14 Best Home Security Systems in the U.S.

Security Plan Options

There are numerous options, but standard security system options through ADT include:

• Secure Home package: includes professional installation and a 24/7 monitoring plan that covers alarms, fire and smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Smart Home package: includes Secure Home package as well as remote arm/disarm capabilities, smart home control system, and customized home automation.

• Video and Smart Home package: includes Smart Home package as well as live streaming of security through mobile devices and access to recording/saving video.

Security Costs

ADT offers packages for as low as $28.99 per month, but costs vary widely depending on what you want out of your security system.

Price plans are customizable, allowing clients to select the security features which matter most and best suit their needs in order to build a package that works for them.

Security Plan Options

To keep things straightforward, Abode offers just two plans: the Standard plan and the Pro plan.

The Standard Plan through Abode provides:

The Pro Plan includes all of the features of the Standard plan in addition to 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup, and cost-benefit savings.

Security Costs

The Standard Plan is $6.99/month while the Pro Plan is priced at $21.99/month. Clients can also choose a plan-less option with yearly billing and slightly different plan features.

Security Plan Options

Because Brinks plans are highly individualized, they don’t advertise pre-set plans. Services and products a client can choose to include within their plan are as follows:

• The Brinks home hub, a touch panel screen which manages all of your smart home devices and security features.

• The Brinks home app, which allows you to manage your security system while on the go.

• Motion sensors, including door sensors and window sensors.

• Garage door sensors.

• Glass break sensors to safeguard against break-ins.

• Live video surveillance.

• Storage for home security cameras.

• Data security.

Security Costs

Brinks does not provide online information about its pricing costs, but asks clients instead to call for a free consultation. They do, however, offer financing plans for those who qualify.

Security Plan Options

All plans come with ongoing monitoring options, but range in the camera services and add-ons you can select for your plan. Some products and services you may choose include:

• Gen2 Wireless Solution cameras: A wireless option that lends well to DIY installation and is often a good fit for smaller homes or businesses.

• Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) systems: More popular for larger companies, this system streams data at high speed, making it a good choice for homes with higher security threats. This option requires professional installation.

• Third-party cameras: Video cameras from select third-party providers can be used with Deep Sentinel monitoring systems.

Security Costs

Plans through this professional monitoring service begin at $499 for the year. However, they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for new clients.

Security Plan Options

To address the varying security needs of homeowners and business owners alike, Frontpoint provides a number of pre-built plans and a build-your-own plan option.

All Frontpoint plans offer access to the following products and services:

The Homeshield plan and the Family Lookout plan also offer access to indoor cameras, smoke detectors/heat sensors, flood sensors, remote key fobs, and either outdoor cameras or video doorbell cameras.

The build-your-own plan begins with the Frontpoint hub and allows you to customize your plan with various add-ons.

Security Costs

his company’s home security plans range from roughly $400 to $800 per year for preset plans, with each build-your-own plan ranging according to the services or products you add. This price breaks down to about a $4 to $12 monthly fee.

With credit approval, clients can elect a month-to-month payment plan to pay as they go.

Security Plan Options

While Honeywell doesn’t provide direct information on its plans online, it does offer three easy ways to access its plans or services. You can connect with a service provider, such as Home-Security.com, to learn about plans.

You can also connect directly with Honeywell, or buy their services directly online. Whichever way you choose, this company allows you to create a plan for your business or home that may include any of the following options:

• Access control panels, including lobby kiosks and touch screens, remote servers, and software.

• Sensors, including flame and heat sensors, contact sensors, motion detectors, entry sensors, and many more.

• Maintenance and support services.

• Video camera services.

Security Costs

Plan pricing and monitoring fees vary widely according to the products and services you choose, as this company has dozens of each available. Because of this, you must connect with Honeywell or an approved service provider for upfront pricing estimates.

Security Plan Options

Link Interactive offers three essential monthly monitoring plans with access to its most important security services:

• The Standard Plan, which provides professional monitoring services and smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.

