How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- SimpliSafe is the best budget pick with no contract, with professional monitoring from $22.99 per month and DIY install in under 45 minutes.
- Ring Alarm suits Alexa households, with monitoring from $20 per month and a built-in Wi-Fi router in the Pro model.
- Abode is the only full system with HomeKit support, and it runs entirely without a subscription on its free self-monitoring plan.
- Vivint suits buyers who want professional installation and a full smart home hub, with monitoring from $24.99 per month.
- Eufy eliminates the monthly bill entirely, with local storage and no subscription required.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 SimpliSafe | Best budget, no contract | $22.99 per month | Yes, self-monitoring |
 Ring Alarm | Alexa households | $20 per month | Yes, self-monitoring |
 Abode | HomeKit support | $0 | Yes, self-monitoring |
 Vivint | Professional installation | $24.99 per month | No |
 Frontpoint | DIY with pro monitoring | See website | No |
 Arlo | Camera-led security | $199.99 equipment | Yes, self-monitoring |
 Eufy | No monthly bill | $0 | Yes |
 Cove | Simple DIY monitoring | See website | No |
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The best ADT alternatives
Starting price$22.99 per month
Free planYes, self-monitoring
SimpliSafe is the best budget pick with no contract, with month-to-month professional monitoring from $22.99 per month and a complete 12-piece system that installs in under 45 minutes without drilling. Self-monitoring with push notifications and free live streaming is available without any paid subscription, so homeowners can start free and add monitoring later. That flexibility is why SimpliSafe leads most no-contract comparisons.
Smart home integrations feel limited next to Abode or Vivint, focusing on essential connections rather than deep automation. Year-one costs run near $564 for equipment plus monitoring, well below ADT's $1,151. For a homeowner who wants professional monitoring without a contract, SimpliSafe is the best value on this list.
What we like- No long-term contract
- Fast DIY install
- Fastest dispatch in DIY tests
Watch out for- Smart home integrations are limited
- Equipment costs add up for large homes
Starting price$20 per month
Free planYes, self-monitoring
Ring Alarm suits households that run on Alexa, with monitoring from $20 per month and no contract, plus free live streaming and notifications without a subscription. The Alarm Pro model bundles an eero Wi-Fi 6 router, which strengthens home Wi-Fi while securing the house, and Ring's camera variety covers doorbells, floodlights and indoor cameras in one app. Installation consistently earns high scores for ease.
In response-time tests, Ring's monitoring process felt more automated than ADT's thorough verification calls, with an average 3.4 minutes to emergency contact. There is no HomeKit support, so Apple households should choose Abode instead. For an Alexa household that wants cameras and alarms in one system, Ring is the best pick.
What we like- Low monitoring price
- Alexa integration
- Camera variety
- Built-in router on Pro
Watch out for- Monitoring response felt more automated in tests
- No HomeKit support
Starting price$0
Free planYes, self-monitoring
Abode is the only full security system with HomeKit support, and it supports Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, something other systems struggle with. The system runs entirely without a subscription on its free self-monitoring plan, with equipment from $159, and month-to-month professional monitoring starts at $26.99 per month. Its app offers granular control over sensor sensitivity and automation rules that other systems handle automatically.
Pro monitoring at $26.99 sits slightly above SimpliSafe and Ring, and the app's technical depth takes learning for new users. Three-year costs on the free plan run near $299 for equipment alone, the lowest on this list. For an Apple household or a smart home enthusiast who wants every ecosystem at once, Abode is the best choice.
What we like- Only full system with HomeKit
- Runs without a subscription
- Broad smart home ecosystem
Watch out for- Pro monitoring from $26.99 a month is slightly above rivals
- App depth takes learning
Starting price$24.99 per month
Free planNo
Vivint suits buyers who want professional installation and a full smart home hub, with a technician setting up, testing and placing every device. The panel controls locks, thermostats, lights and garage doors alongside security, and proprietary cameras offer AI-powered detection and package tracking. Monitoring runs $24.99 to $49.99 per month, and Vivint has dropped mandatory contracts, so users can cancel month-to-month after equipment is paid off.
Upfront costs are notably higher than DIY rivals, with year-one totals near $1,079, and proprietary equipment only works with Vivint, so leaving means replacing hardware. There is no self-monitoring option and no HomeKit support. For a buyer who wants a professionally installed smart home rather than a DIY project, Vivint is the premium pick.
What we like- Professional installation
- Full smart home hub
- High-quality cameras with AI detection
Watch out for- Higher upfront costs
- Proprietary equipment
- No self-monitoring option
- No HomeKit
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Frontpoint combines DIY installation with professional monitoring, suiting homeowners who want to install themselves but still want a monitoring center watching the system. Cellular backup keeps the system connected if broadband fails, and customer service ratings are consistently strong. The DIY approach avoids installation appointments while keeping professional response.
Long-term costs run higher than SimpliSafe or Ring, with older guides placing multi-year totals well above the budget picks, so buyers should confirm current plan pricing before signing. For a homeowner who wants DIY install plus a traditional monitoring relationship, Frontpoint is a solid middle-ground option.
