Best Google Home Security Systems
Google Assistant works with these top security systems.
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Last Updated on Feb 21, 2023
- ADT corporate partnership with Google means seamless integration
- Total compatibility with Google Nest products
- Use Google Home voice commands to control your system
- User-friendly app available through Google Play
- Arm and disarm your system using Google Assistant
- Use Google Home to set up schedules and routines
- ADT Pulse app lets you control your Nest thermostat and other smart home products
- Proprietary system designed specifically to work with Google Home
- Comes with Google Home pre-programmed into its base hub
Say “Hey Google” to get the job done! The voice-responsive Google Home assistant works for your security, convenience, and entertainment. Just say the command and Google Assistant can activate home security, adjust lights, tell a joke… and perhaps change the TV volume, start your coffeemaker and accomplish lots more with home automation – depending on which security system you choose. Here we share six best security systems that work with Google Home.
Each security company below is best in a different way. For example:
- SimpliSafe leads with quick and cheap do-it-yourself (DIY) security installation. You can monitor alerts yourself or pay for professional monitoring.
- Cove is the most affordable security system for Google Assistant users, with monthly fees starting at $14.99 and sensors that cost $30 or less.
Read on for details about how these leading security companies work with Google Home.
Google Assistant Voice Control Features We Tested
| Arm system | Yes |
|---|---|
| Disarm system | Yes |
| Check system status | Yes |
| Stream security cameras | Yes |
Feature Comparison of the Best Google Home Security Systems
| System |
ADT
|
SimpliSafe
|
Vivint
|
Cove
|
Brinks Home Security
|
Scout Alarm
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Cost of plan with Google Assistant integration | $45.99 and up | $24.99 | $39.99 | $24.99 | $29 | $9.99 |
| Cellular backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monitoring type | Professional | Professional | Professional | Self or professional | Professional | Self or professional |
| Equipment price | $599 and up | $150 and up | Price varies | $229 and up | $199 and up | $120 and up |
| Read Review | ADT Review | SimpliSafe Review | Vivint Review | Cove Review | Brinks Home Security Review | Scout Alarm Review |
Best Google Home Security Systems
- ADT - Best Professionally Monitored Security System for Google Home
- SimpliSafe - Best Google Security Overall
- Vivint - Best Smart Home Features
- Cove - Most Affordable Security System for Google Home
- Brinks Home Security - Best Online Support & Knowledge Base
- Scout Alarm - Best DIY Install
Detailed List of the Best Google Home Security Systems
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1. ADT - Best Professionally Monitored Security System for Google Home
There’s a reason why ADT is at the top of our list of best home security systems. Actually, there are several reasons. There’s ADT’s 145 years of experience in the home security business; it’s top-of-the-line 24/7 professional monitoring; its intuitive Pulse app; it’s highly responsive customer service. Also, ADT now works directly with Google, which means not only is ADT compatible with Google Home, but it’s now powered by Google technology.
What We Like
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Top-of-the-line equipment
- 145+ year history in the security business
- User-friendly app
- Plays well with Google
What We Don’t Like
- Minimum three-year contract
- Relatively high prices
- No self-monitoring options
- Requires professional installation
Google Partnership
ADT isn’t just Google Home compatible. In 2021, the two companies announced they have formed a collaborative relationship that will last until at least 2029. Already, ADT sells and installs Google products such as Nest hubs and thermostats. They’ve also been working to make sure you can use Google Home voice commands to control all of your ADT equipment. The most exciting news, though, is that they’re currently designing new products together, home security devices that take advantage of Google’s analytic capabilities. It’s still early days, and they haven’t yet introduced a security android who opens your door and fetches you a margarita when you get home, but we’re hopeful that’s just around the corner. In the meantime, we definitely appreciate being able to set our house lights to come on when we unlock our front doors after a long day of work.
ADT Home Security Online Dashboard 24/7 Professional Monitoring
If you’ve read even one of our home security pages, you know we’re huge fans of professional monitoring. Sure self-monitoring might save a couple of bucks, but who has time to spend all day watching security feeds? With ADT we don’t have to. They do all the work for us. They even call emergency services if there is a problem. Plus, with more than 145 years in the business they’ve had the time to perfect their monitoring approach. For example, they have more call centers around the United States than any other company.
ADT Home Security Panic Buttons Pulse App
ADT’s Pulse app puts control over our home security system in the palm of our hands. With Pulse, we were able easily to arm and disarm the system, turn lights on and off, stream live video, and view past recordings. In addition, we got real-time notifications every time anything happened. Best of all, though, since ADT has paired up with Google, we can now use the same Google voice commands whether we’re talking to a Google device or our Pulse app. The simpler our life is, the better we like it.
