Guides
Every guide follows the same rules: published figures only, sourced and dated; "not published" where a maker hides a number; no hands-on testing claims, because we do not do hands-on testing. The burglary datasets, price history and fee comparisons are collected on Data and research.
Monitoring decisions
- Alarm Certificate for Home Insurance: How to Get OneInsurers ask for an alarm certificate before applying a discount. How ADT, SimpliSafe and others issue one, per their own support pages.
- What Is Alarm.com? The Platform Behind Many Alarm BrandsAlarm.com powers many dealer systems. What it is, which providers use it, what you pay for it, and what happens if you switch dealers.
- Alarm Monitoring Response Times: Published Figures OnlyHow fast monitoring centers say they respond, using only figures each company publishes. Where no figure exists, we say so.
- Alert 360 Cost: Monitoring Plans and Contract LengthAlert 360's published monitoring prices, equipment terms and contract length as of 2026, with quote-only figures stated as not published.
- Best Self-Monitored Systems With No Monthly FeeWhich security systems work fully at $0/month: Abode, SimpliSafe unmonitored, Ring without a plan, Eufy, Aqara, and Wyze free tier limits, as of August 2026.
- Cheapest Professional Monitoring Plans, RankedEvery professional monitoring plan with published pricing, ranked from $4.99 to $99 a month as of August 2026, with contracts, equipment needs, and fine print.
- CPI Security Cost: What CPI Publishes and What It QuotesCPI Security pricing as of 2026: published monitoring and equipment figures, contract length, and which numbers CPI only gives by quote.
- Does Home Security Lower Insurance? Discounts by InsurerWhat eight home insurers say about security system discounts, what state regulators put the size at, how renters qualify, and how to claim the discount.
- Guardian Protection Cost: Monthly Monitoring and FeesGuardian Protection monitoring and equipment costs from its published pages as of 2026, plus contract terms and what stays quote-only.
- Home Security Early Termination Fees by Provider (2026)What it costs to leave a home security contract early, provider by provider, from each company's published terms. Dated and sourced.
- Home Security Financing: 0% Offers and Their Fine PrintHome security equipment financing from Vivint, ADT and others, per their published terms: APR, term length and the tie to monitoring.
- Home Security for Elderly Parents: Monitoring That Makes SenseMonitored home security for an aging parent: panic buttons, medical alert crossover, monitored smoke and CO, false alarm handling, and family app access.
- Home Security With No Credit Check: Who Skips It (2026)Which home security companies check credit and which do not, per their published terms, and the trade-offs of paying upfront instead.
- How Long Do Security Systems Last? Lifespans, Batteries, and Sunset DatesSecurity system lifespan by the published specs: sensor battery lives, the 10-year smoke alarm rule, warranty terms, and network shutdowns that retire panels.
- How to Cancel ADT Without OverpayingHow to cancel ADT: the phone number, the online path, what the 36 month contract's 75 percent early termination charge costs, and ways to avoid paying it.
- Is Abode Worth It? Plans, Monitoring Cost and LimitsAbode's free, Standard and Pro plans and kit prices from its own pages, with 3-year totals, where it falls short, and who it suits.
- Is ADT Worth It? Plan Prices, Contract and Total CostADT lists pro install monitoring from $49.99/mo on a 36-month contract; ADT Blu DIY runs $24.99 to $34.99 with no contract. Fees, equipment, QSP and when it pays off.
- Is Brinks Home Security Worth It? Cost, Fees and ContractBrinks Home packages, monitoring rates, account fees and 36-month contract terms from its own pages, with 3-year totals and when a no-contract system costs less.
- Is Cove Security Worth It? Plans, Cost and GapsCove's monitoring plans and equipment terms from its own pages, with 3-year totals against SimpliSafe and Ring, what the plans leave out, and who should skip it.
- Is Frontpoint Worth It? Cost, Contract and EquipmentFrontpoint's monitoring rates, equipment packages, fees and 36-month contract terms from its own pages, with 3-year totals and what leaving early costs.
- Is Professional Monitoring Worth It? We Did the MathProfessional monitoring costs $9.99 to $99 a month in August 2026. We compare published prices, FBI and BJS burglary data, and break-even math by situation.
- Is Ring Alarm Worth It? The Budget MathRing Alarm kits run about $200 and professional monitoring is $19.99 a month with no contract. Where Ring Alarm wins on cost and where it falls short, honestly.
- Is SimpliSafe Worth It? Plan Costs, Subscription Rules, and Who It FitsSimpliSafe plans run 33 cents to $2.66 a day with no contract as of October 2026. What each tier buys, what works with no plan, and who it fits.
- Is Vivint Worth It? Monitoring Cost, Package Prices and Contract TermsVivint costs $199.99+ for equipment plus $24.99 to about $57 a month for monitoring and service as of August 2026. Package table, contract terms, who it fits.
