Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2023

Security systems don't have to come with a hefty installation fee—you can easily install DIY alarms on your own, like our top pick, SimpliSafe. It catches our attention with affordable monitoring and equipment, and the long warranty and 60-day return policy are worth sticking around for. Its smart home compatibility could be better, but it's a great choice for most folks.

Read on to learn more about how SimpliSafe handled hands-on testing and how it compares to other monitored security systems with DIY installation.

Looking for cheaper options? Check out our cheap security systems recommendations.

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Monthly monitoring prices range from $19.99 to $29.99—way less than many people's coffee budget (especially if you live "the Venti life"). SimpliSafe's plans include professional monitoring with RapidSOS  for security issues and environmental threats like fires and gas leaks. Still, only the Fast Protect™ plan uses video verification to check for false alarms using security cameras.

All SimpliSafe plans give you mobile app access to your system so you can keep an eye on it from your phone. You can arm, disarm, change settings, and get some alerts on every plan. Still, SimpliSafe's Fast Protect™ plan is worth the upgrade since you'll unlock full access to the app's smart home and security camera options.

SimpliSafe also has generous equipment policies. We like that it includes a three-year warranty on its equipment rather than the thin one-year coverage from brands like Abode, Arlo, and Wyze. If you upgrade to the Fast Protect™ plan, you'll get lifetime warranty coverage. Plus, its 60-day return policy is twice as long as other brands on our list.

SimpliSafe is a cinch to install and has all the equipment you need to protect your family. Setup took less than an hour during testing. Still, had only some hiccups getting the smart lock and outdoor camera to work. But our interactions with customer service were excellent. That said, SimpliSafe's equipment selection lacks smart home options like a thermostat and Z-Wave compatibility.

Overall, SimpliSafe's a great find for anyone who wants basic security in their home, big or small.

Get more info from our SimpliSafe review.

Cove's monitoring plans (with RapidSOS) start at $17.99 a month for basic service without mobile app controls or security cameras—matching SimpliSafe's pricing tiers. But Cove's pricier Cove Plus plan ($27.99 a month) ups the ante with a lifetime warranty.

When you sign up for this system, you'll customize it with any sensors you want to install. These extras include a glass break detector, flood sensor, outdoor camera, and a medical alert/panic button. While there aren't any preset starter kits like other brands, Cove's quick survey and online shop keep the process simple. Plus, Cove more regularly discounts equipment for new subscribers than most rivals.

Cove's smart home gear lags behind Abode and Frontpoint. The system has some compatibility with Alexa and Google but no Z-Wave support, so you need to buy directly from Cove if you want to expand your system.

As we tested Cove, we liked how easy the installation was—it took about 30 minutes. Still, Cove was a little too eager to sound a full-blown alarm when we set off the smoke detector while cooking. We'd appreciate an easier way to cancel false alarms in the app or on the control panel.

Overall, Cove is a solid alternative to SimpliSafe, with competitive prices, security cameras (learn more about Cove cameras), and equipment to match. Cove's wildly easy to set up in only a few minutes, and you won't need a contract to do it.

Check out our full Cove review to learn more.

You can get ADT Self Setup without a monitoring subscription, but we recommend adding one contract-free for either $24.99 or $34.99 per month. Unlike other DIY security systems, ADT gives you free access to the mobile app, which means you can get notifications about your system without professional monitoring. But that means it's up to you to verify a break-in and call for help.

It has a great selection of equipment, including three Nest security cameras—all for less than retail. ADT Self Setup doesn't include cloud storage, so you need to pay separately for a Nest Aware subscription. But at $35 a month for both ADT and Google's plans, this brings ADT Self Setup just above the price for SimpliSafe's top-tier plan with similar features.

During testing we weren't the biggest fans of how bulky this equipment is. At least this aesthetic drawback doesn't affect system performance.

Overall, ADT Self Setup is a welcome DIY option for renters. It's about time such a well-known brand as ADT put out an offering for people other than homeowners—and no other DIY brand has the reputation, track record, and number of redundant monitoring systems as ADT. It shows that even an older company can learn new tricks to help its customers better.

Learn more in our full ADT Self Setup review.

Abode goes a step further than basic smart home connections with custom automations using its CUE service upgrade. These are easy to set up (unless you use the mobile app) so your system can run automatically based on time of day, your location, and when sensors detect something. One automation worth trying is having Abode arm itself when you leave the house.

