NO BS Home Security System Comparison

Not sure which reviews are credible and who is getting paid to shill?

Want a no-nonsense security system to keep your home safe?

It can be tough to compare alarm systems.  There is a lot of information and some web sites whose objectivity you should question.

I want to bring some integrity to security system comparisons.

So, I’ve put together the information in one place.  You can filter out the systems that don’t meet your needs and just compare home security systems that do.

Compare Home Security System Features and Costs

If you are:

  • Looking for home security systems that offer do it yourself installations
  • Want to compare home automation systems
  • Trying to find home alarms with cellular system monitoring
  • Shopping for an alarm system with no monthly costs
  • Looking for a home security system cost comparison

then you’ve come to the right place.

Most importantly, I don’t get paid by any companies that make these products.

The table will give you an idea of the equipment costs and monthly payments.  If you want to see how that compares to a quote from a system like ADT or Frontpoint, check out our security system cost calculator to see total costs over time.

Looking for support for a particular sensor?

If you know that you want a system that monitors fire, CO, or some other particular feature, you may want to see our home security system sensor and home automation features page.

Compare Home Security and Home Automation Systems

Use the drop down menus below to filter based on the type of system you’re looking for.  You can also use the icons on the headings to sort the list.

SystemMonitoringContract (Yrs)InstallationInstallation CostMin. Kit CostKit Contents:Min. Monthly CostMax. Monthly CostConnectivityRefund (days)Eq. Warranty (yr)ProtocolsReviews
AbodeDIY/Pro0DIY$0$3592 ES, 1 Cam, 1 KRWiFi + Cellular301Z-Wave + Zigbee
ADTPro3Pro$0$02 ES, 2 LC, 1 MS $30WiFi + Cellular180LifetimeProprietary
Alarm ForcePro3Pro$0$02 ES, 1 MS, 1 Siren$25$25Phone + CellularLifetimeProprietary
Alarm GridPro0DIY$0$3101 ES, 1 MS, 1 KR$10$20WiFi + Cellular01Z-Wave
ATTPro2Pro$150$06 ES, 1 MS, 1 KR, 1 Siren$40WiFiLifetimeZ-Wave
CanaryDIY/Pro0DIY$0$2501 Cam+MS+Env.$0$40WiFi601ProprietaryCanary Reviews
ComcastPro2DIY/Pro$100-400$03 ES, 1 MS $30$30WiFi302Zigbee
Staples Connect (new D-Link hub)DIY0DIY$0$601 MS$0$0WiFi0Z-Wave + ZigbeeStaples Connect Review
FrontpointPro3DIY$0$99$35$35Cellular303Z-Wave
InsteonDIY0DIY$0$1201 Es, 2 LC$0$0WiFi02ProprietaryInsteon Reviews
IrisDIY0DIY$0$1802 ES, 1 MS$0$10Internet + Cellular1Z-WaveIris Reviews
KornerDIY0DIY$0$2002 ES, 1 MS, 2 KR $0$0Internet00Proprietary
iSmartAlarmDIY1DIY$0$983 ES$3$3Internet301ZigbeeiSmartAlarm Review
LifeshieldPro3DIY/Pro$0-200$02 ES$30$60Internet + CellularProprietary
LivewatchPro1DIY$0$992 ES, 1 MS, 1 KR$20$40CellularLifetime ($49) - upgradeZ-Wave
MyfoxDIY0DIY$0$2701 ES, 1 KR, 1 Siren$0$0WiFi30ProprietaryMyfox Reviews
NexiaDIY0DIY$0$60Hub only$10$10WiFi30Z-WaveNexia Reviews
OplinkDIY0DIY$0$1502 ES, 1 MS, 2 KR, 1 Siren$10$20WiFi + Cellular01ProprietaryOplink Reviews
PiperDIY0DIY$0$2001 Cam+MS+Env.$0$0WiFi00Z-WavePiper Reviews
Protect AmericaPro3DIY$0$03 ES, 1 MS$20$43WiFi + Cellular14LifetimeProprietary
ScoutDIY/Pro0DIY$0$2362 ES, 1 MS$0$25WiFi + Cellular301ZigbeeScout Review
Securifi Almond+DIY0DIY$0$200Hub only$0$0WiFiReturn to retailer1Z-Wave + ZigbeeAlmond+ Reviews
SimplisafePro0DIY$0$2603 ES, 1 MS, 1 KR, $15$25WiFi + Cellular603ProprietarySimpliSafe Review
Skylink SC-10DIY0DIY$0$1102 ES, 1 KR, 1 Siren$0$0Phone141ProprietarySkylink Reviews
SmartThingsDIY0DIY$0$1991 ES, 1 MS, 1 PS$0$0WiFi301Z-Wave + ZigbeeSmartThings Review
VeraDIY0DIY$0$1991Cam, 1 LC$0$0WiFi301Z-WaveVera Reviews
ViperDIY0DIY$0$2301 ES, 1 MS$0$10ProprietaryViper Reviews
VivintPro3.5Pro$99$03 ES, 1 MS, 1 KR$54Cellular30ProprietaryVivint Reviews
WinkDIY0DIY$0$50Hub only$0$0WiFiZ-Wave + ZigbeeWink Review
Wireless Sensor TagsDIY0DIY$0$83Hub + 1 ES$0$0WiFi601ProprietaryWireless Sensor Tag Review
Ring Security SystemDIY/ Pro0DIY$0$1991 Hub, 1 Keypad, 1 Contact Sensor, 1 Motion Sensor, 1 Range Extender$0$10WiFi + Cellular301Bluetooth + Z-Wave + ZigbeeRing Security System Review

