The Best Security Systems With Apps in 2025
Our number one pick, ADT, has a highly-rated app, loads of smart home integrations, and comes with equipment you can rely on.
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Last Updated on Feb 12, 2025
- Top-rated app
- Nest integration
- Excellent overall security system
- Top-rated app
- Nest integration
- Excellent overall security system
- Great selection of smart devices
- High-quality equipment
- App makes home automation easy
- Great selection of smart devices
- High-quality equipment
- App makes home automation easy
- Packages start at $275
- Affordable smart lock
- App performs basic functions without a subscription
- Packages start at $275
- Affordable smart lock
- App performs basic functions without a subscription
Most home security systems come with a control panel or keypad, which you use to interact with your security equipment. But we usually find ourselves lounging on the couch and logging into an app on our smartphone instead. In between watching Reels and trying to get Wordle in one, we use the app to review security camera footage, manage real-time notifications, and set up automations.
The good news is that almost every security provider has an app. The bad news is that some of them aren’t great. We filled our mobile’s home screen with apps from all the top home security brands to find out which ones deserve a place on your phone and which ones should be banished with the Angry Birds app. We found ADT had the best app with its intuitive design and Google Nest integration. But we also enjoyed logging into Vivint, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Ring. Let’s take a look at why these apps are a must-have.
Did You Know: In 1966, Marie Van Brittan Brown filed a patent for the first modern security system. It included a security camera, two-way audio, and radio to contact police.1 No app though.
What to Look for in a Home Security App
We’ve tested a lot of security system apps. Some exceeded our expectations, and others made us switch between multiple apps to interact with third-party equipment. To fairly differentiate the good from the bad, our team of security system experts decided on criteria that are non-negotiable. This is what we came up with:
- User experience: Our team spent weeks testing security system apps to see if they’re easy to navigate, functional, and bug-free.
- Customer reviews: We combed through user reviews on app stores to learn more about what customers love and loathe about these security system apps.
- Functionality: It should be easy to arm and disarm our system, as well as access live streams from security cameras.
- Customization: We prefer to customize alerts and notifications so we’re only getting important updates.
- Automation: The team loves creating routines or schedules so they don’t need to remember to do chores.
While apps play an important role, our number one priority is recommending security systems that protect your home. The security systems listed below not only include our non-negotiables for apps, but they also come with our longer list of non-negotiables for home security systems. Now that’s out of the way, let’s dive into our recommendations.
Comparison of the Best Security Systems With Apps
| System |
ADT
|
Vivint
|
SimpliSafe
|
Frontpoint
|
Ring Alarm
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| App Name | ADT+ | Vivint | SimpliSafe Home Security | Frontpoint | Ring - Always Home |
| iOS rating | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Android rating | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 4.2 |
| Read Review | ADT Review | Vivint Review | SimpliSafe Review | Frontpoint Review | Ring Alarm Review |
Summary of the Best Security Systems With Apps
- ADT - Best App User Experience
- Vivint - Best for Smart Homes
- SimpliSafe - Best Budget Option
- Frontpoint - Best Customer Service
- Ring Alarm - Best Alexa Compatibility
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1. ADT - Best App User Experience
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $269 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $24.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month or 36 months and up Installation Options Professional and DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home ADT Overview
Our first time logging into the ADT+ App. We were pretty excited when our ADT security system showed up. It consisted of a mix of traditional ADT products and some devices from the Google Nest range. Some brands like Cove, require us to use multiple apps to access devices made by third-parties. But not ADT. We downloaded the ADT+ app and could view Nest Cam footage and recordings as well as control other devices in the Nest range like the thermostat.
>> Read More: ADT Frequently Asked Questions
ADT also made it easy for us to integrate other devices from brands like Kwikset, Liftmaster, and Sonos. In fact, ADT is one of the most smart home-friendly systems out there, which was made apparent to us when we compared ADT to Ring. While Ring integrated well with Alexa and other Z-Wave smart devices (especially smoke alarms and smart locks), ADT impressed us more with its wider range of partnerships and by having more types of compatible smart home devices.