The company steps up and fixes issues. For example, we didn't like how the CUE automations and some settings weren't very accessible through the Abode app during testing. Abode noticed, and it's much better now. On another occasion, we struggled with some glitches in the Abode app while recording video with the Abode Iota's camera—it's over three years old at this point and the hardware may be showing its age.

For $22 a month, Abode's professional monitoring compares well with SimpliSafe and Cove. Or you can self-monitor your Abode system. We think most folks will appreciate Abode's affordable equipment as well.

Overall, we think Abode is an underrated gem of a system. Its smart home prowess is hard to beat and is practically on the same level as some smart home hubs.

Check out our full Abode review to learn more.

This single sensor is super affordable, which means you don't need any pricey extras to expand your system—just more sensors based on the size of your home. Plus, you can supplement your sensors with any of Arlo's fantastic security cameras, though the best integration comes from the new Arlo Pro 5S, which communicates directly with Arlo's hub instead of through your Wi-Fi network.

We love Arlo's approach to self-monitoring. The system doesn't require a subscription to use, so you can save some cash by choosing a cheaper, camera-only Arlo plan or no plan at all. The main restrictions for self-monitoring is that there's no smoke or carbon monoxide alarm detection without a professional monitoring plan.

Arlo's monitoring plan is fairly competitive, but is pricier than most brands in our comparison. Still, it's about $3 cheaper per month than comparable plans from SimpliSafe and Cove. While Arlo's cameras boast strong smart home connections, this doesn't extend to the security system just yet.

Arlo has a few rough spots compared to its rivals. For one, it's the only system on our list without a built-in battery backup. But at least you can add this feature—and cellular backup—by purchasing an accessory for around $80. Also, Arlo's warranty tops out at one year, which is more in line with what you expect for retail electronics than a security system with pro monitoring.

Overall, we think the Arlo home security system is an easy choice for folks wanting fewer sensors that watch for multiple things. On top of that, Arlo has the most advanced security cameras on our list.

Our testing experience showed Frontpoint was easy to install, but the app and cameras could use improvement. The Frontpoint app did a poor job sending notifications, even when a pet sitter accidentally set off the alarm. That's a bummer because you should expect alarms to instantly trigger a notification. As for the cameras, they feel pretty basic for the price—especially compared to options from Arlo, Wyze, and Ring. 

This system is pricier than other brands on our list, but we think Frontpoint is well worth the investment to get excellent customer service and high-end equipment options. Make sure you call to order instead of online if you want the no-contract deal.

Get the full scoop in our Frontpoint review.

During testing, it was difficult to know which arming mode was active using the keypad alone—it took some trial and error.

Because Ring is an Amazon company, it has excellent integration with Amazon Alexa smart speakers and fits nicely into an Alexa-centric smart home. Overall, we like Ring because it's an easy alarm system with some neat add-ons.

Read our full Ring Alarm review.

While we like Kangaroo (especially for apartments), it doesn't offer much smart home compatibility aside from Alexa and Google voice controls. But, overall, it's a budget alternative to Wyze.

Read our full Kangaroo review to learn more.

Wyze offers a huge selection of devices. You can expand your system with extra keypads, entry sensors, motion detectors, climate sensors, and a water leak sensor. Throw Wyze security cameras and smart home devices in the mix, and it's as robust as what Frontpoint, Abode, and Ring offer.

The subscription includes cloud video storage for a single Wyze camera, though you need to pay extra to store video from other cameras. (Or skip the cloud plan in favor of a microSD card.)

Wyze's biggest blindspot is a lack of cellular backup, so it won't work if your internet goes down like other brands on our list (at least there's a battery backup for power outages). While the mobile app is easy to use, it took a while for Wyze to allow multiple users like with Wyze cameras—other family members needed the physical keypad to arm and disarm the system.

Overall, Wyze is the perfect appetizer for anyone wanting to try pro monitoring for the first time without spending too much. We enjoyed our time testing Wyze, but we wish it had a self-monitoring option that doesn't require a subscription.

Learn more in our full Wyze Home Monitoring review.

SimpliSafe is our favorite contract-free DIY home security system. In addition to five equipment plans and simple setup instructions, its professional monitoring is economical and you have the option to self-montior. It doesn't lock you into a contract, and there's a 60-day money-back guarantee if you decide the service isn't for you.

To find out how DIY home alarm systems stand up to professional systems, see our review of the best home security systems.

We wanted our rankings to fit what folks want from self-install home security systems—so we surveyed our readers directly. Ultimately, it comes down to that sweet, sweet moolah—over two-thirds of respondents said saving money is their main goal.

Learn more about the methodology we use for each of our reviews.

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