The Best Smart Home Security Systems

Vivint is the only home security company that can deliver a setup that transforms your house into an actual smart home. Its free security consultation and professional installation are focused on making your house as secure and automated as possible.

But Vivint’s high-end tech and seamless smart home integration don’t come cheap. You’ll probably pay more for your Vivint equipment, but if your goal is a true smart home, it’s worth it. And once you get past equipment prices, monthly monitoring fees are in line with industry standards.

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• 24/7 professional monitoring
• In-home security consultation
• Professional installation
• Contract-free options with equipment purchase
• Contracts ranging from 42 to 60 months
• Mobile app included in all packages
• Smart home features include voice control, climate control, lighting control, two-way audio, garage door control, keyless entry, and live or recorded video footage.

One of Vivint’s standout features is the Vivint Smart Home app. You can control both your security system and your smart home devices in this single app. Many security companies require you to use multiple apps—one to arm and disarm your system and others to access security camera footage or control smart home components.

And if you already have some smart home devices, you might be able to integrate them with your Vivint security system. Vivint works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant^† for voice commands, and it syncs up with the Google Nest smart thermostat.

Vivint is a great choice if you’re starting home automation from scratch and want the peace of mind of professional installation and a comprehensive, fully integrated system.

Get all the details in our full Vivint review and learn more about equipment and compatibility in our Vivint equipment guide.

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• DIY installation
• Optional 36-month equipment payment plan
• Smart home functions include voice control, lighting control, small appliance control, smart lock control, two-way communication, garage door control, and live or recorded video footage.

Frontpoint’s smart home equipment isn’t proprietary, but it comes from trusted security brands like Yale. And you can turn almost any appliance in your house into a smart one with Frontpoint’s wireless smart plug. Smart plugs give you remote access to control devices like your lamps or TV through the Frontpoint app.

The system, including its smart home components, is simple to install without compromising quality and security.

If you prefer to do things yourself rather than hiring outside help, Frontpoint’s smart home security options are a great fit. You get the benefits of security and home automation on your terms.

See all of Frontpoint’s offerings in our complete Frontpoint review and our Frontpoint equipment guide.

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• In-home security consultation
• Professional installation
• Mandatory 36-month contract
• Mobile app included with top three plan tiers
• Smoke and CO monitoring
• Quality Service Plan (extended warranty)
• Smart home features include voice control, smart device integration via Z-Wave, climate control, lighting control, live or recorded video footage, and integration with Apple Watches, tablets, and TVs.

Whether you're just looking for safety or smart home perks, ADT has you covered. Arm and disarm your system remotely, configure lighting and climate schedules, and take advantage of geofencing services for system arming, climate needs, and camera control. Its integration with Google Nest lets you choose between ADT and Nest equipment—either way, ADT will install it for you and allow you to control it through the app.

For smart home security you can trust, ADT delivers 140+ years of experience and redundant monitoring centers. That means your home will never be unprotected, even if one monitoring center experiences a power outage or an extreme weather event.

Check out our full ADT review to find out if it's right for you.

• Equipment kits range from $200 to $329
• DIY installation
• No contracts
• Optional professional monitoring
• Mobile app included in all packages
• Smart home features include voice control, door lock control, garage control, smart lighting, small appliance control, and live or recorded video with security cameras.

If you want simple, straightforward home security that still packs in a few bells and whistles, then Ring might be your best bet. It’s not the fanciest smart security system out there, but it gets the job done—and it does so without draining your bank account.

Ring Alarm works with a lot of smart third-party devices from companies like Kwikset, GE, and Leviton. But the best part is that you could buy Ring’s five-piece starter kit and add professional monitoring every month for a year, and your grand total would come in under $350.

Ring Alarm delivers standard home security options at a price that’s hard to beat. If you’ve got a small home to protect or just want to dip your toe into the smart home security pool, Ring is a good place to start.

Learn about all of Ring Alarm’s features in our complete Ring review.

• Scaled-down smart security equipment
• DIY installation
• No contracts
• Optional professional monitoring
• Mobile app included in all packages
• Smart home features include voice control and compatibility with Z-Wave, Zigbee, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit devices.

Abode’s smart security equipment is scaled down in size, making it an ideal fit for apartments and other small spaces. The Abode Iota is a smart security camera with extra safety features like two-way communication, a siren, and an indicator light that lets you know when it’s recording. The Iota also works as a smart home hub to help you connect and manage all of your smart gadgets.

If you opt for Abode’s Smart Security kit instead of the Iota, you get a base station that works with smart home devices plus a motion sensor, a remote key fob, and a mini contact sensor for your front door. That’s pretty minimal if you have a larger home, but you can buy extra sensors for additional doors and ground-floor windows.

Abode’s minimalist take on smart security is refreshingly simple and perfectly suited for renters or people living with roommates. The optional professional monitoring is a nice perk, but Abode’s self-monitoring through the app is sufficient—especially if you’re more interested in checking in on pets or kids than keeping tabs on potential intruders breaking down the front door.

Get all the ins and outs of Abode’s smart security options in our full Abode review.

• DIY installation
• Optional monthly monitoring
• No contracts
• 60-day money-back guarantee
• Required upgrade for mobile app control
• Smart home compatibility includes voice control, climate control, lighting control, and smart locks.

Learn more in our complete SimpliSafe review.

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• DIY installation
• Contracts ranging from 12 to 36 months
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Mobile app included in Gold and Elite packages
• Smart home features include geofencing, smoke and CO monitoring, automated door locks, smart thermostat, voice control, and live or recorded video.

Get all the details in our complete Link Interactive review.

For the smartest home security around, Vivint is your premium option. Its proprietary equipment puts smart home skills at the heart of its systems so your home is secure and smart. You'll be able to control everything, set up routines, and review camera footage from Vivint's app.

Because most security systems already use smart home technology, starting with a smart security system is a great way to begin your journey to a fully integrated home. Once your home is secure, add on more devices and appliances to make your life easier, like a smart coffee pot or smart dishwasher—find out how in the smart home guides below.

As smart home technology advances, it can be tricky to keep up with all the gadgets available. Here are a few of our favorite pieces of smart home security equipment.

For maximum home security, install both exterior and interior video surveillance. Smart security cameras can automatically start recording when they detect motion, and they can be programmed to send push notifications to your phone so you can watch the live feed.

When someone approaches a smart doorbell, the doorbell's motion sensors will trigger the built-in camera to start recording. When a visitor presses the doorbell, it will alert you through your phone, and you'll be able to see who's at your front door and speak with them using a two-way communication feature.

Many smart locks have keypads that let you unlock your door with a four-digit code and lock it with a press of a button. But you don't have to use the keypad—your smart phone can act as a remote control so you can lock and unlock the door remotely as well. You can also arm your security system when you press the lock button and disarm the security system when you unlock it.

You can set rules for when your smart lightbulbs, smart light switches, and smart plugs turn on or off. Setting smart lightbulbs to turn on and off at different times of the day can fool people into thinking you’re home when you’re not. You can program your lights to automatically turn off when you set your system to “away,” or you can have them turn on automatically when your security system is disarmed. You can also set them to flash if your alarm goes off.

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