Best Affordable Home Security Systems of 2024

SimpliSafe Overview

SimpliSafe was originally designed with apartments in mind, which is why it’s one of the best home security systems for renters. But more than that, SimpliSafe seeked to disrupt the industry by decoupling security systems from landlines, hardwired installation, and long-term contracts. In doing so, it made security systems more accessible to everyone.

>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint

Since that time almost 20 years ago, SimpliSafe has remained true to that ethos. It offers high-quality, durable, but affordable equipment in modular packages so customers can build out systems that fit their needs — in terms of both security and budget.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

On the topic of monitoring, we always recommend professional monitoring if the budget permits. It’s better for your security to have professionals on stand-by, ready to respond to alerts. But because professional monitoring costs a monthly fee, self-monitoring is a viable option for the budget-conscious.

Luckily, SimpliSafe offers both. Self-monitoring is free, but you pay $9.99 per month to access camera recordings. If you want professional monitoring, SimpliSafe’s prices range from $21.99 to $79.99 per month. I know, $79.99 doesn’t sound cheap – and it’s not. But those high-end plans aren’t necessary if you’re on a budget.

The $21.99 Standard Plan and $31.99 Core plan are our picks for budget-conscious shoppers. They both offer professional monitoring with cellular backup, while Core adds in video verification and Live Guard Protection. More on that later.

SimpliSafe’s Equipment Costs

We recommend SimpliSafe because of its equipment pricing and options. You don’t need much to get started, as the cheapest package costs about $250. That comes with a motion sensor and door sensor, plus the base station and keypad. In our experience, that’s enough for a studio-type condo or apartment unit.

The price increases as more components are added, but overall, SimpliSafe’s pricing is below average. Here’s a quick breakdown:

One thing to note before we drill down on the prices of individual pieces of equipment: SimpliSafe is almost always offering sales, so don’t be scared off by the numbers you’re seeing in that right-hand column. At the time of this writing, it was offering 50 percent off any new system with a professional monitoring free trial.

We want to highlight the Smart Alarm wireless indoor camera in particular. When coupled with a Core subscription or higher, it allows a SimpliSafe security professional to access a live feed of your home during emergencies to verify alerts. They’ll also use the camera’s two-way audio to scare off intruders.

>> Learn More: The Best Security Cameras of 2024

We actually tested this out and were pretty impressed with the results. We purposely set off the alarm and sure enough, the camera’s privacy screen snapped open, and the technician started speaking to us through the camera. We let them know it was a false alarm and gave them our safe code, and they were able to prevent authorities from being dispatched.

The Downside

Every security system is going to have its pros and cons, even great ones like SimpliSafe. For us, that came in the form of the non-negotiable $70 analog keypad you have to purchase with every security system. And that’s on top of the SimpliSafe hub, which is also required for the system to function properly. We can’t understand why SimpliSafe requires a keypad that’s not even a touch screen. SimpliSafe has one of the best security systems apps in the industry after all, so the keypad should just be optional instead of adding it to the cost of the packages.

Another potential downside is the limited home automation features. We get that home automation is not the priority of most people, especially if they’re trying to keep costs low. But at least our other top picks such as Frontpoint, ADT, and abode offer home automation as an upgrade. They can control lights, locks, thermostats, and other smart home products. SimpliSafe just can’t do any of that.

>> Read More: The Best Security Systems that Work With Google Assistant

Cove Overview

If we’re looking at price alone, Cove is the cheapest security system on this list both in terms of equipment and monitoring costs. So why was it not our top pick? Because buying a security system isn’t that simple of a calculus. Even if you’re trying to save money, you don’t always want to go with the cheapest option.

Cove makes a solid case for itself, though, with its affordable monitoring costs. While it doesn’t offer as good features as SimpliSafe’s monitoring, it’s perfectly reliable while also being cheaper. There’s also enough equipment to protect apartments and small homes without sacrificing a lot of quality. They hold up fine despite a few accidental drops during our testing.

>> Learn More: Best Security Systems for Apartments and Best Security Cameras for Apartments

Buying a security system isn’t always that simple of a calculus. You don’t always want to go with the cheapest option. Sometimes there are intangibles at play, like quality, durability, and even aesthetics. With Cove, you’re not going to be sacrificing a lot of quality. I’ve tested it extensively, and being the clumsy person I am, I’ve accidentally spilled coffee on the keypad and dropped a few of the sensors. They held up fine.

What you will be compromising, though, are a lot of advanced features. Cove is not at all smart home-friendly beyond integrating with Alexa and Google Assistant. And unlike SimpliSafe, Cove doesn’t offer live security camera monitoring. But if you want something really cheap that can protect your home or apartment, Cove will do the trick.

