Security is always excessive until it's not enough...
1.FootPrint
Best home security system for customer service
Frontpoint is a no-stress, no-hassle, straightforward home security company with a long history of superior customer service. You won’t have to deal with pushy sales reps or frustrating customer service calls. It might sound simple, but Frontpoint really just blows every other security company away when it comes to customer experience.
PROS
CONS
How Frontpoint locked up the top spot
Customer service experience
We’ve never had a bad experience when dealing with Frontpoint home security. It’s a straightforward, stress-free experience every time we call in to mystery shop, and Frontpoint reps are always willing to answer any question we throw at them. They’ll stay on the line with you and walk you through questions or concerns, and never once have we been pressured to buy or upgrade equipment.
Pricing & affordability
Monthly monitoring service costs between $35 and $50 per month, depending on the features you choose. It’s not as affordable as Link Interactive or SimpliSafe, but it’s still a manageable range for the quality of security systems and level of customer service you’ll get from Frontpoint.
Features & equipment offerings
Frontpoint Security offers a variety of packages from simple monitored door and window sensors all the way up to full smart home security home automation and security cameras and video monitoring. If you step up to the Interactive or Ultimate package, you can add gadgets like SkyBell and Nest Thermostat.
Superior customer service, industry-leading equipment, and overall transparency make Frontpoint the best home alarm system for the 11th year in a row. For more details, read our Frontpoint Security reviews article.
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Best home security system for customer service
Frontpoint is a no-stress, no-hassle, straightforward home security company with a long history of superior customer service. You won’t have to deal with pushy sales reps or frustrating customer service calls. It might sound simple, but Frontpoint really just blows every other security company away when it comes to customer experience.
PROS
CONS
How Frontpoint locked up the top spot
Customer service experience
We’ve never had a bad experience when dealing with Frontpoint home security. It’s a straightforward, stress-free experience every time we call in to mystery shop, and Frontpoint reps are always willing to answer any question we throw at them. They’ll stay on the line with you and walk you through questions or concerns, and never once have we been pressured to buy or upgrade equipment.
Pricing & affordability
Monthly monitoring service costs between $35 and $50 per month, depending on the features you choose. It’s not as affordable as Link Interactive or SimpliSafe, but it’s still a manageable range for the quality of security systems and level of customer service you’ll get from Frontpoint.
Features & equipment offerings
Frontpoint Security offers a variety of packages from simple monitored door and window sensors all the way up to full smart home security home automation and security cameras and video monitoring. If you step up to the Interactive or Ultimate package, you can add gadgets like SkyBell and Nest Thermostat.
Superior customer service, industry-leading equipment, and overall transparency make Frontpoint the best home alarm system for the 11th year in a row. For more details, read our Frontpoint Security reviews article.
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2. Vivint
Best home security system for technology and home automation
Best home security system for technology and home automation
Vivint has completely revamped its business model for new customers with Vivint Flex Pay, and we think it could be a game changer in the industry—hence the jump to our #2 spot.
We really like what we’re seeing from Vivint and its willingness to adapt based on customer feedback, which was previously not one of its strengths. Aside from Flex Pay, Vivint offers the best technology and home automation packages out there and also boasts the best doorbell camera of all.
PROS
CONS
How Vivint jumped into second place
Features & equipment offerings
Vivint is all about home automation and state-of-the-art technology. If you’re into things like controlling your lights, door locks, security cameras, and pretty much anything else under your roof that can connect to your smartphone, then Vivint’s alarm systems are worth heavy consideration. The company is starting to design more and more of its own equipment, so it doesn’t rely as much on third-party vendors as Frontpoint or ADT do. The Vivint Doorbell Camera is one of our favorite pieces of security equipment to date.
Pricing & affordability
Vivint Flex Pay gives you the option to purchase your equipment up front with no added monthly cost—and no contract—or to finance the equipment interest-free over a 42- or 60-month contract. We think it’s awesome that Vivint gives you multiple options, but you should know that even though choosing a contract means you pay less upfront, you’ll have to pay 100% of the remaining contract if you cancel early.
Customer service experience
Vivint has made great strides to adapt based on customer feedback. Introducing the Flex Pay program went a long way to make Vivint more customer-centric overall, and we’ve been impressed by Vivint’s efforts to engage customers on reviews sites like ASecureLife.com and address their needs directly.
Check out our Vivint reviews article for more details.
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Vivint has completely revamped its business model for new customers with Vivint Flex Pay, and we think it could be a game changer in the industry—hence the jump to our #2 spot.
We really like what we’re seeing from Vivint and its willingness to adapt based on customer feedback, which was previously not one of its strengths. Aside from Flex Pay, Vivint offers the best technology and home automation packages out there and also boasts the best doorbell camera of all.
