Best Home Security Systems of 2025
The best home security systems are user-friendly, affordable and customizable to your needs.
A home security system is a collection of electronic hardware that is connected by software and managed by a central control panel or app.
The components, which can include door/window sensors, motion sensors, cameras, smoke detectors, glass-break sensors, panic buttons and more, work together to keep you and your home safe.
What is the best home security system?
Protecting your home or apartment from intruders and hazards doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank. The best home security systems are customizable, affordable and have a variety of features that can make it easier to keep an eye on your loved ones and possessions.
Traditional alarm systems require professional installation and multiyear contracts, but many modern kits can be self-installed, self-monitored and integrate smoothly with smart home technology.
How we found the best home security systems
We identified the largest home security providers by market share and search volume, and then we personally obtained equipment from the providers. We tested and ran the systems through a comprehensive rubric that evaluates their pricing, video features, monitoring, privacy records and customer reviews. We included the top six providers in this roundup; there were several other providers that did not score high enough to be included.
Company | NerdWallet rating | Equipment cost | Professional monitoring monthly cost | Hazard detection | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best monitoring | 4.5/5 | $269.00 Base kit includes one ADT base and one door/window sensor. | $24.99 and up $39.99 with cameras and $29.99 with other smart home devices. Monitoring costs are $10 more per month with professional installation. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for DIY and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a DIY system for free after the first month. | Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor. | on ADT Security System's website |
on ADT Security System's website | |||||
on ADT Security System's website | |||||
Best overall | 5.0/5 | $250.96 Base kit includes one base station, one keypad, one entry sensor and one motion sensor. Sometimes you can get a free Smart Alarm wireless indoor security camera and a free trial of professional monitoring if they're running a promotion. | $22.99 Self monitoring available for $9.99 per month. You can also access basic features with no plan. | Add-on smoke/CO detector, water and temperature sensor. | on SimpliSafe's website |
on SimpliSafe's website | |||||
on SimpliSafe's website | |||||
Best professionally installed option | 4.5/5 | $199.99 Base kit includes hub, 3 door/window sensors, keypad and a motion sensor. Requires three-year professional monitoring contract. | $24.99 and up Systems with smart home devices and cameras cost more to monitor, up to $57 per month. | Add-on smoke/CO detector and water sensor. | on Vivint's website |
on Vivint's website | |||||
on Vivint's website | |||||
Best multifunction sensors | 4.5/5 | $199.99 Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free 30-day pro monitoring trial. | $29.99 Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $9.99 per month. | Sensors can detect water and temperature and alert you when a smoke/CO detector goes off. No actual smoke/CO detector, and you'll need a paid monthly plan to use the sensor's alarm listening feature. | on Arlo's website |
on Arlo's website | |||||
on Arlo's website | |||||
Best DIY system | 4.5/5 | $199.99 Base kit includes alarm base station, keypad, door/window contact sensor, motion detector and alarm range extender. | $19.99 Self monitoring with smart features starts at $4.99 per month. You'll need a $9.99 monthly plan to arm and disarm your system remotely. | Add-on smoke/CO detector and listener, flood and freeze sensor. | on Money.com and Amazon.com |
on Money.com and Amazon.com | |||||
on Money.com and Amazon.com | |||||
Best smart home integration | 4.0/5 | $130 Base kit includes security hub, key fob and mini sensor for door/window. | $25.99 Self monitoring with extra features is $7.99 per month, but you can also use basic features for free. | Add-on smoke alarm monitor and leak detector. No actual smoke/CO detector. | on NerdWallet |
on NerdWallet | |||||
on NerdWallet | |||||
Best overall: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers seven customizable home security system packages. We think the setup is straightforward, and we like the system's sleek design and user-friendly app. There are six monitoring options, ranging from free to $79.99 a month, which you can pay for monthly and cancel anytime without entering a long-term contract.
Simplisafe Foundation bundle. Image courtesy Simplisafe.SimpliSafe offers comprehensive packages at affordable prices with both self- and pro-monitoring subscription options.
Read NerdWallet's full review of Simplisafe.
