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A home security system provides peace of mind to your entire household. Not only do they help with theft, but they also help with fires and medical emergencies. But there are many variations in modern home security systems — from DIY installation to professional monitoring to smart-home integration. So how do you know which one is right for your home?

We at the Home Media reviews team have spent hundreds of hours researching the home security industry and available providers. Read over the best home security systems with our guide that compares equipment and cost.

Check out the top home security systems we’ve rounded up:

​​+ System is easy to install and requires no drilling or tools  

– Does not feature facial recognition, so SimpliCam may send false alerts

– Installation and smartphone app may not be best for non-tech-savvy users

SimpliSafe provides five package options, as well as a build-your-own package option. The Hearth package is a great option if you’re unsure where to start. This package provides a simple yet thorough sensor system, and SimpliSafe currently offers an additional indoor camera with any new system. But our top recommendation is SimpliSafe’s custom package, which can be configured to suit your exact security needs.

Here are SimpliSafe’s packages: 

*SimpliSafe offers 20% off all its systems as of March 2022. 

Get a quote: Get any of the SimpliSafe packages above, or start creating your own by filling out this easy-to-use form . 

SimpliSafe offers outdoor, indoor and doorbell camera options. You may customize your own package around these cameras or add any of them to the packages above. Installation of SimpliSafe’s cameras requires only a Phillips-head screwdriver. The company does offer professional installation for $75 if you are concerned about installing equipment on your own. 

Read more about SimpliSafe’s cameras and smart-lock: 

SimpliSafe features two monitoring plans: Interactive Monitoring and Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings. Both plans require no contract and can be canceled anytime. The Interactive Monitoring plan is better for an all-inclusive, monitored system that helps with emergency dispatch and extreme temperature monitoring. Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings only adds camera storage and recording options. 

Here are SimpliSafe’s two monitoring options in detail: 

+ Offers a six-month money-back guarantee

​​+ One of the oldest home security companies in the country 

​​+ Offers same-day professional installation if ordered before 2 p.m.

– Does not offer a DIY installation option

ADT Home Security offers three types of equipment packages to customize to fit your home security needs. The company offers a comprehensive list of equipment, and it lets you pay off through financing your equipment rather than paying a large, up-front sum. The range in pricing for each option reflects the cost for a baseline package and increases to the cost after adding the maximum amount of equipment. Some options include 0% APR.*

You add equipment to the following ADT starter packages: 

Get a quote: To start customizing your ADT equipment package, fill out this easy-to-use form . 

ADT provides a wide selection of products for you to choose from, including three camera options. The company also offers life safety and smart-home automation equipment. This makes ADT an excellent option for a more all-inclusive home security system. The company does require professional installation, which starts at $99. 

Here is some of ADT’s equipment in detail:

ADT charges its professional motoring plans according to the starter package that you pick. The plan includes 24/7 monitoring from nine in-house monitor centers, ​​rapid intrusion detection and monitoring of smoke and carbon monoxide sensors. 

Here is the cost of ADT’s professional monitoring plan:

​​+ Uses non-proprietary equipment, so it is easy to mix and match with third-party providers 

​​+ Does not require a contract 

​​+ Features a customizable smartphone app

– Monitoring prices are higher than some competitors 

– A lot of functionality is locked behind monitoring plans

In addition to letting you build a full-customized security equipment package, Frontpoint offers three packages. Though its build-your-own option is most likely the best option for you, Frontpoint’s The Bunker acts as a great motion-sensor-based security system, in addition to one indoor camera, for a small to medium-sized home. Frontpoint currently offers a free video doorbell with all of its package options, as well as a 35% discount.* 

Below are Frontpont’s packages in detail:

Frontpoint also offers the option to pay your system off in monthly payments**. Here are the monthly prices for Fronpoint’s systems:

*Frontpoint offers 35% off all its systems on its website as of March 2022.

**Prices are subject to credit approval. 

Get a quote: To see what package you can build with Frontpoint or buy one of the packages above, complete this short survey . 

Frontpoint offers four different cameras that you may add to your package. This includes two different indoor cameras, an outdoor camera and a video doorbell. Each one features a simple, DIY installation process using adhesive strips, and they can connect through Roku and Apple TV.

Here are Frontpoint’s cameras in detail: 

Frontpoint features one highly comprehensive monitoring plan option. This plan includes a lot of functionality that you might receive with other home security companies at a lower price, such as night vision. Check out Frontpoint’s monitoring plan in detail below: 

Interactive Monitoring Plan ($2 per day): 24/7 support, geo-location services, mobile alert and notifications via email and text, remote control, sensor history, live video streaming and recording, video and image history, motion-triggered alerts, night vision enabled, smart-light control and smart-lock control.