• The Gold Plan, which includes the Standard Plan security products as well as home automation options.

• The Elite Plan, which includes the Gold Plan, plus HD video monitoring that can be scheduled, on-demand, and according to motion detection.

Security Costs

Standard plans incur a cost of $30.99, Gold plans are a $39.99 monthly fee, and Elite security system costs are set at $47.99 per month. Contracts range from one to three years, with clients who sign up for a three-year agreement enjoying a lock-in month-to-month rate.

Security Plan Options

Google offers options that range from video doorbell monitoring to outdoor camera monitoring to a full security system package. These plans vary in the security products and services they include. In general, base Google Nest plans include:

• Front doorbell monitoring: Nest Hub and Nest Doorbell monitoring (battery operated)

• Outdoor monitoring: Nest Hub and Nest Cam (video camera monitoring).

• Total security: Nest Hub, Nest Doorbell, and Nest Cam.

Note that these are self-monitoring security plans without access to professional monitoring services. While Google does work with third-party installation companies, you can opt for self-installation.

The Nest Doorbell product does not come with a battery backup, so if you elect this option, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place.

Security Costs

Different Nest plans are priced as follows:

• Front doorbell monitoring approximately $280/year or about $23 per month

• Outdoor monitoring plans approximately $280/year or about $23 per month

• Total security plans approximately $589/year or $49 per month

Security Plan Options

Plans through Protect America are fully customizable. They offer a range of security kits that come with numerous options, so homeowners, renters, and business owners alike can have peace of mind with their security systems.

Some of the perks they offer with their plans are up to $1,400 in free equipment with your plan and 24-hour professional security monitoring.

Protect America does not offer free installation, but does provide services that will guide you through DIY installment, as well as a home keypad to control all your security products.

Their three plan options are Copper, Silver, and Platinum, with differences largely ranging according to whether you have a landline or broadband connection.

Security Costs

The Copper plan starts as low as $19.99 per month, with Platinum plans ranging up to $54.99 per month. These costs do not cover all the costs of the equipment, however.

Security Plan Options

Plans differ based on whether you want a video camera and doorbell monitoring plan or an all-inclusive security system plan with 24/7 monitoring services.

Video camera plans, based on the level you select, may include:

Full security systems (Alarm Pro plans) include most or all that’s included in the video plans, along with 24-hour internet backup and extra data each month.

Security Costs

Home security system costs vary based on your plan, but range from $4 to $20 per month, or $40 up to $200 per year.

Security Plan Options

With Scout, you can elect either professional monitoring services (which provide 24-hour coverage) or self-monitoring.

The professional monitoring plan includes emergency and fire dispatch services, 4G LTE cellular and battery backup, and push notifications to your mobile app.

As for your security system, Scout bundles products together to offer cost savings for its clients with various “Scout Packs” that cover a range of security needs for homeowners.

Security equipment ranges from doorbell cameras to smart locks to a hub base station that stays on throughout power outages, and a number of other gadgets, like key fobs.

Security Costs

Self-monitoring plans through Scout begin at $9.99/month while professional monitoring plans begin at $19.99/month, not including the cost of your security equipment package.

Scout does not require yearly contracts, and both plans will send push notifications right to your smartphone app.

Security Plan Options

Professional home monitoring is available with every plan, and all Simplisafe plans are built according to your security needs.

Of the many available security products available, you can choose from the following:

Security Costs

The professional monitoring plans begin at less than $1 per day. Security systems arrive ready to install with no tools required for installation.

Simplisafe never requires contracts, and clients can cancel their security plan at any time.

Security Plan Options

All Vivint security plans offer 24-hour monitoring through their monitoring center, intrusion detection, a touchscreen control panel, and access to their mobile app (through Apple for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users and Google Play for Android users).

The Premium package offers video security and theft deterrent, while the Premium Plus package offers voice control, smart home automation, and vehicle protection.

