Reviews Report
- SimpliSafe remains a top DIY pick in 2025 across expert reviews from leading sources including PCMag, U.S. News, Wirecutter, Tom’s Guide, CNET, and Forbes Home.
- The best home security systems combine high-quality devices with a variety of both self-monitoring and professional monitoring options, with hybrid month-to-month choices now common.
- Typical 2025 monitoring costs: DIY plans about $10–$30 per month; professionally installed options often $40–$60+ per month.
A home security system can help provide peace of mind that your family and your belongings are protected. But with so many systems to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. We’ve summarized leading options for 2025 to make your decision easier, looking at monthly price, equipment cost, contracts, customer satisfaction, app experience, and installation to find the best home security companies.
The 7 Best Home Security Systems in 2025
- SimpliSafe: Best overall DIY home security system
- Abode: Best for smart-home automation and contract-free monitoring
- Ring: Best budget/Alexa-centric DIY system
- Arlo: Best for high-quality security cameras
- Blue by ADT: Best for professional monitoring (ADT ecosystem)
- Cove: Best value pick for simple DIY installation
- Scout: Best for smart home integrations
Compare the Best Home Security Systems
| Reviews.com Score | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction* | Starting Monitoring Price | Warranty | Available Cameras | |
| SimpliSafe | Top DIY pick (2025 consensus) | Leads DIY segment (J.D. Power, 2023) | ≈$20–$30/mo (typical) | Limited (varies by plan) | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Abode | Great for automation flexibility | N/A | ≈low-$20s/mo (typical) | Limited | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Ring | Best budget/Alexa-centric | Strong DIY satisfaction | ≈$20/mo (Ring Protect Pro) | Limited | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Arlo | Camera-first system | N/A | Camera plans vary | Limited | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Blue by ADT | ADT Self Setup/pro install options | Leads pro-install segment (with Vivint) | DIY ≈$20–$30/mo; Pro ≈$45–$60+ | Limited | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Cove | Best value easy DIY | N/A | Often under $30/mo | Limited | Indoor Outdoor |
| Scout | Strong smart-home integrations | N/A | Varies by plan | Limited | Indoor Doorbell |
Information current as of 2025
*J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Best Home Security Systems in 2025
Best for Customer Satisfaction
Why we chose it
According to a J.D. Power study, SimpliSafe has the highest customer satisfaction of any DIY home security system, making it a top choice for most home security needs.
Why we chose it
According to a J.D. Power study, SimpliSafe has the highest customer satisfaction of any DIY home security system, making it a top choice for most home security needs.
Pros
- Highest-rated customer satisfaction
- Build-your-own security system
- Longer warranty than most competitors
Cons
- Doesn’t integrate well with other smart devices
- Most features require most expensive plan
- Lower camera quality than competitors
Available Equipment
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
- Temperature sensor
- Water sensor
- Smart lock
- keypad
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
Monitoring Prices
- Camera recording only: $0.33/day
- Pro monitoring: $0.50/day
- Complete home monitoring: $0.83/day
Best for Self-Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Comprehensive self-monitoring at a low cost
- Many sensors to add to your system
- Integration with smart home devices
Cons
- No cellular backup with the cheapest monitoring plan
- Camera and security system bundles sold separately
- Bundles aren’t well-suited to large homes
Available Equipment
- Door and window sensor
- Glass break sensor
- Motion sensor
- Multi-sensor for body heat, light, temperature, and humidity
- Motion camera
- Water leak sensor
- Smoke alarm monitor
- Indoor siren
- Outdoor siren
- Panic button
- Keypad
- Indoor and outdoor camera
Monitoring Prices
- Standard Plan: $0.20/day
- Pro Plan: $0.66/day
Best for Ease of Use
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Easy to use
- Savings with annual purchase
- “Works with Ring” list of compatible products
Cons
- No professional monitoring with the basic plan
- Security kits don’t include cameras
- No glass-break sensor available
Available Equipment
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell camera
- Door and window sensors
- Motion detector
- Keypad
- Flook and freeze sensor
- Smoke and CO detector
- Panic button
Monitoring Prices
- Self-Monitoring: Free
- Basic: $3/mo. or $30/year
- Plus: $10/mo. or $100/year
Best For High-Quality Security Cameras
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- High-quality security cameras
- Monitoring starts at just $2.99 per month
- Advanced object detection and activity zones on cameras
Cons
- No sensors or smart home devices
- Cameras are pricier than many competitors
- No professional monitoring service
Available Equipment
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
Monitoring Prices
- Self-Monitoring: Free
- Premier (one camera): $2.99/mo
- Premier (multiple cameras): $9.99/mo.