- Security Contracts and Military Moves: SCRA Rights, OptionsGetting PCS orders mid-contract? What the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act says about service contracts, and what providers publish.
- How to Get Monitoring for an Existing Alarm SystemMoved into a house with an alarm panel? How to tell if it can be monitored, who takes over existing systems, and what it costs.
- Are Monitored Smoke and CO Detectors Worth It?Monitored smoke and CO detectors summon the fire department even when nobody is home or awake. NFPA fire-death data and real add-on prices, examined.
- Moving With a Security System: What Each Provider Lets You DoWhat happens to ADT, SimpliSafe, Vivint, and Ring systems when you move: which ones travel, contract traps, official phone lines, and costs as of August 2026.
- Security System Prewire for New Construction: Cost, OptionsBuilding a house? What a security and camera prewire covers, what installers publish for cost, and wired vs wireless trade-offs.
- Professional Monitoring for Equipment You Already OwnAlready own cameras or a DIY kit? Which services add professional monitoring to existing equipment, and what they publish for price.
- Protection 1 Prices: What Former Protection One Users PayProtection 1 is part of ADT. What former Protection One accounts pay now, per ADT's published terms, and what changes at renewal.
- Live Remote Video Monitoring for Homes: What It CostsLive video monitoring, where agents watch your cameras during an event, priced from providers' published plans as of 2026.
- Renting vs Buying Security Equipment: Financing Terms, DecodedAlmost nobody rents alarm equipment anymore; you buy it outright or finance it. The published financing terms at ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Ring, compared.
- Ring Monitoring Cost: What 24/7 Professional Monitoring Actually Requires (August 2026)Ring plan prices as of August 2026: professional monitoring requires the $19.99/mo Ring Pro plan. What Solo, Multi, Pro, and Virtual Security Guard include.
- Security System Installation Cost: Every Published Fee, ComparedWhat professional security system installation costs, using only published fees: flat rates from $124.99, per-device pricing, and where quotes hide fees.
- UL-Listed Central Station Monitoring: What It MeansWhat a UL listing for a monitoring center certifies, how to check a provider's listing, and why insurers ask for it.
- How to Monitor a Vacant or Vacation Home RemotelyMonitor a vacant or vacation home remotely: cellular vs WiFi backup, freeze and leak sensors, monitoring costs, and insurance vacancy rules, as of August 2026.
- Vector Security Cost: Monitoring Prices and Contract TermsVector Security's published monitoring prices and contract terms as of 2026, with the figures it does not publish marked as quote-only.
- Video Verification Explained: How It Changes Alarm ResponseVideo verification lets monitoring centers confirm a real break-in before calling police. How it works, the AVS-01 standard behind it, and who offers it.
- Xfinity Home Security Cost: Plans, Contract, Internet RulesXfinity Home pricing and contract terms as published in 2026, and what happens to the system when your internet goes down.
Price data
- US Burglary Statistics: The Numbers and Where They Come FromUS burglary counts and rates from FBI estimated crime data (2025) and the BJS victimization survey (2024), with the reporting caveats that matter.
- Home Security Cost Per Month: Every Plan Priced (2026)Monthly prices for 20 home security brands in 2026, from $1.99 camera plans to $55 pro monitoring, plus 5-year totals for DIY vs professionally installed systems.
- How Much Does a False Alarm Cost? City Fine Schedules ComparedFalse alarm fines range from $0 for a first offense to $500 per event depending on the city. Verified fee schedules from LA, Seattle, Phoenix, and more.
- States With the Highest Burglary Rates (FBI Data)New Mexico leads the nation at 404.9 burglaries per 100,000 people in 2025 FBI data. Full 50-state table, rates, and what the numbers actually mean.
- The Subscription Creep Index: Security Plan Prices 2020-2026Documented security subscription price hikes from Ring, Blink, Nest Aware, Arlo, and Wyze, with old prices, new prices, dates, and sources for every increase.
- US City Burglary Rates: The 15 Largest Cities Compared (FBI Data)2025 FBI burglary rates for America's 15 largest cities: Houston tops the list at 486.5 per 100,000, New York and San Diego run lowest. Data and caveats.
Equipment, by the datasheet
- Are Smart Locks Safe? ANSI Grades, Hacks and LockoutsSmart lock security on paper: ANSI/BHMA grades, documented vulnerabilities and lockout risks, sourced to standards bodies and makers.
- Battery Security Camera Battery Life: Published RatingsHow long Ring, Blink, Arlo, Eufy and Reolink battery cameras last per their makers' published ratings, and what shortens it.
- Best DIY Security Systems: Self-Install Kits and Monitoring Compared (August 2026)DIY security systems compared on published pricing as of August 2026: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Abode, Cove, Wyze, and ADT Blu kits and monitoring.