​​ + Features flexible options for professional monitoring, including on-demand options 

​​+ Uses Abode Cue to control smart-home devices

– A lot of functionality, including a 4G cellular backup, is locked behind monitoring plans 

– Starter packages are minimal and lacking

Abode mainly focuses on providing customized, DIY home security systems, but the company does offer two premade systems. Its Smart Security Kit connects to your ethernet, but its iota All-In-One system connects to ethernet or 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi. You will most likely get better performance out of an ethernet connection, though.  

Here are Abode’s systems: 

*Abode offers 7%–15% off its systems as of March 2022.

Get a quote: To get either of Abode’s gateway systems for your home, fill out this online questionnaire . 

Abode offers one surveillance camera called Abode Cam 2 that may be used for both indoor and outdoor monitoring. The company also offers a variety of motion sensors that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Read about some of Abode’s unique security equipment here: 

*Abode offers 17%–40% off on select equipment as of March 2022. 

Abode offers two monitoring plans. The Standard Plan’s self-monitoring plan has you monitor your own system for alerts and emergencies. Its professional monitoring plan, the Pro Plan, has a monitoring center that pays attention to any alerts in your system for possible emergencies. It will dispatch the proper authorities in the instance of an emergency. 

Abode’s monitoring plans may be accessed on-demand. This means you may opt to have the Pro Plan for one day or a weekend away but return to the Standard Plan when you return. This helps you receive excellent monthly value for your Abode system. 

Here are Abode’s monitoring plans in detail: 

+ Includes a three-year warranty on all equipment 

​​+ Allows you to customize notifications and smart-home features like sequences of actions

​​+ Features a 60-day trial period

– Basic package is somewhat lacking 

– Does not offer any professional installation option

We reached out to Scout about the cons, and the company stated that “the packaging is meant to accomplish two simple goals; (a) provide adequate protection during transit and (b) color code the devices and provide recognizable iconography such that the installation process is a breeze.” 

In regards to its lack of professional installation, Scout comments that it bills itself as a DIY system, which is more affordable and flexible. The company stated that it is “an alternative to professional install and looking to increase the number of homes that have access to home security. Over the course of [its] 9-year history, self-install has been on the rise and pro-install on the decline.”

Scout features a build-your-own-system option, the best approach for a home security system. The company features a collection of premade security packages, though. These packages focus on motion sensors, and its Elements Pack helps with emergencies such as fires and floods. 

Learn about Scout’s security packages here: 

Get a quote: To start building your own package or receive one of the packs from Scout above, complete this easy-to-use survey . 

You can add Scout’s equipment to any of the packages or build your own from scratch, starting with one of Scout’s 4G LTE Hubs. Scout only has two camera options. Its simple design and cellular connection make it an ideal choice for beginners in home security. 

Learn more about some of Scout’s equipment options below:

Like Abode, Scout offers two plans broken down into self-monitoring and professional monitoring options. You may choose to pay for these plans monthly or receive 10% off by signing up for a year. 

Below are Scout’s monitoring plans with both the monthly and yearly costs:

+ Provides the option to pay off your equipment in monthly payments, allowing for lower costs

​​+ Includes free 24-hour video history 

​​+ Does not require a long-term contract

– Does not offer a professional monitoring plan 

– Many features are locked behind a service plan

Canary does not provide premade security equipment packages. Instead, it offers high-quality surveillance cameras with service plans. It does not offer much equipment in the vein of motion sensors and alarms. If you mainly desire a security camera, Canary may be your best choice. 

You can pay for Canary’s cameras monthly or at one up-front price. 

Below are Canary’s cameras with both the monthly and one-time payment options:

Get a quote: To see what Canary’s cameras are capable of, fill out this brief form . 

You either opt for Basic Service or Premium Service with Canary. Canary’s Basic Service is highly limited. Most functionality and features are locked behind its Premium Service plan. 

Here are Canary’s service plans in more detail:

+ Does not require a long-term contract 

​​+ Includes a lifetime warranty for Cove Plus members

​​+ Features a 60-day money-back guarantee

– Does not feature any smart-home integration

– Requires you to pay for its monitoring service for remote functionality and mobile app integration

Cove only offers a Build My System option for its systems. The company focuses solely on home security and surveillance equipment. It does not include any home automation options. The overall cost of your package with Cove will vary according to the equipment you require. You will at least pay $265 given that Cove’s Touch Alarm Panel is $250, and its door and window sensors cost $15 each. 

