Interested in seeing how top alarm companies stack up by price, equipment and features? We’ve made it easy with our home security system cost comparison chart. See what you’ll spend and what you’ll get from the top providers in a side-by-side format to help you find the right security system for you. No need to spend hours online, on the phone or with in-home consultations.
Cost is an important factor for many consumers, but all aspects of what a security company offers should be considered before making your decision. Designed to be a supplement our best security system rankings, our cost comparison breaks down features and pricing for different package levels to help you narrow down your best options.
Related Pages…
- Best Home Security System: 2016
- Home Security Customer Service Comparison
- Home Security Cancellation Policies
Overall Best Security System:

While the cost comparison charts below rank the top alarm companies based on different package types, remember there are a number of factors that may affect your decision. Frontpoint earned our #1 spot for best overall home security system. When compared to the industry, Frontpoint stands apart from the rest of the industry when it comes to cost, equipment, service, and reputation.
You can learn more about the top rated alarm companies by visiting our page Best Home Security Systems for 2016.
Entry Level Packages
These packages offer the lowest cost in home security monitoring and equipment from the top alarm companies by focusing on essential security features and capabilities. Stripped of the “bells and whistles” these packages meet the needs of price-conscious consumers and those who are not interested in advanced features like video monitoring and home automation — without compromising on the primary purpose of a home security system.
Because this chart is focused on “entry level” packages, we did not consider companies like Frontpoint, ADT, Vivint or Guardian Protection Services.
Ranking
Company
Most Popular Packages
The most popular packages offered by top providers include advanced features are fast becoming standard expectations for today’s homeowner, including cellular monitoring (the safest communication method available), interactive services and expanded monitoring service options.
Frontpoint takes top honors in this group by keeping a rein on pricing without sacrificing on equipment and features.
Ranking
- Security
Company - Read Review
- Website
- Phone
- Package
- Install/Activation Fee
- Equipment Cost
- Monitoring Rate
- Control Panel
- Motion Sensor
- Door/Window Sensor
- Mobile App
- Key fob
- Extras
- Thermostat
- Glass Break Sensor
- Smoke/ Heat Detector
- Monitoring Type
- Intrusion Monitoring
- Fire Monitoring
- Environmental Monitoring
- Life Safety Monitoring
- Interactive Services
- Email/ Text Alerts
- Home Automation
- Energy Managment
- Video Monitoring
- Geo Services
- (855) 903-7510
- PackageInteractive
- Install/Activation Fee$0
- Equipment Cost$199.93
- Monitoring Rate$44.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor2 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- ExtrasCrash & Smash Protection
- Thermostat3rd Party
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringNo
- Geo ServicesYes
- (800) 905-5271
- PackageEdge Essential
- Install/Activation Fee$99
- Equipment Cost$0
- Monitoring Rate$44.95/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor10 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob2 Included
- ExtrasTwo-Way Voice
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementAvailable
- Video MonitoringAvailable
- Geo ServicesAvailable
- (844) 287-2688
- PackageAlways On+
- Install/Activation Fee$0
- Equipment Costvaries
- Monitoring Rate$19.99/mo
- Control Panel$129.00
- Motion Sensor$49.00
- Door/Window Sensor$29.00
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob$4.99
- ExtrasRFID stickers- $2.49
- ThermostatCompatible
- Glass Break Sensornone
- Smoke/ Heat Detectornone
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringNo
- Environmental MonitoringNo
- Life Safety MonitoringNo
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementNo
- Video MonitoringNo
- Geo ServicesNo
- (888) 241-8320
- PackageADT Pulse
- Install/Activation Fee$199 (base)
- Equipment Costvaries
- Monitoring Rate$52.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor10 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- Extrasnone
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringAvailable
- Geo ServicesNo
- (800) 372-9259
- PackageSmart Protect/ Control
- Install/Activation Fee$198.00
- Equipment Cost$0
- Monitoring Rate$59.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor3 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- ExtrasTouchscreen panel
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat Detector1 Included
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringAvailable
- Geo ServicesNo
Premium Packages
The most comprehensive security and automation systems available for tech-forward consumers looking for control, access and remote management of their homes. These packages include features and capabilities like video monitoring, light control, temperature management, remote access control and other smart home capabilities.
