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Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2024
The best DIY home security systems are affordable and easy to set up without a professional.
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Dalia Ramirez Lead Writer | Estate planning, home security
Dalia Ramirez writes about home security for NerdWallet. She has previously written on topics including estate planning, cryptocurrencies, small business software and personal finance. Dalia has a B.A. in science and technology studies and a certificate in critical theory from Wesleyan University. Her work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg and The Associated Press. She is based in Los Angeles.
Tina Orem Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, small business, Social Security and estate planning, home services
Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
The best DIY home security systems offer drill-free sensor installation, wireless connections and straightforward setup instructions. The systems connect to Wi-Fi, and the equipment runs on batteries or plugs into an outlet. Typically you use adhesives from the provider to stick sensors onto doors or windows, and you attach outdoor cameras with screws. You can monitor a DIY alarm system yourself or pay for professional monitoring.
Are DIY security systems worth it?
DIY home security systems can be ideal for renters or those looking to save on setup costs. Though traditional alarm systems often require a professional to install equipment, many companies now offer cameras, alarms and other devices you can set up yourself.
We tested several DIY home security systems and compared their setup processes, customization, integration capabilities and unique features. Here are our picks.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Some devices in a DIY alarm system, such as a wired video doorbell, might require a professional to hardwire into your home. Several DIY home security providers offer professional installation if needed, either directly through the company or through a partner.
SimpliSafe is our top overall home security system, and it’s also our favorite DIY home security system pick. The company offers device packages that were easy for us to set up and control through the SimpliSafe app, and the company’s setup instructions were very thorough.
If you want a completely DIY experience, you can self-monitor your SimpliSafe alarm system, or you can purchase professional monitoring for a monthly fee with no long-term contract. Often, home security system providers only provide access to certain features if you pay for a monthly monitoring plan. Compared to other providers we reviewed, we like that SimpliSafe includes the most features with free self-monitoring, including remote arming and disarming and smart detection.
The company also has technicians who can set up your system for $124.99 and up.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$249.96
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.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$21.99
Self monitoring available for $9.99 per month. You can also access basic features with no plan.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector, water and temperature sensor.
View details
Key facts
SimpliSafe offers comprehensive packages at affordable prices with both self- and pro-monitoring subscription options.
Pros
Offers affordable packages with add-ons and a build-your-own-system option.
No record of security breaches.
Can be self-monitored for free.
Cons
Only integrates with Alexa, Google and Apple Watch, while other providers have more extensive smart home integration.
Smart home automation and scheduled arming require a paid monthly plan.
Abode offers budget-priced home security equipment and packages. You can self-monitor your system for free with limited features, pay a small monthly fee for smart notifications or pay a higher monthly fee for professional monitoring.
Abode doesn’t offer professional installation, but like SimpliSafe, all of its equipment can be DIY setup. We had a hiccup or two setting up devices in the app, but nothing major. Most Abode equipment can also be easily installed with stick-on adhesive and doesn’t require drilling.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$159.99
Base kit includes security hub, key fob and mini sensor for door/window.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99
Self monitoring with extra features is $7.99 per month, but you can also use basic features for free.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke alarm monitor and leak detector.
No actual smoke/CO detector.
View details
Key facts
Abode's security system is compatible with the widest range of smart home products including Amazon Echo, Google Home and Nest.
Pros
Can be self-monitored for free.
No record of security breaches.
The alarm system can be connected directly to an ethernet cable or work wirelessly with your Wi-Fi network.
Cons
Smart detection requires a paid subscription starting at $6.99 per month.
Doesn’t offer an actual smoke alarm, just a smoke alarm monitor.
Ring’s home security equipment is a popular DIY option, though we found the Wi-Fi router more complicated to set up than other providers. Otherwise, device setup is straightforward, and the app provides dozens of customizable features — more than any other system we tried — to tailor the system to your needs.
However, Ring requires you to sign up for a paid plan if you want to arm and disarm the system remotely and receive intelligent alerts. Other DIY providers offer this for free.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$244.95
Base kit includes alarm base station, keypad, door/window contact sensor, motion detector, alarm range extender and free 30-day trial of Ring Protect professional monitoring. Pro starter kit comes with a Wifi router.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$19.99
Other features/self monitoring available with plans starting at $4.99 per month. You'll need at least the basic plan to arm and disarm your system remotely.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and listener, flood and freeze sensor.
