Reviews Report
- SimpliSafe is Reviews.com’s best San Antonio home security system based on price, customer satisfaction, and more.
- Top home security companies in San Antonio, TX, have similar prices, contract lengths and customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power.
- Ring, Abode, Arlo, and Blue by ADT round out our top five San Antonio security companies.
According to the FBI, crime in San Antonio, Texas, is on the decline across the board. Notably, property crimes have been decreasing at a much faster level than violent crimes, which may be attributed to the increased presence of home security systems.
Renters and homeowners in the San Antonio area have a variety of options when it comes to home security providers. To help you pick the provider that is best suited to your needs, Reviews.com has rounded up five of the best San Antonio security companies based on monthly price, equipment cost, contract length, and customer satisfaction.
The 5 Best Home Security Systems in San Antonio
- SimpliSafe: Most Flexible Home Security System
- Ring: Most Customizable San Antonio Home Security System
- Abode: Best San Antonio Home Security System for Smart Homes
- Arlo: Best San Antonio Self-Monitored Home Security System
- Blue by ADT: Best San Antonio Professional Monitoring Security System
Compare the Best San Antonio Home Security Systems
Simplisafe | Ring | Abode | Arlo | Blue by ADT | |
Reviews.com Score | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.25 | 4 | 3.6 |
Monitoring prices start at | $0.50/day | $10/month | $0.20/day or $6/month | $2.99/month | $19.99/month |
Contract length | None | None | None | None | None |
Cameras | IndoorOutdoorDoorbell | IndoorOutdoorDoorbell | IndoorOutdoor | IndoorOutdoorDoorbell | IndoorOutdoorDoorbell |
Sensors | Glass breakIntrusionSmoke/COFloodFreezePanic button | Glass breakIntrusionSmoke/COFloodFreezePanic button | Glass breakIntrusionSmoke/COFloodFreezePanic button | None | IntrusionFlood |
Smart home integration | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit |
Control panel | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app | Mobile app and keypad |
Information accurate as of April 2021
Most Flexible Home Security System
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- No contract requirements
- Video verification for faster emergency dispatch
- Easy installation
Cons
- Require a degree of tech-savviness to set up and use
- Remote access only available with premium subscription
- Not compatible with other smart devices
Equipment Available
- Base station, keypad, and key fob
- Motion and entry sensors
- Indoor cameras
- Smart locks and doorbells
- Smoke detectors, water sensors, temperature sensors
- Panic button
Plans & Pricing
- Self-monitoring: $0.33/day
- Interactive-monitoring: $0.83/day
Most Customizable Home Security
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Pairs with a variety of smart devices
- Professional monitoring available on Plus plan
- Lifetime theft protection on all devices
Cons
- Many reviewers have reported glitchy sensors
- Short battery life
- No glass break sensors
Equipment Available
- Base station, keypad, and key fob
- Contact sensor and motion detectors
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Video doorbells
- Flood/freeze sensors and smoke/CO sensors
- Panic button
Plans & Pricing
- Basic: $3/month or $30/year
- Plus: $10/month or $100/year
Best Smart Home Integration
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Integrates with third-party devices like Apple, Google, and Amazon
- Offers on-demand professional monitoring for 3- to 7-day vacations
- Flexibility to switch plan levels at any time
Cons
- Starter kits include limited devices
- Comparatively expensive up-front equipment costs
- Basic CUE functions
Equipment Available
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Motion and glass break sensors
- Indoor/outdoor sirens
- Smoke alarms and water sensors
- Smart home power switch
- Panic button
Plans & Pricing
- Standard plan: $6/month or $60/year
- Pro plan: $20/month or $200/year
Best Home Security for Self-Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Up to 4K video quality with Elite plans
- Committed to data protection and privacy
- Longer-lasting camera battery life
- Customizable app notifications
Cons
- Continuous video recording only available at an additional charge
- Inability to download continuous video recordings (only accessible on the cloud)
- 911 call service only available on multi-camera plans
Equipment Available
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Video doorbells
- Floodlight cameras
- Solar camera charging panels
Plans & Pricing
- Premier: $2.99/month (one camera)
- Premier: $9.99/month (up to 5 cameras)
- Elite: $4.99/month (one camera)
- Elite: $14.99/month (up to 5 cameras)
Best for Professional Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- One month of 24/7 pro monitoring free for new customers
- Devices enabled with 2-way talk features
- 24-hour battery backup on DIY plan devices
- Extensive automation capabilities
Cons
- DIY plan does not alert you in the event of an alarm
- No cellular back up on DIY plan
- No brand-owned smart home devices
Equipment Available
- Base station and keypad
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Doorbell camera
- Wi-fi range extender and chime
- Door/window sensors
Plans & Pricing
- DIY Monitoring: Free
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring: $19.99/month
Home Security in San Antonio: What You Need to Know
San Antonio, Texas, crime statistics
The San Antonio Police Department reports that property crimes, including burglary, larceny-theft, and vehicle theft, reached a 10-year low in 2020, with only 54,826 reported incidents. Still, these numbers aren’t zero, and homeowners would do well to take additional measures to protect themselves and their property.
- According to Uniform Crime Reports, there were 7,606 burglaries in San Antonio in 2020.
- Vehicle thefts are on the rise in the city, jumping from 5,893 in 2011 to 6,707 in 2020.
- Larceny theft, on the other hand, is decreasing, dropping to just 40,513 incidents.
Research your neighborhood
Of course, in a city that covers 505 square miles and is home to 1.508 million people, crime rates won’t be the same in all areas, which is why it’s important to research your neighborhood before committing to a home security system. There are plenty of resources online that can help you understand crime rates and security concerns in your particular zip code. Neighborhood Scout and Best Places are examples of two websites that break down the metropolitan area into individual neighborhoods and rank them according to safety. According to these websites, Timberwood Park, Scenic Oaks, Mesa Ranch, and Mesa Ridge are among San Antonio’s safest neighborhoods. Salado Junction and the Eastside are two of the least safe.
The San Antonio Police Department also has an interactive map that identifies each of its substations’ exact locations. This can be useful in identifying approximately how long law enforcement’s response time may be for your exact address. Additionally, websites like Nextdoor, a neighborhood hub, can be useful in warning you of current security threats (like break-ins on your block or porch pirates running rampant) or in allowing you to get a better handle on the type of security threats a neighborhood typically experiences before moving in.
Register your home security system in San Antonio
Before installing your home security system, it’s important to register it with the city of San Antonio. Owning an unregistered security system is a city ordinance violation, and a triggered alarm that is unregistered can result in a $75-125 fee. To register your security system:
- Call (210) 207-8282 within 12 hours of installation to request an alarm permit that will be sent to you by mail, or download the form yourself.
- Send completed forms to the Alarms Permitting office via fax (210) 207-4349, e-mail ([email protected]), or snail mail (315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207).
- Make a one-time registration payment of $40 via check or credit/debit card at time of registration.
How to Choose Your San Antonio Home Security System
Local vs. national companies
Pros of local security company | Invested in the well-being of community More detailed product knowledge Timely repair responses |
Cons of local security company | May be harder to find reviews May not have budget-friendly options Installation time may be longer |
Pros of national security company | Easier to get price quotes Benefit of name & brand recognition Uniform quality regardless of location |
Cons of national security company | May not offer custom installation C ustomer service is often automated May be overpriced for your needs |
San Antonio Home Security Systems FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated home security companies based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation and customer satisfaction to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best home security reviews. To compare home security companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Monthly Price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric.
- Equipment Cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower prices on equipment.
- Contracts: Reviews.com reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score.
- Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.
- Installation: Just like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies that have flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.