The Best Home Security System Apps

Security system apps let you control your system, smart devices, and live video feeds all in one place. After testing them all, one made it easier than all the rest—Vivint.
Best for smart security
screenshots of Vivint app
Vivint
  • pro
    Smart home controls
  • pro
    Availability with all plans
Best for sharing video
screenshots of SimpliSafe app
SimpliSafe
  • pro
    Intuitive layout
  • pro
    Social media sharing
Best for easy navigation
screenshots of Frontpoint app
Frontpoint
  • pro
    User-friendly interface
  • pro
    Remote account management
Best for voice control
ADT Control App 2
ADT+
  • pro
    Voice control
  • pro
    Live video feed
Best for Apple customers
Abode app
Abode
  • pro
    Slick user interface
  • pro
    Live video feeds

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Rebecca helps you stay safe without the stress | Managing Editor | 12+ yrs in home + personal security | 30+ yrs in journalism | Expertise featured by NYT, PBS, Today Show, and more

After trying all the apps from our top home security systems, we found one app to rule them all: Vivint. Vivint is our best home security system app for 2025 because it covers everything—security and smart home. There's no need to toggle back and forth between different apps for different devices or functions. 

Another point in Vivint's favor is you don't need to upgrade to a more expensive monitoring plan to get it—Vivint includes the app with every package. 

Every home security system we recommend has a mobile app, so you can check in or control your security system from anywhere. You still get a control panel or keypad in your home, but we like the freedom to keep tabs on our security system from the office, the sofa, or the beach. 

But if you don't have Vivint, there's no need to despair. Vivint is our favorite home security app, but we also found things to love in Frontpoint, SimpliSafe, ADT, and Abode apps.  

Take a peek at the rest of our top contenders to see how they stack up against Vivint's app.



What should I look for in a home security app?

A great home security app can make or break your overall experience—especially if you're self-monitoring your security system. After testing all the top contenders, we've learned what to look for—and what to avoid.

At the top of our list? Total control in one place. The best apps—like Vivint's—let you manage everything from security sensors to smart lights without jumping between multiple apps. You should be able to check live video, arm or disarm your system, and tweak smart home settings from a single screen.

We also love it when an app doesn't gatekeep features behind a paywall. Vivint includes its full-featured app with every package (no upgrade required), which isn't always the case with other companies (we see you, Abode).

Ease of use is huge, too. SimpliSafe's app is one of our favorites because it's reliable, user-friendly, and lets you share clips of all the adorable (or ridiculous) moments your cameras catch. It even works if you skip the monitoring plan—though you'll miss out on things like emergency dispatch and video downloads.

Other things to look for in a home security app:

  • Access to live video and saved clips
  • Real-time notifications and alerts
  • Smart home integration/control
  • Customizable rules and schedules
  • Remote arming/disarming
  • Multiple user accounts

Notepad

Dive deep into home security systems

Check out our essential home security guide to get the full scoop on technology, features, subscription and monitoring options, equipment, and more to get you started on your home security journey.

Compare the best home security system apps

Brand
Best for
Requires contract
Available with all plans
Minimum requirements
Learn more
Smart security pick
Icon No  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
iOS 13
Android 8.2
Video-sharing pick
Icon Yes  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
iOS 15
Android 7
Easy navigation pick
Icon Yes  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
iOS 13
Android 6
Voice control
Icon No  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightNo
iOS 13
Android 6
Best for Apple customers
Icon Yes  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
iOS 11.4

Android 7

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


Reviews: Best home security system apps

1. Vivint Smart Home app: Best smart security

Best smart security

You’ll need to have a customer account with Vivint to use its app, but once you do, get ready for a slew of home automation functions. Adjust the lights so they’re bright when you pull in the driveway, turn down the heat while you’re at the office during the day, or unlock the front door for your kids if they forget a key.

pro
Pros
pro Comes with all plans
pro Has seamless smart home integration
pro Uses built-in AI assistant to learn routines
con
Cons
con Available only with Vivint home security system
con Requires upgrade for continuous video storage

Vivint uses geolocation and your home’s sensors to tell if your house is empty or full of a bunch of teenagers. It automatically adjusts the climate control to make sure the heat isn’t blasting when you’re out for the day (or when a crew of kids is upping the indoor temperature). 

