Home Security
Home security systems in 2026 range from $5–$10/month DIY kits you install yourself (Ring, SimpliSafe, Wyze) to fully installed, professionally monitored smart-home systems (ADT, Vivint) that run $25–$60/month. The best home security system for you comes down to three questions: do you want 24/7 professional monitoring or self-monitoring, will you accept a contract, and how much do you want to install yourself? Compare the top providers below by monthly price, contract, and who each is best for.
Key takeaways
- Cheapest monitoring: Ring ($4.99 self / $19.99 pro) and SimpliSafe ($9.99–$22.99) lead on price — and neither requires a contract.
- Best smart home: Vivint has the most advanced connected-home tech, but locks you into a 42–60 month contract and $1,000+ in equipment.
- Most trusted brand: ADT — 145+ years and nationwide professional monitoring, now with an optional no-contract DIY line (ADT Self Setup).
- No contract / DIY: SimpliSafe, Ring, and Frontpoint install in minutes and cancel anytime.
- $0/month is possible: Ring, SimpliSafe, and Wyze all work self-monitored — sirens and phone alerts with no monthly fee.
Compare the best home security systems (2026)
Here is how the top six home security systems compare on monthly monitoring, upfront equipment, contract, and installation. Figures are 2026 starting prices; monitoring scales up as you add cameras and smart devices.
| Provider | Monitoring /mo | Upfront | Contract | Install | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT | $24.99–$60.99 (DIY Blu from $9.99) | From $269 | 36 mo (pro) | Pro or DIY | Most trusted, pro-monitored brand |
| Vivint | $24.99–$49.99 | $599–$2,000+ | 42–60 mo | Pro only | Best smart-home ecosystem |
| SimpliSafe | $9.99–$32.99 | Kits from ~$250 | None | DIY | Best overall DIY, no contract |
| Ring Alarm | $4.99–$19.99 | Kits from ~$100 | None | DIY | Budget + Alexa smart homes |
| Frontpoint | $4.99–$49.99 (tiered) | Equipment separate | None | DIY | DIY with premium support |
| Brinks Home | $39.99–$54.99 | Sold separately | 36 mo | Pro or DIY | Established brand, 30-day risk-free |
How to choose a home security system
Beyond price, weigh these factors when picking home security systems — they decide how well the system actually protects you and how locked-in you are:
- Monitoring type. Professional monitoring means a 24/7 center dispatches police, fire, or medical for you; self-monitoring sends alerts to your phone and you decide what to do.
- Contract & cancellation. DIY brands are month-to-month; ADT pro-install runs 36 months and Vivint 42–60 months, with early-termination fees that can top $700.
- Cellular backup. A system that stays online over cellular keeps working if an intruder cuts your internet or power — standard on SimpliSafe and Brinks, optional on cheaper tiers.
- Installation. DIY (SimpliSafe, Ring, Frontpoint) avoids install fees; professional install (ADT, Vivint) typically adds $99–$199 but removes the setup work.
- Smart-home fit. Vivint leads on proprietary automation; Ring and SimpliSafe integrate best with Alexa and everyday smart devices.
- Total 3-year cost. Add equipment + monthly monitoring across the contract — a “cheap” monthly can hide a pricey system, and a pricey brand can be reasonable over time.
The top home security providers, reviewed
Each provider below links to our full, independent review with plans, real costs, and pros and cons.