- Best Door and Window Sensors: Specs and Prices Compared (August 2026)Door and window sensors from SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode compared by published specs as of August 2026: battery life, range, size, price, and system lock-in.
- Best No-Contract Security Systems: Month-to-Month Monitoring Compared (August 2026)Five security systems with published no-contract monitoring compared by price as of August 2026: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Cove, Abode, and Wyze. No lock-in.
- Best Security System for Apple HomeKitWhich security systems and sensors work in Apple Home natively, via Matter, or only through a bridge, according to each maker's own pages as of October 2026.
- Best Smart Locks for Security Systems: Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe and AbodeWhich smart locks work with Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe and Abode, what each does when you arm or disarm, and which plan it needs, from vendor pages as of October 2026.
- Security Camera Cloud Plans Compared: Ring, Nest, ArloRing Protect, Nest Aware, Arlo Secure, Wyze Cam Plus and Blink plans side by side: price, video history and what each unlocks, 2026.
- Does Arlo Require a Subscription? What Works Without OneArlo cameras work without a plan, but some features do not. What Arlo Secure adds, what it costs as of 2026, and what stays free.
- Does Blink Require a Subscription? Sync Module vs PlanBlink cameras can save clips locally with a Sync Module 2. What the Blink plans add and cost as of 2026, and what stops without one.
- Does Eufy Require a Subscription? Local Storage vs CloudMost Eufy cameras record locally with no plan. What Eufy's cloud plans add and cost as of 2026, and which models need a HomeBase.
- Does Google Nest Cam Require Nest Aware? What's FreeNest cams keep a short event history with no plan. What Nest Aware adds and costs as of 2026, from Google's own pages.
- Does Ring Require a Subscription?Does Ring require a subscription? What doorbells and cameras do free, what needs a Ring plan, and current plan prices as of August 2026, from Ring's pages.
- Does Wyze Require a Subscription? Cam Plus ExplainedWhat Wyze cameras do with no plan, what Cam Plus adds and costs as of 2026, and how SD card recording changes the answer.
- Driveway Alarms: Wireless Sensors vs Cameras, Range, CostWireless driveway alarms vs cameras for long driveways: published range, power and price, and when a sensor beats a camera.
- Driveway Security Cameras: Matching the Camera to the DrivewayDriveway security cameras compared by published specs and August 2026 prices: floodlight, auto-tracking, solar, and LTE options for long or detached driveways.
- Freeze Sensors for Vacant and Winter Homes: Options, CostTemperature and freeze sensors for homes left empty in winter: which systems offer them, monitored vs app alerts, and published prices.
- Are Glass Break Sensors Worth It? When They Earn Their SpotWhat glass break sensors cover that door sensors cannot, published specs and prices for SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode as of August 2026, and who can skip them.
- How Long Do Security Cameras Keep Footage? By BrandVideo history by brand and plan: Ring, Nest, Arlo, Blink, Wyze, Eufy, and SD card or NVR recording, from each maker's published limits.
- How Many Security Cameras Do I Need? A Room-by-Room CountA count based on entry points, not square footage: which doors and approaches need a camera, and where a sensor does the job cheaper.
- Kangaroo Security Review: Is a Cheap DIY System Enough?Kangaroo security as of October 2026: still sold after its merger with Scout, $99/yr monitoring, Wi-Fi-only hardware, and where a cheap DIY system falls short.
- Keypad Deadbolt vs Smart Lock: What WiFi AddsA keypad deadbolt needs no app or internet. What a connected smart lock adds, what it costs, and when the simpler lock is the better buy.
- Local vs Cloud Storage for Security Cameras: Cost MathSD card, NVR, HomeBase or cloud: what each storage method costs over 3 years, what happens if the camera is stolen, and privacy trade-offs.
- 4G LTE Security Cameras: Data Plan Costs by BrandWhat cellular security cameras cost to run each month, from carriers' and makers' published data plans, and how much video a plan covers.
- Where to Put Motion Sensors: Placement Rules From ManualsMotion sensor height, angle and room placement as manufacturers specify them, plus the common mistakes that cause false alarms.
- Best No-Subscription Security Cameras (Local Storage)Security cameras with genuine local storage from Reolink, Eufy, Tapo, Lorex, and Amcrest. Storage type, max capacity, and what is free vs paywalled, by the datasheet.
- Panic Buttons on Home Security Systems: Monitored vs NotWhat a panic button does on SimpliSafe, ADT, Ring and others, which plans dispatch help, and how it differs from a medical alert.
- Pet-Friendly Motion Sensors: Weight Limits ComparedPublished pet-immunity weight ratings compared: SimpliSafe 60 lb, Ring 30-50 lb by setting, Honeywell 80 lb, DSC 55 lb, Bosch 45 lb. What the manuals actually say.
- PoE vs WiFi Security Cameras: Which to RunPower over Ethernet vs WiFi cameras: reliability, install cost, power during outages and when each makes sense, from published specs.
