Amongst all the best home security systems, DIY or professional, we strongly recommend the SimpliSafe Home Security package, thanks to its simple installation, no-contract monthly monitoring, a wide range of security add-ons, and cellular backup. However, our other top five options beat SimpliSafe in specific ways that could make you feel safer or work better for your home layout. So let’s break down what you should be looking for in a home security system.
What are the best DIY or professional home security systems?
Home security systems used to rely solely on door/window sensors and a keypad. Nowadays, more systems depend entirely on security cameras and motion detection, while others combine these with door sensors or add smart home devices like sirens or lights that activate in response to intruders.
Most security companies have adapted to offer similar packages as their competitors; the main differences between them are (A) whether they’re DIY or professionally installed, (B) the upfront cost for the security tech, (C) monthly costs for monitoring and AI detection, and (D) the quality of the security cameras. Below, we’ll break down how our top security companies differ in these areas.
Our list is mainly comprised of DIY security systems. We think most readers don’t want to have to haggle with a representative or installation team like you’re at a car dealership; you can determine online exactly how much you’ll pay for a system and even augment your system later with new cameras or sensors once you have the budget for them. Plus, many DIY systems have a professional installation option if you’re not confident in your tech abilities. Still, we did include Vivint, the best pre-installed security option we’ve tested.
As you look through our picks, consider these questions: how much can you reasonably afford to pay monthly for protection? Will self-monitoring alerts make you feel empowered or paranoid? Do you really need outdoor cameras, or can you make do with sensors to focus on catching intruders in the act? Do you want to make your security system part of a “smart home,” or do you want to keep things simple? The answers to these questions will help determine which system is best for your specific home.
Source: Simplisafe
1. SimpliSafe Home Security System
Best overall home security
Bottom line: This system offers a straightforward, comprehensive entry into home security. You get a reasonable starting fee and monthly fee, truly simple installation of battery-powered devices, and connectivity with Alexa and Google Home. However, home automation of smart home devices is limited. For example, you can add on any number of indoor cameras and specialized sensors a la carte, but no outdoor cameras beyond the doorbell.
DIY and/or professional installation: DIY, Pro ($79) | Contract / Cancellation Policy: Month-to-month, cancel anytime | Trial period: 60 days | Equipment warranty: 3 years | Upfront costs: Between $183–$391 | Monthly monitoring fees: $14.99 (Standard Plan), $24.99 (Interactive Plan) | Sensors: Entry, Motion, Glassbreak, Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, Temperature, Water Leak | Indoor Cameras: ✔️ | Outdoor Cameras 🚫 | Panic Button: ✔️ | Video Doorbell: ✔️ | Siren: ✔️ (Indoor & outdoor) | Smart Lock: ✔️ | Thermostat: Works with Nest thermostat | Key Fob: ✔️ | Amazon Alexa: ✔️ | Google Home: ✔️ | Apple HomeKit: 🚫 | Z-Wave: 🚫 | Zigbee: 🚫 | IFTTT: 🚫 | Other connectivity: Apple Watch | Cellular monitoring backup: ✔️ | Video storage: ✔️, with Interactive subscription | Remote arming/disarming: ✔️, with Interactive subscription | Yard Sign: ✔️ | Duress PIN: ✔️ | 2FA: ✔️
| Name of package | Security Hardware | Typical price (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Protect | Base station, keypad, 4 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor | $200 |
| SimpliSafe The Hearth | Base station, keypad, key fob, 3 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 105db siren, 1 smoke detector, 1 indoor camera | $300 |
| SimpliSafe The Haven | Base station, keypad, key fob, 4 entry sensors, 2 motion sensors, 1 105db siren, 1 smoke detector, 1 temperature sensor, 1 water sensor, 1 panic button, 1 indoor camera | $400 |
Pros:
- No contract, cancel anytime
- Very straightforward to install, move
- Below-market upfront costs and monitoring fees
- Good variety of tiny sensors
- Connects with both cellular and Wi-Fi
- Three-year equipment warranty
Cons:
- No Z-Wave, IFTTT, or HomeKit
- Pricey, average indoor cam, no dedicated outdoor cam
- Several features locked behind SimpliSafe subscription
SimpliSafe lives up to its “simple” moniker for better or worse. You attach sensors to the walls using adhesives, making it easy to take them with you if you move or remove them if you cancel. It relies on sensors for protection more than cameras. And their tech is very affordable, making the decision to go with them pretty simple, too.
