The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
Updated: Sep 19, 2024, 4:32pm
Reviewed By
| EditorOnly 25% of homes in the U.S. have a security system in place to help protect them. Part of the reason for the low statistics number may be related to the high cost of installing and monitoring a system. While it’s justifiable to spend some money on a system that helps protect your home and belongings, how much you need to spend is a matter of personal comfort. The cheapest security systems can help protect your assets for less cost without sacrificing quality and features. Our research team evaluated 22 home security companies to identify the best ones for your needs, including those of your wallet.
The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board, including our home security expert, Aliza Vigderman, fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy. You can read more about our editorial guidelines for the ratings below.
Featured Partners
1
Vivint
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
Yes
Lowest Monitoring Price
$19.99
2
ADT
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
Yes
Lowest Monitoring Price
$29.99
3
Simplisafe
Customer Reviews
Great
Contract Required
No
Lowest Pro Monitoring Price
$21.99
Key Takeaways
Ring stood out to us as the best overall home security system, scoring 4.7 out of 5 stars against our methodology metrics. SimpliSafe, our runner up, scored 4.6 out of 5, while Cove, Frontpoint and Abode weren’t far behind, all with 4.5 to 4.3 ratings.
We compared the ratings and costs of the top home security systems to compile the following review of the best of the best, and cheapest, available. Our research and analysis included scoring on criteria that includes customer reviews and reputation, pricing and contracts, ease of setup, and more.
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | LOWEST MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FEE | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.7    | Best Overall | $4.99 | Read Forbes' Review
| |
| 4.6 | Best Equipment Packages | $9.99 | On SimpliSafe's Website | |
| 4.5 | Best Low-Cost Professional Monitoring | $9.99 | On Cove's Website | |
| 4.5 | Best Customer Service Ratings | $14.99 | On FrontPoint's Website | |
| 4.3 | Best Smart Home Compatibility | $6.99 | Read Forbes' Review |
Best Overall
Best Overall
Ring
Ring qualifies in the top spot for our review with a 4.7 out of five rating. Ring offers affordable DIY wired and wireless home security system components with optional professional installations available.
Ring’s solid customer review scores and A- Better Business Bureau grade have shown improvement since last years’ review when it scored a B+ grade at the BBB. We chose Ring for its overall consumer satisfaction numbers and it’s wide product selection.
Why We Like It
Because our review focuses on budget-friendly home security systems, Ring rates highly with our experts due to its lowest-cost self monitoring plan that costs just $4.99 per month for a single device. Ring also allows customers to self-monitor without a subscription. However, the camera features are limited to live-stream only functionality in that scenario.
What We Don’t Like
While Ring home security products will work in many households, including single family homes and apartments or condos, they are subject to limited voice assistant compatibility. Partially because Amazon owns Ring, the devices are compatible with Alexa, but not as compatible with Google and Apple devices.
Who It’s Best For
Because of the ease of installation and removal of Ring’s wireless devices, the company’s security systems work well for both owners and renters. Customers who wish to avoid a monthly fee can access limited features of Ring cameras, while those willing to part with a small amount of money each month can enjoy video recording capabilities for a single camera.
Learn more: Ring review
Ring customers can self-monitor their systems with no monthly cost. However, the system functionality will be limited to real-time video capture and general notifications only. Other options include the following plans and pricing.
Monitoring Plans:
Ring equipment and systems are compatible with Amazon Alexa and several proprietary smart home systems, including Dome, Ecolink, First Alert and Leviton products.
While Ring’s customer review scores are improving, the company still suffers from some negative review scores. It’s BBB grade has climbed to A- from a B+ last year. However, its overall scores on other platforms are still recovering. Negative reviews cite customer service delays and a few equipment issues, while positive remarks include high satisfaction levels regarding value and component quality.
Best Equipment Packages
Best Equipment Packages
SimpliSafe
By offering a total of seven home security equipment packages plus a build-you-own option starting with just the basics, SimpliSafe lands high on our list with a 4.6 rating.
We chose SimpliSafe for inclusion in our review primarily for its reduced-cost equipment packages and low startup costs. However, the company also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and excellent professional monitoring plan for those willing to spend a bit more each month.
Why We Like It
Several things stand out about SimpliSafe that our researchers like. The company’s focus is on DIY-installed systems. However, professional installations are available for prices starting at $124.99. We also like that financing is available through the company to help reduce initial costs even more.