FYI: We’re finalizing our testing on the ADT+ app alongside the brand new ADT system. In our limited time with the setup, we’ve found that the ADT+ app continues to build on everything we liked about the ADT Control app, such as including better Nest integration and improving home automation settings.
What We Like
- You can manage both ADT-branded and Google Nest devices in one app
- Includes Nest features, such as Familiar Faces
- User-friendly layout makes it easy to navigate through features
- Easy to add third-party smart home devices from compatible brands
What We Don’t Like
- There are a lot of old ADT apps on app stores
- It’s not compatible with some older Nest products
- ADT+ customer service isn’t very helpful
What Users Say About the ADT+ App
The general consensus from customers is that the app is easy to navigate and setting up automation rules and schedules doesn’t require a lot of effort. The notifications for system alerts also get a few shoutouts.
However, the ADT+ app is clearly not perfect. Some of the issues users raise relate to connection issues with some equipment and the reliability of the app during power outages. Considering the app rating is almost perfect (4.5+ stars on both Android and iOS), those things seem to be just minor gripes.
FYI: When you search for ADT in an app store, you’ll see a bunch of apps ranging from Smart Connect to Interactive Security. You can ignore most of these. Unless ADT tells you otherwise, the only one you need is ADT+.
Our Experience with the ADT+ App
Not content with just reading user reviews, we tested the app itself alongside our ADT security system. The app is bug-free, easy to use, and feature-rich. What more can we ask for? In one little app we could:
- Arm our security system
- Create home automations
- Stream our security camera footage
- Control our individual smart devices
Trusted Neighbor was our favorite feature in the ADT+ app. Speaking of smart devices, ADT offers just about every smart device you can think of: smart locks, smart lights, smart thermostats, and more. We even set up a series of routines for specific times of the day. For example, we always leave our home at 8:30 am. Rather than do a final check around the house to see if windows or doors are locked, we delegated this task to ADT. The app performs a check and sends a notification if something needs our attention. We even had the app arm the system when we leave and disarm it before we walk in the door at 6 pm.
The ADT+ app can also help out in unexpected situations. Our favorite feature, Trusted Neighbor, uses facial recognition on the Nest Doorbell and Nest Cams to detect when a familiar face is approaching your house. We added our brother to our trusted list in the ADT+ app, as they like to pop over on a Friday afternoon to celebrate the start of the weekend. When he gets close to the door, the system disarms and our brother responds to a couple of notifications on his phone so he can enter the house unobstructed.
FYI: We also set up event-based rules for Trusted Neighbor. In ADT+, we arranged it so our system would only let our dog walker into the house between 4 and 5 pm on Saturdays, which is when they normally come by.
ADT Pricing
Naturally, you’ll need ADT equipment and a monitoring plan to even get to the app. What makes ADT one of the best home security systems is that you have options for every budget. If you’re looking to keep costs down, we recommend checking out ADT Self Setup. You can choose the equipment you need off the website and add a professional monitoring plan starting from $24.99.
Pro Tip: A professional monitoring plan isn’t required to use your ADT Self Setup system. Although, we always recommend professional monitoring so someone is managing alerts fast. However, if you’re confident you can handle it, you can monitor your system and access remote control features without paying a subscription.
If you’re not comfortable installing your ADT system, you can leave it to the professionals. An ADT technician can come out and assess the optimal locations to set up devices. You’ll need to pay a fee and add an ADT professional monitoring plan to your package for this service, which starts from $34.99. Compare ADT to SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe sign-up is a walk in the park: no contract, no credit check. ADT sign-up is more like a hike up a mountain: lengthy contract, fine print.
Nobody likes paying $50 per month, but that money will get you top-notch customer service, 24/7 professional monitoring, and full access to the app.
FYI: Into ADT? You may like Vivint even more. Learn more about the similarities and differences in our detailed comparison of ADT vs. Vivint. Read on as we discuss Vivint next.