Equipment key:
ES = Entry sensors, MS = Motion sensor, LC = Light controller, KR = Keychain remote, Cam = camera, SA = Smoke alarm, PS = Presence sensor
Note: Some of these items use affiliate links to Amazon. If you prefer, you can use the adjacent link to go to the manufacturer’s website instead.

Want to compare systems based on what they can do?

If you want to see what other home security and home automation accessories are available for purchase with these systems, we’ve put that together in a table too!

See something that needs to be corrected?  It’s tough keeping up with with all of the offerings and changes that are out there. Send us a note on our contact page or on Facebook telling us what the change is and what you’re using as a reference.

Cyber Security for your Home Security System

What happens after you have your system chosen?  I think your next best step is to know how your security system can be hacked and secure it. Many systems come with well-known default user names and passwords, so exposing them to the internet without changing the default login is not a wise idea.

With some popular models, they can be compromised within minutes!

Even after changing the login information, there may be other known security vulnerabilities that can be exploited the the system isn’t updated quickly. Read more about security system hacks to learn more about how to protect your system.

To lower your risk, the best option is to set up a VPN on your home network so that you can log into the VPN while you’re away from home. Then, you can completely deny access to the security system from the internet so that hackers can’t access the system directly.

That way, you’re adding an additional layer of security in between the hackers and your system.

Many people even isolate the home security system on a separate network within the home for IOT devices so that even if it is compromised, your computers are not vulnerable.

Compare Security System and Smart Home Features and Sensors

We’ve gathered all of the information that we could find and put it in one place to save you time.  Don’t limit yourself to a system that won’t grow to fit your needs.  See if the system you are considering supports the home security sensors or home automation products you want or might need in the future.

If you’re looking for something particular, we’ve put together a couple of guides for systems with particular features, like battery backup, cellular backup, security systems with no monthly fees, and the pros and cons of wireless systems.

And, if you like blending automation with your security system like I do, check out our guide on adding geofencing to your alarm system and how to arm your security system when everybody leaves home!

Compare Home Security Sensors and Accessories

This table will let you know which companies offer which types of sensors with their home security systems.  It DOES NOT include 3rd party sensors like Zigbee or Z-Wave devices.  You can filter out any solution that doesn’t offer the home alarm system sensors that you need by using the dropdown menus.

SystemCameraCarbon Mon.EntryGlass BreakMotionPanic ButtonPresenceRemotesSirenSmokeTemp./FreezeThermostatWaterOther
AbodeYesNoYesNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNoYes
ADT??Yes?Yes?No??????
Alarm Force??Yes?Yes?No??????
Alarm Grid (mostly Honeywell)YesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYes
ATT??Yes?Yes?NoYesYes????
ComcastYesYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYesYes
FrontpointNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoYesYesNoYes
InsteonYesYesYesNoYesNoNoYesNoYesYesNoYes
iSmartAlarmYesNoYesNoYesNoYesYesNoYesNoNoNo
BrinksNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
NexiaNoNoYesNoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNo
Oplink ConnetedYesNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNo
PiperYesNoYesNoYesNoNoNoNoNoYesNoYesLight and audio built-in
ScoutYesNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoRFID arm/disarm
Securifi Almond+NoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesNoNoNoNoYes
SecurityManYesNoYesNoYesYesNoYesYesYesNoNoNo
SimpliSafeNoYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYes
SkylinkNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNoYes
SmartThingsNoNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoNoNoYes
VeraYesNoYesNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNo
VivintNoNoYesNoYesNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
WinkNoNoYesNoYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesGarage
Wireless TagsNoNoYesNoYesNoYesNoNoNoYesNoYes

