Home security is something you want to get right the first time. Trusting a home security company with your home and loved ones takes a lot. We get it. That’s why we won’t recommend a security system we wouldn’t rely on to protect our families.
Best Deals for Home Security Systems in 2026
After hundreds of hours of tests and research, we picked SimpliSafe for the best do-it-yourself security and Vivint is the best professionally installed home security with deals in 2026..
*Limited-time offer. Valid with any new system with professional monitoring. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Last Updated: 3 days ago
Compare the best home security systems
Brand | Installation | Self-monitoring? | Monthly cost
 | Learn more |
| DIY or Pro | Yes | $31.99/mo. | See packages | |
| Professional | No | $39.99/mo. | See packages | |
| DIY or Pro | No | $19.99/mo. | See packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
How much does a home security system cost?
Home security equipment costs can range from $99 for a self-monitored system to $599 or more for a monitored system. Monthly monitoring subscriptions range from $19.99 to $60. Our data gathered from over 30 home security providers shows that $29.97 is the median price for home security subscriptions in the U.S.
To help you find the best home security system for your needs, we have spent thousands of hours testing 20+ security systems in real homes over the past 12 years. We believe it’s better to be proactive than reactive, and that’s what pushed Vivint and SimpliSafe to the top of our list in 2026.
Our Top Home Security System Reviews
1. SimpliSafe: Best DIY home security
SimpliSafe Deal!
🔥 SimpliSafe is offering 50% off any new system + a FREE $200 Visa Gift Card.*
*Limited-time offer. Spend $300 to get a $200 gift card, or get a $100 gift card with any new professionally monitored system. Limit one per customer. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Alina is currently testing the latest SimpliSafe system with Active Guard monitoring. Setting up the base station. Image credit: Alina Bradford, SafeWise
Editor's take: SimpliSafe helps deter burglars
I haven't always been impressed by SimpliSafe's simple approach to home security. But SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection takes this DIY security system to the next level. Advanced AI and trained security agents watch over your home with a mission to scare away intruders before they make any trouble. This is proactive home security like never before! Ring is the only other system on our list that offers this type of service.
Rebecca Edwards, Managing Editor
Why SimpliSafe is the best security system of 2026
SimpliSafe does home security on its own terms. That means ditching some things that turn off customers: brash salespeople and lengthy contracts.
- You choose the equipment and monitoring level you want
- No-pressure online shopping
- Professional monitoring service on demand—no contracts
- New outdoor security camera (finally!)
- Optional monthly subscription (after first month)
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Image credit: SafeWise
Standout feature: Triple-threat monitoring and dispatch technology with video verification, Rapid SOS, and Active Guards that get you the help you need faster.
What SimpliSafe monitoring do we recommend? Go with the Interactive plan. It gives you mobile app control of your SimpliSafe security system and includes email and text alerts. You can also access live video if you add a home security camera.
Real customer review
"Besides having the best products in the industry, SimpliSafe's technical support team, from chat to live agents, is the best experience I've had in customer support, especially since COVID."
2. Vivint: The best smart home security system, installed by pros
Vivint Sale!
🔥 Get up to 6 months FREE monitoring* | Promo code: EASTER26
Limited time offer. *With qualifying system purchase.
Vivint control panel showing what it looks like when the system is disarmed, how many doors are open and unlocked.
Tester's take: My favorite Vivint features
"My favorite part about the Vivint system in my house is the hidden sensors. They're installed inside your door so that they don't even show when the door is closed."
—Alina Bradford, SafeWise contributor and tester
Why Vivint is the smartest monitored home security system
We love Vivint for so many reasons. Vivint's engineers are constantly working on more ways to help prevent a break-in:
- Most affordable professional installation ($49)
- $0 down financing
- Free in-home security assessment and consultation
- One app to rule them all—you don't have toggle between multiple apps to protect and control your home
- Full proprietary equipment line (Vivint doesn’t just rely on other folk’s tech)
- Theft-deterrent features
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Three-time TMA Center of the Year award winner
Image credit: Vivint
Standout feature: Vivint's security cameras with Smart Deter lurker detection to help prevent break-ins.
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.
Real customer review
“Employees were very knowledgeable. The quality of the picture on the cameras is outstanding."
3. Cove: The best value home security
Cove Sale!
🔥 Cove is offering 70% off + a free HD camera, valid on any new system.
Limited-time offer. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Unboxing the Cove home security system, showing the control panel and yard sign in the box. Image credit: SafeWise staff.
Tester's take: Very responsive sensors and alerts
"After using Cove for around a month in my home, here's my take: The new version of Cove is easy to install and fully customizable. [When there was water leaking from the washing machine,] I got a text, I got a call, and the alarm itself sounded. Cove really wants to make sure you get the alert when something goes wrong, even if it's a leak in the basement ... I loved seeing how fast Cove responded to its sensors detecting trouble.”
Katie McEntire, SafeWise security tester
Why Cove is the customer-favorite DIY system
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-forward 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
- LiveAssist service that calls you through the control panel (no phone needed!)
- Rapid response with RapidSOS to get you help sooner
- Cove Equipment Rewards let you to 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)
- Rate-lock guarantee that keeps your monitoring price the same
Image credit: Cove
Standout feature: When it comes to monitoring, Cove is the most affordable, starting at $19.99/mo.
The Cove Plus plan is the one we recommend. For $28 per month, it includes 24/7 professional monitoring, video recording and monitoring, and smart device integration. Plus, a lifetime extended warranty!
Real customer review
"The system was easy to install, easier to operate, and for added security it has a backup battery that is capable of running for 24 hours. I have confidence Cove can effectively protect me and my home."
Home security system related questions
Yes, a home security is worth the investment over time. It would take around six years of paying for a home security system to match the cost of being burgled just one time. The average loss from a burglary is over $2,600.
With the average annual cost of a home security system coming in around $400 after equipment, it’s a preventative measure that’s worth it. Plus, you can get discounts on home owners insurance, and most burglars say they’d skip a house that has a security system.
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.
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%.
How we picked the best security systems
Katie getting "hands-on" with home security equipment. Image: SafeWise.
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:
- Cost and contracts
- Response time and monitoring options
- Security features and smart home integration
- Customer service and reputation
- Ease of installation and use
Learn more about our rigorous testing process in our full methodology.
Why we recommend SimpliSafe home security
We recommend SimpliSafe for its smart, outdoor live monitoring, affordable gear, and no-pressure plans.
Disclaimers
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.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest Secure, Google Home, Google Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
