One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is select a great security system. Even if you are in a good neighborhood or the better part of town, break-ins can happen anywhere. The only real way to have peace of mind and protect your home is by choosing a good system and company to monitor your security and help you with any problems that may come up. If you are looking at moving into a new home it's important to remember that a security system should be on the top of your list of things to do after the move. This is when your house is the most vulnerable, as neighbors do not yet know if the person hanging around your house should be there or not. Important factors to consider when choosing a security company include price points, customer service, and quality of equipment. Taking these factors into consideration, the following six companies are our top choices for security companies to protect your home.
1. Frontpoint
Frontpoint offers a great mix of quality equipment, affordable price points, and excellent customer service. They have scalable systems and DIY setups that range from monitored door and window sensors to an entire smart house set up. They offer wireless systems which can interface with smartphones for easy monitoring and control. While they are not the cheapest option out there, Frontpoint does have a very affordable range for their monthly monitoring costs (plus an initial installation and activation fee). Additionally, the quality of the equipment combined with their excellent customer services means the extra cost is worthwhile. You'll never need to worry about pushy sales reps or lack of support when it comes to Frontpoint. While other security companies can be prone to pressure customers to buy products or upgrades, Frontpoint won't hound you to spend extra money and will be there 24/7 to answer your questions or help you with any issues that come up.
2. Vivint
This company excels when it comes to technological equipment including the best doorbell cameras and automated systems. All their equipment comes with lifetime warranties through their premium service. Another way this company stands out from the rest is through their financing options. This feature makes security systems more viable for those who can't afford the high out of pocket expenses that most companies require for installation or activation. Vivint offers free installation by their trained professionals, though there is a fee for outdoor and doorbell camera installations. The flip side is that they do charge higher monthly fees than other companies. Another potential downside is their aggressive sales approach. Following the same practices most security companies follow, sales reps and customer service personnel may frequently try to sell you extra equipment or upgrades you really don’t need.
3. Link Interactive
This particular security company is a good option for those who enjoy customizing their own systems. Instead of the prefabricated systems most companies use, Link Interactive allows you to build your own approach to home security. This means you can get exactly what you need for your house without paying for extras that you can’t use. They also offer free installation and activation and great customer service, though their hours are more limited than most companies’. Link Interactive also has 12, 24, and 36-month contacts, unlike most security systems who tend to lock their customers into less flexible agreements. Unfortunately, this comes with a rather harsh cancellation policy which requires the customer to pay 75% of the remaining cost of the contract. Their equipment also comes with a 3-year warranty which is pretty short compared to most companies.
4. SimpliSafe
This company really stands out from the rest for its affordability, easy DIY setup options, and the fact that there are no required contracts. This makes it a great option for renters who want to add some security to their homes, but don’t know how long they will be at that specific location. The equipment does need to be purchased up front, but it can easily be uninstalled and moved to a different location, so it's not lost with the house if you move or sell. SimpliSafe also offers the lowest monthly monitoring cost, and since the system is DIY there is no installation fee (outside of the price of the equipment). Their technology tends to be more old-fashioned and there are no home automation options, but this is still a solid choice for homeowners looking for basic, affordable security.
5. ProtectAmerica
ProtectAmerica provides lifetime warranties on their equipment and offers 3 different monitoring options: landline, broadband, and wireless. The landline option is great for those in rural areas where wireless or broadband may not work as well. The landline monitoring also comes with one of the most affordable monthly monitoring prices, though the monthly costs do get higher for the other 2 options. They also do not charge activation or installation fees, making this a great option if you’re looking for an inexpensive security system, especially if you need or are willing to go with the landline monitoring. Their equipment comes with a limited warranty and the reviews from customers can be mixed, though their customer service can be excellent.
6. LiveWatch
The most interesting feature LiveWatch offers that makes it stand out from the other security companies is its one-year satisfaction guaranteed policy. This means if you don’t like your system after a year, they guarantee you can get your money back. This demonstrates how confident the company is with its service, and can provide great peace of mind to new homeowners who may not have dealt with security systems before and like having a while to decide if the system is working for them. This company also offers lifetime warranties on its equipment, though this is a feature that is not advertised and needs to be specifically asked for. Otherwise the equipment will come with the default 2-year warranty plan.
