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Find out the best security systems without monitoring that are free of contracts, the most affordable, and the easiest to install.
Updated August 8, 2024
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Self-monitored home security systems are fast becoming the most popular type of system on the market. They put you, the homeowner, in charge of your home security; they don’t require any contracts or commitments; and — maybe most importantly — they’re far cheaper in the long run than traditional professionally monitored systems.
If you want to take care of all your own security needs, you need to have the right security system. You’ll need real-time alerts, for instance, and the ability to view live video footage. You want a system that you can install yourself. And you want a system that will be reliable and hassle-free.
Those are some specific asks! And, if you were doing the research yourself, it could take several hours and a lot of spreadsheets. Lucky for you, we tested the best security systems without monitoring, so you don’t have to. And today we’re sharing our findings.
SimpliSafe is a popular option for those looking to self-monitor, especially if you’re planning to avoid monthly fees. The system works right out of the box with minimal setup but still offers advanced features. You can access your system via a smartphone app, set up and monitor security cameras, and scare off intruders with a siren built into the hub.
>>Find out More: SimpliSafe Review
SimpliSafe’s packages cost less than those of bigger, fancier companies like ADT and Vivint. ADT’s cheapest kit starts at $500. You can get SimpliSafe’s very best package, the Beacon, for $709.90 and the lowest price system at $250. And that’s if you’re paying full price. Obviously, you’re going to save money by self-monitoring with SimpliSafe too. The thing is, SimpliSafe helps you save money in other ways too. Installation is entirely DIY, for instance, which means no extra fee there.
Here’s the thing, though: SimpliSafe always has some sale going on. If you catch the company at the right time, you can get a system for less than $100. And these aren’t cheap systems, despite the fact that they’re cheaply priced. Plus, SimpliSafe lets you finance equipment over 24 months.
FYI: Like a number of home security companies, SimpliSafe lets you finance your equipment. However, you must buy at least $200 worth of equipment to qualify. When they’re on sale, the two least expensive packages – the Foundation and the Essentials – don’t cost enough for financing.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT
Despite the fact that SimpliSafe offers affordable equipment packages, the equipment in those packages is well built. The outdoor camera, for example, is rated IP65, which means it’s dust-tight and can withstand water droplets. As we note in our SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera review, It’s also capable of withstanding temperatures up to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. That might not protect you in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but most homeowners never have to deal with temperatures lower than that.
And SimpliSafe is always improving its equipment. It’s on its third generation of devices, and it just introduced a brand-new Smart Alarm Indoor Camera with built-in AI that can distinguish between people and pets — pretty handy for eliminating false alarms.
FYI: In addition to cameras, SimpliSafe offers a whole range of security equipment, including entryway sensors, motion detectors, glass break detectors, and flood and fire sensors. All those devices are routed through the SimpliSafe hub, which is modern, white, and emits a soft glow from underneath.
| Package | Retail price |
|---|---|
| The Beacon (10 pieces) | $709.90 or $29.58 for 24 months |
| The Haven (14 pieces) | $519.86 or $21.66 for 24 months |
| The Knox (13 pieces) | $479.87 or $19.99 for 24 months |
| The Lighthouse (7 pieces) | $469.93 or $19.58 for 24 months |
| The Hearth (9 pieces) | $399.91 or $16.66 for 24 months |
| The Essentials (5 pieces) | $275.95 |
| The Foundation (4 pieces) | $249.96 |
OK, so SimpliSafe wouldn’t be on this list if it didn’t allow DIY monitoring. The thing is, SimpliSafe also offers professional monitoring. Why is that important? Because no matter how vigilant you may be about your home security, there are times when you need a break. Who wants to spend their time at DisneyWorld checking alerts and reviewing footage? Sign up for a month of SimpliSafe, and you don’t have to. And because SimpliSafe’s monitoring plan doesn’t involve contracts, you can sign up for that one month and then go right back to self-monitoring.
