The Best Security Systems With Apps

1. ADT - Best Security System With App

Editors Rating:

9.8 /10

855-908-4461

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You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? Wrong. Even though ADT is the oldest security company in the U.S., with more than 140 years in business, the company has upgraded its systems to use mobile applications, specifically the ADT Pulse app for traditional systems (or the ADT Control app for newer systems) or the Blue by ADT app for Blue by ADT security systems. You can learn more about the latter in our Blue by ADT review, but here, we’re focusing on ADT’s flagship systems, which all come with 24/7 professional monitoring.

The ADT Pulse App

If we weren’t around to control our ADT security system via its keypad, we used the ADT Pulse app to:

• Arm and disarm our system
• Control our integrated Kwikset smart lock and our LiftMaster
• View live footage
• Receive notifications if any of our window sensors, door sensors, or glass-break sensors went off

When we tested out the app on our iPhone and Android phones, we found it easy to use and free of bugs. Although ours, like all ADT systems, had mandatory 24/7 professional monitoring, it was still nice to be able to self-monitor and see what was going on at home, especially while we were on vacation.

Professional Installation

In the smart home security world, there’s an ongoing battle of DIY vs. professional home security installation. While we normally prefer DIY home security systems as a means of saving money, many people prefer professionally installed home security. If that’s the case for you, ADT is a great option, as it includes professional installation with all systems. A technician will come to your house, set up the physical components, and connect them all to the ADT Pulse app for easy remote control and push notifications.

2. Vivint - Best Security System for Androids

Editors Rating:

9.4 /10

844-922-0575

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One of the biggest advantages of home security systems with apps is the ability to check on your cameras’ live feeds, and Vivint has a small but mighty selection of security cameras and video doorbells. Perhaps the most advanced option is the outdoor camera, which you can read more about in our Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro review. With 4K sensors, our footage was crystal clear, and the 140-degree field of view didn’t hurt either.

The best part? The camera has person detection, so we only got alerts whenever it detected a person in the activity zones we created in the app. The person detection meant fewer and more important notifications, and less time tending to false alarms on our smartphones.

Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Do home security cameras deter crime? Many would argue that no, security cameras only capture crime after it happens. However, with the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, that’s definitely not the case.

This camera has a red LED ring that turned on if someone was in our front yard for too long. It also has a built-in 85-decibel siren to send intruders loud warnings. Immediately, we got thumbnail images of the intruders sent straight to our phones; from there, we could use the camera’s speaker to yell at them ourselves. So, if you’re still wondering if security cameras deter crime, with Vivint, the answer is a resounding yes.

Vivint Home Automation

Vivint isn’t just a home security company; it’s also a smart home company known for its home automation. Vivint home automation includes integrations with not only Alexa and Google Assistant, but also Philips Hue smart lighting and Nest thermostats.

Although smart lighting may seem like just a cool party trick, it’s actually a great crime deterrent. We had our Philips Hue outdoor lights turn on whenever our Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro detected a person, literally shining a light on crime. You can bet that most people, upon being in the spotlight, decided to go loiter on someone else’s lawn.

3. SimpliSafe - Best Security System for iPhones

Editors Rating:

9.2 /10

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How We Review

SimpliSafe is a home security company known for giving its customers many options. You can choose self-monitoring, professional monitoring, or both; DIY or professional installation; and Google Assistant, Alexa, or both voice assistants. You can also choose from customizable SimpliSafe packages or create your own custom system. We tested an old Summerfort system and eventually added on the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, but don’t take our word for it — read our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review to learn more.

App Capabilities

What we could do on the SimpliSafe app depended on which plan we chose. To test out all of SimpliSafe’s features, we went with the top-tier Interactive Plan, but even without paying monthly fees for our home security system, we could still livestream footage, which gave us peace of mind.

In our opinion, if you want professional monitoring, it makes more sense to go with the Interactive Plan over the Standard.

Why? Because the Standard Plan lacks both notifications and smart home integrations, meaning you can’t connect SimpliSafe to your Nest thermostats and August smart locks in the app. We’re all about home automation, so we went into our SimpliSafe app and set our smart locks to lock the doors whenever we armed our system. Even if we forgot to lock the door, it happened automatically, thanks to the SimpliSafe app.

Easy DIY Installation

Although SimpliSafe let us choose between DIY and professional installation for $79, we took the DIY route to save a little money. SimpliSafe was very easy to install, as most of the components (like the keypad, entry sensors, motion sensors, and glass-break sensors) were wireless.

The only thing we had to plug in was the base station, and the app guided us through the rest of the setup process step by step. It told us to stick our keypad on the wall, name our devices based on their locations, and then test them to make sure they were working correctly. With help from the app, we finished installing SimpliSafe in less than an hour, believe it or not.

4. Frontpoint - Best Professionally Monitored Security System With App

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

844-933-2405

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If you’re in the market for 24/7 professional monitoring, you may want to consider Frontpoint, one of the most trusted home security systems around. The company doesn’t make things too complicated when it comes to Frontpoint subscriptions; there’s only one plan available, which costs $49.99 per month and includes livestreaming, video and image history, motion-triggered alerts, remote control, sensor history, and mobile alerts. It’s self-monitoring and professional monitoring combined, the best of both worlds.