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2. Vivint - Best for Smart Homes
Product Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $599 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs Starting from $30 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home Vivint Overview
Relief was one of the first feelings we experienced when we watched the technician install our Vivint home security system. There was wiring coming from inside the house we didn’t even know existed. The installer also took their time scoping out our place to find the perfect positioning for sensors and cameras. They even used the last few minutes of the appointment to take us through the Vivint app.
Thankfully, the app is a lot less complicated than the installation was. The Vivint app is the easiest way to interact with Vivint’s state-of-the-art equipment. It even has a modern look to it to match the devices. It works kind of like a dating app, where you can swipe left to put the system in “Staying” mode and right to arm it when you’re leaving the house.
Accessing the livestreams of all our Vivint security cameras What We Like
- Intuitive design replicating other popular apps
- Easy to connect two-way audio and speak to visitors when you’re not home
- Creating custom schedules takes little effort
What We Don’t Like
- There are sometimes connectivity issues with cameras
- Lacks some customization features for the main dashboard
- Notifications don’t take you directly to the correct menu
What Users Say About the Vivint App
The bad news? The Vivint app gets pretty low scores on app stores. The main complaint relates to connectivity issues with security cameras. Some users have experienced long lags when trying to connect to the video doorbell. Others have managed to access a livestream and get disconnected after a minute or two. Even video playback has raised concerns. Some people have said the quality is terrible, and they can’t make out specific details.
Vivint has responded to all the complaints and have promised they are working on it, but by the looks of it, users’ internet connections might be a contributing factor to those issues. With our fiber-optic internet running at full speed (1 Gbps+), we didn’t run into such problems. More about our experience below.
Pro Tip: Keep scrolling if you see the Vivint Classic app in the app store. It’s an official Vivint product but it’s only for customers on older home security systems. All new customers should download the other Vivint app.
Our Experience with the Vivint App
When we tested the Vivint app, we were impressed by how much we could do with it. We used it to:
- Answer the doorbell
- Arm the system
- Watch security camera footage
- Receive notifications
We created areas for the security cameras to focus on when recording in the Vivint app We didn’t run into the issues other users have. There were a couple of times when we couldn’t connect to our security camera, but a quick restart of the app fixed it. The first time we opened it we started playing around with features that weren’t in the ADT app. One of these was motion zones. We set up invisible fences for the cameras to monitor. It excluded areas like the front sidewalk where kids walk pass on their way to school. When someone infiltrates the zone, that’s the only time the Vivint app notifies us.
The other feature we were interested in was automations. Vivint gave us a lot of extra options for rules compared to ADT, such as recording videos whenever a window is opened or the motion detector detects movement. But we could also dive into even more detail, such as scheduling these actions to occur during certain times of the day or when the system is in a specific state. It sounds complicated, but the Vivint app makes it easy to set everything up by taking you through the process step by step.
Pro Tip: You can add multiple users to the Vivint app. If you live with friends or family, that feature could come in handy.
Vivint Pricing
We’d love to add a table here with all of Vivint’s pricing. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t advertise it anywhere on its website. You need to call them up and chat with a sales consultant who will try to upsell you at every opportunity. What we can tell you is how much we paid for a Vivint security system, which was about $1200 for the equipment and $50 per month for monitoring. Like ADT, you’ll need to sign up for the most expensive professional monitoring plan to access smart home and camera features.
Pro Tip: Vivint also has financing options like ADT to help reduce upfront costs. You can spread the costs across 60 months, with the price added to your professional monitoring fee. If this is still out of your budget, we recommend checking out our guide on no-fee security systems instead to find a better deal.
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3. SimpliSafe - Best Budget Option
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $250.96 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starts at $21.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe Overview
After witnessing Vivint’s complicated installation, we were initially concerned about setting up our SimpliSafe security system. But the next thing we knew, half an hour had flown by and all our equipment was operational. We even double-checked that we did everything correctly, but the truth is that SimpliSafe is just that easy to set up. And the SimpliSafe app played a major role.