- Security Cameras That Work Without WiFi, on PaperThree ways cameras work without WiFi: LTE cameras (Eufy S330, Reolink Go, Arlo Go 2), SD-card standalone recording, and wired NVR systems. Data plan needs included.
- How Long Do Security Sensor Batteries Last? By BrandPublished battery life for door, window and motion sensors from SimpliSafe, Ring, Abode and others, and the battery type each uses.
- What Happens When a Smart Lock Battery Dies? By BrandHow August, Yale, Schlage, Kwikset and others let you in with a dead battery, per their manuals: keys, 9V jump terminals, USB-C.
- Smart Locks for Renters: Retrofit Models That Keep Your KeySmart locks that mount over an existing deadbolt so renters keep the original key and hardware, compared by published spec.
- Solar-Powered Security Cameras: What Works and What to CheckSolar-powered security cameras compared by published specs and August 2026 prices: eufy, Reolink, and Ring options, storage, fees, and sunlight needs.
- Video Doorbell Buying Guide: Power, Storage, Monthly CostHow to choose a video doorbell on paper: wired or battery, local or cloud storage, plan cost, and which ones work with alarm systems.
- Video Doorbells for Apartments: No-Drill, Peephole, RulesVideo doorbells renters can install without wiring or drilling, peephole cameras, and what leases and building rules usually say.
- Video Doorbells With No Subscription: Local Storage PicksVideo doorbells that record and alert without a monthly plan, by published spec: storage type, power, and what each locks behind a plan.
- Video Doorbells That Work With SimpliSafe, ADT and RingWhich video doorbells integrate with SimpliSafe, ADT, Ring Alarm, Vivint and Abode, per each company's compatibility pages.
- Water Leak Sensors on a Security System: Monitored or NotLeak sensors on SimpliSafe, Ring, ADT and others: what monitoring adds, published prices, and insurers that discount or supply them.
- Where to Place Security Cameras: Entry Points FirstCamera placement by entry point, height and angle, using manufacturers' install guides and published burglary entry data.
- Wired vs Battery Video Doorbell: Which Fits Your DoorWired vs battery video doorbells: transformer requirements, published battery life, chime support and what changes in a power outage.
- Z-Wave vs Zigbee for Security Sensors: What MattersZ-Wave vs Zigbee for alarm sensors and locks: range, compatibility with major systems and Home Assistant, from published specs.
By situation
- After a Break-In: A Checklist for the First Hours, the First Week, and Feeling Safe AgainA calm checklist for after a break-in: staying safe, the police report, insurance documentation, securing the entry point, and honestly reducing repeat risk.
- Airbnb Host Security Cameras: What the Rules Actually Allow in 2026Airbnb bans all indoor cameras, even switched off. What hosts can legally install outside, how disclosure works, and where audio recording law bites.
- Apartment Door Security: The Complete ChecklistRenter-legal, no-drill ways to harden an apartment door: door jammers, security bars, portable locks, sensors, and viewers, with published prices and strength claims.
- Basement Apartment Security: Low Windows, Shared Entries, Renter RulesSecuring a basement apartment: grade-level windows, glass break sensors from $39.99, renter-safe installs, and why egress windows must never be barred shut.
- Condo Security Systems: What Works When You Share Walls and an HOAHow to secure a condo: door and window sensors, HOA-safe installs, and what monitoring costs by published pricing as of August 2026, with no-contract options.
- Detached Garage and Shed Security: Protecting Buildings Your Alarm Cannot ReachSecuring detached garages and sheds: solving the Wi-Fi and power gap, cellular and solar cameras by published pricing, locks, anchors, and sensor placement.
- Security Options for Homes With a Dog DoorHow to secure a home with a dog door: placement and lock distance, locking covers, microchip and app-controlled doors, and how alarm sensors handle the dog.
- Door Alarms for Dementia Wandering: Monitored and DIYDoor and exit alerts for a parent who wanders: DIY chimes, sensor alerts and monitored options, by published spec. Not a medical device.
- Dorm Room Security: What Actually Works When You Can't Drill, Wire, or Install AnythingWhat actually works for dorm room security: no-drill locks, small safes, laptop locks, and what campus housing rules usually say about cameras and alarms.
- Duplex and Multi-Family Security: Systems That Work Across UnitsHow to secure a duplex or small multi-family building: per-unit systems vs shared setups, common-area cameras, and monitoring that dispatches correctly.
- First-Floor Apartment Security: Covering Windows That Anyone Can ReachA first-floor apartment plan that works within a lease: window sensors from $15.99, glassbreak coverage, door hardening, and monitoring from 76 cents a day.
- Garage Security: Closing One of the Weakest Doors in the HouseHow burglars actually get into garages and what fixes it: overhead door habits, sensors from $15.99, the interior door most people forget, and camera placement.
