Best No Monthly Fee Home Security Systems

1. abode

Editors Rating:

8.0 /10

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How We Review

Abode is another top choice for no-contract home security. It offered us lots of options in packages, add-on equipment, short-term professional monitoring, and home automation integration — even more options than SimpliSafe did.

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 found that abode also worked well when we needed occasional professional monitoring. In fact, it was the only alarm system we tested that let us get professional monitoring for a three-day weekend only! That was perfect when we decided to go out of town for Labor Day. Who wants to check their security feeds while they’re at the lake, right

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.

2. Ring Alarm Security Kit

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.

• 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.

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.

3. SimpliSafe

Editors Rating:

9.8 /10

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How We Review

As the name suggests, SimpliSafe made it simple for us to make our home safer, starting with several affordable equipment packages to choose from and DIY or professional installation. In fact, SimpliSafe is an industry leader in DIY home security systems. It was among the first companies to sell affordable wire-free security systems that customers like us could self-monitor. We like SimpliSafe so much that it’s consistently at the top of our list of the best home security systems.

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 we decided to self-monitor for free, SimpliSafe offers professional monitoring for the very reasonable price of about $15 or $25 per month.

Home Automation With SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe’s top-tier monitoring plan adds support for Google Assistant automation. That meant we could use voice commands. We didn’t take advantage of this option because, as we said, we wanted to save a little money by self-monitoring. However, we liked that we could add this feature later if we wanted.

In addition to Google Home, SimpliSafe is compatible with Alexa and several smart devices, including Nest thermostats, August smart door locks, and Apple watches.

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.

4. Arlo

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.

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 was one of only two security systems we tested that allowed us to record video for free. Many of Arlo’s cameras have micro-SD card slots, so we set them to capture up to a week’s worth of images. We had the choice to record at regular intervals or whenever the built-in motion sensors triggered the cameras.