Cove Monitoring

Unlike SimpliSafe, Cove doesn’t offer free self-monitoring. While you’re not required to sign a long-term contract – which means you can cancel the monitoring plan anytime – you absolutely must have a subscription to use Cove. It doesn’t function otherwise.

That’s a little unfortunate, but instead of dwelling on something we can’t control, let’s take a look at something we can – choosing a Cove subscription. There are two options, namely, Cove Basic and Cove Plus.

Yup, you read that right. It’s just $17.99 per month for professional monitoring with Cove. To our knowledge, that’s the most affordable in the industry.

The one feature that grabbed my attention is smash-and-grab protection. This essentially prevents intruders from coming in the door, smashing your alarm panel, and rendering your alarm system useless. If it’s damaged, the system treats it as an alarm event.

Cove also made improvements to that feature recently by separating the hub from the keypad. The keypad is what goes near your front door while the hub – the one responsible for sending out alerts – can be tucked away in the corner. That way, even if a burglar smashes the keypad to pieces, the hub still works just fine. Our next pick, Frontpoint, works the same way.

Coves Equipment Prices

Unlike Frontpoint and SimpliSafe, Cove doesn’t offer any premade packages for its customers — you have to build it out yourself. But this isn’t as difficult as it seems. Cove will start you off with the alarm panel and hub, and then you’ll just specify how many of each type of sensor you want.

Cove doesn’t offer many options. It has the core components of security systems like motion, entry, and glass break sensors, as well as a few safety-related sensors like smoke and flood detectors. It also offers security cameras. What’s impressive though is that sensors sell for as low as $15 a piece – sometimes even lower during Cove sales.

The Downside

Cove is a great option for folks looking to build a reasonable security system as cheaply as they can, but one thing I really dislike is that you have to sign up for professional monitoring to use the equipment at all. If you don’t, the entire system stops working. Cove could have at least thrown in a couple of features – like sounding the siren – for users who’d rather not pay a monthly fee.

Frontpoint Overview

Although it might not have the same name recognition as SimpliSafe, you shouldn’t count Frontpoint out of contention. Last time we tested this system, it really impressed us with its quality, robust protections, and how easy everything was on the wallet.

>> Learn More: Frontpoint FAQ

The company also puts an emphasis on how it treats its customers, from its easy-to-use website — which is, surprisingly, a rarity in this industry — to its extremely friendly, knowledgeable customer service. More on that in just a bit. First, let’s talk monitoring.

Frontpoint Monitoring

The first thing you need to know about Frontpoint is that monitoring is required with all of its systems, and the second thing to know is that it’s expensive. At $49.99 per month, it’s around the same price as Vivint’s professional monitoring and a little more expensive than ADT, both of which are constantly awarded as the best in the industry.

>> Compare Systems: Vivint vs. ADT Self Setup

Now that isn’t to say Frontpoint’s monitoring isn’t up to snuff. Here’s where that 50 bucks per month is going:

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Cellular backup
• Automated system check
• Crash-and-smash protection
• Geolocation services
• Remote access and control
• Sensor history
• Live video streaming
• Video and image history
• Motion-triggered alerts
• Light control
• Smart lock control

This is definitely valuable monitoring here, and we’d argue it’s worth the seemingly high cost. However, we really wish Frontpoint would offer some more affordable options or even a self-monitored option, like SimpliSafe.

Now let’s take a closer look at the equipment that the $49.99 monitoring plan will be keeping an eye on.

Frontpoint’s Equipment Costs

Similar to SimpliSafe, you can start off with one of Frontpoint’s prebuilt packages and add equipment as you see fit. But here’s where Frontpoint kind of makes up for the high monitoring cost: Its bundled packages are super affordable. The packages are usually three or four times cheaper than what it would cost to buy the included pieces individually. Frontpoint is always running deals to keep the cost of entry low.

Now, if you look at what’s included in those packages, you’ll see that they are cheaper than what SimpliSafe offers. For example, the Starter package includes one hub, one keypad, and one door sensor for $79.99. The cheapest package from SimpliSafe offers the same pieces plus a motion sensor for $250. There’s no chance that the added motion sensor costs the $130 difference. In fact, SimpliSafe sells those sensors for $35 a piece.

Frontpoint’s costs aside, let’s talk about working with this equipment. Similar to Simplisafe, the DIY setup was extremely easy. Since Frontpoint is one of the best wireless security systems out there, we had our test equipment up in about 30 minutes using the provided command strips to affix everything to the walls.

