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Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer
To help you find the best home security system for your needs, we tried them all. Fluent is our local pick for completely customizable options and premiere video features.
Vivint is our top pick for full-service professional installation and monitoring combined with theft-deterring innovations. ADT has their perks too, including the most experience in the business and Google Nest camera options available in their packages.
Brand | Installation | Monthly cost
 | Best for | Starter equipment price | Contract required | Smart home compatibility
| Learn more |
| Professional | $29.99/mo. | Best local pick | Get Quote | No * | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| Professional | $29.99/mo. | Best professional home security | $599.00 | No * | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| Professional | $28.99/mo. | Most trusted security brand | $0.00 | Yes | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
Fluent offers security system solutions that are 100% tailored for your unique security needs. Experts are ready to help you every step of the way—from choosing equipment to ensuring it's installed properly. That said, Fluent is strictly full-service professional installation, with no DIY or self-monitoring options available. Fluent's pricing structure requires an individual quote, but every system comes with full mobile app access and upgraded features like video verification and analytics.
Fluent is not a national brand, which is why we recommend them as our local pick. Fluent's commitment to customization means you get to handpick the equipment that best suits your home and lifestyle. The benefits of going with this regional brand include:
Standout feature: Fluent's video surveillance stands out by including 24/7 video recording, video verification, and robust video analytics in every security camera package.
Image credit: Fluent
For full-service, professionally installed, curated home security, Fluent is a great choice. Fluent pros help you every step of the way, and as long as you don't mind a phone call to get your personalized quote, Fluent can make it easy to protect your home and loved ones.
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1-855-388-8246
If you’re on the hunt for a smart home 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 love Vivint for so many reasons:
Standout feature: Vivint's security cameras with Smart Deter lurker detection are a staff favorite.
Image credit: Vivint
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.
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Money-back guarantee applicable for system problems during the first six months that ADT is unable to resolve.
ADT is the most experienced security company in the country. If you’ll sleep better knowing that a well-known, tried-and-true company is watching over your home, ADT is worth the money.
No one can beat ADT’s experience.
Standout feature: ADT Home Security has six redundant monitoring centers. If one monitoring station goes down, your home’s protection transfers to another center. That’s 24/7 protection that you can rely on, even when Mother Nature does her worst.
Image credit: ADT
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That depends on your budget and comfort with risk. Based on our comparisons of home security monthly fees, the median cost of professional monitoring is lower than ever at less than $30 a month. Some plans, like Wyze Home Monitoring, cost $10 or less each month.
A $40 or $50 per month monitoring fee can seem steep, but that adds up to $600 or less per year. Keep in mind that the more features and security devices you add to your system, the bigger the price tag.
Some top-tier packages cost upward of $60 per month. That’s still significant, but it’s a lot less than the average loss of a break-in. While the rate of burglaries nationally has decreased, the average loss remains high—around $2,600 per incident.
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A professionally monitored security system has trained professionals keeping an eye on your home 24/7. Monitoring centers contact you if the alarm is triggered, and they can dispatch emergency services to your home. We recommend professional monitoring because it’s your most direct line to help if something happens.
With a self-monitored system, you and other authorized household members check in to make sure everything’s okay at home. Depending on the security system you choose, that may or may not include motion detector alerts, outside security camera alerts, and life-saving alerts like notifications that your smoke alarm went off.
You can save money with self-monitoring by avoiding monthly monitoring fees. But that can leave your home more vulnerable because you won’t have experts watching around the clock.
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Wireless refers to the use of wireless technology like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for monitoring and connecting the components of your system. Wired refers to a home security system hardwired into your home’s electrical system.
Both protect your home just fine, but wireless home security systems have more flexibility if you move or don’t want to put holes in walls. A hardwired system could be the perfect option if you want a complete smart home or if you can incorporate the installation into a renovation or new construction.
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What are the pros and cons of wired and wireless security systems?
Yes. Most insurance companies offer a discount when you install a security system. Depending on your insurance, 24/7 professional monitoring may qualify you for as much as 15% off your premium. When you’re looking for the best home security system to buy, verify that you’ll get a certificate to submit to your home insurance company after installation.
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Can purchasing a home security system decrease my homeowners insurance?
Yes. Thanks to wireless technology, it’s now easy to add security to your home—whether you own, rent, or live in a dorm or with roommates. Many of our top home security systems have packages that meet renters’ security needs. To make it even easier, we also ranked the best security systems for renters.
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I rent an apartment. Should I still consider a home security system?
It depends on which security company you choose. Many professionally monitored home security systems require a contract, and contract length can range from three to five years. But you’ll find more home security options than ever before that offer shorter contracts and month-to-month (contract-free) terms—especially if you can pay for equipment up front.
Most home security companies will charge you around 75% of the remaining term of your contract if you cancel early—and some require 100%.
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The best home security systems use tools and technology to help keep you, your family, and your property safe—think burglar alarms, security cameras, entry sensors, motion sensors, and reinforced door locks. Home automation uses technology to automate everyday activities like locking the doors, turning up the thermostat, or starting the coffee pot.
Combined with home security, home automation can help increase your home’s energy efficiency, remotely control your alarm system, and let you check in on kids or pets when you’re away from home.
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The difference between a traditional alarm system and a smart one is that different components can communicate with one another. Not only does smart technology give you the ability to control and monitor your home alarm system from anywhere—it also makes your system able to respond to your habits and routines.
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Home security systems that are 100% DIY let you pick the security products (like an entry sensor, smart lock, window sensor, cameras), set them up, and monitor them—all on your own. Brands like Frontpoint offer DIY installation with professional monitoring. Find some of our favorites on our full list of the best DIY home security systems.
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Sometimes you don’t have a choice. High-end home security companies like Vivint and ADT offer only professional installation. But most of the other best security companies on our residential security services list give you a DIY option.
Alarm systems that require wiring and sensor or camera placement benefit from professional installation companies—especially if an incorrectly placed motion sensor, door sensor, or security camera could lead to false alarms, or worse, an intruder. But there are some downsides to a pro install—primarily the necessity to schedule an appointment and have someone come into your home.
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That's a complicated question. Beyond calling for help when there's an emergency, many people find security cameras helpful for watching children, watching for packages, and other practical things. Of course, there are a lot of things to consider before making the investment. Our guide can help you sort out if you need a security system or not.
It depends on what you need. If you're looking for a DIY security system, then you'll need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you're looking for a system that is professionally installed with a solid track record when it comes to protecting customers, ADT is a good choice. Learn more in our ADT review.
Image: SafeWise. Getting "hands-on" with home security equipment.
Every month, more than 1 million visitors look to us for home security information and recommendations. Our honest reviews and expert insights come from hundreds of hours of hands-on tests, interviews with real customers, and meetings with technical pros, owners, and CEOs of large and small home security companies.
While we research, we look at factors that matter most for protecting your home and family:
Learn more about our rigorous testing process in our full methodology.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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