Best Home Security Systems of 2024

After hundreds of hours of tests and research, we picked the top home security systems of 2024.
Trusted security brand
ADT Shield
ADT
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at
$28.99
/mo
  • pro
    Pro installation
  • pro
    147 years of experience
  • pro
    Google Nest products
Best professional security
Vivint
Vivint
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at
$29.99
/mo
  • pro
    Pro installation
  • pro
    Smarter security cameras
  • pro
    Advanced smart home features

Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.

To help you find the best home security system for your needs, we tried them all. With 140+ years of experience in the business, ADT is the most trusted security brand around.

Vivint is our top pick for full-service, professional installation and monitoring combined with theft-deterring innovations. 


Compare the best home security systems

Brand
Installation
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Best for
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
ProfessionalMost trusted security brand$0.00YesAmazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
ProfessionalBest professional home security$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest DIY home security$245.00NoAmazon,
Google
DIY or ProBest customer ratingQuote RequiredNo *Amazon, Google

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer


1. ADT: The most trusted security brand

Trusted brand name
ADT Shield
ADT security
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$28.99
/mo
  • pro
    6-Month ADT Money-Back Guarantee
  • pro
    147 years of experience
  • pro
    6 monitoring centers
  • pro
    Free whole-home risk assessment
  • con
    Long contracts with no trial period
  • con
    High termination fees

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.

adt product bundle

Image credit: ADT

This is why ADT’s experience matters

No one can beat ADT’s experience.

  • Top-notch protection delivered for 147 years
  • ADT Home Security looks out for more than 8 million people across the globe
  • 6 professional monitoring centers
  • Partnerships and integration with tech from Google Nest and Ford
  • 6-month service guarantee (the longest money-back period in the industry)

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.


2. Vivint: The best professional home security system

Best professional security
Vivint
Vivint security
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at
$29.99
/mo
  • pro
    High-end equipment
  • pro
    Advanced smart home features
  • pro
    Smart Deter lurker detection
  • pro
    Free in-home security consultation
  • con
    Higher overall cost

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.

Shows a line-up of sample equipment found in a Vivint home security system: video doorbell, indoor camera, control panel, thermostat, and smart lock.

Image credit: Vivint

Here's why Vivint is our top pick

We love Vivint for so many reasons:

  • Professional installation that’s more affordable than competitors ($49)
  • Financing model where equipment payment and monitoring are separate
  • Free in-home home security consultations
  • Smart home security smartphone app
  • Full proprietary equipment line (Vivint doesn’t just rely on other folk’s tech)
  • Theft-deterrent features
  • Unique car guard device
  • 24/7 professional monitoring
  • Three-time TMA Center of the Year award winner

Standout feature: Vivint's security cameras with Smart Deter lurker detection are a staff favorite.

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.

“Vivint is fantastic at what they do. I have had the system for 7 years now and haven’t had any major issues with the system at all. The thing I love the most would be the doorbell camera for my wife and I. I would highly recommend the system to anyone looking for a hassle free experience.”

—Garth, Vivint customer review

3. SimpliSafe: Best DIY home security

Best overall
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe security
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at
$17.99
/mo
  • pro
    No contracts
  • pro
    Live video feed available
  • pro
    Affordable monitoring
  • pro
    Great options for renters
  • con
    Basic smart home compatibility

Our readers have spoken—and they love SimpliSafe’s affordable, straightforward cellular security system. SimpliSafe’s name says it all. Its security systems are simple—and so is its pricing. SimpliSafe has some of the cheapest monthly monitoring fees available, and you can start or stop it whenever you want to, meaning after your first month of monitoring, a monthly subscription is optional. 

simplisafe and alexa equipment on display

Image credit: SafeWise

Here's what makes SimpliSafe a fan favorite

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
  • 60-day money-back guarantee
  • New outdoor security camera (finally!)
  • Optional monthly subscription (after first month)

Standout feature: SimpliSafe features RapidSOS (only one other system has this security monitoring feature) to speed up help in an emergency. It skips sending information to a monitoring center and sends it directly to 911 dispatchers so first responders get to you (wherever you are) 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.

Thumbs Up
SimpliSafe's new outdoor home security camera

We're thrilled that SimpliSafe now has an outdoor camera. Protect your home inside and out when you add the affordable wireless camera with high-quality video to your SimpliSafe system.