Whether or not buyers mesh with SimpliSafe will depend on whether they miss the integration with other smart home devices or just want solid, affordable security. For example, it doesn’t support if-then actions like turning lights on in response to motion and only connects with a few third-party devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Watch if you subscribe to a monitoring plan.
However, if you’re in the latter camp, you can buy a preselected bundle with a smart hub with a siren, panic buttons, multiple door/window sensors, a keypad, and a key fob. Then, check out the SimpliSafe store for add-ons. Protect against more than burglars with sensors for broken glass, smoke, CO, leaking pipes, or freezing temperatures. Guard your front door with a doorbell cam, smart lock, and outdoor siren, or install indoor cams that can go outside with a SimpliSafe outdoor weather sleeve.
By making its own first-party devices, SimpliSafe offers reliable products that sync easily with its app once installed and often cost less than other brands’ tech, but wouldn’t sync with other systems if you ever decided to switch. To get the most out of them, you’ll need the Interactive plan that enables remote video monitoring, phone alerts, remote app (dis)arming, secret alerts that don’t trigger an alarm, video storage, and smart home commands. Thankfully the plan isn’t exorbitant, but its disappointing app features that should be complementary are behind a paywall.
The company’s strength is in its reliable, minute sensors that blend into the wall. We’d argue that its weakness is in-camera coverage. It sells one indoor security camera, the wired HD SimpliCam, plus an FHD video doorbell. We like the SimpliCam for its complementary AI detection and privacy shutter, but its 720p resolution and lack of local storage are frustrating for a $99 device. Unfortunately, SimpliSafe also doesn’t offer an outdoor cam. Instead, it sells a weather-resistant kit that wraps around the SimpliCam.
Despite that, home security doesn’t require security cameras for many people. Instead, sensors to detect and warn intruders may be all you need for deterrence, so there is no need to overcomplicate things.
Best overall
SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System
Reliable sensors and affordable monthly costs
The SimpliSafe Home Security Kit protects you from various threats, is easy to install, and offers plenty of customization.
2. Abode Iota all-in-one Home Security Kit
Best home security for smart homes
Bottom line: Abode is all about playing nice with other devices and smart home ecosystems. The company itself makes some excellent sensors built to slide into any crevice. Still, the security system’s appeal is that you can control third-party devices through HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and IFTTT. Abode’s Kit installs easily and can be self-monitored.