What We Don’t Like
While we like that SimpliSafe offers multiple self and professional monitoring plan options, the upper-tier pro plans can get spendy. The most expensive monitoring plan from the company comes with a $79.99 per month price tag.
Who It’s Best For
Home security customers looking for low startup costs through one of SimpliSafe’s equipment packages will benefit most from working with the company. However, those looking for a more substantial system, nearly on par with many professionally installed systems, can also do well by choosing SimpliSafe.
Learn more: SimpliSafe review
You can self-monitor your SimpliSafe system without a subscription. However, the best protection is only available through one of the company’s month-to-month options.
Equipment Packages and Pricing
SimpliSafe offers seven equipment bundles with reduced pricing over purchasing each item individually. However, a build-you-own plan is also available. All equipment packages start with the hub and keypad.
Installation Options
SimpliSafe components and systems allow for simple DIY installations. However, professional installation is available for prices starting at $124.99.
SimpliSafe home security systems are compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Sixty percent of Trustpilot reviewers award SimpliSafe five stars. The company earns high average marks across several other ratings platforms as well. At the BBB, SimpliSafe earns an A+ grade for its responsiveness to consumer concerns. Positive reports include mentions of excellent customer service and transparent billing. Negative reviews cite equipment malfunctions and billing issues.
Best Low-Cost Professional Monitoring
Best Low-Cost Professional Monitoring
Cove
Cove earns a spot on our list with a 4.5 out of five rating. The company offers excellent value for the price through its professional monitoring packages despite not being the cheapest available.
Our research team awarded Cove high marks for its relatively low-cost professional monitoring compared to what customers get in return. Cove also features a 60-day money-back guarantee that sits well with our rating criteria.
Why We Like It
While there are no free monthly options through Cove, we like that the professionally monitored plans offer some of the most extensive features of the companies we reviewed without costing much more. Starting at $17.99 monthly, customers can enjoy 24/7 pro monitoring, remote system operation, alert verifications and battery backup function, which are typically only available with more costly monthly plans through other companies.
What We Don’t Like
Cove customers must subscribe to either a self-monitoring or a professionally monitored plan as the company offers no provisions for free self monitoring. Additionally, Cove offers no solutions for professional installations.
Who It’s Best For
Customers looking for extensive home protection through a professionally monitored plan will realize the best value possible through a Cove home security system. On the other hand, those seeking no-cost self-monitoring options will have to look elsewhere.
Learn more: Cove review
Cove offers two 24/7professional monitoring plan options and a paid self-monitoring plan. A free self-monitoring plan isn’t available.
Cove home security systems and devices are compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice assistants.
Cove earns some of the highest customer ratings in our review on platforms like Trustpilot and Google Maps. The company also scores well across the board as an average, including a B+ rating at the BBB, with just 56 complaints at the Bureau over the past 12 months. Positive customer reviews report excellent cost savings and value, including several mentions of complimentary equipment and low-cost upgrades. Negative reviews mentions things like difficulties when cancelling a plan, customer service missteps and equipment failures.
Best Customer Service Ratings
Best Customer Service Ratings
Frontpoint
Frontpoint stands out as our leader where customer service and ratings are concerned. Scoring an A+ grade at the BBB for its responsiveness, and high marks from multiple review platforms, the company’s small inconveniences can be overlooked to some extent.
High average customer review scores carry big weight with our rating criteria. Frontpoint offers up its A-game by scoring well across numerous platforms, earning it a spot in our review.
Why We Like It
We like several attributes regarding Frontpoint home security systems and features. While its high review scores stand out from the crowd, the company’s 36-month equipment warranties and shareable access really impressed our research team, too.
What We Don’t Like
Two things, in particular, limit Frontpoint’s standing in our review. First, the company offers no option for free self monitoring—A subscription plan is necessary for the system to function. Additionally, there are no second options for monitoring plans, as the company only offers a single plan option.
Who It’s Best For
Customers who’ll benefit most from owning a Frontpoint system will appreciate the company’s simplicity regarding plan options, of which there is only one, and its excellent customer service record.
Learn more: Frontpoint review
Frontpoint offers a single subscription plan with no options for free or paid self-montiroing.
Frontpoint home security systems feature excellent voice assistant connectivity, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Siri.