"I like that it was easy to install on our own rather than requiring professional installation. I also like the affordability of the monitoring system…it feels like a good value…and the response time is great. We had a false alarm once and they reached out to us immediately."

—Vannessa W., SimpliSafe customer review

4. Cove: The best customer rating

Best customer rating
Cove
Cove security
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$17.99
/mo
  • pro
    Free upgrades
  • pro
    No-hassle cancellation
  • pro
    7-in. touchscreen panel
  • pro
    Great customer reviews
  • con
    Limited smart home compatibility
  • con
    No Z-wave, Zigbee, or IFTTT integration

If you’re motivated by good customer service, Cove will make you all warm and cozy inside. Cove told us its policy is to be “more than fair” with customers. That’s probably why Cove has a whopping 98%* customer retention rate. Customers love Cove, and we do too.

Cove security system panel in box and yard sign in box

Image credit: SafeWise

Here's how Cove puts customers first

On top of offering affordable monthly monitoring prices—that you can get without a contract—Cove makes it painless to cancel if the system isn’t for you. 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!)
  • RapidSOS to get you help sooner
  • Cove Equipment Rewards that let you to upgrade to the newest equipment 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

Standout feature: Cove sets itself apart with something it calls “done-with-me installation.” This combo of pro and DIY  lets you install the system yourself, with help.

The touchscreen walks you through installation with large, easy-to-follow illustrations. We’ll take it any day over installation booklets or tiny illustrations on an app.

When it comes to monitoring, the Cove Plus monitoring plan is our pick. It includes video monitoring and smart device integration plus a lifetime extended warranty.

“I’ve consistently been impressed with the customer-first focus from Cove. As a newer DIY security system, Cove is up against bigger players like SimpliSafe. It stands out with customer-first policies, seeks out feedback, and then responds to feedback (more camera options, please!) so it can deliver a better security system.”

—Rebecca Edwards, SafeWise security expert

*Information provided by an interview with Cove representatives in October 2021.


More Home Security Options

5. Ring: Best budget-friendly pick

Best budget-friendly pick
Ring
Ring security
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
Starts at
$20.00
/mo
  • pro
    Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router
  • pro
    Wide camera selection
  • pro
    Affordable monitoring plan
  • con
    No cameras included with kits
  • con
    Up-front equipment cost

Ring is the best Wi-Fi security system if you want to build your home’s protection around cameras.

Ring is security camera royalty

Even the best home security systems seem to slack when it comes to security cameras. Brands often offer a basic selection with basic features. Not Ring. It has everything from Ring doorbell cameras to Ring floodlight cameras with excellent video quality and advanced features:

  • Geofencing
  • IFTTT compatibility
  • 3D motion detection
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Motion tracking
  • Advanced noise cancellation
  • Loud sirens
Ring Alarm security system unboxed

Image credit: SafeWise

We love that you can power most of these cameras with solar accessories. Ring’s optional security lights are solar too: the perfect solution if you hate charging equipment or changing batteries.

Plus, Ring alarm security kits are affordable. You can buy Ring’s five-piece security kit and add monthly monitoring for a year for cheaper than buying just equipment with most other DIY security companies.

Standout feature: Better connection

Each Ring Alarm Pro system comes with a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router. The router stabilizes Wi-Fi with speeds up to 900 Mbps and covers up to 1,500 square feet. Plus, your Ring system has 24/7 backup internet to keep it connected.


6. Frontpoint: Best DIY equipment

Best quality DIY pick
Frontpoint
Frontpoint security
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at
$34.99
/mo
  • pro
    Wide equipment options
  • pro
    Crash & Smash protection
  • pro
    Live video feed
  • pro
    ID theft protection
  • con
    Higher monitoring fees
  • con
    No pro installation options

Frontpoint delivers all the home security bells and whistles of full-service professionally installed systems but puts all the control (and installation) in your hands. For those who like the independence of DIY but don’t want to compromise on equipment options or features, Frontpoint fits the bill.