Comprehensive Packages

Not sure where to start when it comes to buying a home security system? Frontpoint offers three packages: The Safehouse, The Bunker, and The Fortress. Of course, you can add on more equipment as you see fit, but these security systems are perfect for everything from apartments to large homes.

We built our own Frontpoint package from scratch, adding a hub, radio, keychain remote, keypad, video doorbell, smart lock, indoor camera, and entry, motion, and glass-break sensors. If you’re new to home security, though, your best bet is to pick from the preset packages.

Alexa and Google Assistant Integrations

When we’re home after a long day at work, we like to exert as little energy as possible, barely moving off the couch unless it’s to tend to our bodily functions. That’s why we’re such big fans of voice commands. Fortunately for us, Frontpoint works with the two major voice assistants, Alexa and Google Assistant. Here’s how we controlled our system with each voice assistant.

We asked Alexa to:

• Arm and disarm our security system
• Adjust our thermostat
• Unlock our smart lock
• Control our smart lights
• Have the camera record
• Have the camera pan

Through the Alarm.com action, we asked the Google Assistant to:

• Arm our security system
• Control our lighting
• Change our thermostat
• Control our smart locks

Interested in a security system that works with your voice assistant? Read our reviews of the best Alexa security systems, the best Google Assistant security systems, or the best Apple security systems for Siri or iPhone users.

5. Ring Alarm Security Kit - Best Smart Security System With App

Editors Rating:

7.7 /10

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How We Review

Unlike the companies that hide remote control, smart platform integrations, and notifications behind paid subscriptions, Ring gave us those features free of charge. On top of the Ring — Always Home app, which we used to monitor our home security system and set up smart home integrations, we got access to the Neighbors app, which notified us of crime in our neighborhood.

We live in Brooklyn, where package theft is a pervasive problem, so it was helpful to know who had packages stolen and on what streets. People even posted videos of the thieves in action, putting faces to this petty theft. If you want to stay on top of not only your home’s security, but the security and safety of your entire neighborhood, Ring Alarm is the security system for you.

The Neighbors App

Most security system apps only cover your home, but with the Neighbors app, you’ll have access to the most recent videos of crimes in your area. We like to know of the most recent package thefts, lost pets, and crimes in our Brooklyn neighborhood (of which there are many), and the Neighbors app showed us a map of the most recent events.

For example, when there was a small fire at a nearby smoothie shop, we knew to avoid that area, lest we fire up our asthma (no pun intended). Another time, after a string of package thefts on our street, we decided to turn to Amazon Locker instead of having packages delivered to our house. You know what they say: It takes a village.

Variety of Equipment

Out of all the security systems we’ve tested, Ring Alarm has one of the largest varieties of equipment available, from Ring cameras to Ring video doorbells. Not only do these devices vary in terms of power, with both wireless and wired options, but there’s also a huge price range, making Ring Alarm an affordable security system with cheap cameras.

The least expensive camera is the Ring Indoor Cam, which retails for just $60, as you can see on our Ring camera pricing page. Meanwhile, the least expensive video doorbell is the original Ring Video Doorbell, currently priced at $99.99. Between its outdoor cameras and indoor cameras, as well as wireless cameras and hardwired home security, there’s no lack of options with Ring Alarm.

6. Cove - Best Smartphone Alarm Response

Editors Rating:

8.7 /10

How We Review

Cove is a leader in the DIY alarm market, and in DIY systems, smartphone access and controls is a pivotal feature. With an already solid lineup of security and safety devices, Cove backs up its alarm system with an exceptional smartphone emergency response system called the TripleTouch Alarm Response.

TripleTouch Alarm Response

Typically, in an emergency, the alarm company reaches out to the homeowner via phone call to confirm the event. This works out fine when there’s only one family member handling the household’s security, but that’s not the case with most homes. It requires coordination between family members and the monitoring center to properly handle alarm events, prevent false dispatch, and ensure that help gets there when it’s really needed.

Cove’s TripleTouch Alarm Response is a great system for that. Instead of reaching out through phone alone, TripleTouch utilizes every available avenue to inform and coordinate with security system owners, including the alarm panel’s two-way audio.

The highlight of the TripleTouch alarm response, though, is InstaText. As soon as an alarm is triggered, Cove sends out a link to registered family members’ smartphones. This link leads you to a group messaging room, to which alarm responders from Cove have access, as well. There, you can communicate with family members to clear things up, and then decide whether to request dispatch or waive the alarm. Once you make a decision, the alarm responder will know the appropriate next steps.

This is, by far, one of the most efficient smartphone alarm response systems we’ve seen.

Security Cameras

In addition to TripleTouch, Cove utilizes its Android and iOS apps to give homeowners visual access to their homes through their cameras. Cove sells four camera models — an indoor camera, an outdoor camera, a wired video doorbell from SkyBell, and a battery-operated video doorbell from Kami. All of these cameras can be linked to the Cove app, and in addition to recording videos, they can livestream footage so homeowners can see what’s going on at home during emergencies. Cove monitoring center operators don’t get access to camera footage, so your privacy is safe. But in times of emergencies, having visual access to your home is indispensable