- Security Systems That Work With Home Assistant (2026)Which security systems really work with Home Assistant: Abode, Aqara, Konnected, Ring, and the DIY sensor route, with local vs cloud verified per integration.
- Home Office Security: Protecting Equipment, Data, and DeliveriesA practical home office security setup: entry hardening and alarm coverage for expensive gear, plus data backups and insurance checks most guides skip.
- Home Security During a Power Outage: What Keeps Working and For How LongWhat happens to home security in a power outage: base station battery runtimes from official specs, cellular backup, weak points, and how to extend coverage.
- Home Security for Latchkey Kids: Arrival Alerts and CodesArrival notifications, user codes and door alerts for kids who get home before you do, per what major systems publish.
- Best Home Security for Renters: No Drilling, No ContractRenter-friendly security systems compared: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Abode, Wyze, and Kangaroo. No-drill installs, contract-free monitoring, and current pricing.
- Home Security When You Live Alone: Monitored vs SelfIf no one else will see the alert, self-monitoring changes. What living alone means for monitoring, panic buttons and entry alerts.
- Home Security While Traveling: How to Protect an Empty HouseHow to secure your home while traveling: mail holds, light timers, cameras you can check remotely, and when professional monitoring makes sense for trips.
- Home Security Without Internet: What Works With No Broadband at HomeHome security without internet: cellular-connected alarm systems, cameras with local storage, and what you give up. What runs fine with no home broadband.
- Vacant Property Security for Landlords: Between Tenants and BeyondHow landlords secure vacant rentals between tenants: portable no-contract monitoring, water and temperature sensors, occupancy cues, and insurance traps.
- Mobile and Manufactured Home Security: What WorksSecurity for manufactured and mobile homes: door and skirting weak points, wireless systems that suit them, and monitoring costs.
- Nest Secure Discontinued: What Stopped Working and What to Switch ToNest Secure support ended April 8, 2024. What stopped working, the transition offers that expired in May 2024, and how ADT, Ring and SimpliSafe compare.
- New Home Security Checklist: The First Week, the First Month, and the System DecisionA practical security checklist for a new home: rekey locks, reset codes and remotes, test what came with the house, then decide on a system without rushing it.
- Home Security for Night Shift Workers: Covering an Empty House at Night and a Sleeping One by DayNight shift home security: your house sits empty overnight and occupied while daytime burglaries peak. Arming modes, alerts, and monitoring set up for both.
- Package Theft Prevention: What Actually Works Against Porch PiratesPractical package theft prevention: reroute deliveries to hold locations, use lockboxes and delivery instructions, and what doorbell cameras really do.
- Pet Camera vs Security Camera: Can One Do Both Jobs?Pet cameras and indoor security cameras overlap. Published specs on treat tossers, two-way audio and alerts, and when one camera is enough.
- Pool Alarm Requirements: Which States Require Them and What QualifiesPool alarm laws verified against state sources: New York requires them, California and Florida count them as safety options, and what ASTM F2208 means.
- Rural Home Security With No Cell Service: What Works When Nothing Can Phone HomeRural home security without cell service: what still works offline, why monitored systems need a signal path, and how satellite internet changes the options.
- RV Security Systems: Protecting a Home That MovesWhy home alarm systems fit RVs badly and what works instead: cellular cameras at published prices, battery door alarms, GPS tracking, storage-lot tactics.
- Home Security for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: Strobes, Bed Shakers, and Monitoring That Does Not Assume You Can HearHome security for deaf and hard of hearing people: strobe and bed shaker alerting devices, text-first alarm systems, and what to ask monitoring providers.
- Sliding Glass Door Security: Fixing the Latch, the Track, and the GlassSliding doors fail three ways: weak latches, lift-out tracks, breakable glass. The fixes, from a $2 dowel to sensors at $15.99 and $39.99 as of August 2026.
- Tiny Home Security: Protecting a Small Space (and the House Itself)Tiny home security has two jobs: protect what is inside a very small envelope, and stop the whole house from being towed away. Here is the minimal setup.
- Townhouse Security: Shared Walls, HOA Rules, MonitoringSecurity for townhouses: shared-wall entry points, what HOAs usually restrict, and when monitoring makes sense for an attached home.
- Can You Transfer an ADT Contract to a New Homeowner?What ADT publishes on transferring a contract when you sell: the two cases it allows, the consent clause, the 75% termination charge and the buyer's path.
Head to head
- Abode vs Ring Alarm: No-Fee Tiers and Monitoring ComparedAbode vs Ring Alarm on published prices: what works with no plan, what monitoring costs, and which integrates with more devices.
- Abode vs SimpliSafe: Smart Home Depth vs Monitoring MuscleAbode vs SimpliSafe compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring plans, free tiers, smart home integrations, and which DIY system fits you.
