The Best Security Systems With Apps in 2024
Our number one pick, ADT, has a highly rated app, smart home integration, and comes packed with equipment you can rely on.
&
Last Updated on Jun 14, 2024
- Top-rated app
- Nest integration
- Excellent overall security system
- 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
A basic home security system will sound the alarm if someone is trying to break in — and nothing more. You can do better than basic. You can view security camera footage, receive real-time notifications, and more with a home security app.
Your home security provider’s app essentially links your system to your smartphone. You know how you can arm your system and control your devices on your keypad? A home security app lets you do all that on your phone too.
I have good news and bad news. First the good news: Almost every security provider offers a mobile app. The bad news: Some of those apps are terrible. You deserve a five-star security system with a five-star app, so I found some. (Well, not quite. My top pick actually has a 4.9 rating. Nobody’s perfect.)
I combed through product specs, user reviews, and — last but definitely not least — my hands-on testing results. After all that, I ended up with a list of the best home security systems with great mobile apps.
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
Pretty much every security system has an app, but not every security system has a good app.
That’s where I come in as a home security expert. Before I put any of the security systems on this list, I found the answers to these questions:
- What do users think of the app? Four or more stars on the App Store or get off my list!
- What do we think of the app? My colleagues and I spend days or sometimes weeks testing security apps. We know what to look for.
- How much does it cost to use the app? Some security companies charge a pretty penny for app access. It had better be worth it.
- Can you connect smart devices to the app? A security app can become a smart-home app with the right combination of features and devices.
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 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| iOS rating | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Android rating | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4.6 |
| Read Review | ADT Review | Vivint Review | SimpliSafe Review | Frontpoint Review | Ring Alarm Review |
Summary of the Best Security Systems With Apps
- ADT - Best overall
- Vivint - Best for smart homes
- SimpliSafe - Best budget option
- Frontpoint - Best customer service
- Ring Alarm - Best Alexa compatibility
-
1. ADT - Best Overall
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $599 Monitoring Options Professional Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $25 per month Contract Lengths 36 months and up Installation Options Professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home ADT Overview
ADT Control app streaming live outdoor camera footage I’ll admit it: I didn’t think ADT would end up at the top of this list. A 150-year-old security company couldn’t have the best app on the market, right? Wrong. The ADT Control app is a seamless way to, well, control your security system.
>> Read More: ADT Frequently Asked Questions
When I compare ADT to Ring, I don’t see a dinosaur up against an innovator. I see two excellent security companies with excellent smartphone apps.
What We Like
- Highly rated app
- Advanced smart-home integration
- Reliable equipment
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Confusing array of apps
- Contract required for traditional plans
ADT App Rating
The first clue that the ADT Control app is better than the company’s age would suggest? The 4.9 App Store rating. (Android users were slightly less enthusiastic: It has a 4.7 Google Play Store rating.)
FYI: ADT Control is ADT’s new and improved app. If you search “ADT” in your favorite app store, you’ll see several other apps too. Most people can ignore them. For the most part, they control defunct ADT packages. Hit up ADT customer service for guidance.
ADT App Test Results
Sure, everyday users like the ADT app. But what about your friendly neighborhood security expert?
The short answer: I liked it too. It was bug-free, easy to use, and feature-rich. In other words, I could do a lot with one little app. I was able to use it to:
- Arm my security system
- Create home automations
- Control my individual smart devices
- Stream my security camera footage
ADT Home Security – Control App Clip History It was easy too. No frustrating bugs and no confusing menus. That’s especially impressive when it comes to home automation. Instead of feeling intimidated to try connecting my smart devices, I felt empowered to create Scenes (scheduled chains of smart device events). It would be easy to create a vacation Scene, for example, that turns lights off and on at random, locks the doors, and lowers the thermostat.
It felt like the best of both worlds: the power of a deluxe, professionally monitored security system with the accessibility of a budget, self-monitored system. That was somewhat unexpected. SimpliSafe has to have a good app, because users on its self-monitoring plan keep an eye on it constantly. ADT doesn’t have to, because monitors are checking on your system for you. It was a pleasant surprise that all the features SimpliSafe boasts — seamless security footage streaming, live alerts — ADT has too. And then some.
ADT Smart Home
ADT offers just about every smart device you can think of: smart locks, smart lights, smart thermostats, and more. You can control all the devices from the ADT app.