We did have a bit of a problem getting everything to connect through the hub, though, so even though it was already late evening, we called Frontpoint’s customer support. Surprisingly, a representative picked up the phone and helped us troubleshoot the issue. We guess another thing we’re paying for with our $49.99 monthly fee is good customer service.

The Downside

While we highly recommend the Frontpoint system for most folks operating on a budget, that unavoidable $50-per-month monitoring can be a difficult pill to swallow for some. Like we said above, we think it’s worth it when you really drill down into what you’re getting, but if you’re looking for more affordable monitoring, keep reading. Our next pick starts at only $29.99 monthly.

ADT Overview

Up until now, we’ve been talking about DIY systems. That makes sense — nine times out of 10, they’re the most affordable options. But that doesn’t mean more traditional providers should be ignored.

It’s true that if you just look at ADT’s pricing, “affordable” might not be the first word that comes to mind. But putting this Cadillac of a security system in your home is actually more reasonable than you might think.

One word: financing.

Most of the other providers on our list don’t have flexible financing, which means a higher cost of entry. If you’re paying upfront, the equipment will cost you at least $250 with SimpliSafe, $150 with Cove, and $79 with Frontpoint. With ADT, you can get started for just $7.47 plus the cost of the first month of monitoring. You don’t even have to pay for professional installation anymore, because like SimpliSafe, ADT has a DIY option now.

>> Compare: ADT vs. SimpliSafe

ADT Monitoring

Now, this might surprise you, but ADT is more affordable than Frontpoint in terms of monitoring. Prices start at $29.99 per month for basic protection, but even if you go all the way, you’d pay only $44.99 per month. That’s more expensive than Cove and SimpliSafe’s most popular plans, but ADT’s monitoring is some of the best in the industry.

>> Learn More: DIY vs. Professional Install

For starters, ADT has 12 monitoring facilities around the country, and each one of those facilities has its own redundancies built in. This means that even if the center closest to you gets completely knocked out by, say, a natural disaster, you’re still going to have eight other facilities keeping your system online. They also use some of the most advanced technology in these centers, like SMART — a text-based communications system that can help reduce false alarms.

ADT’s Equipment Costs

ADT offers prepackaged systems that you can customize, but the packages change up all the time. As of the time of writing, these were ADT’s available options:

Also keep in mind that ADT is our No. 1 pick for the best professionally installed security system, so if you have the budget, go for professional installation. You won’t need to grab the toolbox or even lift your finger to get your security system set up.

That said, if you want to save on an ADT system, ADT does offer a DIY option now with the same components as the professionally installed ADT system. You can read more about that in our guide to ADT Self Setup.

The Drawback

The main drawback of going with ADT is the long-term contract you’re going to have to sign. You can avoid the contract by buying the equipment upfront and installing it yourself. But since its flexible financing is ADT’s greatest strength as an affordable security system, you will have to sign a 36-month contract to qualify. That makes ADT a tough sell for people who are renting or folks who don’t want to be locked into any particular service.

abode Overview

Last but not least, we have abode. If you’re looking for a more high-tech system without breaking the bank, abode might be the provider for you. It works well with most voice assistants, like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home Kit, and you’ll have the capacity to integrate scores of third-party smart home technologies into your system.

When we tested abode, we linked up our Google Nest thermostat and Samsung smart bulbs so we could turn our lights off and my cooling system up in the morning without even having to get out of bed. How’s that for living in the future?

abode Monitoring

As you’d imagine, abode’s monitoring plans aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg. Also, we’re happy to report that you do have the option of self-monitoring this system, making it the second brand on this list to offer that option. You’ll miss out on what we’d consider some pretty key features, but it’s nice to know you can fall back on that if money gets really tight. We have more information in our guide to abode’s pricing, but here’s a quick rundown:

>> See Also: Best Smart Home Security Systems

Now let’s talk about the other major factor in the bottom line: abode’s equipment prices.

abode Equipment Costs

Similar to the other DIY systems on this list, abode offers you the choice to select a security package or build your own system. Here’s what the packages look like:

Similar to Frontpoint, abode likes to jack up its “regular” prices but somehow is always running a sale. Also, don’t pay any attention to the timer at the top of its website’s home screen — it’s a gimmick that’s meant to make you feel a sense of urgency. Dubious sales tactics aside, here’s a breakdown of the prices of individual pieces of equipment:

The Drawback

The biggest drawback to abode is how difficult it is to navigate its website. It’s really hard to understand your options and piece together the right security system because of it. We wouldn’t usually point this out, but it really degrades the overall customer service.

If you’re looking into an abode system, start with the “Build your System” wizard located in the top toolbar. That will give you the most streamlined buying experience, in our opinion.

>> Compare: abode vs. SimpliSafe