Get a quote: Check out what system you can create with Cove and get an instant quote by filling out this short questionnaire . 

Cove offers a decent selection of home security equipment and surveillance cameras. The company takes information about your home, such as the number of doors and windows. It also asks about any environmental protection you want, such as fire or flood protection. Cove creates a custom equipment package for your home and family from this information.  

You may also opt to have your Cove system professionally installed for $79.

Here are some of the equipment options you can expect with Cove Security: 

Cove offers professional monitoring with features such as LiveAssist and InstaText. LiveAssist provides a dedicated two-way communication channel between you and the Cove Touch Alarm Panel. This means that Cove speaks to you directly through the panel whenever your alarm goes off. InstaText provides a similar service but through text messaging. These services help Cove dispatch the proper emergency response authorities. 

You may also self-monitor with a Cove system; however, you lose a lot of functionality when you opt for this. 

Here is Cove’s professional monitoring plan in more detail: 

​​+ Includes its Theft Protection Guarantee (covers up to $500 of your insurance deductible if a burglary occurs during monitoring)

– Cancelation may require 75% of your overall cost to be paid 

– Does not provide online pricing

SafeStreets combines home security, smart-home automation and ADT monitoring using fully customizable equipment packages. Pulling from ADT’s large collection of security equipment, SafeStreets helps you create a custom equipment package that fulfills your choice of a protection plan. Because of this, SafeStreets focuses on providing details on its monitoring capabilities online instead of equipment options. 

Here are the protection plans that SafeStreets will help you create a custom package based on:

Get a quote: To see what package SafeStreets can create for your monitoring plan of choice, complete this simple survey .  

ADT backs SafeStreets, so many of its equipment options are the same as ADT’s. Its pricing may change depending on the package you create, though. Here are some additional equipment options provided by ADT via SafeStreets:

SafeStreets uses the same monitoring services as ADT. This means you receive in-house professional monitoring. The company only offers professional monitoring and no self-monitoring options. This means you must agree to a 36-month contract with SafeStreets whenever you sign up for its services. 

SafeStreets does not provide any online pricing for its monitoring plan. 

Note: We reached out to each company on this list for a comment on the cons listed in this article. Unless otherwise noted, we did not receive a response from the brand.

Each home security company offers different solutions and experiences to protect you and your family. It is important to consider whether or not you desire a DIY, self-monitored system that allows you to receive alerts and makes you responsible for alerting authorities for a lower cost or if you find value in a professionally monitored system that has a monitoring center that watches your home and alerts authorities for you. 

We find that SimpliSafe is one of the most comprehensive home security systems on the market. You may either install its easy-to-use equipment on your own or pay for professional installation. In addition, the company offers competitive rates on its dual cellular and Wi-Fi systems, and it allows you to avoid long-term contracts. Frontpoint is another excellent option if you are interested in obtaining a range of third-party security equipment that easily integrates into a system that provides professional monitoring.

A monitoring center is a facility where a home security company has representatives that receive alerts from your system. They can monitor what is happening in your home and contact you about it. If an emergency occurs and they cannot reach you, the monitoring center can dispatch the proper authorities for you.

SimpliSafe provides one of the most comprehensive home security systems on the market for competitive pricing. It offers both self-monitoring options and professional monitoring options, and its equipment is simple and easy to install on your own.

A cellular system means that the security equipment runs off a cellular connection rather than your Wi-Fi. This helps the system not slow down your internet or require any wires. A cellular system allows your home security system to function on its own without any external support.

If your home security features a backup battery, it can function without power. Be sure to check with the home security provider you are considering to see if its equipment includes backup power.

Some home security systems require Wi-Fi to function. Many wireless home security systems use a cellular connection to function, though. This connection type does not require any Wi-Fi to properly operate.

We at the Home Media reviews team collected data on dozens of home security companies and created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings. Then, we measured each company against a wide range of criteria to create a cumulative score for each provider. 

As part of our research, we called each home security company and spoke directly with representatives to fully understand equipment and monitoring options. We also simulated the quote and scheduling process. 

Additionally, we listened to customer service calls to gain insight into the customer experience with each company. We also closely examined hundreds of customer reviews to understand significant pain points of the customer service and installation experience with each company.

We use the following scoring system to grade each home security provider on a 100-point scale:

All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis to keep all rankings and information up to date.

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