Best No Monthly Fee Home Security Systems

1. SimpliSafe - Best Equipment

Editors Rating:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

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How We Review

Without monthly fees and professional monitoring, you’ll need a reliable security system made of quality components. That’s exactly what SimpliSafe offers.

SimpliSafe makes its own hardware, and thanks to that, it is one of the best DIY home security systems. You’ll install the system yourself (professional installation is available for $79), but in our experience, the process is so streamlined that you can have it up and running in minutes. As for the quality of the hardware, it’s undeniable: They’re robust and durable. We’ve had ours for years with no signs of falling apart.

Equipment and Monitoring Choices

Basic SimpliSafe equipment guarded us against intruders, but we also had options to improve our indoor video surveillance and environmental safety. For example, we used SimpliSafe’s equipment to connect to motion-activated cameras and smoke detectors. We controlled our equipment and checked feeds anytime we wanted, though, and from anywhere in the world we happened to be.

While you can opt to monitor SimpliSafe yourself, professional monitoring is available for the very reasonable price of $17.99 or $27.99 per month. And the best part is you can sign in and out of the service as you wish. If you’re going on vacation this month, for example, you can get professional monitoring and then cancel it once you get back. There are no long-term contracts.

Self-Monitoring and Notifications

So how effective was SimpliSafe? Here’s how it reacts to possible break-ins: First, the sensors detect intrusion. When a door is opened when it shouldn’t or movement is detected where there shouldn’t be any, the sensors notify the tower-like base station. The base station, in turn, sounds its siren. That should be enough to ward off intruders, in theory.

To go a step further, SimpliSafe will notify you on your smartphone. Take note: SimpliSafe uses your Wi-Fi and internet connection to communicate, so if the Wi-Fi is out, it won’t be able to generate alerts. That’s why the built-in siren is important. In any case, if you receive a notification, you can use the SimpliCam (one is often included for free) to check on your home remotely. It livestreams camera feeds, and you can even use two-way talk to scare off intruders.

Easy Installation

Finally, SimpliSafe’s equipment was easy to install. While the company offered us professional installation starting at just $79, it took us less than 30 minutes to install the affordable SimpliSafe security system ourselves.

In addition, that easy installation meant we could move the equipment with no trouble if we relocated. It was all completely portable, making it a great security system for renters or a security system for apartments. Here’s how we put it all together:

1. We plugged the SimpliSafe hub into a wall outlet.
2. We used the included adhesive tape to attach sensors to the walls.
3. The SimpliCam was freestanding, so we didn’t even need a screwdriver. We just placed it on a flat surface and called it a day.

Plus, SimpliSafe wouldn’t have charged us to reactivate our equipment had we changed addresses. We’re not looking to move, as we’re pretty fond of our cozy Brooklyn digs. But we like knowing we can move if we want to, and it would be hassle-free.

2. abode - Best for Home Automation

Editors Rating:

8.0 /10

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How We Review

Abode is a top choice for no-contract, no-monthly-fee home security because of the system’s capabilities right out of the box.

We started with a simple abode security package, the Smart Security Kit, which cost us about $180. Then, we built on that basic setup with environmental monitoring, home automation, and voice commands.

We had flexibility in smart home components as well. Abode works with a number of smart device companies, including Philips Hue and ecobee. It also works with Nest, a company you can learn more about in our Nest cameras review.

Finally, we had the option to add three or seven days of cloud storage for just 60 cents or $1.40 — or we could have added three or seven days of on-demand monitoring for $1.98 or $4.62.

Quick Setup

Setting up our abode security equipment was super easy. We chose a simple system with an all-in-one unit, which combined a siren, a motion detector, and a security camera. “All-in-one” meant our installation was just four steps:

1. We plugged in the hub (essentially a base station).
2. We connected the hub to our internet router.
3. We downloaded the abode mobile app.
4. We placed door sensors and window sensors around our home.

All told, the installation took us about 30 minutes.

On-Demand Monitoring

Abode turned out to be a great choice for DIY, no-contract security. The system sent us mobile text alerts, and we livestreamed footage from our phones.

We also found that abode offers on-demand professional monitoring, the first of its kind we’ve ever tested. On-demand means you can purchase professional monitoring for just three or seven days. Those options are perfect if you’re going away for a week or even just a weekend, for instance.

There are more long-term options, though, the details of which are in this table.

High-Quality Equipment

Overall, we were pleased with abode’s equipment. For just $180, the Smart Security Kit came with the Gateway hub, a motion sensor, a door/window sensor, and a key fob.

We added an outdoor camera for another $160 and loved the crystal-clear image we got. Abode cameras feature 1080p HD video resolution and 127-degree fields of zoom. We could even spot the stain on our Amazon package delivery person’s shirt. In addition, abode cameras have infrared LED night vision and two-way audio.

3. Ring Alarm Security Kit - Best Security Camera and Alexa Compatibility

Editors Rating:

7.7 /10

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How We Review

Given Ring’s history, it’s no surprise that you can buy five different versions of Ring doorbell cameras. However, Ring also produces low-cost Ring Alarm security systems, including control panels, standard Ring security cameras, smart lights, and smoke alarm listeners.

We bought a curated, five-piece kit for $200. However, we could have built our own system entirely from scratch, choosing only the components we needed. We like that kind of flexibility.