SimpliSafe offers the best of two worlds: self-monitoring and professional monitoring. You get to decide which works best for you. How refreshing is that? We started out self-monitoring, and this option worked great. When testing the system, someone a little suspicious knocked at our door. We got an alert at work and were able to pull up our SimpliSafe video doorbell footage. Using the two-way audio feature, we ask them what they needed. They seemed a little startled to discover we were home (we weren’t) and left in a hurry.
We needed to go away for a couple of weeks to make our annual pilgrimage to the CES show — have to keep up with all the new security tech! We get sucked in by all the hands-on demonstrations, and we don’t want to be bothered with security alerts. So, we decided to switch to the professional monitoring plan. Our home’s security was entirely in SimpliSafe’s hands, 24/7, and we knew that if anything went wrong, it would contact emergency services on our behalf.
Of course, you’re looking for a home security system without professional monitoring. Here’s the thing: Bumping up our SimpliSafe coverage didn’t lock us into any long-term contract (one reason SimpliSafe is also on our list of best no-contract home security systems). We bought one month. That’s it. When we got back home, we canceled the monitoring and took over those duties once again. It’s nice to have the options with SimpliSafe.
>> Save More: SimpliSafe Deals
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional or DIY |
| Monitoring cost | From $19.99 |
| Contract length | Monthly |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Watch |
Abode sold us a self-monitored, affordable system that still included plenty of high-tech features and perks. As we note in our full abode review, it provides comprehensive security systems and high-quality products, and, while it’s not exactly perfect, it offers more bang for your buck than you’ll find with most other providers.
abode offers very affordable home security options. How affordable? You can get a complete system for just $139.99. That’s not a sale price; it’s the everyday retail price. abode’s most expensive kit, the Iota All-in-One, is just $379.99. You can add an abode Cam 2, which works both indoors and outdoors, for just $60 more. That’s $40 cheaper than SimpliSafe’s SimpliCam.
Monitoring is equally affordable with abode. For starters, you can self-monitor for free, and you can’t get much cheaper than free. But, like SimpliSafe, abode allows you to ramp up your monitoring when you need to. Add video recording for just $5.83 per month, about half of what SimpliSafe charges. Or, you can get full professional monitoring, 24/7, 365 days a year, for – get this – $12 per month. Almost makes it a shame to self-monitor.
>> See for Yourself: abode vs. SimpliSafe
Abode offers a wide range of devices, including hubs, entry sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, smoke detectors, and cameras. The company recently began expanding its line of equipment to include smart home devices such as front door locks too. This new lock features a Bluetooth keypad or fingerprint access for more convenience and safety. In fact, we class abode’s lock as among the best smart locks out there.
The top-of-the-line system from abode is the iota. We’re particular fans of the iota Hub, which features a built-in camera and motion sensor. Not only do these security tools help you avoid paying extra for equipment, but they help to ensure that the hub itself is secure.
Unfortunately, abode’s camera selection is limited: there’s just one model for both indoor and outdoor use and one video doorbell. All abode equipment works through Z-Wave technology, so it integrates seamlessly with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and thousands of smart home products.
Like SimpliSafe, abode offers a range of monitoring options. You can, of course, self-monitor for free. Why else would we have included the company on this list? The free Basic plan includes push notifications, live video streaming, and the ability to turn the system on and off using the app.
The real icing on the cake is that you get smart platform integration with abode. A lot of companies don’t even offer that, and those that do typically charge a premium fee. For example, if you want smart features from Vivint, it’ll cost you at least $45 per month. Even SimpliSafe requires you to sign up for a $20-per-month monitoring plan if you want to run your system through Alexa or Google Home.
abode integrates with a ridiculous number of smart devices. It’s not just that you can hook your system up to Google Home or Alexa and use your voice to operate it. You can also connect it to Apple HomeKit, which even Vivint doesn’t allow.
FYI: Abode is Z-Wave compatible. Z-Wave technology gives you access to thousands of smart home devices, from thermostats to toaster ovens, and the company even manufactures its own devices. You can get smart light bulbs, smart plugs, and even a smart lock for your front door. You can build an entire smart world and never have to pay abode a cent in monitoring fees.