Plus, you can set up rules to automatically lock up the house at 10:00 p.m. each night and get an alert if a door or window opens after that time. I wish I'd had this feature available when I had adventurous teens looking to exert a little too much independence.

Learn more in our complete review of the Vivint app and our Vivint security review

Disarmed screen in Vivint app.
Armed screen in Vivint app.

Screenshots of disarmed (green) and armed (orange) views in the Vivint app in demo mode. The app also shows if specific devices and doors are open or locked. Images: Rebecca Edwards, SafeWise

Bell
Vivint app ratings
  • iOS: 4.6 stars; 4.2k ratings
  • Google Play: 3.6 stars; 707.9k ratings

App ratings are accurate as of the publication date.

What can you do with the Vivint app?

  • Total system control: Manage your Vivint security system and smart devices all in one place.
  • Activity feed: See what’s going on with detailed reports of your home's day-to-day activity.
  • User customization: Create and manage personalized accounts for every member of the household.
  • Smart Clips: Vivint upgraded Smart Clips from only 20 seconds to clips as long as five minutes. Now, you can save clips that are 30 seconds, 90 seconds, or five minutes long.  
  • Custom actions: Set up rules and routines to make life easier. Automatically turn lights on or off at the same time each day or lock the doors after everyone’s tucked in for the night.
  • Smart Deter: If you have Smart Deter on your Vivint cameras, the app will send notifications whenever a lurker is detected.

2. SimpliSafe Home Security app: Best for sharing video

Best for sharing video

We’re big fans of the SimpliSafe app—you get basic app control with every SimpliSafe system, whether or not you add monitoring. We especially like how easy it is to share video clips.

It lets you share video from your video doorbell or other security cameras with friends and family or on social media. We like this feature because we pick up more antics from our kids and pets than from potential intruders. Plus, all the best videos happen when the kiddos or puppies think we’re not watching.

pro
Pros
pro Intuitive design
pro Video sharing options
pro Fire, CO, and flood alerts
con
Cons
con Unhelpful person detection notifications
con Bare bones smart home integration

In March 2025, we set up a new SimpliSafe system and found the app reliable and refreshingly glitch-free during testing. And for forgetful folks (no judgment), being able to double-check your system status or disarm it before walking in with full arms—groceries, kids, or pups—is a serious win.

You can use the SimpliSafe app without a monitoring plan, but it’s definitely more limited. You’ll be able to view live video, get push alerts, change system settings, and control your Smart Lock. But features like emergency dispatch, video downloads, and smart home integrations are only available with a paid monitoring plan.

But there are some quirks that are frustrating—person detection from the doorbell camera doesn't have specific notifications. It only says "motion," so you don't know if it was an unknown person or the neighbor's dog that triggered the camera. And smart home integration is limited to some voice control and the SimpliSafe Smart Lock.

Find out more in our SimpliSafe security review.

Bell
SimpliSafe app ratings
  • iOS: 4.8 stars; 323k ratings
  • Google Play: 4.5 stars; 30k ratings

App ratings are accurate as of the publication date.

Screenshot of the SimpliSafe App camera view.

SimpliSafe tester Alina Bradford grabbed this screenshot during her testing in March 2025.

What can you do with the SimpliSafe Home Security app?

  • Alerts: In addition to the usual notifications, you get updates about fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, and water leaks.
  • Event log: See who’s coming and going from your home. This is a great way to keep tabs on dog walkers and other household helpers.
  • Smart home control: Incorporate third-party smart home devices like Amazon Alexa, August door locks, Google Home, and the Nest thermostat.
  • Video: View live or recorded video, and share clips with friends and family on social media.