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2. SimpliSafe - Best Google Security Overall
SimpliSafe is one of our favorites due to its flexibility and affordability. What exactly do we mean by that? Well, SimpliSafe offers DIY or professional installation, although we chose DIY. We could also choose between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant plus self-monitoring or 24/7 professional monitoring. With scalable packages, we had fun adding the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro to our system, as well as integrating Nest thermostats and August smart locks.
What We Like
- Alexa and Google Assistant integrations
- Fast DIY installation
- Affordable professional monitoring
- Month-to-month contracts
What We Didn’t Like
- Cloud storage and smart device integrations are only available with the 24/7 professional monitoring plan.
- History of hacks
- The indoor camera lacks person detection
- No cellular backup if you self-monitor
Easy, DIY Installation
Although we could’ve paid $79 to get SimpliSafe to install our system, we opted to install it ourselves to save some money. Fortunately for us, the process only took about an hour, if not less. We just had to plug in our base station, create a master PIN, and then the app guided us through the rest.
Flexible Contracts
One of our favorite things about SimpliSafe was its monthly contracts. Unlike companies like Alder Security, which had us sign a three-year contract, we didn’t have to commit long-term with SimpliSafe. Its only term length is monthly, which meant that we could cancel anytime without running into fees. Plus, SimpliSafe’s plans with professional monitoring aren’t super expensive, tapping out at just $24.99 a month and going for as low as $14.99 a month. Compared to some companies like ADT that can charge around $60 a month for the same services, SimpliSafe was easy on our wallets. In addition, SimpliSafe gave us the option to self-monitor for free or with unlimited cloud video recording for our cameras for $9.99 a month.
Smart Home Integrations
Using Google Assistant, we armed our SimpliSafe system in the home or away mode under the 24/7 professional monitoring plan. But if you’re in the Amazon ecosystem, SimpliSafe is still a good choice, if not better, to protect your home. Using Alexa, we had our system arm in the home or away mode, lock up our August smart locks, or tell us our current status from our Echo smart speaker. On top of that, we integrated our Nest thermostats with our SimpliSafe system so that our doors locked whenever we armed the system. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
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3. Vivint - Best Smart Home Features
Vivint is a leader in home security with all sorts of home automation. Automate your home security, home entertainment system, lights, window blinds, and much more.
Vivint lets you get especially creative with home automation because it can control any home appliance or electronics connected to smart plugs. Smart plugs let you turn appliances on or off remotely. One common application is for coffee makers. These plugs can also help you stop wasting energy. For example, you can set plugs to stop the flow of electricity whenever you leave home, and stop the clothes dryer remotely if you don’t need a full cycle.
The company’s proprietary security systems work with Google Home: Each new Vivint security system has Google Home pre-programmed into its home base.
Vivint customers sign long-term monitoring contracts, as you can see on our page on Vivint subscription options. One important detail is that Vivint will set up the equipment for you, but the service is free. Other companies may charge you about $100 for the installation.What We Like
- Professional installation
- Pro monitoring 24/7
- Best smart home features
- Impressive cameras
What We Didn’t Like
- Pricey equipment
- Long contracts
- $129 re-installation fee if you move
- No money-back guarantee
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro Vivint Smart Home Equipment
As we’ve said earlier, Vivint excels at making homes smarter. We’ve touched on smart plugs, but that’s not all; Vivint also sells smart thermostats, smart locks, smart lights, and more. You can control all these devices via the Vivint app, an intuitive app with easy controls. And did we mention that it’s also one of the highest-rated home security apps, with 4.4 stars on Google Play and 4.6 stars on the App Store? Better still, you can control all Vivint smart home devices, as well as the Vivint security system itself, using your voice and Google Assistant.
Vivint Google Home Commands
With Vivint, you can speak directly to your security system, lights, locks, and thermostats. You can also turn electrical plugs on or off remotely, which helps save energy or get tasks done from afar. Here are examples of Vivint Google Home commands:
- Hey Google, arm my system to “stay.”
- OK Google, set the upstairs thermostat to 72 degrees.
- Hey Google, lock my doors.
- Hey Google, turn on the Christmas tree lights plug.
- Hello Google. Turn off the coffee pot plug.
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4. Cove - Most Affordable Security System for Google Home
Cove may not be the most well-known security system, but it’s a great choice for those that want 24/7 professional monitoring and a Google Home integration for about $25 a month. Cove’s pricing is certainly on the lower end, and it works well with Google Assistant. Through the Assistant, we had our Cove system arm, tell us its status, and get the sensor history for the week and the day.
What We Like
- Affordable professional monitoring
- Lifetime warranty with Cove Plus plan
- DIY installation
- Cellular backup
What We Didn’t Like
- No self-monitoring option
- The remote control isn’t available with all plans
- Google Home integration isn’t available with all plans
- Don’t make their own security cameras
Easy Installation
Cove’s system came to us pre-programmed, so setting it up was as easy as plugging in the Touch Panel, going through some setup screens, creating a passcode, and putting the system onto our home’s Wi-Fi. Since the sensors were wireless, we simply stuck them on our doors and windows, testing them on the phone with a member of Cove’s support team. It was nice to get that added assurance that we were setting up the system correctly, but if we wanted it to, the process could’ve been over in an hour tops.