ADT — best trusted brand (with an optional DIY path)
ADT is the most recognized name in home security, with 145+ years and the largest professional-monitoring network in the U.S. Professional-install plans run $24.99–$60.99/month on a 36-month agreement, while the newer ADT Self Setup DIY line starts at $9.99/month with no contract. Best for homeowners who want a proven, professionally monitored brand. Read the full ADT Home Security review →
Vivint — best smart home
Vivint builds the most polished connected-home system: a Smart Hub panel, AI “Smart Deter” cameras, smart locks and thermostats, all professionally installed and calibrated. Monitoring is $24.99–$49.99/month, but equipment runs $599–$2,000+ and contracts stretch 42–60 months. Best for homeowners investing in full automation long-term. Read the full Vivint review → · Vivint vs. ADT compared →
SimpliSafe — best overall DIY
SimpliSafe pairs robust hardware (glass-break, smoke, CO, cellular backup) with no contracts and easy DIY setup. Self-monitoring with camera recording is $9.99/month; 24/7 professional monitoring is $22.99 (Standard) or $32.99 (Core, with video verification). Best for DIY buyers who want serious protection without a contract. See Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe →
Ring Alarm — best budget & Alexa
Ring is the cheapest way in: tool-free setup, deep Amazon/Alexa integration, and a huge camera and doorbell ecosystem. Self-monitoring is about $4.99/month; full professional monitoring with cellular backup is $19.99/month, no contract. Best for budget buyers already in the Alexa ecosystem. Ring vs. SimpliSafe →
Frontpoint — best DIY support
Frontpoint offers quick DIY install with full professional monitoring and highly rated customer service. Plans are tiered from a $4.99 in-app safety button up to $49.99 Ultimate, month-to-month with no cancellation fees. Best for DIY buyers who value premium support over the rock-bottom price. Read the full Frontpoint review →
Brinks Home — established brand, risk-free trial
Brinks Home runs on the Alarm.com platform with a touchscreen hub, cameras, smart locks, and cellular backup, all professionally monitored. Monitoring is $39.99–$54.99/month on a 36-month contract, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — a middle ground between ADT and Vivint. Read the full Brinks review →
DIY vs. professional monitoring — and going fee-free
Professional monitoring (ADT, Vivint, Brinks, plus paid tiers on the DIY brands) means a monitoring center dispatches help even when you can’t. Self-monitoring routes alerts to your phone with an audible siren and $0 monthly — enough to deter most opportunistic break-ins. If you travel often or live in a higher-crime area, a $10–$20/month pro plan is worth it. See our roundup of the best home security systems with no monthly fee. Also watch out for high-pressure, door-to-door alarm sales — the Federal Trade Commission warns these often lock buyers into overpriced long-term contracts.
Professional monitoring: a 24/7 center watches your alarms and dispatches police/fire/medical. Self-monitoring: alerts go to your phone; you respond. Cellular backup: keeps the system online if internet or power is cut. Early-termination fee (ETF): what you owe for canceling a financed/contract plan early.
Do you still need a landline? (No.)
Modern home security systems monitor over cellular and Wi-Fi, not copper phone lines — and the old copper landline network is being retired nationwide, so cellular backup is now the standard for staying connected. If you’re still on a copper line, here’s what the AT&T POTS line shutdown means for your alarm.
Frequently asked questions
Do home security systems still require long contracts?
No. DIY systems (SimpliSafe, Ring, Frontpoint) are contract-free and month-to-month. Vivint still requires 42–60 months when you finance equipment, and ADT’s professional-install plans typically run 36 months.
Can I run a home security system with no monthly fee?
Yes. Self-monitored systems like Ring, SimpliSafe, and Wyze send alerts straight to your phone with audible sirens and $0/month. You can add professional monitoring later if you want 24/7 dispatch.
How much does professional monitoring cost per month?
It ranges widely in 2026: Ring from $19.99, SimpliSafe $22.99–$32.99, ADT $24.99–$60.99, Vivint $24.99–$49.99, and Brinks $39.99–$54.99.
Is self-monitoring enough?
For most households, yes — visible equipment and loud sirens deter the opportunistic break-ins that make up most burglaries. If you travel a lot or want guaranteed dispatch, pay for professional monitoring.
What happens to my system if I move?
DIY wireless systems (Ring, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint) come with you easily, which is ideal for renters. ADT offers a Mover’s Guarantee, and Vivint can transfer service, though that depends on your contract.
Ring or SimpliSafe — which is better?
Ring wins on price and Alexa integration; SimpliSafe wins on hardware quality and monitoring (video verification and cellular backup on more plans). Budget buyers lean Ring; reliability-first buyers lean SimpliSafe.