Your pets are a part of your family, and you want to keep them safe when you’re not around to protect them yourself. A home security system can give you peace of mind that your property is safe as well as your four-legged friends.
The This Old House Reviews Team has rounded up the best home security systems for pet owners to help you rest easy when you’re away from home. We’ve selected the most pet-friendly home security companies with key features like motion sensors and 24/7 monitoring.
Top 4 Home Security Systems for Pet Owners
- ADT: Best Overall
- Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration
- SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation
- Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration
ADT Home Security
ADT is our top choice for pet owners because the motion sensors can distinguish between an intruder and a pet that weighs less than 40 pounds. The motion sensors are adjustable, allowing you to customize the range to recognize the size of your particular pet.
Pros & Cons
✔ Over 100 years of industry experience
✔ Adjustable motion sensors
✔ Long trial period
✘ No DIY installation
✘ 36-month contract requirement
Plans & Pricing
ADT offers four home security packages, each of which comes with a keypad, a motion sensor, a remote key fob, life safety equipment, and wireless door and window sensors. If you want special features like mobile access, indoor/outdoor cameras, smart locks, and smart plugs, you can purchase advanced packages.
Pricing starts at $99 for installation and $27.99 per month for equipment and professional monitoring.
Learn more: ADT Home Security Review
Vivint Smart Home Security
Vivint’s home automation equipment is convenient for pet owners, allowing them to unlock and lock their doors to allow pet sitters in and out. The company also has motion-sensing cameras to allow homeowners to monitor their pets 24/7.
Pros & Cons
✔ Mobile app
✔ Smart home integration
✔ In-house professional monitoring
✘ Short money-back guarantee period
✘ Low rating with the BBB
Plans & Pricing
Five home security packages are available, and each includes at least a panel, an entry sensor, voice control, and a motion sensor. You can purchase more comprehensive packages to get a smart smoke detector, smart thermostat, doorbell camera, outdoor camera, smart garage door opener, and more.
Prices range from $29.99–$49.99 per month for professional monitoring, and $599–$1,789.92 for equipment packages.
Learn more: Vivint Smart Home Security Review
SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe has a simple DIY setup that allows you to adjust your sensors to help you avoid false alarms when your pets take a nap on the couch or visit the litter box. While most home security sensors work with pets up to 40 pounds, SimpliSafe’s sensors ignore pets up to 50 pounds, making it best for homeowners with larger dogs.
Pros & Cons
✔ 60-day, money-back guarantee
✔ Easy to transport the security system if you move
✔ Long-lasting battery backup
✘ Few home automation capabilities
✘ Professional installation only done by third parties
Plans & Pricing
SimpliSafe provides five security packages, each of which starts with a base station, a keypad, an entry sensor, and a motion sensor. For access to a key fob, smoke detector, panic button, siren, and temperature sensor, consider a more comprehensive package.
Prices range from $229–$489 for package equipment and $14.99–$24.99 per month for professional monitoring.
Learn more: SimpliSafe Home Security Review
Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint’s pet-sensitive motion detectors are suitable for pets up to 40 pounds like cats and small dogs. Some of the company’s equipment also has two-way communication, allowing you to calm your anxious pets from a distance.
Pros & Cons
✔ Customizable smartphone notifications
✔ Crash and smash protection to prevent intruders from disabling the system
✔ Three-year warranty
✘ Outsourced professional monitoring
✘ Limited hours of operation for customer service support
Plans & Pricing
Frontpoint has four security packages. Each comes with a hub, a keypad, at least two door/window sensors, and at least one motion sensor. The more comprehensive plans feature a glass break sensor, smoke/heat sensor, and indoor camera.
The packages cost between $99 and $479.90 if you pay for everything up front, but you can also pay for the equipment in three-, six-, or 12-month chunks, with the monthly chunks costing $17–$40 per month. Professional monitoring plans cost $44.99–$49.99 per month.
Learn more: Frontpoint Home Security Review
Company Comparison
| Home Security Provider | Base Cost | Monthly Fees | Contract Length | Installation Options | Trial Period | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT | Bundled with contract | Starts at $28.99 | 36 months | Professional | 182 days | 90 days |
| Vivint | $599.00 | Starts at $29.99 | N/A | Professional | 3 days | 150 days |
| SimpliSafe | Starts at $229.00 | Starts at $14.99 | N/A | DIY | 60 days | 3 years |
| Frontpoint | Starts at $319.95 | Starts at $45.01 | N/A | DIY | 30 days | 3 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.