Cove Motion Sensor Low-Priced Equipment
Aside from having low prices for 24/7 professional monitoring, which starts at $14.99 a month, we didn’t spend a ton on Cove’s equipment, either. Aside from the Touch Alarm Panel, which was $124.50, and the $99.50 outdoor camera, everything else was under $30, which included the door and motion sensors, the key remote, the flood sensor, and more. We also got a free indoor camera. Cove is certainly affordable when it comes to equipment as well as monitoring costs.
Equipment Price Cove touch alarm panel $124.50 Motion detector $15.00 Door sensor $7.50 Window sensor $8.25 Glass break detector $19.25 Key remote $13.75 Smoke and CO detector $27.50 Flood sensor $10 Medical button $10 Outdoor camera $99.50 Indoor Camera First free, $49.50 for each additional camera InstaText
One unique feature from Cove is InstaText, included in both the Basic and Plus plans. With InstaText, the professional monitoring team actually texted us whenever our sensors went off. While we didn’t have any armed intrusions, fortunately, it would’ve been really helpful to receive a text rather than a phone call from Cove, as we could answer remotely. And while we can’t verify this, not having an emergency during our testing period, Cove claims that they respond to emergencies at 10 times the speed of its competitors.
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5. Brinks Home Security - Best Online Support & Knowledge Base
Brinks, originally known for hardwired home security, now sells modern wireless security systems that work with Google Home.
Generally, Brinks security systems have a DIY setup, but the company can send an electrician. Some customers have long-term monitoring plans and others choose a month-to-month pro monitoring service ($19). Emergency monitoring from Brinks is award-winning for having the industry’s fastest average response time.
New Brinks security systems are compatible with video cameras and countless Z-wave devices (e.g., smart light bulbs and remote-controlled outlets). The Qolsys touchscreen security system, for one, can connect up to 119 sensors. Brinks also sells a system based around the Nest Guard hub.
Best Online Security Support
The Brinks mobile app makes Google Assistant setup straightforward, plus Brinks provides some of the best online support in the home security industry.
You can find help in their impressive knowledge base, or reach out for help by online chat. In our test chat, the Brinks rep was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient at answering questions. The agent typed responses like a real human chatting, not a corporate drone copying and pasting generic replies. We like an automated assistant, but sometimes a human is best.
Equipment for Brinks Home
My IQ uses a full-color 7-inch touchscreen control panel. This equipment is an industry favorite, and it worked well when we reviewed Brinks. It’s not proprietary, so security companies other than Brinks can monitor it should you decide to call it quits with Brinks. Built-in highlights include Google Assistant, a 5MP camera, a glass break detector, and a siren. The high-resolution camera will snap a photo if someone tampers with the panel.
What We Like
- DIY installation
- Low-cost DIY video security
- Best online support
- Brinks Home Security app and Google Assistant integration work well with Android
What We Didn’t Like
- 36-month contract
- Deals and prices change often
- No self-monitoring option
- Expensive monitoring
Brinks Indoor Camera Closeup Brinks Google Home Commands
Below are sample commands for Brinks My IQ security systems that work with Google Home. As of 2023, you can control lights, locks, and thermostats; show cameras on Chromecast devices, and arm the system. For extra safety, you cannot disarm by voice.
- OK Google, ask Alarm.com to turn the living rooms light on.
- OK Google, ask Alarm.com to arm “stay” my security system.
- OK Google, ask Alarm.com to set the upstairs to AC mode.
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6. Scout Alarm - Best DIY Install
Scout is a top home security company with DIY wireless security systems that work with Google Home. You can install a Scout home security system in about 30 minutes, and include voice-controlled security cameras if you like.
Professional alert monitoring is available but not required; Scout system owners can monitor activity/alerts themselves with the Scout app or online. You can receive free alerts by text, push notification, and/or email.
Scout’s professional monitoring plan, called Always On+, costs just $9.99 month-to-month. It’s even cheaper if you choose a 12-month agreement.
What We Like
- DIY installation
- DIY or pro monitoring
- Google Home for security cameras
- Lots of smart home integrations
What We Didn’t Like
- No outdoor camera besides video doorbell
- Cellular backup only with paid plans
- Outdated equipment
- Costs can pile up if you decide on a larger system
Equipment for Scout Google Home
The Scout website lets you build customized security systems that work with Google Home. The “brain” of each system is the Scout Hub, a slim rectangular device available in black or white. It has a 4G cellular chip for sending emergency alerts.