SimpliSafe app’s lets you adjust the sensitivity of motion sensors and confirm what events you want to be notified about. All our equipment connected to the SimpliSafe base station, but we had to use the app to confirm the connection. We also used the SimpliSafe app to integrate our motion sensors, security cameras, and door sensors and confirm they were all online. There were even instructions in the app on how to install specific items. Some were as simple as peeling off the adhesive and sticking it to the wall, and others involved moving the base station to the same room.
What We Like
- Excellent design that makes it easy to find vital features
- Plenty of customization options for equipment
- Has useful instructions for setting up and using your devices
What We Don’t Like
- Your security system might rely too much on the app
- Smart home automation and scheduled alarms requires a paid plan
- The app is user-friendly, but is missing advanced features available with other brands.
What Users Say About the SimpliSafe App
The overview page in the SimpliSafe app. Just like us, most users found the SimpliSafe app straightforward to use and easy to navigate. They appreciate the well-laid-out overview page. We even noticed a few updated reviews, where customers had raised an issue and SimpliSafe resolved it. One was for the manual unlocking of the Smart Lock.
The main criticisms were from customers who were looking for more features. So it wasn’t negativity as much as it was a wish list. Since we know SimpliSafe are reading reviews and making enhancements, we’re confident some of the suggestions will arrive in future updates.
Our Experience with the SimpliSafe App
When we tested the SimpliSafe app, we were able to:
- Arm the system
- Livestream footage
- Get alerts
- View recordings
What stood out to us about the SimpliSafe app was its simplicity. We could check in on our SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera and review notifications before switching to our motion sensor settings and turning down the sensitivity so we don’t get a clip of a curtain blowing every 30 seconds. If you’re new to home security systems, SimpliSafe is a great way to learn the basics.
We did miss some of the advanced features like automations. There are some basic options like scheduling the system to arm at a specific time. But if we compare SimpliSafe to ADT, the SimpliSafe app is missing the ability to set up routines like locking doors and windows as we leave the house. Even the voice controls are limited. We used our Google Assistant to get status updates and arm or disarm the system, but that’s about it. If you’re looking for a security system app that can transform your house into a smart home, you’ll want to skip SimpliSafe.
SimpliSafe Pricing
Where SimpliSafe bests Vivint and ADT is in the flexibility of its monitoring plans. For starters, there are two self-monitoring plans – one without camera recordings which is free, and another with camera recordings for 30 days for up to 10 cameras which is $9.99 per month. You can even use the app on both of these plans, but some features are restricted.
>> Check Out: SimpliSafe Vs. Vivint
As we mentioned earlier, we always recommend professional monitoring. SimpliSafe plans are cheaper than ADT and Vivint, starting from just $21.99 per month. But it’s the Core plan that we suggest checking out. This plan is $31.99 per month and comes with SimpliSafe’s innovative feature Intruder Intervention (a.k.a. Live Guard). If an alarm is triggered, a SimpliSafe agent will access the livestream of the Wireless Indoor Camera and speak to intruders to let them know they’re being recorded. They’ll also attempt to talk them out of continuing with their crimes.
Even SimpliSafe’s equipment is affordable, and it’s easy to integrate new devices via the app any time. We recommend SimpliSafe for anyone needing a security system for an apartment. But it’s also a great security system for larger homes, although the product range might be limited for some. In this case, you might want to take a look at our next pick.
>> Read More: SimpliSafe Frequently Asked Questions
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4. Frontpoint - Best Customer Service
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Starting at $69.00 Monitoring Options Professional only Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $14.99 Contract Lengths 1-36 months Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Frontpoint Overview
Our Frontpoint security system might have been easier to set up than SimpliSafe. To be fair, all of the equipment was preprogrammed before we took it out of the box. The only thing we had to do was peel off the adhesive protection and stick them to the wall. The adhesive must be pretty strong because Frontpoint’s equipment is bulky and not sleek or modern like Vivint or ADT.
>> Read More: ADT vs. Frontpoint Comparison
Thankfully, the Frontpoint app is a little more modern. It even has a lot of features we haven’t seen in other home security apps, like Scenes, which has preloaded options like Sleep and Wake Up so you can automate routines. The Nighttime scene was our favorite. We set a rule to arm the system and ignore sensors in the bedroom so we don’t set off an alarm by rolling around in bed. But this is just the beginning of what impressed us about the Frontpoint app.