Frontpoint earns high marks on nearly every rating platform we evaluated. Our research team discovered that the company scores an average of 4.2 out of five stars across all of the sites we analyzed. Frontpoint also maintains an A+ grade at the BBB with just 48 complaints in the past year. Positive reviews generally reflect excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff, while the handful of negative reviews mention equipment failures and billing issues.
Best Smart Home Compatibility
Best Smart Home Compatibility
Abode
Abode earns a 4.3 rating in our review, primarily for its excellent smart home compatibility features. The company not only offers several smart home products on its website for integration with your home security system, but its equipment is compatible with the major voice assistant devices and Z-Wave products.
We chose Abode for inclusion in our review primarily for its smart home integration compatibility. However, the company also has plenty more going for itself, including the fact that a subscription isn’t necessary for basic system functionality.
Why We Like It
Abode earns solid customer review marks and offers many low-cost home security equipment packages and components. However, we really like Abode for not forgetting about Apple Siri voice assistant users, which many other security company products aren’t easily compatible with. We also liked Abode’s very low-cost self-monitoring option, priced at $6.99 monthly.
What We Don’t Like
We were unable to find any mention of professional installation being available through Abode. While a handyperson could install your system if you choose not to as a DIY project, we feel it’s a bit outdated not to offer some kind of provisions for that service.
Who It’s Best For
Customers looking for low-cost equipment and even lower-cost self-moniroring prices can do well by choosing an Abode home security system. However, be prepared to DIY the installation or hire your own professional for the task, as it’s not available throught the company.
Learn more: Abode review
You can choose to self-monitor your Abode system at no cost. However, functionality will be limited to viewing live video only. Other plan options include the following:
Installation Options:
Abode home security systems are designed for easy DIY installation. No information about the company providing or offering professional installation is available.
Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri voice assistants are all compatible with an Abode home security system. Abode is also compatible with Z-Wave devices.
Abode’s Better Business Bureau grade varies by location. While some locations earn an A+ grade, we found one listing in California that struggles with a D- grade. Additionally, Google Maps ratings appear to follow a similar pattern based on location. That said, the company generally earns good customer review scores. Positive reviews talk about long-term reliability and solid customer support, while negative ones often mention slow customer service responses and equipment functionality issues.
Outside of low cost, there are several other factors to consider when choosing your cheap home security system.
Cheap home security systems have become mainstream. Some of them share many of the features of seemingly more advanced but more costly home security systems. Budget-friendly versions feature a wide range of equipment choices and monitoring options. Choose the features that fit your home security needs best. Options may include wired and wireless indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, entry and motion sensors, environmental sensors and alarms, lighting, two-way audio, multiple video storage choices and more.
Customer reviews can provide tons of insight into how each system and company operates. Before committing to a cheap security system, check consumer reviews for several of your candidate options. Read beyond the star rating and scan several of both good and bad customer review posts to get a feel for each company and system.
Many of the best home security companies, both traditional and low-cost, offer several monitoring options so you can choose the coverage that’s best for your home and budget. Many providers offer at least some of the following monitoring options.
Many cheap security systems are only available as DIY-installed products. That said, many offer simple installation procedures, such as stick-on components or products that require only a screwdriver to put up. DIY indoor cameras are often as simple to set up as placing them on a flat surface and connecting them to the rest of the system.
From a setup and connection standpoint, DIY systems easily connect to a phone app, hub and keypad system or the company using instructions found in the app or the hub.
Some cheap home security systems offer options for professional installation at reasonable prices, starting at around $99 for basic equipment.
DIY and cheap home security systems are typically designed for easy installation. Most of them connect to the system wirelessly using Wi-Fi. Wireless components are products that typically operate on battery power or electricity from an outlet.
Wired home security equipment is considered more reliable overall than wireless systems. However, new technology and cellular backup options are making wireless systems nearly on par with wired options, generally with lower price tags.
Check reviews and ratings related to reliability for your system candidates if you have related concerns.
Smart home technology is more than just a fad. Smart home systems are everywhere, and even the cheapest of home security systems typically feature some sort of compatibility with existing systems. Check provider websites and reviews to make sure the system you’re considering will work with your smart home products and voice control devices.
