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What Type of Contract Length Can I Expect from Security Providers?

By Cathy Habas

Staff Writer, Safety & Security

May 10, 2022

Alarm monitoring contracts can last from anywhere from 12 months to 60 months, but the industry standard is about 36 months. The length of the contract can often dictate the amount of your monthly payments, to an extent. The longer you are in the contract for, the lower your monthly fees should be. This is usually because you are spreading out the security system's costs and paying them over time.

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Pros and cons of longer security contracts

In addition to a smaller monthly payment, a longer security system contract (usually) offers the following perks:

Free lease of security system components
Free equipment repairs or replacements
Discounted rate on service calls
A security consultation
Professional installation

But here's the trade-off:

You'll face cancellation penalties if you back out of the contract early.
You can't keep the equipment if you move.
You have to pay for the equipment if you fail to return it once the contract ends.
You usually have to be a homeowner and pass a credit check.

Make sure you understand what you're getting out of a security contract before you sign.

Month-to-month (no contract) security

Ever since SimpliSafe burst onto the scene in 2006, it's been easy to find month-to-month or no-contract security systems.

You pay for the monitoring service on a month-to-month basis, so you're never on the hook for hundreds of dollars if you cancel. Some companies, such as Abode, let you buy monitoring in 3-day or 7-day bundles.

But you can't lease security equipment for free without a long-term contract. Instead, you'll have to pay for all of the equipment upfront, finance the equipment with a loan (usually through a third-party lender), or already have some equipment that the security company can connect to and monitor.

Check out the best security systems for renters to see our recommended month-to-month security systems.

Compare the best home security systems

Brand	Best for	Lowest monitoring price	Starter equipment price	Contract required	Installation	Smart home compatibility	Learn more	Read review
Vivint	Best overall	$29.99/mo.	$599.00	No *	Pro	Amazon, Google, Z-Wave	View Packages	Read review
SimpliSafe	Budget pick	$17.99/mo.	$245.00	No	DIY	Amazon, Google	View Packages	Read review
ADT	Most experienced	$27.99/mo.	$0.00	Yes	Pro	Amazon, Google, Z-Wave	View Packages	Read review
Cove	Best customer experience	$17.99/mo.	Quote required	No *	DIY	Amazon, Google	View Packages	Read review
Frontpoint	High-end DIY pick	$34.99/mo.	$129.00	No	DIY	Amazon, Google, Z-Wave	View Packages	Read review

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*$0 due up-front with consumer financing.

†No-contract options available with outright equipment purchase.

‡Landline monitoring only. Some restrictions apply. (Full disclaimer)

**With $99 installation charge and new monitoring agreement. Early termination fee applies. See full disclaimer for full offer details, terms, and conditions.

Written by

Cathy Habas

With over seven years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.