#1 Pick for 2025: Cove Leads the Best-Rated Home Security Systems

When it comes to home security, real customer experiences matter most. That’s why we dug into thousands of reviews and tested the top security systems ourselves—to see which ones genuinely deliver. After all that research, one system stood out across the board: Cove.

Cove takes the top spot in 2025 for combining budget-friendly equipment, quick DIY setup, and highly rated 24/7 professional monitoring. Customers love how easy it is to use—and how responsive Cove’s support team is when it counts most.

Cove dominates when it comes to keeping customers happy, with an average customer rating of 4.2 stars (out of five) across multiple third-party review sites. That's nearly one full star better than the 3.3 average among all of our top-recommended home security systems.

We've tested every iteration of Cove's security system, and we've been consistently impressed with how this company incorporates feedback to improve its offerings and the user experience.

Cove is a great value, with low-cost monthly monitoring that doesn't require a contract, and allows easy cancellation if the system doesn't suit your needs. Cove sets you free without punishing penalties and fees, unlike other security solutions that charge 75% to 100% of your remaining contract.

Cove has some more customer-first goodies we love:

• Large 7-inch touchscreen panel that comes with every package
• InstaText service that lets you confirm an emergency through a quick text message
• Rapid response with RapidSOS to get you help sooner
• Cove Equipment Rewards let you upgrade to the newest safety equipment or smart home device for free
• Lifetime equipment warranty (only one other brand on our list offers a lifetime warranty)

We found over 6,300 reviews of Cove on third-party sites like Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and the BBB. Across those sites, Cove has an average* of 4.2 stars out of 5, which is the highest rating of any system on our list.

Customers often highlight Cove as a great budget-friendly alternative to bigger names like ADT. Cove earns high marks for its simple DIY setup, affordable pricing, and responsive customer service. Many users appreciate how easy it is to customize their system, order additional equipment, and manage everything through a user-friendly app. As of May 2025, Cove's app is rated 1.6 stars out of five in the Apple App Store and has 3.1 stars on Google Play—one of the only security system apps to do better on Android than iOS.

That said, reviews also reveal some recurring challenges. Technical issues with cameras, hubs, and app connectivity are common sources of frustration. Canceling service can also be a hassle, with reports of multiple calls and delays.

Is Cove the best DIY security system for you?

• Best for: DIYers who want affordable security and top-notch customer service
• Standout feature: Monthly equipment credits + lifetime warranty with Cove Plus
• Biggest trade-off: Limited smart home compatibility compared to other brands
• Bottom line: Cove is an excellent pick if you appreciate free perks and strong customer service, but keep looking if you want advanced home automation or prefer a system without monthly fees.

SimpliSafe is a straightforward, low-cost, do-it-yourself home security solution. Its discreet equipment is ideal for small living spaces, but it may fall short if you need to protect a large amount of property.

For those looking to add home security on a budget, SimpliSafe’s affordable equipment and no-contract professional monitoring are hard to beat.

We found more than 24,000 customer reviews for SimpliSafe from third-party review sites like Trustpilot, The Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Consumer Affairs, as well as from online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Across these sites, SimpliSafe has an average rating* of 2.5 stars out of 5, which strikes us as surprisingly low given our consistently positive hands-on experiences and the number of SafeWise readers who rely on SimpliSafe to protect their homes.

Customers often praise SimpliSafe for its easy installation and straightforward setup. Many say they had their systems up and running in no time, with minimal hassle. Customers also like SimpliSafe's budget-friendly pricing and the fact that you're not stuck in a long-term contract.

Reviews are mixed when it comes to customer service and product reliability. While some users rave about helpful reps and solid performance, others report long wait times and frustrations with cameras and sensors losing connection. The app also gets some criticism for being a bit clunky (although this seems more applicable to Android users). As of May 2025, SimpliSafe's app has 4.8 stars out of 5 in the Apple App Store and 4.5 stars on Google Play.

Is SimpliSafe the best home security system for you?
SimpliSafe's DIY home security systems hit that rare sweet spot: easy enough for beginners, powerful enough for pros, and flexible enough to work with your lifestyle. I love that I can turn on professional monitoring during vacations and then go back to a lower-tier plan for the rest of the year.

If you’re on the hunt for a smart wireless security system that doesn’t require you to lift a finger, Vivint is the best of the bunch. Vivint’s high-end equipment with pro installation, 24/7 monitoring, smart home features, and state-of-the-art security tech make it the best wireless security system available.