Typical compatibility features may include Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri and HomeKit, Z-Wave, IFTTT and several proprietary systems.
| RING | SIMPLISAFE | COVE | FRONTPOINT | ABODE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start-Up System Price | $199.98 | $249.96 | $445.00 | 541.99 | 159.99 |
| Minimum Paid Plan Monthly Subscription Fee | $4.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | 24.99 | 6.99 |
| System Kit Equipment | Video doorbell, indoor/outdoor camera | Base station, keypad, 1 entry sensor, 1 motion sensor | 3 door sensors, 1 motion detector, hub and touchscreen panel, 3 window sensors, 1 key fob | Hub and keypad, 3 entry sensors, 1 indoor camera | Security hub, 1 entry sensor, 1 key fob |
| System Type | Wired or wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless | Wireless |
| Contract Required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Setup | DIY or Pro | DIY or Pro | DIY | DIY or Pro | DIY |
| Warranty (months) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 | 12 |
| Extra Features | Pro monitoring available | Pro monitoring available | Pro monitoring available | Pro monitoring is only option | Pro monitoring available |
| Smart Home Capability | Amazon Alexa | Google Home, Amazon Alexa | Google Home, Amazon Alexa | Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri | Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri |
The home invasion statistics are pretty clear. Having any security system to help protect your home can reduce the likelihood of experiencing property loss and damage due to burglary or home invasion.
Typical home security systems cost an average of $600 to install, with monthly monitoring prices that range from $20 to $60 in most cases. The installation price range is generally from around $200 to over $1,200. Cheap home security system prices typically land at the low end of those ranges.
| COST TYPE | AVERAGE COST* |
|---|---|
| Hardware | $200 – $1,200 |
| Installation | $100 – $400 |
| Activation fees | $0 – $230 |
| Monthly fees | $20 – $60 |
Protecting your home by having a security system in place is a good idea. However, many security systems are costly, making them impractical for many of us. Purchasing one of the best cheap home security systems is one way to reduce costs. However, there are several other ways to help control prices when purchasing a system.
Secure Your Indoors & Outdoors With Security System
Get smart CCTV cameras for home & offices for better safety & surveillance. Compare quotes from top-rated home security installers.
Deciding between a DIY home security system and a professionally installed and monitored one typically comes down to cost. However, several other factors can make choosing a bit more complicated.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Home Security Installers
Free, No-commitment Estimates
To determine the best home security systems ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 22 companies and 133 systems. Each company’s star rating was determined by evaluating a variety of metrics represented in the below pie chart:
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates home security systems in our detailed methodology page.
All facts and figures were accurate at the time of writing.
The most affordable ways to help protect your home remain the same as they’ve always been. Locking windows and doors, installing a door peephole, reinforcing door locks, securing patio and sliding doors, adding exterior lighting and considering putting devices on an electric timer can all help deter would-be intruders.
While the word cheap can bring up thoughts of unreliability. The best cheap home security systems feature components with the latest in video quality and connectivity technology, including encryption features to keep your information and data safe. While the connectivity reliability of a Wi-Fi-based security system will depend on the strength of the Wi-Fi, many systems feature cellular backup and other security features for added reliability.
Of the companies we feature in our review of the best cheap home security systems, only Cove and Frontpoint don’t offer an option for free self-monitoring. SimpliSafe, Ring and Abode all have provisions that allow you to completely avoid monthly fees by monitoring your own system. However, some features are limited when choosing this option.
Depending on what you need to achieve with your home security system, one of several companies may be the cheapest for your situation. If you’re looking for a low-cost installation, any of our top cheap companies will work. However, considering installation plus long-term costs, Ring and Abode show up often among contenders for having the lowest overall prices.
In most cases, you can add professional monitoring to your installed home security system using the same company that provided the equipment. However, many security systems use standardized components that you can have monitored by another provider using an adapter. Using a monitoring company that sells the brand of components you use in your home usually allows for the best compatibility.
Ginny Bartolone began writing DIY and home improvement guides nearly 10 years ago, covering everything from energy-efficient appliances to cracked foundations. Whether she's compiling cost information or step-by-step guides, her writing aims to simplify complex home improvement concepts and design ideas. In addition to writing guides for home design, she's also worked with a range of publications to write event planning, education and travel-focused articles.
Nick has seven years of experience in the home improvement industry. He started his career marketing for dozens of flooring providers and related home services across North America. Today, he is a freelance writer and regular contributor to several publications specializing in home topics. Nick’s work includes DIY guides, informational articles and financial content, all of which aim to demystify unfamiliar subjects for homeowners and build their confidence.
Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of experience in the home space and 10 years of editing experience.