Here's why Frontpoint dominates DIY home security

Frontpoint delivers all the perks you want from a DIY home security system:

  • Smart home integration
  • Lots of equipment to choose from
  • Mobile smartphone app control
  • Indoor and outdoor security cameras
  • 24/7 video recordings
  • Security videos on your television
  • Video verification to reduce false alarms
  • 24/7 professional monitoring
  • No pushy sales and in-home consultations
  • Extras in its entry-level plan like CO and smoke detector monitoring
  • No wires for burglars to cut on this wireless alarm system

Standout feature: Every system comes with Frontpoint ID Protect powered by AllState Identity Protection. Yep, this smart security system protects your home and those you love and your identity—and you get this service and its nifty features for free.

Light Bulb
Pricing alert

Frontpoint recently shook up its pricing structure. Now you can get Frontpoint's professional monitoring starting at just $24.99 a month, with upfront equipment purchase starting at $399. (That could save you $120 per year!)

Frontpoint home security system unboxed

Image credit: SafeWise


7. Abode: The security system for home automation

Best for smart homes
An overview photo of all the equipment included with the Abode Iota.
Abode security
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$20.00
/mo
  • pro
    Apple HomeKit compatibility
  • pro
    Zigbee and Z-wave compatibility
  • pro
    Easy setup
  • pro
    Ideal size for apartments or dorms
  • con
    Up-front equipment costs
  • con
    Limited function for bigger houses

If you’re all about smart home automation, then Abode is the best smart home security system for you. It’s the only smart security system on our list that works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. It lets you connect to almost any smart device on the market, and this flexibility can’t be beaten by any other system on our list.

Why Abode is smarter than the average DIY system?

Abode can protect your home with its more traditional Smart Security Kit or its sleek all-in-one Abode Iota security hub. Whichever way you go, Abode adds smarts to your home security setup with voice control through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. In fact, it’s one of the only home automation security systems out there that cater to Apple devotees.

Abode Iota on Book Shelves

Image credit: Celeste Tholen, SafeWise

On top of voice control, you can add smart lighting, smart locks, smart speakers, and smart smoke and CO detectors to your Abode security system. Plus, pro monitoring starts at a mere $20 per month.

Standout feature: Apple HomeKit compatibility

Abode is the only security system on the market that works with Apple HomeKit. You can ask Siri about your system’s status, use HomeKit to arm your system, and create automations so your Abode system works with your Apple devices.


8. Arlo: Best sensors

Best sensors
""
Arlo Home Security System
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$24.99
/mo
  • pro
    Variety of bundles
  • pro
    No contracts
  • pro
    Lots of equipment chioices
  • pro
    One sensor has eight functions
  • con
    One year warranty

Arlo rolled out its security system in 2022, but don't let that scare you. We have long been a fan of Arlo's cameras, which have been going strong since 2018. Arlo has straightforward pricing and equipment packages that make it a good choice for home security newbies. We particularly love its eight-in-one sensors and outstanding security cameras.

How Arlo innovated with the security system sensor

Every Arlo system comes with sensors to detect if a door or window is opening or if there's motion. Arlo decided to take these very basic devices and make them more useful. 

An Arlo sensor detects eight different things instead of just one:

  • Motion Detection
  • Open/Close Detection
  • Water Leak Detection
  • Freeze Detection
  • Tilt Detection
  • Light Detection
  • Smoke Listening (requires monitoring plan)
  • CO Alarm Listening (requires monitoring plan)

This means that you don't have to buy a particular type of sensor for each of your needs. It's one and done. 

familly sitting on couch in background with the Arlo security kepad and sensor on a counter in the foreground.

Image credit: Arlo

And Arlo, like Ring, offers a wide range of camera types, from indoor to outdoor, plus spotlight, floodlight, and more. Check out all the details in our full Arlo security camera review.

Home security system related questions

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.

High-end home security companies like Vivint and ADT offer only professional installation. 

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. The main downsides to a pro install are primarily the necessity to schedule an appointment and have someone come into your home during the initial installation.

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 using an app on your phone—it also makes your system able to respond to your habits and routines.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

It depends on what you need. If you're a home owner and you're looking for a system that is professionally installed, ADT has a solid track record when it comes to protecting customers.

If you're looking for a DIY security system, ADT has a self setup option, but it's available for renters only.

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.

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. 

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%.

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.

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. 

How we picked the best home security systems

Person testing home security equipment eq

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:

  • 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.

Contributing writers:

Rebecca Edwards

John Carlsen

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.