ADT Smart Home Devices
- ADT Garage Controller
- ADT Smoke and Heat Detector
- ADT Smart Locks
- ADT Smart Plugs
- ADT Smart Bulbs
- ADT Smart Thermostat
- Nest Learning Thermostat
- Nest Mini
- Nest Wi-Fi
Google Nest Mini What does that long list mean for ADT customers? Basically, every bullet point is another opportunity for home automation. You can schedule each device to work together with ADT Scenes.
Picture this: You take the kids to school every morning. Using the ADT app, you could set up a School Scene to trigger at 7:45 a.m. to lock the doors behind you, turn off the lights and electronic devices, and set the alarm on alert.
Did You Know: Nest has partnered with ADT. That’s great news for smart-home owners. You can connect your favorite Nest smart speaker, thermostat, or Wi-Fi router to your ADT security system.2
ADT App Cost
There’s always a catch, isn’t there? ADT has one of the best security systems on the market, period. To get it, however, you have to pay a somewhat steep fee for years. A typical ADT package costs $50 to $60 per month for 36 months.
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.
-
2. Vivint - Best for Smart Homes
Product Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $449 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs $40 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home Vivint Overview
Vivint offers top-of-the-line smart devices. Does the app let you make the most of them? I’m happy to answer with a resounding yes.
Vivint Smart Home App What We Like
- Plenty of smart devices
- Top-of-the-line equipment
- App makes home automation easy
What We Don’t Like
- Old app is subpar (and still available)
- New app can be difficult for tech novices to use
- Subscription required for full functionality
Vivint App Rating
The Vivint app has an App Store rating of 4.6 and a Google Play Store rating of 4.1. It’s not ADT-level, but it’s still great.
There is one fly in the ointment: Multiple reviewers report issues with viewing security camera footage. “The video playback is terrible,” one reviewer wrote. “I don’t care what Wi-Fi or network I am on, the video clips load very slowly or not all. If someone is walking up to my front door, I’d like to see it.”
Pro Tip: Skip the Vivint Classic app. It’s technically still available, but the two-star average should warn you away.
Vivint App Test Results
When I tested the Vivint app, I was impressed by how much I could do with it. I used it to:
- Answer the doorbell
- Arm the system
- Watch security camera footage
- Receive notifications
Vivint Motion Zones in the app Wondering whether I ran into the same video-playback issue some reviewers did? I did, but a simple relaunch of the app fixed it. Still, little problems like that are why ADT is No. 1, not Vivint.
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 Smart Home
You can use the Vivint app to control just about every smart device you can think of. Garage door? Smart lock? Smart lamp module? Check, check, and check. Any device that came with your Vivint package should be fair game.
Vivint Thermostat in the app The real potential of the Vivint app isn’t controlling individual devices. It’s activating automations — rules that control your devices automatically. For example, you could set your porchlight to turn on if there are three failed attempts to unlock the front door. Neat, right?
FYI: To set up a new home automation, open the Vivint app, tap Custom Actions, tap the “plus” icon, and input your rule.3
Vivint App Cost
Vivint may be younger than ADT by over a century, but its business model is remarkably similar. It spreads out the cost of premium equipment and services with a years-long contract. It’s more like buying a car than, say, a pair of jeans. If that rubs you the wrong way, check out my favorite no-fee security systems instead.
If you’re on the fence, you should know that the $60-ish monthly fee covers everything, including full use of the app.
-
3. SimpliSafe - Best Budget Option
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $280 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $19.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe Overview
Just because you don’t have $600 lying around doesn’t mean you can’t have a great home security system. SimpliSafe is one of my favorite options — and not just because you can get a starter kit for under $300.
SimpliSafe app’s motion detection settings Its security cameras, door sensors, and environmental sensors are sleek, stylish, and effective, and its top-rated app makes controlling them all a piece of cake.
What We Like
- Affordable equipment
- Great value monitoring
- Highly rated app
What We Don’t Like
- Limited smart device tie-in
- Full app functionality costs extra
- App missing some key features
SimpliSafe App Rating
The ratings don’t lie. SimpliSafe is sitting at a 4.4 Google Play and 4.8 Apple App Store rating.
SimpliSafe App on App Store Not every user is happy. The sprinkling of negative reviewers say they wish there were more features, such as device-sensitivity adjustments and multiple user accounts.