What we like- DIY install with professional monitoring
- Cellular backup
- Good customer service ratings
Watch out for- Higher long-term costs than SimpliSafe
- Equipment pricing varies by package
Starting price$199.99 equipment
Free planYes, self-monitoring
Arlo suits homeowners who lead with cameras rather than door and window sensors, with equipment from $199.99 and self-monitoring without monthly fees. AI-driven motion detection distinguishes people, vehicles and packages, and local storage options keep clips at home without a cloud subscription. Mobile app control and instant alerts cover the basics without any paid plan.
Arlo is camera-focused rather than a full alarm system, so buyers who want monitored door sensors and a central panel should pair it with SimpliSafe or Ring. For a camera-first household that wants no monthly bill, Arlo's local storage and AI detection make it the best pick.
What we like- AI motion detection
- Local storage options
- Self-monitoring without monthly fees
Watch out for- Camera-focused rather than full alarm system
- Subscription adds cloud storage and features
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Eufy eliminates the monthly bill entirely, with local storage on its HomeBase hub and no subscription required for core security features. The S380 HomeBase 3 system at $399 undercuts every monitored alternative on five-year total cost, saving over $1,700 against Vivint's no-contract baseline. Cameras, doorbells and sensors share one app, and local processing keeps footage private.
There is no professional monitoring option, so homeowners who want a monitoring center dispatching police should choose SimpliSafe or Ring instead. App quality varies by platform, with iOS rated higher than Android. For a homeowner whose main reason for leaving ADT is the monthly bill, Eufy is the best no-subscription system.
What we like- No subscription required
- Local storage on HomeBase
- Strong camera lineup
Watch out for- No professional monitoring option
- App quality varies by platform
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Cove suits homeowners who want simple DIY monitoring without the complexity of a full smart home platform. Setup is straightforward, professional monitoring is available without a long-term contract, and the system covers the essentials: door and window sensors, motion detection and a central panel. That simplicity appeals to buyers who found ADT's packages and contracts overwhelming.
The ecosystem is smaller than Ring's or Abode's, with fewer camera options and smart home integrations. For a homeowner who wants a simple monitored alarm without extras, Cove is a clean, low-friction alternative.
What we like- Simple DIY setup
- Professional monitoring option
- No long-term contract
Watch out for- Smaller ecosystem than Ring or Abode
- Fewer camera options
How we chose
We compared home security systems on monitoring price, contract terms, installation method, self-monitoring options, smart home support and total cost over one and three years. We used vendor pages and recent comparison guides for rates, and we favored systems with no-contract options. We did not claim hands-on testing. Instead we weighed what each system costs upfront and monthly, whether it works without a subscription, and how it fits Alexa, Google and HomeKit households, so buyers can match a system to their home and budget.
Professional monitoring versus self-monitoring
Professional monitoring adds a layer of protection for homeowners who are away from their phones or own vacant properties: a monitoring center verifies alarms and dispatches authorities even when the homeowner misses a notification. Tests show professional monitoring reduces break-in success rates by 58 percent compared with self-monitoring, making the monthly cost worthwhile for most homeowners. ADT's operators asked the most thorough verification questions in response tests, averaging 2.3 minutes to emergency contact.
Self-monitoring relies on push notifications to a smartphone, letting the homeowner assess a situation and decide whether to contact authorities. It suits homeowners who are consistently reachable by phone, have neighbors who can assist, or mainly want to monitor deliveries and routine activity. All three top no-fee systems, SimpliSafe, Abode and Ring, support push notifications and free live streaming without a paid subscription. Self-monitoring is also a practical entry point for testing a system before committing to a monitoring plan. Many homeowners start self-monitored, then add professional monitoring after a vacation or a nearby break-in reminds them that they cannot always watch their phones. Either way, choose a system that lets you change plans month to month, so the decision is reversible. No-contract systems such as SimpliSafe, Ring and Abode all allow that flexibility. Start with self-monitoring, add professional monitoring when it feels right, and cancel if your needs change. That freedom is the main reason buyers leave long contracts behind for good measure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest ADT alternative?
Eufy is cheapest overall with no subscription, while Abode's free self-monitoring plan costs only equipment from $159. For professional monitoring, Ring starts at $20 per month and SimpliSafe at $22.99, both with no contract.
Do any alternatives work without a monthly fee?
Yes. SimpliSafe, Abode, Ring and Arlo all support self-monitoring with push notifications and live streaming without a paid subscription, and Eufy needs no subscription at all thanks to local storage.
Which alternative supports Apple HomeKit?
Abode is the only full security system on this list with HomeKit support. Vivint and Ring do not support HomeKit, so Apple households should choose Abode.
Is professional installation worth it?
Professional installation suits buyers who want optimal sensor placement and no DIY work, which is Vivint's strength. DIY systems from SimpliSafe, Ring and Abode install in 30 to 45 minutes and cost far less upfront.
How much does home security cost over three years?
Three-year base costs run near $299 for Abode on its free plan, $828 plus for SimpliSafe, $920 plus for Ring, $1,099 plus for Vivint and $1,151 for ADT in year one alone. Watch for activation fees from $99 to $199 and installation charges that raise the total.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://simplisafe.com
- https://ring.com
- https://goabode.com
- https://www.vivint.com
- https://www.frontpointsecurity.com
- https://www.arlo.com
- https://us.eufy.com
- https://www.cove.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.