We found over 83,000 customer reviews for Vivint from third-party review sites like BBB, Trustpilot, and Consumer Affairs. Across those sites, Vivint has an average 4.1-star rating out of 5.* That's impressive, especially for a company that's come under tight scrutiny (and run into some legal trouble) over the years. It's also the second-highest customer rating after Cove.

Vivint gets high marks for its professional installation process and sleek, all-in-one smart home features. Many customers praise the knowledgeable technicians and seamless integration of cameras, thermostats, and security devices in a single app. As of May 2025, Vivint's app has 4.6 stars (out of 5) on the Apple App Store and 3.6 on Google Play.

Reviews over the long term are more mixed. One theme we saw is frustration with customer service—especially around billing issues, contract cancellations, and inconsistent follow-up. Some users also report technical glitches, like cameras going offline or motion detection lagging, which can undermine confidence in the system.

Is Vivint the best home security system for you? 
Go with Vivint if you want the reassurance of professional installation, robust smart home security, and expert-guided customization. Like any luxury item, you’d expect Vivint to come with a luxury price tag. It’s a balance: its equipment is pricey, but Vivint’s monthly monitoring fees remain in line with other top security companies. The Smart Home Video monitoring plan delivers video plus smart home control and integration for around $40 a month.

Abode was the first security system to support Apple HomeKit, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Alexa, and Google Assistant, which still sets it apart from most DIY systems today.

What's really cool? You don't have to pay for a subscription to get that kind of smart home compatibility. Abode gives you a lot of flexibility, whether you want to self-monitor for free or pay for pro monitoring—and you can even grab short-term monitoring if you're heading out of town.

Abode has fewer customer reviews online (overall and recently) than the other security companies on this roundup. We found just over 3,200 reviews on third-party sites like the BBB, Trustpilot, and Amazon. Across those websites, Abode has an average rating* of 2.9 stars out of five. That's on the low end, but it also represents a much newere brand with a smaller group of customers.

Positive reviews center on how easy it is to get Abode up and running, with special shoutouts for the seamless smart home integration and voice control.

Negative reviews tend to mention glitchy equipment and connections, and difficulty getting replacements or refunds for faulty devices (although they note that customer service reps are friendly, just slow to deliver a resolution). The mobile app continues to be hit-and-miss, with current ratings of 4.2 stars (out of five) in the Apple App Store and 2.4 on Google Play.

Is Abode the best security system for you?
Abode is one of our top picks for anyone who wants smart home automation without a contract. We love that it works with Apple HomeKit (rare!) and that you can choose pro monitoring only when you need it.

While we research, we look at factors that matter most for protecting your home and family:

• Cost and contracts
• Response time and monitoring options
• Security features and smart home integration
• Customer service and reputation
• Ease of installation and use

We’ve been reviewing home security systems for 12 years. During that time, we’ve:

• Put in over 4,000 hours of hands-on testing
• Installed and tested 21 home security systems in 23 homes
• Surveyed over 30,000 people about their crime experiences, perceptions, and preventions
• Surveyed 2,500 home security buyers
• Analyzed more than a decade of national and statewide crime data
•  Met with dozens of industry leaders
• Interviewed criminologists, police officers, dispatchers, and first responders
• Read hundreds of real customer reviews
• Toured one professional monitoring center

Learn more about our rigorous testing process in our full methodology.

Cove doesn't try to be everything—it focuses on what matters most: easy installation, rapid emergency response, and seriously customer-first policies.

Is Cove the best DIY security system for you?

• Best for: DIYers who want affordable security and top-notch customer service
• Standout feature: Monthly equipment credits + lifetime warranty with Cove Plus
• Biggest trade-off: Limited smart home compatibility compared to other brands
• Bottom line: Cove is an excellent pick if you appreciate free perks and strong customer service, but keep looking if you want advanced home automation or prefer a system without monthly fees.

To calculate the weighted average for customer reviews, we use the following formula:

(R1×N1)+(R2×N2)+(R3×N3) / N1+N2+N3

R = Avg. star rating from review site
N = Total number of reviews

SafeWise star ratings: Star ratings reflect the editorial assessment of each company for the purposes of this particular article (e.g., SimpliSafe vs. Vivint, Best Apartment Security Systems, etc.). These ratings may differ from star ratings found on other articles, such as Best Home Security Systems of 2025.