Our favorite aspect of abode is that it works with IFTTT. In fact, it makes our list of the best security systems for IFTTT. If you don’t know the If This Then That platform, it lets you create sophisticated routines connecting all your smart devices. All we had to do at bedtime was say, “Alexa, good night,” and it turned off our lights, armed our abode system, and played a little Miles Davis to send us off to dreamland. “Kind of Blue” in our ears and no worries about our security? That’s a good night’s sleep.
We had to install our abode equipment ourselves. That’s to be expected. Most self-monitored systems don’t come with professional installation. It wasn’t as easy as some other systems we’ve installed.
We were particularly thrown by the fact that abode offers just one camera. Turns out, it’s supposed to do double duty as both an indoor and an outdoor camera. The problem is, you don’t get a good version of either. The Cam 2 is rated IP 65, which means it is dust tight and can withstand water jets. According to abode’s own specs, though, it’s only rated to temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t know where you live, but that can’t withstand our New York winters.
Bottom line: you can do better than abode if you’re willing to spend the money. If you’re looking for a low-cost alternative that can still get the job done, abode could fit the bill.
| Monitoring Options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit |
| Equipment Cost | From $139.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $5.83 |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month |
Canary makes home security simple. You don’t have to worry about what kind of entryway sensors to get or whether you need one or two glass break sensors for your upstairs bedroom. Canary makes cameras only — really good cameras. And those cameras have all the sensors you need to monitor your home yourself.
>> Check It Out: Canary Home Security Review
Right away, you save money with Canary because you don’t have to buy a lot of extra equipment. The company’s three camera models are all reasonably priced — between $100 and $200. The price you pay, then, basically depends on how many cameras you need to protect your home. If you self-monitor, you never have to pay another dime. Of course, as with SimpliSafe and abode, Canary lets you add professional monitoring when you need it, and that monitoring costs just $10 per month.
Canary doesn’t sell any home security equipment other than cameras — no entry sensors, no motion detectors, no glass break sensors, no smoke alarms. Honestly, we don’t love this. Our favorite security systems offer a range of equipment to cover your home. But thankfully, you have three camera models to choose from, and all are multifunctional.
All three cameras, for example, include built-in motion detection and two-way talk. The Canary Pro even comes with a built-in siren you can use to startle intruders. All three feature 1080p HD resolution and AI capabilities like person detection, although person detection is operational only if you sign up for a professional monitoring plan.
>> Check Out: How Common Is Burglary in the U.S.?
So if Canary is on this list, it must offer self-monitoring. And as we’ve mentioned once or twice on this page, self-monitoring is a great way to save money. The thing is, you do give up some convenience when you self-monitor. Keeping an eye on your own system means having to check alerts no matter where you are or what you’re doing. We get it: if your budget’s tight, your budget’s tight.
You should know, though, that Canary offers professional monitoring for $12.99 a month and you don’t have to sign up for a contract. That means if you should ever want to go on vacation and leave your home security in professional hands, you can do it cheaply.
We’re admittedly a little picky about how our Brooklyn apartment looks — you know, all that jazz about a home being a castle. So, we were pretty psyched when we ordered our Canary system. There are no bulky sensors to scatter about the house, and we were able to make do with just two cameras: one indoor Canary View for the living room and one indoor/outdoor Canary Flex for the front door. Even better, we were excited to find that Canary equipment is sleek and modern. It fit right in with our contemporary aesthetic.
As we mentioned, Canary only offers cameras. That kept things simple when we were going through the ordering process, but it felt thin when we installed the system. We’re apartment dwellers, and we live on the fourth floor so it wasn’t a problem. We put the camera we purchased so that it faced the front door, and we knew we were covered. Even in our case, it would have been nice to have a video doorbell outside our door rather than a camera inside it.
If you’ve got a larger property with multiple entrance points, Canary can get expensive. With no entry sensors, glass break sensors, or stand-alone motion detectors to choose from, you have to set up cameras anywhere a home invader might get in. That’s a lot of cameras and a lot of money. As always, it’s important to keep in mind what your security needs are as a homeowner and whether or not the system will fit those needs.