3. Frontpoint app: Easy navigation

Best for easy navigation

Frontpoint is the only security company on our list that uses Alarm.com technology for its mobile app. But Frontpoint has put in a lot of time to customize the app to best serve its customers.

A great example of this is the company’s DIY installation guidance. Frontpoint was one of the first home security companies to automate installation through a mobile app.

When I tried it out to install a Frontpoint system for testing, I couldn't stop raving about the simple, intuitive interface. The navigation menu is easy to follow, and I liked that Frontpoint prioritized giving the individual user more control.

pro
Pros
pro Easy navigation and setup
pro Live video feed
pro User-controlled account management
con
Cons
con Delays after motion detection

It used to take a call to customer service to change user settings, update login information, and make other standard changes. When I last jumped into the Frontpoint app, those calls were no longer necessary—which is great news if you hate having to make phone calls (like me).

Learn more in our guide to the Frontpoint app or the full Frontpoint security review.

Confirmation in the Frontpoint app that the system was set up correctly.

A message of success in the app after installing a new Frontpoint system!

Bell
Frontpoint app ratings
  • iOS: 4.3 stars; 4.2k ratings
  • Google Play: 3.7 stars; 1.96k ratings

App ratings are accurate as of the publication date.

What can you do with the Frontpoint mobile app?

  • System setup: Follow the prompts for quick, easy setup of your Frontpoint security system.
  • System control: Remotely arm or disarm your system no matter where you are.
  • Notifications: Get real-time alerts via text, email, or push notifications.
  • Video: Check in on your home, kids, or pets with live video or recorded clips.
  • Smart home control: Turn up the heat, dim the lights, or unlock the front door from your office or a ski slope.
  • Account management: Edit users, link multiple systems to a single login, and increase app security with extra features like two-factor authentication. No more need to call customer service for these housekeeping issues.

4. ADT+: Best for voice control

Best for voice control

The ADT+ app works with ADT home security systems and monitoring. It boasts a full lineup of home automation controls so you can remotely let the kids in after school or check to make sure you didn’t leave the coffee pot on.

We especially like the voice control options that come with the ADT+ app. It allows two-way talk, and it works with Google Nest devices and voice assistant. You can use voice control to arm and disarm your system—an option that isn’t always available from a security system app.

pro
Pros
pro Voice control with Google Home
pro Geo-fencing services for security, climate, and privacy
pro Live video monitoring (available on phone, tablet, TV, Apple Watch)
con
Cons
con Connection issues
con Required upgrade to pricey system

Unfortunately, the ADT+ app isn’t available with every ADT home security system. You can get the ADT+ app only with some of ADT’s pricier packages or with ADT Self Setup. But it does get high customer ratings in both the App Store and on Google Play (one of the only apps to do well for Android), so the high price tag seems worth it to most users.

Learn more about ADT in our review.

Bell
ADT+ app ratings
  • iOS: 4.8 stars; 17k ratings
  • Google Play: 4.7 stars; 4.7k ratings
""

Image: ADT

What can you do with the ADT+ app?

  • Voice control: Use Amazon Alexa to arm and disarm your system, dim the lights, or turn up the heat.
  • Alerts: Receive text/email alerts when a window/door is opened or when the status of your system changes (e.g. from armed to disarmed).
  • Video monitoring: Watch live footage or store video clips to review later.
  • Apple Watch integration: View camera footage, control alarms, and set automation schedules on your Apple Watch.
  • Smart home control: Turn lights on and off, change the thermostat, or see if you left a small appliance on in your rush out the door.
  • Custom automation: Set up schedules for everyday life or program a vacation mode.

5. Abode: Smart home pick

Smart home pick

Abode has given its app a few complete overhauls. You get free access to the Abode mobile app when you buy an Abode smart security system or an Abode Iota all-in-one security camera—but some customer-favaorite features are now behind a paywall.