Frontpoint’s Scenes has preprogrammed routines you can customize to match your lifestyle. What We Like
- The home screen has all the important features in one place
- You can use programmed automations or create your own
- It’s easy to customize notifications for specific events
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers have experienced connection issues with cameras
- Automation features might be too complicated for some people
- Responses to app issues can take some time to be resolved
What Users Say About The Frontpoint App
This isn’t a totally bad thing, but a lot of reviews call out being overwhelmed by the number of options in the app. One even mentioned the process of setting up new equipment was overcomplicated. We found that all our devices were preprogrammed, so we didn’t have this issue. But this user needed to contact the customer support team. While the team member was courteous and helpful, they didn’t appreciate the extra step involved. This seems like an outlier, as most of the other feedback was positive.
Our Experience with the Frontpoint App
Random users weren’t crazy about the Frontpoint app, but what about us? We tested features including:
- Arming the system
- Two-way audio
- Smart-device control
- Security camera streaming
- Push notifications
We didn’t find a single bug, but we did manage to try every feature we were curious about.
The quality of the video stream on the Frontpoint app was better than some other security system apps. One of the first was customizing instant notifications. We tend to get notifications all day, whether it’s an email trying to convince us to update our internet plan or when our NBA team loses another game. With the Frontpoint app, we set an alert for when the garage door is left open for longer than 10 minutes. We brought in groceries one afternoon and started packing them away, forgetting that we didn’t shut the garage door. After 10 minutes, our phone beeped and reminded us to close it.
Pro Tip: You can organize to send these notifications to multiple people, in case you’re not the one who left the garage door open.
Another standout feature is the location-based reminder. We’ve all left the house and forgotten to arm our security system, right? Well, the Frontpoint app will remind you once it detects you’re out of the house. Don’t worry about heading back, you can arm it from the app.
All of these features are great, but we can see why some people complain about how complicated the Frontpoint app is. We’ve been testing security systems for over a decade, and even we found it complicated to set up some automations. It doesn’t walk you through step by step like Vivint does or simplify the process like SimpliSafe. We’d only recommend Frontpoint for experienced home security users or anyone who enjoys asking for help from customer service teams.
Frontpoint Pricing
Frontpoint only advertises one monitoring plan on its website. The Ultimate Monitoring Plan is $49.99, which is on par with Vivint’s most expensive package. However, you can call the customer service team to discuss other Frontpoint plans that start from $14.99.
The equipment prices are reasonable and in the same ballpark as SimpliSafe. But as we mentioned earlier, the products look a little dated. We recommend holding off until Frontpoint runs a sale. On 2024’s Black Friday, Frontpoint slashed prices on its equipment packages and some of its devices. Even the price for the Premium Floodlight Camera was halved from $300 to $150.
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5. Ring Alarm - Best Alexa Compatibility
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.com
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $244.95 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $10 with the purchase of a Ring Home plan Contract Lengths 1-12 months Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home
Ring Alarm Overview
We were impressed when we started exploring Ring’s product range. In the past, they were known for their popular video doorbell. But they have since expanded to include motion sensors, security cameras, and door sensors. We even picked up a couple of pet-friendly products so we could keep an eye on our new puppy.
Setting everything was a breeze and the system was online within an hour. Like SimpliSafe, Ring has self-monitoring options. But you’ll get a great bang for your buck with a professional monitoring plan. It’s $10 per month on top of a Ring plan – so for example, the Premium plan ($19.99 per month) would cost $29.99 with the professional monitoring add-on, which we think is a bargain considering what’s included – 180 days of cloud storage, pre-rolled videos, rich notifications, and even 3 GB of backup cellular data if you spring for the Pro version of Ring Alarm.
Checking in on your security system devices is easy on the Ring – Always Home app FYI: If affordable, flexible home security sounds good to you, you may be wondering whether you should go with Ring or SimpliSafe. Find out everything you need to know to make that decision in our detailed Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe comparison.