“The lack of multiple user accounts is absurd and their offered option of sharing login/password details is a major security risk,” wrote one user. Indeed, multiuser accounts have been “in development” since 2019.4 Oof.
SimpliSafe App Test Results
When I tested the SimpliSafe app, I was able to:
- Arm the system
- Livestream footage
- Get alerts
- View recordings
- Set up smart-home integrations
And guess what? I didn’t run into any bugs. I could check my SimpliCam and receive urgent notifications without a problem.
SimpliSafe’s app isn’t as well designed as Vivint’s app. There also aren’t nearly as many back-end features as the bigger brands offer. SimpliSafe offers simplicity, though, which is a huge selling point.
SimpliSafe Smart Home
Let’s get this out of the way: SimpliSafe is a security company, not a smart-home company.
Compare SimpliSafe to ADT. Aside from its security equipment, SimpliSafe sells precisely one smart device: its smart lock. ADT sells smart locks, smart lights, smart thermometers, and more.
If you want to control your smart home with your security system app, you should probably skip SimpliSafe.
SimpliSafe App Cost
A flight from New York to Los Angeles costs $175 with Delta, but $60 with Spirit. Does that mean you should go with Spirit? Not necessarily. Your Delta ticket may be more expensive, but it includes luggage, meals, and legroom. Your Spirit ticket doesn’t include any of that. (Trust me, I’ve been down that road before.)
SimpliSafe vs. Vivint is like Spirit vs. Delta. A basic SimpliSafe package is way, way more affordable than the cheapest Vivint package, but you get what you pay for. SimpliSafe’s starter kit includes a few pieces of equipment and just one month of monitoring.
>> Read More: SimpliSafe Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking for a good apartment security system, that may be fine. If you’re looking for a good security system for a large home, it’s absolutely not fine. By the time you’ve bought all the equipment you need and signed up for the subscription to cover it all, you could be paying just as much as you would have with Vivint. (On the bright side, you won’t be stuck in a years-long contract. SimpliSafe is one of my favorite no-fee home security systems.)
Whether you live in a studio or a mansion, you should know that a $29.99-per-month subscription is necessary to access all available features on the SimpliSafe app. Want to view old recordings? Get discreet notifications? Connect smart-home devices? Sign up for Fast Protect.
FYI: Fast Protect is SimpliSafe’s most expensive subscription plan. For many customers, it could be well worth it. It comes with the features you would expect, such as cellular backup and scheduled arming. It also comes with some features you wouldn’t expect, such as Live Guard Protection. If you have the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera, a SimpliSafe emergency-response agent can watch the footage to make sure everything is OK.
-
4. Frontpoint - Best Customer Service
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Starting at $99 Monitoring Options Professional only Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $49.99 Contract Lengths 1-36 months Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Frontpoint Overview
You’ve probably heard of SimpliSafe and ADT, but you may not have heard of Frontpoint. That probably has little to do with quality and a lot to do with branding.
ADT is the trustworthy old standby. SimpliSafe is the exciting new disruptor. Frontpoint is somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t get as much attention, but it’s still a great system. It blends top-notch monitoring with cutting-edge smart-home technology.
>> Read More: ADT vs. Frontpoint Comparison
The best part? The app isn’t an afterthought. It’s the most effective way to control the system.
Frontpoint Mobile App What We Like
- Stand-out customer service
- App makes home automation easy
- Affordable equipment with a discount
What We Don’t Like
- Full smart-home integration costs extra
- Pricing can be hard to understand without contacting sales
- Keypad lacks features
Frontpoint App Rating
The Frontpoint app enjoys a respectable 4.3 rating on the App Store and a less impressive 3.7 rating on the Google Play Store.
What’s keeping it from five stars? Some users aren’t crazy about the user interface. One user wishes there was an easier way to see the event timeline. Another user doesn’t like that the Live Chat button covers the Enter Form button. I don’t blame them. It sounds like the Frontpoint app is ready for a refresh.
Frontpoint App Test Results
Random users weren’t crazy about the Frontpoint app, but what about me? I tested features including:
- Arming the system
- Two-way audio
- Smart-device control
- Security camera streaming
- Push notifications
I didn’t find a single bug, but I did manage to try every feature I was curious about.
