Home Security Systems
Around-the-Clock Protection for Your Home
A home security system is one of the most effective ways to deter break-ins and keep an eye on your property whether you're home or away. Today's options range from simple self-installed kits to fully monitored systems that connect cameras, sensors, and smart locks.
The right system depends on your home and how hands-on you want to be. A good security pro assesses your actual vulnerabilities, entry points, blind spots, ground-floor windows, and recommends equipment that fits, instead of overselling features you'll never use.
Abode connects you with local security professionals. Compare equipment, monitoring options, and installation, and protect what matters most.
Did You Know?
Homes without a security system are up to three times more likely to be broken into, and most burglaries happen in daylight while residents are at work.
Home Security Systems Cost. How Much Do Projects Cost?
Most projects run between $100 and $2,000. The average price is typically around $600. These three numbers are the upfront cost of equipment and installation, from a $99 promotional install or a self-installed kit at the low end to a professionally installed smart-home package at the top, where the largest systems reach $2,500. Monitoring is a separate recurring charge of $10 to $60 a month for most plans, up to $79.99 for top-tier service, and it is the bigger lifetime cost: a professionally installed, monitored system totals $2,000 to $4,000 over a standard 36-month contract, and ADT's early termination fee is 75% of the monthly charges remaining on the term.
Typical duration: A few hours to a full day for professional installation
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic DIY kit | $100-$300 upfront | Self-installed sensors and an app, about $250 for a Ring 8-piece or a SimpliSafe entry package, with camera recording at $0 to $10 a month |
| Professional system with install | $99-$1,000 upfront | Equipment minimums of $269 to $369 plus a $99 installation fee, or $99 all-in on a promotional install; monitoring is billed separately |
| Comprehensive smart-home system | $1,200-$2,500 installed | Cameras, smart locks and automation, with Vivint's Safety and Security package at $1,899.99 including installation |
| Monitoring, DIY system | $9.99-$39.99 per month | Self-monitoring with camera recording is about $10, and professional monitoring on a DIY kit is $14.99 to $39.99, usually month to month |
| Monitoring, professionally installed | $24.99-$79.99 per month | ADT starts at $24.99 and reaches $59.99 on a 36-month contract, and SimpliSafe's top plans run to $79.99 |
Cost data verified August 28, 2026. How we source cost data.
08/28/2026
Signs You Need Home Security Systems
- A home without any current security coverage
- Recent break-ins in the neighborhood
- Frequent travel or long periods away
- Valuables or a need to monitor entry points
- Desire to check on the home remotely
Is It Right For You?
Who It's For
- Homeowners wanting to deter break-ins and monitor their property
- Anyone who travels or wants remote awareness of their home
Who It's Not For
- Renters restricted from installing hardware (though some DIY kits work)
- Homeowners only needing a single doorbell camera
What to Watch Out For
Professional monitoring is a monthly cost on top of equipment
Comprehensive systems cost more and take longer to install
Alternatives to Consider
| Alternative | Better When | Worse When |
|---|---|---|
| Single smart doorbell or camera | Cheap and easy | Covers one entry point, not the whole home |
| DIY kit without monitoring | Lower cost | Alerts you but no professional response if you miss it |
Is It Worth It?
For most homeowners, a security system is worth it as both a deterrent and peace of mind, and the right setup can be scaled to fit nearly any budget.
Questions to Ask Your Pro
- Is professional monitoring required, and what does it cost monthly?
- Can the system expand later as my needs change?
- Do I own the equipment, or is it leased?
Frequently Asked Questions
Equipment and installation run $100 to $2,000 upfront, from $100 to $300 for a DIY kit to $1,200 to $2,500 for a professionally installed smart-home system. Monitoring is a separate monthly charge of $10 to $60, so a professionally installed, monitored system totals $2,000 to $4,000 over a standard 36-month contract.
Three ownership models: professionally installed and monitored, which carries a contract and $24.99 to $79.99 a month; DIY-installed with professional monitoring at $14.99 to $39.99 a month, usually with no contract; and self-monitored DIY, which is free or about $10 a month for camera recording.
A Ring or SimpliSafe starter kit is about $250, an ADT package is $269 to $369 in equipment plus a $99 installation fee, and Vivint's Safety and Security package is $1,899.99 with installation included.
Yes, on both counts: DIY kits skip the installation fee, and their monitoring runs $14.99 to $39.99 a month against $24.99 to $79.99 for a professionally installed system, usually without a multi-year contract.
Add-ons like motion detectors, glass-break sensors, smart locks and cameras raise the upfront price, but the monthly monitoring fee and the length of contract you sign decide most of what you pay over time.