What We Like
- The app makes it easy to sound a siren and jump into a livestream
- All devices with the Ring app chime when you arm the system to let other users know
- It’s easy to fine-tune the sensitivity for children and pets
What We Don’t Like
- We encountered a few bugs during our testing
- Sometimes notifications are delayed
- Features are limited on cheaper subscription plans
What Users Say About The Ring App
Unlike ADT and Vivint that release new apps when they launch new security systems, Ring’s app has been around since 2013. That’s right, it’s the same app they’ve offered since the first Ring Video Doorbell hit the shelves. But as you would expect, Ring has improved the app tremendously since.
Ring has managed to squash a lot of bugs in the app, but there are still plenty there. During our testing, the Ring – Always Home app crashed a few times while we were checking out livestreams and adjusting our motion sensor sensitivity. We also noticed that some notifications would arrive a few minutes after the sensor had been triggered. Other users have also raised those issues in their reviews. So it sounds like there is still some work to do to get this app on the same level as ADT and Vivint.
Did You Know: Ring has another app called Neighbors. Anyone — not just Ring customers — can use it to share safety information with their
Our Experience with the Ring – Always Home App
When we tested Ring – Always Home, we thought it was so good that it was one of the security system’s biggest selling points. Some features that impressed us included:
- Custom notifications
- Multiple users
- Event timeline
- Adjustable sensor sensitivity
In particular, dialing in the sensor sensitivity in the app was super convenient. If you have pets, you’ll know how annoying it is when your motion sensor keeps going off because Fido is wagging his tail.
Keeping an eye on our new puppy on the Ring app to make sure they’re behaving What we liked most about the Ring app was how easy it was to customize the settings for each device. The first thing we did was adjust the sensitivity of the sensors. While we love seeing a video of our dog chasing its tail in front of the camera, it got old after the eighth notification in less than an hour.
We could also customize motion zones, which was handy considering we live on a busy street. Like we did with Vivint, we created our invisible fence so that our Ring equipment would ignore passers-by. We only got alerts whenever someone crossed the motion zone and headed to the door.
Lastly, we set up our routines. One of the advantages Ring has over some other security brands is that we could initiate these routines with Alexa. Considering Ring and Alexa are owned by Amazon, the integration makes sense. As we headed to bed, we asked Alexa to run our night routine, and it locked the doors, checked the windows, and armed the Ring Alarm system.
>> Read More: Best Alexa-Compatible Home Security Systems
Ring Alarm Pricing
Before you get too excited about all of these features, you should know that some of them are locked behind a paid subscription. There are three paid plans starting from $4.99 per month. But a lot of the features we mentioned above are only available on the Standard ($9.99 per month) and Premium ($19.99 per month) packages.
This doesn’t even include professional monitoring. It’s an add-on for $10 per month. The good news is that on all three paid subscriptions, you’ll get 180 days of video event history. And with the Standard and Premium plans, you can cover unlimited Ring cameras set up in your address. SimpliSafe only offers 30 days of cloud storage even with its top-tier plan, and only covers up to 10 cameras. Ring offers a pretty sweet deal.
FYI: Ring has a free self-monitoring plan that includes camera live feeds and alerts. But it doesn’t include video storage.
Why You Need a Home Security App
Let’s say you already have a home security system. It has sensors. It has a siren. It has a keypad. If an intruder breaks in, you’ll know it. Why would you need an app? Here are a few reasons.
- You won’t always be home. It’s not about when you’re home. It’s about when you’re not. A security app will notify you when something goes wrong, wherever you are.
- You might miss your siren. You probably shouldn’t keep your phone on you at all times, but you probably do anyway. Your phone can act as a backup alarm if you can’t hear your siren.
- You can control your system with ease. The app is probably not the only way to control your security system, but it’s probably the easiest way. Try it and find out.
Pro Tip: Can’t hear your alarm from the next room? Order a high-decibel siren.
3 Questions You Should Ask Before You Download a Home Security App
Be sure to consider your needs before you pick a home security app. Here are a few questions to get you started.