Scout Hub is compatible with Zig-bee and Z-wave devices to automate home security and other home functions.
Scout Google Home Commands
You can add Google Assistant to a Scout security system with the Scout mobile app. Here are some examples of commands.
- OK, Google, ask Scout if my alarm is on.
- OK, Google, tell Scout to disarm.
- Hey, Google, tell Scout to activate vacation mode.
- Hey Google, ask Scout if there is motion.
Fun Google Home Commands & Questions
When all is secure, it’s easier to unwind! Google Assistant is ready for a casual artificial conversation, everyday help, and entertainment. Here’s a small sampling of Google Home commands and questions.
- Start your day with a briefing. Say “OK, Google, tell me about my day” or “OK, Google, good morning.” This routine can include a personalized greeting, current weather, a forecast, traffic info for your commute, to-do reminders, calendar entries, flight status, and curated news stories.
- Create location-based reminders. Google Assistant can give reminders based on where you are. For example, try “OK, Google, remind me to walk the neighbor’s dog when I get home” or “Hey, Google, remind me to buy dog treats when I’m at the grocery store.”
- Support your memory. There’s so much to remember! Let Google assist when you say phrases like, “OK, Google, remember that I put my Amazon password on a Post-It in the filing cabinet.” Later you can ask, “Hey, Google, where is my Amazon password?”
- Find yourself. We all misplace ourselves. Get your precise location by asking “OK, Google, where am I?”
- Relax with ambient sounds. Google Assistant responds to phrases like, “OK, Google, help me relax,” “Play white noise” and “Play ocean sounds.”
- Learn what’s playing. Sharpen your trivial knowledge. Ask “OK, Google, what song is this?” or “OK, Google, what album is this?”
- Get game results. Check-in on your home team or rival. Say “OK, Google, who is [XYZ team] playing next?” or “OK, Google, did [XYZ team] win last night?”
- Play games with Google Assistant. Try “OK, Google… Mad Libs!” for laughs. Trivia games with Google Assistant are popular too.
- Control your TV. With certain devices you can voice-control your TV with commands like “OK, Google, turn the TV to Comedy Central” or “OK, Google, play channel 4.”
- Pretend Google Assistant is psychic. Say “Hey Google, let me talk to Friendly Fortune Teller” to kick off the session. You can also ask Google Assistant “What am I thinking now?”
If you’re in the Google smart home ecosystem, then you’ll probably want to use your trusted voice assistant to control your home’s security. Let’s face it: we’re all busier than we want to be and we all spend too much time on our phones, so the ability to command an electronic component using your voice alone is truly a blessing. Not only do all of the home security systems on this list work with Google Home, but we’ve tested them all out to make sure they’re up to snuff when it comes to system components, installation, monitoring options, customer support, and mobile applications. Let’s get started to find out which Google Home compatible security system is right for your smart home.
Best Home Security Systems With Google Home Methodology
When it comes to smart home security, there are a few things that we typically look at, including:
- System components: We prefer security systems with motion, entry, and glass break sensors, plus security cameras for both the indoors and the outdoors unless you live in an apartment.
- Installation: DIY security systems, which are usually easy to set up, are the trend today. Occasionally, however, companies like Vivint require professional installation. Of course, you can always hire an outside contractor to install your system for you if you prefer.
- Professional monitoring: Now, not everyone is going to want 24/7 professional monitoring, although we always recommend it. We prefer companies that offer flexible, monthly contracting for a low price, as well as giving you the option to self-monitor.
- Customer support: If something goes wrong with your security system, you want to make sure that you have a team that’s knowledgeable and easy to reach. Aside from incorporating our own experiences, we also look at customer reviews from both Amazon and Google to see what other people thought.
- App: Especially if you’re self-monitoring, you want an app that’s user-friendly for either iPhone or Android. We always check customer reviews on the Apple and Google Play stores, aside from testing the app out myself.
Best Home Security Systems With Google Home Tips
Here are some best practices for your home security system with Google Home:
- Make sure you can’t disarm your security system through voice commands, because if you can, others most likely can, too. If it allows disarming by voice, make sure to set a secure voice passcode.
- For the most convenience, it’s best to get smart home devices from one brand, or as few brands as possible, so you don’t have to deal with multiple applications.
- Now that Google has smart displays like the Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max, adding security cameras that can live stream to these displays will boost your security. With your voice, you can ask Google Assistant to show you parts of your house in real-time.
Google Home Security System FAQs
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Can you use Google Home for security?
You can use Google Home for security. If you buy a SimpliSafe, Cove, Vivint, Brinks, Scout, or any other Google Assistant-compatible security system, you can command your system using Google Assistant.
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How do security systems work with Google Home?
Security systems work with Google Home by providing you a way to control your security system by voice. You can arm your security system, check your sensors’ status, or even watch live footage from your security cameras.