- ADT vs Frontpoint: Pro Install and Contracts vs DIY Day-Rate PlansADT vs Frontpoint compared by published 2026 pricing: monitoring plans, contracts, install models, and which security approach costs less overall.
- Arlo vs eufy Security Cameras: Cloud Plans vs Local StorageArlo vs eufy security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware costs, subscription fees, local storage, and night vision.
- Arlo vs Ring Cameras: Plans, Storage and SpecsArlo vs Ring cameras on published specs and plan prices: video history, local storage options and what works with no plan.
- Blink vs Ring Cameras: Battery, Storage and Plan CostsBlink vs Ring, both Amazon-owned, compared on published battery ratings, local storage options and plan pricing as of 2026.
- Brinks vs ADT: Published Prices and Contract TermsBrinks Home vs ADT compared on what each publishes: monitoring rates, equipment, contract length and cancellation terms.
- Cameras Only vs a Full Security System: What Are You Actually Buying?Cameras record what happened; a full security system can interrupt it. Published 2026 prices for both paths and a look at what each setup can and cannot do.
- Cove vs AbodeCove vs Abode by published pricing as of October 2026: monitoring plans, self-monitoring, contracts, equipment, HomeKit support, and who each one suits.
- Cove vs ADT: Monthly Cost, Contract and InstallCove vs ADT on published pricing: monthly monitoring, equipment, install and contract length, totaled over 36 months.
- Cove vs Ring Alarm: Day-Rate Monitoring vs the $19.99 Flat PlanCove vs Ring Alarm compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring costs, video storage, contracts, and which budget DIY security system wins.
- Cove vs SimpliSafe: Two No-Contract DIY Systems, Priced by the DayCove vs SimpliSafe compared by published pricing as of August 2026: day-rate monitoring plans, warranties, cloud storage, and which DIY system to buy.
- Cove vs Vivint: Budget DIY vs Full-Service Smart HomeCove and Vivint sit at opposite ends of the market. Published prices, contract terms and what each monthly fee buys, side by side.
- eufy vs Reolink Security Cameras: Two Ways to Skip the Subscriptioneufy vs Reolink security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: local storage, subscriptions, power options, night vision, and resolution.
- Eufy vs Ring Doorbell: Subscription-Free vs Ring ProtectEufy vs Ring video doorbells on published specs and plan pricing: local storage, video history and the 3-year cost of each.
- Frontpoint vs Ring Alarm: What You Pay for MonitoringFrontpoint vs Ring Alarm on published kit prices, monitoring plans and contract terms, with the yearly cost of each worked out.
- Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe: DIY Systems Priced Side by SideFrontpoint vs SimpliSafe on published prices: kits, monitoring, contract terms and platform, with the yearly totals worked out.
- Landline vs Cellular Alarm Monitoring: Which Connection Should You Trust?Landline alarm monitoring costs less where it still exists, but cellular is now the default. Published 2026 prices and the reliability tradeoffs compared.
- Lorex vs Reolink: NVR Systems Compared by Spec SheetLorex vs Reolink NVR kits on published specs and prices: storage, resolution, PoE, app and what needs a plan. No hands-on claims.
- Medical Alert vs Security System: Which One Does the Job You Need?Medical alerts and security systems both summon help but solve different problems. Published prices and guidance on which to buy, or whether you need both.
- Ring Alarm vs ADT: Budget DIY Monitoring vs Full-Service Pro InstallRing Alarm vs ADT compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monthly monitoring costs, contracts, install models, and who runs the monitoring centers.
- Ring Alarm vs Ring Alarm ProRing Alarm vs Ring Alarm Pro as of October 2026: kit prices, the built-in eero router, Backup Internet, local video storage, and the Ring Protect plan you need.
- Ring vs Nest Video Doorbell: Hardware, Subscriptions, and What You Get FreeRing vs Nest video doorbells compared by published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware costs, subscription plans, free features, and video resolution.
- Ring vs Wyze Cameras: What the Subscription BuysRing vs Wyze on published prices: camera cost, plan cost and what each does with no subscription at all, as of 2026.
- SimpliSafe vs ADT: DIY Pricing Transparency vs the Pro-Install GiantSimpliSafe vs ADT compared by published pricing as of October 2026: monitoring costs, contracts, install models, and which fits your home and budget better.
- SimpliSafe vs Ring Alarm: Monitoring Prices and Plans ComparedSimpliSafe vs Ring Alarm compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring plans, contracts, video storage, and which system costs less per month.
- SimpliSafe vs Vivint: Published Costs Over 3 YearsSimpliSafe vs Vivint on published prices: equipment, monitoring, financing and contract terms, totaled over 36 months with sources.
- Vivint vs ADT: The Two Big Pro-Install Systems Compared on PriceVivint vs ADT compared by published pricing as of August 2026: package costs, monitoring fees, contract terms, and how the two pro-install giants differ.
