: We recommend The Essentials Package. For $259, you receive three entry sensors, one motion sensor, a keypad, and a base station.

SimpliSafe’s easy-to-install packages, in addition to comprehensive equipment options, make the company our No. 2 choice for top home security systems overall. All of its systems are easy to transport and come with a three-year warranty. The company does offer limited smart-home automation options when compared with ADT or Vivint, but customers avoid the long-term contracts that come with those companies.

Vivint offers five home security systems, all of which include a panel, entry sensor, voice control, and motion sensor. Advanced packages include a smart smoke detector, smart thermostat, doorbell camera, outdoor camera, smart garage door opener, and more.

Vivint’s cameras feature 1080p HD quality. Its indoor camera has a 155-degree field of view, and its outdoor camera has a 140-degree field of view. Both cameras can function with two-way audio and night vision.

All monthly monitoring plans include 24/7 professional monitoring, mobile app access, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Vivint prices range between $599 and $1,789.92 for packages and $29.99–$49.99 per month for professional monitoring.

• Superlative: Best for Smart Home Integration
• Recommended Package: We recommend the Video Security Package for $1,379.95 because you can choose to pay up front or by monthly financing. This package includes the home security essentials, plus an indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. If smart-home automation is more important to you, the Smart Home Control Package may be the best option.

Vivint is a great choice for anyone wanting smart-home automation and a professional installation experience. Customers are guaranteed their system will work, because Vivint does not allow DIY installation of its systems. Vivint offers more smart-home products than home security companies like ADT or Frontpoint, with integrating capability for third-party platforms like Google Home and Nest.

Abode offers four home security packages. All packages come with a smart-home hub, door/window sensor, keypad, and key fob. Though it only provides a one-year warranty on its equipment, Abode’s motion sensors are easy to use and high-quality. Abode also allows customers to customize their own system through a Build My System option.

Abode prices range from $342–$445 for packages and $0.20–$0.66 per day for professional monitoring.

• Superlative: Best for Customization
• Recommended Package: We recommend the Iota Kit Middle Package. For $379, you receive door and window sensors, a keypad, key fob, smart device integration, and more. We also recommend the Build My System option for increased customization.

If you are concerned about getting each of your security needs fulfilled, Abode is a great choice for you. Its Build My System option starts with a questionnaire, which recommends devices based on device preferences and the area you’re protecting.

Many other home security companies provide custom package deals, but Abode’s monitoring plans are affordable and flexible. Products can be used for professional or self-monitoring, and its professional monitoring is charged per day rather than per month.

Frontpoint offers four security packages. All packages include a hub and keypad, door/window sensor, and motion sensor. More advanced plans include a glass-break sensor, smoke/heat sensor, and indoor camera.

Frontpoint pricing ranges from $129 to $479 for package equipment. If you choose to pay for your equipment with the monthly financing option, prices range between $17 and $40 per month. Frontpoint’s optional professional monitoring plans cost $44.99–$49.99 per month.

Superlative: Best for Smartphone Integration

Recommended Package: We recommend the Safe Home Everyday Package. For $295.94, you receive three door and window sensors, two motion sensors, and a hub and keypad. The extra sensors allow you to secure multiple rooms, providing extra security.

If you value control and a user-friendly experience, Frontpoint is a great choice for you. Though other top home security systems use smartphone applications, we found Frontpoint’s mobile app to be the most impressive. The app arms and disarms your system no matter where you are, and it also allows you to view live or recorded video. Notifications and alerts can be received over email, text, and push notification. Customers are even able to control locks, thermostats, and lights through the app.

Alder provides only custom packages, unlike most home security companies. It offers a touchscreen panel, indoor/outdoor cameras, door/window sensors, motion detectors, medical alert buttons, doorbell cameras, and other items. You can expect to receive two-way audio with Alder’s indoor cameras.

• Superlative: Best for Medical Alerts
• Recommended Package: We recommend the Alder’s custom packages for the high-quality equipment, such as the touch screen panel, indoor and outdoor cameras with two-way audio, the doorbell camera, and the medical alert pendant.

Alder features many industry-standard home security options, such as smart-home automation with Amazon Alexa and easy-to-install equipment. Though Alder requires a three- to five-year contract, the company provides a 30-day trial period and a one-year warranty on its equipment. We also found Alder’s commitment to life safety a great perk of the company. It adds another layer of security to your system for flooding, fires, and medical emergencies.

Canary provides three package options. Its packages combine the cameras and services listed above. Here are the packages customers pick from:

• Starter Pack: Canary Pro (1) and Canary Flex (1)
• Total Home Pack: Canary Pro (1) and Canary Flex (2)
• Outdoor Security Pack: Canary Flex (2) and Secure Mount (1)

Canary’s prices include camera costs, ranging from $99 to $199. Customers then choose from Canary’s three service plans, which run from $9.99 to $14.99 per month.

Canary also provides an affordable payment model. When you receive Canary’s equipment, you technically rent the equipment for a monthly fee rather than pay for it all at once.

• Superlative: Best for Two-Way Audio
• Recommended Package: We suggest Canary’s Starter Pack, which includes intelligent cameras that feature motion detection, night vision, and a built-in siren. Canary’s Premium Service plan will add two-way audio to this package.

We recommend Canary for tech-minded homeowners looking for the best home security systems with cameras. We find the HD two-way Canary Talk feature paired with live video on Canary’s mobile app particularly impressive. It lets you communicate remotely by speaking into the Canary app on your mobile device and having the audio play out of your Canary device’s speaker.

Canary does not offer separate motion sensors in its packages. Its system uses “computer vision” to register changes in on-screen pixels, registering pixel changes as motion. Canary’s computer vision algorithms then try to filter out repetitive motion from things like ceiling fans, or background motion like lights and shadows to provide you with intelligent notifications.

Canary is also perfect for outdoor monitoring with night vision in all of its packages.

Scout offers four packages, and it also allows customers to build their own security package. Scout’s security system is based on sensors and alarms rather than cameras. Every package also comes with a yard sign and door panel.

Scout’s prices run from $222 to $5,549 for equipment. Its monthly monitoring costs are either $9.99 for the Always On plan or $19.99 for the Always On+ plan.

• Superlative: Best for Disaster Prevention
• Recommended Package: We recommend the Scout Large Pack, which includes enough sensors to cover your entire home. We also suggest the Always On+ Plan to receive professional monitoring with police and fire dispatch for a complete disaster prevention system.

Scout is a fairly inclusive home security company. It assists with smart-home automation with platforms like Amazon Alexa, and it provides a 60-day free-return policy. Though Scout charges for self-monitoring through the Scout mobile app, customers can save money with free shipping on orders over $200. Similar to Alder, Scout features a variety of equipment outside of ones that help with break-ins.

Since it offers impressive disaster protection equipment, it’s one of the best home security systems for homes in areas prone to floods, wildfires, or other natural disasters.