View details
Key facts
Ring offers affordable professional monitoring and a DIY system with high-quality cameras.
Pros
Lowest-priced professional monitoring service among competitors.
Offers a self-monitoring option with rich video features.
Pro system includes a Wi-Fi router that can replace or extend your existing coverage
Cons
Has had a security breach.
Can only integrate with Alexa, not Google, unless you use a third-party app.
Requires a paid monthly subscription starting at $4.99 if you want to arm and disarm the alarm system from your phone.
Arlo also offers affordably-priced DIY home security equipment. The app doesn’t have as many features as Ring’s or SimpliSafe’s, but the devices are functional and relatively easy to set up.
Arlo’s alarm systems have eight functions, though not all the functions are accessible for free; some features, such as smoke and CO alarm alerts, require a paid monthly plan. You’ll still be able to receive basic alerts with the free version, and you can upgrade to a higher-priced plan for professional monitoring.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$199.99
Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free three-month pro monitoring trial.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99
Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $9.99 per month.
Hazard detection
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.
View details
Key facts
Arlo provides a flexible system for a variety of safety needs with 8-in-1 sensors.
Pros
Customizable system with versatile sensors.
No record of security breaches.
Integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT.
Cons
Cellular and battery backup requires an extra device and a paid monthly monitoring plan.
Cameras only differentiate among motion types if you have a monitoring subscription starting at $19.99 a month.
ADT offers both professionally installed and self-setup systems. The self-setup system is pricier than other DIY home security system providers on this list, but ADT has long-standing professional monitoring capabilities that may be worth the splurge for some.
We found the setup for the ADT equipment itself to be simple, though we had much more trouble integrating it with partner Nest’s camera and smart home devices.
ADT requires a minimum one-month purchase of professional monitoring with any equipment. After that month, you can downgrade to free self-monitoring with remote arming and basic notifications.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$269.00
Base kit comes with 1 ADT Smart Home Hub and 1 ADT Door/Window Sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99 and up
$44.99 with cameras and $34.99 with other smart home devices. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for self setup and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a self-setup system for free after the first month.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
View details
Key facts
ADT is the most established home security provider, with well-reviewed professional monitoring services.
Pros
Owns 6 U.S.-based professional monitoring centers.
Integrates with Google Nest cameras.
Has been operating for over 150 years.
Cons
Has had a security breach.
Required monthly monitoring fees for all plans, ranging from one month to 3-5 years. Monitoring fees are high compared to other providers.
Blink, owned by Amazon, offers camera-only security systems that are affordable and simple to set up on your own. Among providers, it was one of our most straightforward systems to install, with high-quality camera feeds without any delays.
Blink is the only DIY home security provider on this list that doesn’t offer any professional monitoring; you can pay a monthly fee for camera recordings and other advanced features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$199.97
Base kit includes Outdoor 4 camera, Mini 2 camera, Video Doorbell, and Sync Module 2 (hub).
Professional monitoring monthly cost
No professional monitoring available.
Self monitoring with video recording and other advanced features available for $3 per month for one camera or $10 per month for multiple devices.
Hazard detection
None.
View details
Key facts
Blink offers a high-quality camera-only system with long battery life at budget prices.
Pros
Cameras are highly functional and customizable.
Devices have wired and battery options with long battery life.
Cons
No alarm system or sensors available, only cameras and doorbells.
Person detection requires a monthly plan starting at $3 for one camera.
Like Blink, Nest only offers cameras, not a sensor-based alarm system. Nest devices are ideal for smart home automation, though you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription starting at $8 per month for advanced features such as facial recognition, glass-break detection and video storage.
We had some issues using both the Google Home app and the Nest app to access all of the device features, which may be leftover from Google’s recent deactivation of its alarm system Nest Secure.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$229.00
Nest doesn't offer a traditional alarm system; this price is for the Nest Hub device.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$44.99 and up
Self-monitoring with Nest Aware starts at $8 per month. Pro monitoring is available from ADT and includes a Nest Aware subscription.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector.
No leak/water protection.
View details
Key facts
Nest no longer offers an alarm system, but its cameras are still a top choice for easy integration with other Google smart home products.
Pros
Customizable smart-home automation, including lighting controls and on/off schedules.
Partners with ADT for professional monitoring.
Cons
No alarm system or sensors available, only cameras and doorbells.
Google recently discontinued its alarm system, Nest Secure.
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.