- Vivint vs Frontpoint: Contracts, Equipment and Monthly CostVivint and Frontpoint compared on published equipment prices, monitoring rates and contract terms, with the 3-year arithmetic shown.
- Vivint vs Ring Alarm: Pro Install Contract vs DIY MonthlyVivint vs Ring Alarm on published prices: financed equipment and a contract against DIY kits and month-to-month monitoring.
- Wired vs Wireless Security Systems: The Tradeoffs Nobody Spells OutWireless systems dominate home security for good reasons, but wired still wins on batteries and interference. A plain comparison of how the two actually differ.
- Wyze vs eufy Security Cameras: Budget Price vs No-Fee CompletenessWyze vs eufy security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware cost, free features, local storage, and subscription fees.
- Wyze vs Tapo Cameras: Budget Models ComparedWyze vs TP-Link Tapo budget cameras on published specs, SD card support and plan prices, as of 2026.
Where you live
- Home Security in Albuquerque: Burglary Trends, the $25 Permit, and $150 False Alarm FeesAlbuquerque residential burglary is down 17% in 2026 per APD. Alarm permits cost $25 a year and false alarms $150 after the third. Data and decisions.
- Home Security in Atlanta: Crime Trends, Free Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FinesAtlanta burglary is down 20% in 2026 per APD data. Alarm registration is free but required, and false alarm fines reach $500. The data and how to choose.
- Home Security in Austin: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsAustin burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city alarm permit rule and jurisdiction catch, the $220 unpermitted response fee, and costs.
- Home Security in Baltimore: Burglary Rates, Alarm Registration, and CostsBaltimore burglary data from the FBI, the city's free but mandatory alarm registration, false alarm fees from $75, and the five-alarm no-response rule.
- Home Security in Charlotte: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsCharlotte burglary data from the FBI, CMPD's mandatory alarm permit that gates police dispatch, and what monitored home security really costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Chicago: Burglary Numbers, False Alarm Fines, and CostsChicago burglary counts from the city's own open data portal for 2023 to 2025, the false burglar alarm fine schedule, and what home security costs.
- Home Security in Columbus: Burglary Rates, Costs, and What WorksColumbus burglary numbers from FBI data, the city's suspended alarm registration and false alarm fee program, and what monitored security costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Dallas: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsDallas burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city's $50 residential alarm permit, the published false alarm fee ladder, and security costs.
- Home Security in Denver: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsDenver burglary data from the FBI, the city's mandatory alarm permit, false alarm rules that reduce your response priority, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Detroit: Crime Data, Trends, and How to Choose a SystemDetroit logged 5,278 burglary offense records in 2025 while overall property crime fell 10%. What the city's data means for choosing a home security setup.
- Home Security in El Paso: Alarm Permits, Burglary DataEl Paso alarm permit rules and false alarm fees from the city's own pages, local burglary figures with year and source, and cost anchors.
- Home Security in Fort Worth: Burglary Data, the $50 Alarm Permit, and What WorksFort Worth logged 2,709 home and building burglaries in 2025, and far more vehicle break-ins. Permit rules, false alarm fees, and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Houston: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permit Rules, and CostsHouston burglary counts from HPD's own published 2025 figures, the city's $50 residential alarm permit, the false alarm fee ladder, and security costs.
- Home Security in Indianapolis: Burglary Rates, Alarm Rules, and CostsIndianapolis burglary figures from FBI crime data, the city's no-permit alarm ordinance with escalating false alarm penalties, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Jacksonville: Crime Data, Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FinesJacksonville logged 2,490 burglaries in 2025 per JSO data. Alarm registration is mandatory citywide. The fines, the data, and how to choose a system.
- Home Security in Kansas City: Alarm Permits, Burglary DataKansas City alarm permit rules and false alarm fees from the city's own pages, local burglary figures with year and source, and cost anchors.
- Home Security in Las Vegas: What LVMPD's Numbers Say and How to Choose a SystemLVMPD reports 3,575 burglaries so far in 2026, down 21.3% from last year. What the Las Vegas data means for home security and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Los Angeles: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsLos Angeles burglary from LAPD's own 2025 NIBRS data, the mandatory alarm permit at $60, the $260 first false alarm fee, and what home security costs.
- Home Security in Memphis: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsMemphis burglary data from the FBI, the Metro Alarm Office permit requirement, the $90 per call false alarm service charge, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Miami: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsMiami burglary data from the FBI, the City of Miami alarm permit ($82.50 to register), its false alarm fee ladder, and Florida's rule on confirming alarms.
- Home Security in Milwaukee: Burglary Rates, Verified Response, and CostsMilwaukee burglary data from the FBI, MPD's verified response policy for burglar alarms, the ban on panic alarms, and the false alarm forfeitures to expect.