- Is it the right app? Start with the basics. Ignore ADT’s dizzying array of apps in favor of the one that works with your system. Don’t download Notion (the productivity app) instead of Notion (the home monitoring app).
- Is your device compatible with the security app? ADT+ requires iOS 16.0 or later. Do the math: If you have an old phone, you may need to upgrade.
- Does your subscription unlock every feature? The SimpliSafe app works without a subscription — but just barely. If you want to use every feature your home security app has to offer, sign up for the most advanced subscription.
How to Make the Most of Your Home Security App
All those fancy features only matter if you actually, you know, use them. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Explore: Start simple. Download the app and play with it.
- Create automations: Home automation is one of the most overlooked features. It’s really not as hard as it sounds. The basic idea is to create an “if/then” rule, such as, “If it’s 10 p.m., then lock the door.” Your security app should make it easy.
- Whitelist: I love Do Not Disturb as much as the next person, but there are some times when you want a notification to wake you up in the middle of the night. On an iPhone, visit Settings, tap Focus, select Do Not Disturb, and allow notifications from your security app.
FYI: Your security company may call you from an actual phone number. (Retro, right?) Whitelist that number too.
Methodology
It’s 2025. Pretty much every security system has an app. That’s not enough to make it to the top of our list. To be counted as one of the best options, each security system had to meet our strict criteria.
App Quality
Our first stop was Apple Store and Google Play reviews. If everyday users hate an app, that’s a bad sign. Cove, for example, didn’t make the list because its Android app has a whopping 1.8 rating.
That said, we don’t take reviewers’ word as gospel. There are all sorts of silly reasons people may give a one-star review, from an accidental tap to unrelated technical difficulties.
That’s why we balanced customer reviews with the Security.org team’s intensive test results. We spent hundreds of hours testing security systems, so our opinions carry a little more weight than anonymous reviewers’.
Smart-Home Integration
The basic functions of a security app are really nothing special. Arm, disarm, stream security camera footage. Convenient, but not groundbreaking.
That changes when you add more smart devices. Suddenly, you can use your security app to do a lot more than the basics. You can set the doors to lock when you leave work. You can set lights to turn on at random intervals while you’re on vacation.
That’s why security systems with advanced smart-home integration capabilities made it to the top of the pile.
Cost of App
A good security system won’t nickel and dime you for the use of a basic feature. At this point, a mobile app is a basic feature.
Every security system on the list falls under one of two categories. One, it allows you to use the app without paying a subscription, like SimpliSafe. Or two, the app is included in the same subscription it requires of all customers, like ADT.
Recap
Does it really matter if a security system’s app is any good? You can always control your devices with the keypad or website, right?
Technically, yes. But think about all the ways a security app can make your home safer.
>> Read More: How to Make Your Home More Secure
Someone snoops through your trash, and your security app notifies you so you can call the cops. Your vacation home security system detects a burst pipe, and you can send over a plumber. You want to try a new home-automation routine, and it’s easy in the app.
A good app won’t save a bad security system, but a good app can boost a good security system.
FAQs
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What does a security system app do?
It depends on the app. Usually, it acts like a keypad, allowing you to arm and disarm your system. Extra features may include viewing security footage, setting home-automation routines, and controlling individual smart devices.
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Can I arm my security system in the app?
Yep! Arming and disarming your security system is a basic feature you can expect from any provider’s app.
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Is my security system’s app free?
No security system we’ve reviewed requires you to purchase your app. It should be free to download. You may, however, have to pay a subscription fee to access all the app’s features.
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Do security system apps work without Wi-Fi?
Your app will need an internet connection for full functionality to access features like remote monitoring and video livestreams. Without Wi-Fi or an internet connection, you might not receive notifications or be able to access sensors or equipment.
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Do security systems apps work with smart home devices?
There are several security system apps that integrate with smart home devices. However, this may depend on the brand and the monitoring plan you’ve chosen.
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Google Patents. (1966). Home security system utilizing television surveillance.
patents.google.com/patent/US3482037A/en -
Ring. (2024). Neighbors by Ring.
ring.com/neighbors