PROS
CONS
How Vivint jumped into second place
Features & equipment offerings
Vivint is all about home automation and state-of-the-art technology. If you’re into things like controlling your lights, door locks, security cameras, and pretty much anything else under your roof that can connect to your smartphone, then Vivint’s alarm systems are worth heavy consideration. The company is starting to design more and more of its own equipment, so it doesn’t rely as much on third-party vendors as Frontpoint or ADT do. The Vivint Doorbell Camera is one of our favorite pieces of security equipment to date.
Pricing & affordability
Vivint Flex Pay gives you the option to purchase your equipment up front with no added monthly cost—and no contract—or to finance the equipment interest-free over a 42- or 60-month contract. We think it’s awesome that Vivint gives you multiple options, but you should know that even though choosing a contract means you pay less upfront, you’ll have to pay 100% of the remaining contract if you cancel early.
Customer service experience
Vivint has made great strides to adapt based on customer feedback. Introducing the Flex Pay program went a long way to make Vivint more customer-centric overall, and we’ve been impressed by Vivint’s efforts to engage customers on reviews sites like ASecureLife.com and address their needs directly.
Check out our Vivint reviews article for more details.
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3 Link Interactive
Best home security system for transparency
What makes Link Interactive so great is its customizable approach to its do-it-yourself home security packages. It got rid of predesigned equipment packages and instead lets you design your system and choose from multiple contract lengths to fit your needs. We love Link Interactive for its transparent and competitive pricing, solid customer service, and customization options.
PROS
CONS
Why we like Link Interactive
Pricing & affordability
Link Interactive offers 12-, 24-, and 36-month contract options, which makes it great for renters and anyone who isn’t ready for a long-term commitment. Alarm monitoring prices start at $31 and go up to $41 per month, making it more affordable than Frontpoint or Vivint and one of the more competitively priced professionally monitoring services on our list.
Link Interactive also lists exact prices for its equipment on its website, so it’s easy to know how much that extra window or door sensor will cost without having to listen to a sales pitch..
Features & equipment offerings
Link Interactive has an à la carte equipment selection model, so you can pick the equipment that’s important to you without paying for a preselected package. Link offers a variety of monitored sensors and detectors, home automation control, and video surveillance that are all designed for easy DIY installation. Link Interactive also has a 30-day risk-free trial.
Customer service experience
Link Interactive genuinely cares about its customers, and that’s reflected in the overwhelming number of positive reviews it receives from its users.
Transparent and competitive prices, customizable equipment, and a positive customer service experience make Link Interactive one of our best home security systems in 2018. Check out our Link Interactive reviews article for more details.
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What makes Link Interactive so great is its customizable approach to its do-it-yourself home security packages. It got rid of predesigned equipment packages and instead lets you design your system and choose from multiple contract lengths to fit your needs. We love Link Interactive for its transparent and competitive pricing, solid customer service, and customization options.
PROS
CONS
Why we like Link Interactive
Pricing & affordability
Link Interactive offers 12-, 24-, and 36-month contract options, which makes it great for renters and anyone who isn’t ready for a long-term commitment. Alarm monitoring prices start at $31 and go up to $41 per month, making it more affordable than Frontpoint or Vivint and one of the more competitively priced professionally monitoring services on our list.
Link Interactive also lists exact prices for its equipment on its website, so it’s easy to know how much that extra window or door sensor will cost without having to listen to a sales pitch..
Features & equipment offerings
Link Interactive has an à la carte equipment selection model, so you can pick the equipment that’s important to you without paying for a preselected package. Link offers a variety of monitored sensors and detectors, home automation control, and video surveillance that are all designed for easy DIY installation. Link Interactive also has a 30-day risk-free trial.
Customer service experience
Link Interactive genuinely cares about its customers, and that’s reflected in the overwhelming number of positive reviews it receives from its users.
Transparent and competitive prices, customizable equipment, and a positive customer service experience make Link Interactive one of our best home security systems in 2018. Check out our Link Interactive reviews article for more details.
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4 Simplisafe
Best home security system without a contract
It’s easy to see why SimpliSafe is a crowd favorite—especially among renters. Its no-contract, DIY approach caters to families on a budget, and it’s endorsed by money whiz Dave Ramsey. It’s a solid home security choice, but the lack of home automation features keeps it from rising higher on our list, though it did recently add a security camera to their offerings.
PROS
CONS
Why we like SimpliSafe
Pricing & affordability
SimpliSafe doesn’t require contracts, which tells us that it is confident in the service it provides and doesn’t need to lock you down. SimpliSafe offers low-cost cellular monitoring starting at $15 to $25 per month depending on whether you want mobile access. The only company with a similarly low monitoring cost is Scout, but it doesn’t offer the same range of equipment that you can get with SimpliSafe.
Features & equipment offerings
SimpliSafe does take a much more basic approach to security than the rest of our top five. You aren’t going to get as many bells and whistles with a SimpliSafe system. In fact, it doesn’t even use a control panel like other alarm systems. Instead, you get a central hub and tactile keypad. It’s a little old-school, but SimpliSafe is more of a function-over-fashion kind of system anyway, and it helps keep prices low.