Pro Tip: Sign up with Canary’s professional monitoring and you’ll get a neat feature called person detection. This allows the camera to distinguish between people, pets, and moving objects like cars. That way, you don’t have to worry about false alerts flooding your smartphone.
| Monitoring options | Professional or DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation options | DIY |
| Smart platform integrations | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment cost | From $99.00 |
| Monthly monitoring cost | From $9.99 |
| Contract length | Month-to-month |
We try to make your life as easy as possible by doing all the home security research and hands-on testing for you. Below is a quick rundown of what we look for in a no-monitoring system.
The three main things to consider when choosing a home security system are:
OK, so you came here looking for a great self-monitoring system. It never hurts to consider all the options, right? Let’s talk about some of the pros and cons of unmonitored systems just to make sure you’ve thought it all through.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less expensive/free | No professional oversight |
| More customizable | Less peace of mind |
| More control | Usually have to install yourself |
There are certainly instances when paying for professional monitoring just isn’t practical. We live in a pretty secure apartment building. We want to be able to talk to anyone who knocks on our door, and we like being able to check on our cat while we’re at work, but we don’t need a full team of professionals monitoring our home 24/7.
Another great reason to go the self-monitoring route is to save money. Professional monitoring requires a monthly fee. And, if you don’t mind keeping tabs on alerts and alarms yourself, you can avoid the extra money and the hassle of long-term contracts.
Pro Tip: If you purchase home security cameras with local storage, you can save video without having to invest in a cloud storage plan, saving you even more money. Most Lorex cameras, for example, use either a microSD card or a DVR/NVR setup.
If an alarm sounds but nobody responds, is that alarm truly useful? The biggest drawback of unmonitored security systems is that they won’t notify dispatchers when there’s a problem. A second drawback is that unmonitored systems often rely on broadband internet to send text alerts. Most professionally monitored systems offer some form of cellular connection, which is far more reliable. Ultimately, professionally monitored systems offer the peace of mind you just can’t get from doing it yourself.
As we’ve pointed out, there are some real advantages to self-monitoring your home security. It’s important to know what you’re in for. Here are a few handy tips that can help make it a little easier.
You’re giving something up when you choose to self-monitor your system. Professional monitors keep an eye on your home 24/7. You don’t have to worry about security when you’re sleeping, get a root canal at the dentist, or having drinks at a friend’s. That’s not to say you shouldn’t go that route. There are advantages to be had from self-monitoring, too. If you’re giving up the protection of having trained personnel take care of your security, though, you want to make sure you’re fully equipped to take over the job yourself.
Every system on this list provides you with the tools you need to monitor your own security, including real-time alerts, access to live video feeds, and the option to store footage. Don’t worry, they save you money too, by leaving the monitoring up to you. Our number one priority, though, is keeping you safe, and we think this list gives you what you need to do that.
You’ll find even more information about the best unmonitored security systems in this FAQ section.
No, home security systems don’t need professional monitoring. There are a number of systems on the market, including SimpliSafe, abode, and Canary, that allow you to monitor your home security yourself. These provide real-time alerts so that you know there’s a problem as well as access to live footage so that you can find out what the problem is.
The biggest advantage of a self-monitored home security system is that you never have to pay for monthly monitoring. Once you pay for the equipment, you never have to pay another dime. These systems also give you total control over your security, and they prevent many false alarms.
There are two ways self-monitored systems store video footage: via local storage or through some form of cloud storage. Most companies charge for cloud storage. Alternatively, you can forego storage and rely entirely on live footage to see what’s happening at your home. If you purchase cameras with local storage — DVR, NVR, or micro SD cards — you can review footage any time at no additional cost.
Yes. SimpliSafe, abode, and Canary all offer professional monitoring as an option. In addition, all three let you sign up for a single month of professional monitoring, so you can add a month when you need it and cancel it when you don’t.
Yes. A lot of self-monitored security systems work with Alexa, Google Home, and even Apple HomeKit. However, many of them require you to purchase a monthly plan in order to access smart functions.