Frontpoint again achieves the top position by offering a comprehensive security and automation package while maintaining a reasonable price point.
Ranking
- Security
Company - Read Review
- Website
- Phone
- Package
- Install/Activation Fee
- Equipment Cost
- Monitoring Rate
- Control Panel
- Motion Sensor
- Door/Window Sensor
- Mobile App
- Key fob
- Extras
- Light Control
- Thermostat
- Glass Break Sensor
- Smoke/ Heat Detector
- Remote Locks
- Wireless Indoor Camera
- Monitoring Type
- Intrusion Monitoring
- Fire Monitoring
- Environmental Monitoring
- Life Safety Monitoring
- Interactive Services
- Email/ Text Alerts
- Home Automation
- Energy Managment
- Video Monitoring
- Geo Services
- (855) 903-7510
- PackageUltimate
- Install/Activation Fee$0
- Equipment Cost$199.93
- Monitoring Rate$49.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor2 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- ExtrasTouchscreen Panel, Crash & Smash Protection
- Light Control2 Included
- Thermostat3rd Party
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Remote Locks3rd Party
- Wireless Indoor CameraAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringYes
- Geo ServicesYes
- (800) 372-9259
- PackageSmart Complete
- Install/Activation Fee$99(min)
- Equipment Cost$0
- Monitoring Rate$69.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor3 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- ExtrasTouchscreen Panel, 3 Additional Smart Devices
- Light ControlAvailable
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat Detector1 Included
- Remote LocksAvailable
- Wireless Indoor CameraAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringYes
- Geo ServicesNo
- (800) 905-5271
- PackageEdge Control
- Install/Activation Fee$299
- Equipment Cost$0
- Monitoring Rate$49.95/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor3 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key FobAvailable
- ExtrasLimited Lifetime System Repair
- Light ControlAvailable
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Remote LocksAvailable
- Wireless Indoor CameraAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringNo
- Geo ServicesYes
- (888) 241-8320
- PackageADT Pulse
- Install/Activation Fee$199 (base)
- Equipment Costvaries
- Monitoring Rate$52.99/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor10 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- Extrasnone
- Light ControlAvailable
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Remote Locksnone
- Wireless Indoor CameraAvailable
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringYes
- Geo ServicesNo
- (800) 290-0709
- PackageHomeTouch Premier
- Install/Activation Fee$149
- Equipment Cost$0
- Monitoring Rate$54.95/mo
- Control PanelIncluded
- Motion Sensor1 Included
- Door/Window Sensor3 Included
- Mobile AppIncluded
- Key Fob1 Included
- ExtrasExtended Service Plan, Two-way Voice, Touchscreen Panel
- Light ControlAvailable
- ThermostatAvailable
- Glass Break SensorAvailable
- Smoke/ Heat DetectorAvailable
- Remote LocksAvailable
- Wireless Indoor Camera1 Included
- Monitoring TypeCellular
- Intrusion MonitoringYes
- Fire MonitoringYes
- Environmental MonitoringYes
- Life Safety MonitoringYes
- Interactive ServicesYes
- Email/ Text AlertsYes
- Home AutomationYes
- Energy ManagementYes
- Video MonitoringYes
- Geo ServicesNo
Other Factors To Consider
Price is important when selecting the right security system, but you will also want to consider other factors before making your final decision:
- Understand the different equipment and devices offered as well as the system’s features and capabilities to make sure it will meet your needs and expectations.
- The company’s reputation and feedback from real customers can provide you with insight into what you can expect from an alarm company.
- Installation may be another aspect to consider; while many of the leading home security companies offer simple-to-setup wireless DIY security systems, some customers are more comfortable with a trained technician installing the security system.