Customer service experience
Most SimpliSafe customers report high levels of satisfaction, though SimpliSafe’s customer service is pretty unremarkable. There’s not a lot that stands out, but there’s nothing really wrong with it either. It’s just kind of there. SimpliSafe does do a great job, however, in presenting customers with a product that is so easy to use that there’s rarely a need to contact customer service in the first place. This creates a positive experience by itself, especially for a DIY system.
Check out our SimpliSafe reviews article for more details.
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It’s easy to see why SimpliSafe is a crowd favorite—especially among renters. Its no-contract, DIY approach caters to families on a budget, and it’s endorsed by money whiz Dave Ramsey. It’s a solid home security choice, but the lack of home automation features keeps it from rising higher on our list, though it did recently add a security camera to their offerings.
PROS
CONS
Why we like SimpliSafe
Pricing & affordability
SimpliSafe doesn’t require contracts, which tells us that it is confident in the service it provides and doesn’t need to lock you down. SimpliSafe offers low-cost cellular monitoring starting at $15 to $25 per month depending on whether you want mobile access. The only company with a similarly low monitoring cost is Scout, but it doesn’t offer the same range of equipment that you can get with SimpliSafe.
Features & equipment offerings
SimpliSafe does take a much more basic approach to security than the rest of our top five. You aren’t going to get as many bells and whistles with a SimpliSafe system. In fact, it doesn’t even use a control panel like other alarm systems. Instead, you get a central hub and tactile keypad. It’s a little old-school, but SimpliSafe is more of a function-over-fashion kind of system anyway, and it helps keep prices low.
Customer service experience
Most SimpliSafe customers report high levels of satisfaction, though SimpliSafe’s customer service is pretty unremarkable. There’s not a lot that stands out, but there’s nothing really wrong with it either. It’s just kind of there. SimpliSafe does do a great job, however, in presenting customers with a product that is so easy to use that there’s rarely a need to contact customer service in the first place. This creates a positive experience by itself, especially for a DIY system.
Check out our SimpliSafe reviews article for more details.
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5 ADT
Most trusted home security company
Millions of people use ADT alarm systems to protect their homes every day. It’s by far the most popular provider in the nation. But what makes it so popular? ADT has been around longer than any other security company, with 140 years of experience. It uses locally authorized resellers to sell and install its products, which allows ADT to cover more areas of the country. It’s also got multiple monitoring centers running 24/7 to help prevent any kind of service outage. That’s not to say other companies don’t do the same thing; ADT just does it on a larger scale. Because of the local vendors, your experience with ADT will vary greatly based on your location.
PROS
CONS
Why we like ADT
Features & equipment offerings
With ADT Pulse you can control things like lights, door locks, garage doors, and your thermostat all from your smartphone—though it is one of ADT’s more expensive monthly plans ($52.99 per month). ADT is also one of the highest-rated companies for security performance because it uses technology and equipment from Honeywell (the same company that manufactures many high-end commercial security products).
Customer service experience
ADT’s use of local vendors creates some inconsistencies with customer experience. Not every area will have the same equipment or pricing options, and local vendors vary greatly with transparency of pricing and other information. However, even with these inconsistencies, millions of people still choose ADT to protect their homes because it has a long track record of keeping people safe.
Pricing & affordability
ADT is pretty pricey compared to the rest of our top security companies. Monthly monitoring prices vary depending on your area but generally fall between $37 and $60 per month. ADT also charges an activation fee starting at $99.
Check out our ADT reviews article for more details.
Millions of people use ADT alarm systems to protect their homes every day. It’s by far the most popular provider in the nation. But what makes it so popular? ADT has been around longer than any other security company, with 140 years of experience. It uses locally authorized resellers to sell and install its products, which allows ADT to cover more areas of the country. It’s also got multiple monitoring centers running 24/7 to help prevent any kind of service outage. That’s not to say other companies don’t do the same thing; ADT just does it on a larger scale. Because of the local vendors, your experience with ADT will vary greatly based on your location.
PROS
CONS
Why we like ADT
Features & equipment offerings
With ADT Pulse you can control things like lights, door locks, garage doors, and your thermostat all from your smartphone—though it is one of ADT’s more expensive monthly plans ($52.99 per month). ADT is also one of the highest-rated companies for security performance because it uses technology and equipment from Honeywell (the same company that manufactures many high-end commercial security products).
Customer service experience
ADT’s use of local vendors creates some inconsistencies with customer experience. Not every area will have the same equipment or pricing options, and local vendors vary greatly with transparency of pricing and other information. However, even with these inconsistencies, millions of people still choose ADT to protect their homes because it has a long track record of keeping people safe.
Pricing & affordability
ADT is pretty pricey compared to the rest of our top security companies. Monthly monitoring prices vary depending on your area but generally fall between $37 and $60 per month. ADT also charges an activation fee starting at $99.
Check out our ADT reviews article for more details.
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