Alexa Integration

Given that Ring is now a part of the Amazon family, we weren’t surprised that Ring Alarm works seamlessly with Alexa. That integration meant, for example, that we could stream camera footage to our Fire TV Stick or our Echo Show. The bigger the screen, the easier it was to catalog the facial details of anyone walking the hallways of our apartment building. In fact, with just one fully integrated system, we could:

• Guard against intruders
• Monitor the environment
• Automate our home

We performed all these actions using voice commands alone. When we went out for a night on the town, all we had to say was, “Alexa, arm Ring.” Livestreaming was easy as well. We named our video doorbell Marty, and all we had to do to watch the live feed was say, “Alexa, show Marty.”

We were pleased to discover that Ring Alarm also works flawlessly with Google Assistant and a whole host of smart home devices, including those from Schlage, Kwikset, GE, Yale, Dome, and Leviton.

Doorbell Cameras

Ring is an especially good choice for those who, like us, prefer living in apartments. The thing is, most apartment dwellers don’t need outdoor cameras. We live on the fourth floor, so unless Spider-Man tries to break in, good doorbell cameras provide all the video footage we could ever need. And who knows more about video doorbells than Ring, the company that invented them?

Ring has a large selection of doorbell cameras, and here are some of the options.

• Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus: The Video Doorbell 3 Plus comes with Pre-Roll, which adds a four-second preview video to every motion event it captures. Learn more in our Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus review.
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro: The Video Doorbell Pro connects to your preexisting doorbell wiring. Take a deeper dive in our review of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro.
• Ring Video Doorbell Elite: The Video Doorbell Elite gets its power through an Ethernet cable.
• Ring Peephole Cam: If you’re looking for a replacement for your door’s peephole, the Ring Peephole Cam is the only option we’ve seen on the market.

The catch with these Ring doorbells and even their security cameras is that without paying a monthly fee, they don’t record footage. You’ll be able to livestream and use two-way talk, and you’ll get alerts when someone rings your doorbell or when motion is detected, but recording is not possible at all. You’ll have to act fast on alerts if you decide to opt out of the monthly subscription.

If you do want your cameras to record, Ring’s cloud plans are among the most affordable we’ve seen. It costs $3 per month to enable recording on one camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras. All videos are saved in the cloud for 60 days.

Neighbors App

For no monthly fee, we self-monitored our security system with the Ring mobile app. The Neighbors app connects neighbors, the police, and Ring operators for neighborhood crime prevention.

Users can report package thefts on the app. We even browsed our neighbors’ posted doorbell video recordings of porch pirates so we knew who to watch out for in our neighborhood. That’s important these days with the rise of package theft.

4. Arlo - Best Security Camera System with Free Cloud Storage

Editors Rating:

8.8 /10

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How We Review

Arlo offers a diverse lineup of high-quality video baby monitors, indoor cameras, and weatherproof cameras. In fact, it is regularly one of our top choices for home security cameras. And since many of its cameras come with motion detection, we didn’t have to buy a lot of extra components. Rather, we assembled a security system with just a hub and cameras that took care of all our needs.

Unlike most of its competitors, however, Arlo offers free cloud storage for select models. You’ll get a rolling, seven-day cloud storage for motion events, which you can use as evidence in case of a break-in.

A security system is also in the works, but we have yet to find out if the system comes with a no-monthly-fee option.

Camera Options

Arlo offers a broad range of camera styles and features. In fact, it comes out with so many different cameras each year that it can be hard to keep up. These are three of our favorites:

• Arlo Pro 2: In our Arlo Pro 2 review, we found this camera to be robust, with 1080p HD resolution, a 130-degree field of view, infrared night vision, and two-way audio. It is also wire-free, so we didn’t have cords cluttering up our apartment, and it includes rechargeable battery backup that can last up to six months on one charge. Sound and/or motion triggers recordings.
• Arlo Pro 3: This camera features amazing 2560p HD 2K resolution. As if that wasn’t enough, it also comes with a 130-degree field of view and 12 times digital zoom. Best of all, with the attached spotlight and color night vision, we knew exactly whose cat was sitting outside our front door and meowing at 2 in the morning. For more information, check out our Arlo Pro 3 review.
• Arlo Ultra: The Arlo Ultra is Arlo’s best outdoor security camera. As we note in our Arlo Ultra review, it worked great for us at night because its enhanced night vision picks up colors via motion-activated spotlight. Other Arlo Ultra perks we enjoyed were a 180-degree view with no fisheye effect, and noise cancellation for ultra-clear audio.

Wire-Free Cameras

All Arlo cameras are wire-free. Unlike “wireless” security cameras, wire-free cameras require no wired connections whatsoever. This meant we could put them anywhere around our home, inside or out.

The cameras were super easy to install. We fastened the mounting screws to the wall and hung the magnetic mounts from the screws. We could reposition or even move the cameras anytime we wanted. And because they used battery power exclusively, they worked even when the power went out.

Free Recording

We liked that Arlo didn’t require contracts so we could self-monitor for no money at all. We accessed Arlo’s video using a desktop computer, smart TV, and mobile device.

Even better, Arlo offers free cloud storage for select cameras. These cameras are the Arlo Wire-Free, Arlo Pro and Pro 2, Arlo Q and Q Plus, Arlo Go, and Arlo Baby. Here’s how it works: When these cameras detect movement, they wake up and start recording. The recording is then sent to the cloud for storage. Each clip lasts in the cloud for seven days before they get deleted permanently, so if you plan to use Arlo without monthly fees, be sure to check the cloud storage every seven days or less.

Another limitation with the free plan is the number of cameras. You can only have up to five cameras on the free plan. Any camera in excess of five can no longer store videos for free.