We're happy to see Abode trying—this is one area where the company has struggled over the years. I'm going to be testing Abode again this spring, so I'll update everyone on my in-app experience.

pro
Pros
pro Custom widgets and shortcuts
pro Panic alarms in app
pro Compatible with the most smart home ecosystems
con
Cons
con Glitchy
con Some features behind a paywall
Screenshot of Abode video feed in Abode app

SafeWise tester Katie McEntire showing the live video feed from the Abode app.

Bell
Abode app ratings
  • iOS: 4.2 stars; 4k ratings
  • Google Play: 2.4 stars; 1.6k ratings

What can you do with the Abode app?

  • Remote arming and disarming: Control your Abode system from anywhere to let the kids in after school.

  • Live video feeds: Watch your home from work, vacation or just about anywhere.

  • Unified dashboard for smart home and security functions: One handy app for controlling all of your devices.

  • Full administrative access: There's no more need to log into the web app.

  • Single-touch quick actions: Control automations for smart lights, smart door locks, smart garage door opener, etc. with the touch of a button.

More security apps we considered

ADT Pulse app

This one is an oldie but a goody. Pulse was ADT’s first mobile app for smart home automation and control. Now that ADT launched the ADT+ app, ADT Pulse is a legacy app that’s still fully supported and functional for existing ADT Pulse customers.

Even though you can’t get the Pulse app as a new ADT customer, here are a few highlights for current Pulse users:

  • Arm and disarm security system
  • Control smart home devices
  • Access from your smartphone, tablet, or smart watch
  • Lock and unlock doors
  • Review and organize activity logs
  • View and archive live camera footage, snapshots, and video clips
Checklist
Other home security apps we considered

Things to consider before you buy

You might think the only types of security system apps out there would be apps for Android and apps for iOS, but it gets a little more complicated. Here’s our guide to navigating the differences between proprietary and nonproprietary (Alarm.com) home security apps.

Proprietary home security apps

Proprietary apps are developed by security companies specifically for their own systems. Each company owns its app and is responsible for features, updates, bug fixes, and customer satisfaction.

App quality varies by company, but the benefit of a proprietary app is that it’s tailor-made for your system. Depending on the resources of your security company, app development can be slower than with a generic, industry-wide app.

Alarm.com apps

Many companies forgo developing their own app and partner with Alarm.com instead. Alarm.com is a home security industry leader for both security equipment and the technology that supports it—including mobile apps. The Alarm.com app is compatible with a number of security systems and generally receives high customer ratings.

The downside is that updates and new features are dependent on Alarm.com and not your home security company, so some things like compatibility with new smart home devices can be delayed.

Final word

Vivint is the best smart security app on the market. We love that you can control your home security and smart home devices in one place and customize the alerts and notifications you receive. 

If you’re ready to purchase or upgrade your system, read more about top home security providers to find the best match for your lifestyle.

FAQ

Vivint has the best home security app. It lets you control your home security devices and smart home security device without switching apps. 

You can use Abode and SimpliSafe apps without a monthly fee. All of the apps on our list are free, but you'll need to subscribe to a monitoring plan for full access to the features.

You can download the Vivint app on Google Play or from the Apple Store.

Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca is the Managing Editor and lead safety expert at SafeWise.com, where she's been researching, testing, and writing about home and personal security for over 12 years. Her safety smarts come from both real life and professional experience—as a single parent trying out safety and security gadgets to protect her family and a former college director responsible for safety plans and strategies to keep buildings, grounds, and hundreds of students and faculty safe every day. With 30 years of experience as a journalist and blogger, she's become a go-to source for trustworthy, practical advice on everything from the best home security systems and smart gadgets to keeping kids safe online, preventing package theft, and understanding crime trends nationwide. PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, NPR, Vice, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, HGTV, Marketplace, On the House, and more have featured Rebecca's expert insights and recommendations. Whether it's protecting your home, your loved ones, or your peace of mind, Rebecca makes safety simple, doable, and real.

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