DIY and/or professional installation: DIY, Pro ($99) | Contract / Cancellation Policy: Month-to-month, cancel anytime | Trial period: 30 days | Equipment Warranty: One year | Upfront costs: $199–$389 | Monthly monitoring fees: $6.67 (Connect Plan), $16.66 (Secure Plan) | Sensors: (Mini / Recessed / Slim Strip) Door / Window; Vibration / Acoustic Glass Break; Motion; Multi (Motion, Light, Temperature and Humidity in one); Water Leak; Smoke Alarm | Indoor Cameras: ✔️ | Outdoor Cameras ✔️ | Panic Button: ✔️ | Video Doorbell: Outdoor cam converts to video doorbell | Siren: ✔️ (Indoor/outdoor) | Smart Lock: Works with Kwikset and Schlage | Thermostat: Works with Ecobee and Nest | Key Fob: ✔️ | Amazon Alexa: ✔️ | Google Home: ✔️ | Apple HomeKit: ✔️ | Z-Wave: ✔️ | Zigbee: ✔️ | IFTTT: ✔️ | Other connectivity: Bose Speakers, Philips Hue, power switch | Cellular monitoring backup: ✔️ (with Connect Plan) | Video storage: ✔️ (with Connect Plan) | Remote arming/disarming: ✔️ | Yard Sign: ✔️ | Duress PIN: ✔️ | 2FA: ✔️
| Name of package | Security Hardware | Typical price (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Abode iota | Hub with built-in camera/ motion sensor/ siren, 1 door/window sensor | $300 |
| Abode Smart Security Kit | Hub with siren, 1 door/window sensor, 1 key fob, 1 motion sensor, 2 Abode Cam 2s | $300 |
| Abode Smart Security Kit Elite | Hub with siren, keypad, 4 door/window sensors, 1 key fob, 2 motion sensors | $450 |
Pros:
- No contract, cancel anytime
- Devices ship already paired together
- Cheap monthly monitoring fees
- Works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit
- Great cameras
Cons:
- Starter bundles can be lacking
- Keypad only included with pricier bundles
- New app isn’t well-liked by users
While SimpliSafe clients receive painless, uncomplicated security, Abode buyers will likely be more interested in smart homes and self-monitoring. The Abode app can sync a ton of smart home devices to your security ecosystem, including Amazon Echo, Google Home, Philips Hue bulbs, Schlage Encode, Bose home speakers, ecobee thermostats, and more.
Using Abode’s CUE automations and its app, you can set automatic actions based on specific triggers. For example, you can turn on outdoor lights at a certain time, send an alert if a door is left open for five minutes, or lock the door if GPS shows no user phones at home. With these tools, you can decide exactly how your security system should behave if an intruder is spotted, which is helpful if you choose not to pay for professional video monitoring.
While these tricks are useful, that doesn’t mean you should only buy Abode if you own all the smart home essentials. Most companies sell sensors that come in one shape, but Abode built alternate sensors that slide into small gaps or a door or window recess to register when they open or close. The cheap Standard plan enables most of what Abode’s systems can do, so you only need to upgrade to Pro if you want pro monitoring. In fact, Abode’s monitoring is among the most affordable of any security company, and you can choose to monitor for specific periods (such as while you’re on vacation) rather than pay monthly.
Abode’s indoor cameras are both reliable and impressively affordable. It sells $35 indoor/outdoor wired cams with 1080p recordings, full-color low-light vision, and IP65 protection, though no local storage. The company finally released an outdoor camera with 152-degree vision that can double as a video doorbell, setting off a chime when someone approaches the door.
Abode isn’t without its flaws. Its iOS and Android apps have been poorly received by users, suggesting some people find them unintuitive or buggy. And its lower-end bundles arguably don’t offer enough value, with most of your money going toward a single hub-siren-camera hybrid. You need to pay a decent amount to get enough sensors and cameras to cover your home properly.
Best value
Abode Iota all-in-one Home Security Kit
A smart, affordable system
Abode offers cheap and flexible pro monitoring, smart tech automation, and hard-to-spot customizable sensors.
3. Frontpoint DIY Home Security System
Best DIY home security
Bottom line: The only DIY system with no pro install option, Frontpoint trusts you to set up the system entirely on your own. It offers a full range of indoor/outdoor cameras and stores full-length clips of events and alarms. It can also control Alarm.com and some Z-Wave devices. The main negative is that its monthly plans are vital and quite pricey.
DIY and/or professional installation: DIY | Contract / Cancellation Policy: Month-to-month, cancel anytime | Trial period: 30 days | Equipment Warranty: 3 years | Upfront costs: $99*–$600+ | Monthly monitoring fees: $35–$50 | Sensors: Door/Window, Motion, Glass, Garage Tilt, Smoke/Heat, Carbon Monoxide, Flood | Indoor…