- Home Security in Nashville: Burglary Rates, Alarm Registration, and CostsNashville burglary figures from FBI crime data, Metro's required $20 annual alarm registration under Code 10.60, and monitored security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Oklahoma City: Burglary Data, Permit Rules, and What Actually WorksOklahoma City reported 3,671 burglaries in 2023. What the OKCPD data says, the city's alarm permit rules and false alarm fees, and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Orlando: Burglary Data, Alarm Registration, and CostsOrlando burglary counts from OPD case data, the city's free mandatory alarm registration, its false alarm fines, and the state rule on confirming alarms first.
- Home Security in Philadelphia: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Registration, and CostsPhiladelphia burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city's mandatory $50 burglar alarm registration, the $75 excess false alarm fine, and costs.
- Home Security in Phoenix: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permit Rules, and CostsPhoenix burglary data for 2023 and 2024, why we do not publish a 2025 count, the permit rule covering unmonitored alarms, the $96 assessment, and costs.
- Home Security in Portland: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsPortland burglary data from the FBI, the $25 per year residential alarm permit and false alarm escalation rules, and monitored security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Raleigh: Burglary Rates, False Alarm Rules, and CostsRaleigh burglary data from the FBI, the city's false alarm fines from $50 to $500, what its alarm ordinance requires of you, and its no-fine cancellation rule.
- Home Security in Sacramento: Alarm Permits, Burglary DataSacramento alarm permit rules and false alarm fees from the city's own pages, local burglary figures with year and source, and cost anchors.
- Home Security in San Antonio: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsSan Antonio burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the SAPD alarm permit at $50 a year, the false alarm fee tables, and what security costs.
- Home Security in San Diego: Alarm Permits, Burglary DataSan Diego alarm permit rules and false alarm fees from the city's own pages, local burglary figures with year and source, and cost anchors.
- Home Security in San Jose: Alarm Permits, Burglary DataSan Jose alarm permit rules and false alarm fees from the city's own pages, local burglary figures with year and source, and cost anchors.
- Home Security in Seattle: Burglary Rates, Verified Response, and CostsSeattle burglary numbers, SPD's policy of responding only to verified alarm calls, the city's published false alarm fee rates, and security costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Tucson: Crime Data, the $20 Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FeesTucson logged 1,894 burglary incidents in 2025. Alarm registration costs $20, false alarms hit $100 each after the first. The data and how to choose.
Evidence and background
- Alarm Permits Explained: Who Needs One and What They CostMany US cities require a permit to operate a home alarm system. What permits cost, who is exempt, and what happens without one, from official city pages.
- Are Home Security Systems Tax Deductible?For a personal home, no. With a qualifying home office, the IRS lets you deduct the business share of monitoring costs. What Pub 587 and Pub 530 actually say.
- Can Security Cameras Be Hacked? Published Incidents by BrandDocumented camera security incidents and settlements by brand, from regulators and company statements, plus settings that reduce risk.
- CryWolf Alarm Registration: What It Is and Who Uses ItMany cities run alarm permits through CryWolf. What it is, how registration and false alarm billing work, and which cities publish it.
- Do Burglars Return to the Same House? The Repeat Burglary EvidenceRepeat burglary is real and fast: research finds most repeats happen within weeks. What the DOJ-funded studies show, and how strong the US evidence is.
- Do Fake Security Cameras Work? What the Evidence SaysWhat burglar-interview studies and crime research say about dummy cameras, and what a real budget camera costs instead.
- Do Security Signs Actually Deter Burglars? The EvidenceWhat burglar surveys and victimization data actually show about yard signs, alarm decals, and dummy alarms as deterrents. The honest evidence, with sources.
- Do Video Doorbells Deter Burglars? The Published EvidenceWhat police data and published studies say about video doorbells and burglary or package theft, and where the evidence is thin.
- Can Home Security Cameras Record Audio? State Consent LawsAudio recording on home cameras falls under state consent laws. One-party vs all-party states, sourced to statutes. Not legal advice.
- How Do Burglars Choose Houses? What the Research ShowsBurglars pick targets on familiarity, occupancy, visibility, accessibility, and expected reward. What DOJ-funded research and offender interviews found.
- Can a Landlord Put Security Cameras in My Building?Where landlords can and cannot place cameras, what tenants may install themselves, and which rules come from state law. Sourced.
- Do Police Respond to Burglar Alarms? Verified Response RulesSome police departments require verification before they dispatch to a burglar alarm. How verified response works, from department policy.
- What Happens When Your Alarm Goes Off?The step-by-step sequence after a home alarm triggers: sirens, monitoring center calls, verbal passwords, and when police get dispatched, per provider docs.
- When Do Most Burglaries Happen? What the Dated US Data ShowsThe daytime burglary finding is real but old. The national US timing evidence dates to the 1990s, and here is exactly what it does and does not support.