Vivint smart home systems allow you to control your home security features not only while at home, but from anywhere you may go. And Vivint systems work with a number of compatible products, such as those offered by Google Nest.

You can manage your door locks, your thermostats, and more through the smart home hub app.

Security Costs

Professional monitoring service plans begin at $19.99/month through Vivint, plus the cost of security equipment. Each plan is custom-built and will have individualized pricing. Vivint also offers a lifetime equipment warranty.

Security Plan Options

Xfinity does not require service contracts, and all plans include a powerful Xfinity Wi-Fi connection, a customized home system, and control of home smart devices through the app.

The Pro Protection plan includes professional monitoring with free installation, while the Pro Protection Plus plan includes all features as well as 24/7 video recordings.

Security Costs

Self-monitoring plans through Xfinity are $10 per month, Pro Protection plans are priced at $30 per month, and Pro Protection Plus plans incur a $40 monthly fee. Equipment costs are separate from the monthly monitoring plan price.

1. Consider Pros And Cons Of Professional Installations

One of the considerations to keep top of mind when choosing a home security system is whether you will want or need professional installation.

If you select a system that you must install, it’s important to ensure that you are capable of installing it, or that the system is so straightforward to install that you are unlikely to make an error during the installation process.

A security system that isn’t properly installed could not only cost you more in the long run to fix, it could also cost you in the case of an emergency, such as a break-in.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, DIY security system installation is optimal for:

• People who are handy around the house

• Outdoor monitoring plans approximately $280/year or about $23 per month

• People in smaller homes or buildings who do not require a very large system or one with too much technical difficulty

Professional installation is optimal for people who are not tech-savvy or handy or who live in buildings where others will be using the security system.

2. Compare Costs For Different Types Of Systems

After deciding whether you want to spend the money for professional installation, you will also want to decide if you want a self-monitoring or professional monitoring plan. This is perhaps the greatest determining factor for what type of price you’ll pay for home security.

Other considerations for home security system costs include:

• Whether you need simply video cameras, a full video monitoring system, or an all-inclusive security package complete with Smart Home integration devices.

• Whether you want to go with a provider that offers month-to-month pricing or requires a yearly (or longer) contract.

• If you can find a provider which offers cost savings, such as a percent off for new clients.

• If the provider offers warranties for its security products, which cover repair and replacement costs.

3. Decide If You Need Smart Home Integration

Smart home devices make home security and controlling devices throughout your home easier, it’s true, but that doesn’t mean they are right for everyone.

People in smaller buildings, for example, or in a residence where many other people live, may not benefit from smart home integration as much as homeowners with larger residences.

Also, if you do not have the many technical features that a smart home hub controls — automated thermostats, door locks, lights, and sensors — a smart home integration system may not be necessary for your home security system.

4. Choose Your Level Of Connection

There are two types of connections for your home security system: wired and wireless. A wired system uses a hardwired connection to power your hub and transmit signals from it. A wireless connection keeps your hub connected through a secure network.

It may be easy to assume that a wireless connection is always best, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, ADT asserts that some of the benefits of a wired connection include that it is less likely to experience electrical interference or run out of power.

However, wireless systems are easy to install, easy to integrate with automation devices, and can seamlessly integrate with new technology when you upgrade your security system.

If you don’t have a strong wireless connection or don’t need a smart home security system, you may not need a wireless connection.

5. Weigh Your Monitoring Needs

Finally, one of the most important considerations when choosing a home safety plan is whether you’ll need a self-monitoring plan or professional monitoring services.

Some factors that may weigh in on this decision include:

• Cost: Self-monitoring plans are typically lower-priced than professional monitoring plans.

• Penalties: Some professional monitoring plans may have penalties if you have a false alarm.

• Backup plans: Not all self-monitoring plans have backup plans if you lose connection or video.

• Level of protection: While self-monitoring systems often allow you to have instant access to your security system, they cannot replace the protection you’ll get from a professional monitoring center that exists for the purpose of monitoring home security.