Video on the Frontpoint app That includes more than the typical arming and disarming. I set the thermostat and turned the lights on and off, all from my phone. Technically you could control your Frontpoint system with its $150 touch-screen control panel, but why not save the money and stick to your smartphone instead?
As seamless as my experience with the Frontpoint app was, it wasn’t perfect.
FYI: Not the most tech-savvy person in the world? Call Frontpoint for help with app setup. The company is known for providing the best customer service in the game.
Frontpoint Smart Home
Frontpoint has a small but mighty range of smart devices, including a smart lock, smart light converter, and outdoor smart plug. The outdoor smart plug, in particular, is a sneakily high-impact piece of tech. Just connect your patio’s fairy lights to the smart plug to turn them on and off automatically.
Frontpoint App Cost
Sadly you need to pay a monthly fee to use Frontpoint. Even more sadly, that fee starts at $44.99 per month for the Interactive Plan.
The Interactive Plan includes access to the smartphone app, but not live video streaming, security footage storage, or smart-device control. For that, you’ll have to shell out an extra $5 per month for the Ultimate Plan. If you ask me, it’s not cool that Frontpoint pricing punishes you for using its best features.
-
5. Ring Alarm - Best Alexa Compatibility
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Starting at $199 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $20 Contract Lengths 1-12 months Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home 
Ring Alarm Overview
For $200 up front and $20 per month, you could have a fully functional security system with a more-than-functional app. You can control your devices. You can arm your system. You can view your camera footage. All for a significantly lower price than the other guys offer.
Ring Indoor Cam on the Ring 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
- Excellent value
- Works great with Alexa
- Wide range of smart devices
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t play well with competitors
- Privacy concerns
- Smart devices can be pricey
Ring Alarm App Rating
The Ring Always Home app is a hit with both Apple and Android users. It boasts a 4.6 rating on both platforms.
To get to five stars, users think Ring should work on the video function. Viewing live video or retrieving old footage can lead to crashes, according to some reviewers.
Did You Know: Ring has another app called Neighbors. Anyone — not just Ring customers — can use it to share safety information with their community.5
Ring Alarm App Test Results
When I tested Ring Always Home, I thought it was so good that it was one of the security system’s biggest selling points. Some features that impressed me 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.
Ring Indoor Cam video on the Ring app Ring Alarm Smart Home
You can buy just about every smart device known to man on Ring.com. That includes the basics, such as smart locks and lights, and the cutting edge, such as smart water monitors.
The best way to make the most of those integrations, however, isn’t the Ring app. It’s Alexa. If you have an Amazon smart speaker, use Alexa Routines to trigger intricate home automations with a simple voice command.6
>> Read More: Best Alexa-Compatible Home Security Systems
Ring Alarm App Cost
The Always Home app lets you access the basics without a subscription. That means viewing live video and answering the doorbell.
Creating automations in the Ring app is possible only with a Ring Protect subscription (boo).7 That’ll ring you (ha!) between $3.99 and $20 per month.
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 Control requires iOS 13.0 or later. iOS doesn’t support iPhone 6s and older. 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 2024. Pretty much every security system has an app. That’s not enough to make it to the top of my list. To be counted as one of the best options, each security system had to meet my strict criteria.
App Quality
My 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, I didn’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 I balanced customer reviews with the Security.org team’s intensive test results. My colleagues and I spend 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
-
Which home security system has the best app?
ADT is our favorite, but Vivint, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Ring Alarm are also great.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Google Patents. (1966). Home security system utilizing television surveillance.
patents.google.com/patent/US3482037A/enGoogle. (2021). Set up ADT with Google.
support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11512937Vivint. (2024). Smart Home App – Create Custom Rules & Notifications.
support.vivint.com/article/Smart-Home-App-Create-Custom-Rules-NotificationsSimpliSafe. (2019). Product Requests and Suggestions.
support.simplisafe.com/conversations/product-requests-and-suggestions/multiuser-accounts/6190c6588ea41ebb06213bd7Ring. (2024). Neighbors by Ring.
ring.com/neighborsAmazon. (2024). Alexa Routines.
amazon.com/alexa-routines/b?ie=UTF8&node=21442922011Ring. (2023). An Update to Ring In-App Features.
ring.com/support/articles/087hi/An-Update-to-Ring-In-App-Features