Best Home Security Systems in New York City

Our top three NYC home security companies went beyond the basics with affordable professional monitoring plans, video camera systems, and mobile app alerts to give New Yorkers peace of mind: Total Security, Vertex Security and Alarms R Us.

To find the best home security systems in New York City, we wanted to look beyond national providers like ADT and find local security companies with a solid reputation in the Big Apple.

Given how widely crime rates and community concerns vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in New York City, having someone who understands the needs of a tenant in Brooklyn versus those of a homeowner in Staten Island is a significant asset.

We looked for providers who had a decade of experience in New York City with a reputation for excellent customer service and quick response times.

Total Security’s impressive 4.8 stars on Google, glowing customer reviews, and A+ from the Better Business Bureau speak to a history of excellent customer service and responsiveness, available 24/7.¹

Our interactions with this New York City home security company were professional and courteous. We appreciated its quick response time and how Total Security avoided the hard sell to focus on finding answers to our questions. While it isn’t the least expensive local home security company, Total Security Integrated Systems offers the kind of locally based service and expertise that’s invaluable.

While Total Security does require a contract, it also offers several months of cost-free monitoring if you sign up for a longer commitment.

The Bottom Line: If you want a local New York City security company that excels at customer service, Total Security Integrated Systems should top your list.

These former military security experts specialize in customized home security solutions for tenants and homeowners. Vertex has particular expertise in navigating the maze of New York City’s codes and regulations surrounding alarm and building permits.

Vertex doesn’t require a contract, but it does perform a security risk assessment to best address your needs. This NYC home security company’s commitment to skilled and professional installation is a standout feature. It earned Vertex 4.8 stars on Google, 5 stars on Yelp, and an enviable portfolio of positive reviews from customers all across the Big Apple.²

While Vertex Security’s monitoring plans are a little more expensive, you get what you pay for. In this case, Vertex’s home security systems are backed by a UL-certified central monitoring station. Vertex Security also works directly with manufacturers like Alarm.com and Honeywell to provide superior home security equipment to their customers.

The Bottom Line: Customized solutions and attention to detail make Vertex Security our go-to choice for the best installation experience in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and beyond.

In operation since 1985, Alarms R Us has a solid reputation for home security solutions that feature equipment from Honeywell.

Alarm systems, window and door sensors, motion and flood detectors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and temperature sensors are available to homeowners and tenants from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and beyond.

In addition to 4.9 stars from Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, what impressed us about Alarms R Us was the customer experience on their website.³ Many national and local home security companies hide prices and packages in an effort to get customers on the phone for a hard sell. In contrast, Alarms R Us provides a great online experience through an easy to navigate website.

Because Alarms R Us uses Honeywell, customers get the bonus of smart home automation devices and app integration via Honeywell Total Connect. This NYC home alarm company does not require a contract, offers free consultations, and provides 24/7 customer service. We recommend the Safe at Home value package, with a free month of monitoring and Honeywell equipment that covers up to 22 zones.

The Bottom Line: For a customer-centered approach with a great online experience and transparent pricing, look to Alarms R Us as your New York City home security provider.

When it comes to security solutions in New York City, the landscape of alarm companies, like the city itself, doesn’t feature a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on which New York City borough you live in, there may be local home security companies that can provide better prices or service compared to national brands like ADT or Frontpoint.

Another option is All Island Security, Inc., an alarm company that serves the homeowners of Long Island but also installs home security systems free of charge in Nassau or Suffolk County, Queens, and the greater New York City area.

All Island Security requires a subscription to their professional monitoring service, but it has a local central station on Long Island. At the cost of $19.95 per month for monitored security, this New York City home security company is definitely worth considering.

Brands like ADT home security and Brinks home security offer some perks that local companies can’t match. New York City homeowners and tenants get access to better smart home technology and mobile app integration with nationally recognized brands.

Larger home security companies also offer peel-and-stick, wireless equipment that might be attractive to tenants looking for home security systems that can move with them.

On the other hand, local security companies have a leg up in the Big Apple because they know the building codes and permitting requirements in New York City. And they undoubtedly offer a more personalized approach to customer service, often conducting free security risk assessments at homes and apartments across the city.

Whether you choose to buy local or go with a national company like ADT for your home security depends on whether your priority is video security cameras, home automation, or locally serviced security and monitoring.

While it is true that New York City has a slightly higher rate of both violent and property crime than the rest of New York state, the city experiences relatively low overall crime rates.⁴ Certainly it might not seem that way as you dodge strange characters at subway entrances, but overall, New York City is as safe as the rest of the state. The New York City police department’s updated crime map lets you check statistics in your borough.

The state of New York avoids most natural disasters and rarely experiences things like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes. Don’t toss those emergency rations and bottled water just yet, though. New York City does get its fair share of snowstorms, and some factors like air quality and a propensity for structural fires should figure into which home security solutions and monitoring you’ll need.⁵

While every borough in New York City is different, a permit is required to install a security or fire alarm in most businesses. Some boroughs also charge a fee when their police officers respond to false security alarms. And because privacy is a thing New Yorkers covet, residents are required to obtain permits to install security cameras. When in doubt, consult www1.nyc.gov for more information.

Because New York City is as populated and diverse as some countries, it’s best to research your specific neighborhood to get the lay of the land. Whether you’re renting in Jackson Heights or buying an apartment in the Financial District, you’ll want to gauge the vibe of the community. You can also consult our New York Home Security Crime and Prevention Center for New York City community resources.

The security concerns that you’ll have renting versus buying might determine which home security equipment for renters you choose. For most tenants, the ability to move security system components is crucial, while homeowners and tenants in rent-controlled units might not have the same priority. Apartment owners and renters also have unique concerns like front door intercom systems and video doorbell cameras that require the guidance of local professionals.

Learn more in our Apartment Security Guide for Renters.

For both homeowners and renters, we recommend professional installation for home security systems. This is especially important in congested areas like New York City, where the hassle of false alarms due to faulty installation will be a headache not just for you but also for your next-door neighbors.

Your home security equipment needs will determine which system works best for you, including whether you want a wired or wireless system. Cameras are popular in New York City, but the rules surrounding public surveillance are tricky, so seek guidance before opting for a doorbell camera or installing a home security camera system.

These days, our smart home and home security devices definitely need to be on speaking terms, whether they’re Zigbee or Z-Wave devices. That means you’ll need to pay attention to compatibility and app integration before purchasing a home security system.

NYPD Crime Prevention

NYC Safety & Crime Page

NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice

New York City Police Department
1 Police Plaza Path, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (646) 610-5000

New York City Fire Department
9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-999-2000

• NY State Safest Cities
• 100 Safest Cities

1. Google “Total Security Integrated Systems, New York City”; Better Business Bureau “Total Security Integrated Systems, LLC”; Amazon, “Python 5706P Responder Customer Reviews”
2. Google “Vertex Security, New York City”; Yelp, “Vertex Security”
3. Google, “Alarms R Us, New York City”; Better Business Bureau, “Alarms R Us Security Systems”
4. NY Daily News, “New York City Crime Rate Falls in March in All Top Categories vs. Last Year”, Wall Street Journal, “New York City Crime Hits Record Low in First Half of 2019”
5. Department of Homeland Security, “National Fire Incident Reporting System”, American Lung Association “Most Polluted Cities”