Stay in touch:

It’s also worth noting that many of these are new companies and are developing new products very quickly, so check back regularly to see if anything has changed.  Also, the question marks are for companies that don’t disclose what they offer on their website.  This usually means that they want you to have to call so that they can pressure you into making a purchase.  Our stance is that we’re in the 21st century, and if it isn’t available for the public on a web site, then we aren’t going out of our way to promote their products.

So there!

Compare Home Automation System Protocol Support

With the wide array of new home automation products being introduced to consumers in recent months, many people don’t want to be locked in to buying equipment from a single company.  After all, when a really disruptive product comes along that sets a new bar like the Nest thermostat, you want to be able to get and integrate it.  Until the home automation space is more mature, it’s a fact of life that many competing technologies are out there with good devices.  So, getting a hub that can speak several languages is a definite advantage.

Just take a look at the support offered by a few of the most popular systems.  You can see the full list below the image.

Home automation protocols

I don’t think the protocol to rule all protocols is coming any time soon.  For now, we’re stuck with Z-Wave, Zigbee, Insteon, and WiFi (X10 is all but dead).  And, expect low energy versions of Bluetooth and WiFi in the coming years as well as the Thread protocol to become more widespread.

SystemZ-WaveZigbeeWiFiIFTTT
ADTNoNoNoNo
Alarm ForceNoNoNoNo
Alarm GridYesNoNoNo
AT&T Digital LifeYesNoNoNo
Belkin WeMoNoNoYesYes
Comcast Xfinity Home SecureNoYesNoNo
Staples Connect (new D-Link hub)YesYesYesNo
Staples Connect (Linksys hub)YesNoYesNo
FrontPointYesNoNoNo
InsteonNoNoNoNo
iSmartAlarmNoNoNoYes
LifeshieldNoNoNoNo
Live WatchYesNoNoNo
Nexia HomeYesNoYesNo
Oplink ConnectedNoNoNoNo
PiperYesNoNoNo
Protect AmericaNoNoNoNo
ScoutNoYesNoYes
Securifi Almond+YesYesYesNo
SimpliSafeNoNoNoNo
SkylinkNoNoNoNo
SmartthingsYesYesYesYes
Vera ControlYesNoNoNo
ViperNoNoNoNo
VivintNoNoNoNo
WinkYesYesYesYes
Wireless Sensor TagsNoNoYesYes

Home Automation Systems Comparison – Control

The following table lists the home automation products available for each home security system.  The products that are listed as a “Yes” for the systems are those that are manufactured by the company that makes the home alarm system.  They do not include home automation products that may be offered that comply to a supported standard, such as Z-Wave or Zigbee (those are listed as “Possible”).

There are many more Z-Wave and Zigbee enabled devices that are available and more being released every week, so if your chosen home alarm monitoring system supports one of those standards, you will be able to buy 3rd party sensors to integrate with your system.

SystemPower ControlLight Control
AbodePossiblePossible
ADT??
Alarm Force??
Alarm GridPossibleYes
AT&T Digital LifePossiblePossible
Belkin WeMoYesYes
Comcast Xfinity Home SecurePossibleYes
D-Link (& Staples Connect)YesPossible
FrontPointPossiblePossible
InsteonYesYes
iSmartAlarmYesNo
Live WatchPossiblePossible
Nexia HomePossiblePossible
Oplink ConnectedYesNo
PiperYesYes
ScoutPossiblePossible
Securifi Almond+YesPossible
SimpliSafeNoNo
SkylinkNoNo
SmartthingsYesYes
Vera ControlYesYes
VivintNoNo
WinkYesYes

If you have some updates to the information included, feel free to contact us and let us know.