- Elite (one camera): $4.99/mo.
- Elite (multiple cameras): $14.99/mo.
Best for Professional Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Professional monitoring by ADT
- Build your own security system
- Several smart home integrations
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction
- Fewer devices than many competitors
- Security systems don’t include cameras
Available Equipment
- Door and window sensors>
- Motion sensor
- Floor and temperature sensor
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
Monitoring Prices
- Self-Monitoring: Free
- Professional Monitoring: $19.99/mo.
Best for Simple DIY Installation
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Professional monitoring by ADT
- Build your own security system
- Several smart home integrations
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction
- Fewer devices than many competitors
- Security systems don’t include cameras
Available Equipment
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensor
- Floor and temperature sensor
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
Monitoring Prices
- Self-Monitoring: Free
- Professional Monitoring: $19.99/mo.
Best for Smart Home Integrations
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- More integrations than competitors
- Savings for annual payment
- Longer warranty than most competitors
Cons
- No outdoor security cameras
- Cloud storage not included in the paid monitoring plan
- No free self-monitoring option
Available Equipment
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensor
- Access sensor
- Water sensor
- Moke and CO detector
- Glass break sensor
- Smart lock
- Hub and keypad
- Indoor and doorbell cameras
Monitoring Prices
- Always On: $9.99/mo.
- Always On+: $19.99/mo.
*J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
How to Choose the Best Home Security System
Burglary Facts and Statistics
Part of keeping your home safe is knowing the crime stats in your area so you can properly protect your home and family. Here are a few takeaways from the FBI Crime in the Nation, 2023:
- In the FBI’s 2023 national release, burglary offenses increased modestly year over year while overall property crime rose more sharply, driven largely by motor vehicle thefts.
- Burglary clearance rates remained in the low teens nationally in 2023.
- Preliminary FBI estimates for January–June 2024 indicate burglary was generally flat to slightly down versus the same period in 2023; final 2024 figures will publish with the annual release.
It’s also important to pay attention to local burglary statistics. Use the FBI Crime Data Explorer, state public safety reports, and city open-data portals to see current local rates and trends — levels vary by region and urbanicity.
Researching national and local crime trends can help you decide the best way to protect your home with a security system.
DIY vs. Professional Home Security Systems
When purchasing a home security system, you can choose between a DIY or professional monitoring plan. In 2025, many DIY platforms also offer optional month-to-month professional monitoring, so you can switch as needs change. Professional monitoring through UL 827–listed centers increasingly uses Enhanced Call Verification and standardized alarm validation (e.g., TMA AVS-01) and, where available, ASAP-to-PSAP data links to help reduce false alarms and speed response.
| Pros of DIY Monitoring | Cheaper monthly cost No long-term contracts Fast DIY setup with flexible on-demand pro monitoring options |
| Cons of DIY Monitoring | No central station to dispatch for you You must manage and verify alerts Dispatch priority may be lower without verification |
| Pros of Professional Monitoring | UL 827–listed 24/7 monitoring and redundancy ECV/AVS-01 scoring and ASAP-to-PSAP where available Can deliver richer incident data to 911 |
| Cons of Professional Monitoring | Higher monthly cost Pro-installed systems often have multi-year contracts Installation/cancellation fees may apply |
Home Security Systems FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated home security system companies based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation and customer satisfaction to determine current rankings for 2025. To compare home security companies across the board, we weighed multiple expert sources (2024–2025), pricing transparency, app experience, and customer sentiment.
- 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 2023 U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study, we considered segment-leading satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale.
- Installation: Just like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies that have flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