Best DIY system: Ring
In addition to its well-known doorbells, Ring also offers full alarm systems with built-in Eero routers to extend or replace your Wi-Fi. Amazon owns Ring, so it automatically integrates with an Amazon account and any Alexa-enabled smart home device, though it won’t work with Google Home.
Courtesy Ring.Ring offers affordable professional monitoring and a DIY system with high-quality cameras.
Read NerdWallet's full review of Ring.
Best multifunction sensors: Arlo
Arlo is a budget-priced home security provider that offers self-installed home security alarm systems, cameras and doorbells. Its multifunctional sensors can perform eight different types of detection: motion, open/close, water leaks, freezing, tilting, light and listening for sounds from smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms. The company also offers several reasonably priced self- and pro-monitoring plans, but you can still use the alarm system’s basic features without paying for a plan.
Courtesy Arlo.Arlo provides a flexible system for a variety of safety needs with 8-in-1 sensors.
Read NerdWallet's full review of Arlo.
Best professionally installed option: Vivint
Vivint isn't a DIY option; it must be professionally installed and hardwired into the house. Our three-hour professional installation was time-consuming but not difficult or stressful. However, Vivint is the most expensive home security system we’ve reviewed. You can control the system via the smart hub, the keypad or the Vivint mobile app. It also offers smart lights, speakers and thermostats that integrate with Google Home, Nest and Amazon Echo.
Courtesy Vivint.Vivint offers best-in-class video and alarm features, including theft deterrent protection, with white-glove service.
Read NerdWallet's full review of Vivint.
Best monitoring: ADT
ADT operates six U.S.-based professional monitoring centers, leading to fast alarm response times. We think the packages are expensive compared to other providers, especially for self-setup packages and basic equipment. But the professional monitoring is tried-and-true. ADT alarm systems integrate with some Nest cameras (mostly newer models) but not all: they won’t connect with the Google Nest Cam Indoor or Outdoor, the Google Nest Hello, or Nest Cam IQ cameras.
Courtesy ADT.ADT is the most established home security provider, with well-reviewed professional monitoring services.
Read NerdWallet's full review of ADT.
Best smart home integration: Abode
One great thing about Abode is that you can buy a camera or doorbell from another company and easily integrate it with an Abode alarm system. In fact, Abode is compatible with the widest range of smart home products of any provider we tested, including Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomeKit. It offers three base security alarm bundles with different hub models.
Courtesy Abode.Abode's security system is compatible with the widest range of smart home products including Amazon Echo, Google Home and Nest.
Factors to consider when choosing a home security system
1. Professional monitoring or self-monitoring
You can choose to have your home security system professionally monitored, or you can respond to alerts yourself. Some providers, such as Vivint, only let you use professional monitoring with their equipment, but others offer both options.
Professional monitoring comes with additional fees: typically around $20 to $50 per month. However, the benefits can be worth the price in an emergency.
When an event triggers your alarm, your provider’s call center is instantly notified, and a representative calls you to check in. If you don’t respond, they contact emergency or police services.
Some providers, such as SimpliSafe, offer the option to let a representative access your camera footage to investigate what triggered the alarm before calling authorities.
If you opt for self-monitoring, you’ll need to respond to the phone alerts your alarm system sends you and decide what steps to take.
Some providers, such as Ring, offer professional monitoring without a contract, so you can purchase temporary alarm monitoring during a vacation, for example.
2. Smart home integration
Smart home devices let you control your home’s temperature, lighting, music and more from your phone, computer or tablet.
Many home security systems also integrate with existing WiFi-connected smart home networks, such as Google Home and Alexa, to give you the ability to activate and disarm your alarm system — and check your cameras — from your personal devices too.
If you already use a specific smart home network, you may want to choose a security system that integrates with that network. Abode, for example, integrates with a wider variety of smart home systems, while Google Nest is best matched with other Google Home products.
Methodology
We collect data from providers and do firsthand testing as necessary. Our process starts by gathering information from providers and contacting providers for further information where needed. This information, combined with our specialists’ hands-on research, makes up our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance. The final output produces star ratings from poor (1 star) to excellent (5 stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star. Learn more about our ratings methodology here.