The best DIY home security systems offer the safety and reassurance of a professionally installed security system, but for less — but there's a little more work required on your end.
A DIY home security system is one that you have to install yourself, which could take you an hour or two depending on how many sensors you want to put around your house. But while there's a time investment, you don't need Bob Vila-levels of knowledge; the most part, all you'll need is a screwdriver.
After that, though, a DIY home security system operates the same way a professionally installed system does: It monitors your windows, doors, and everything else around your house, and sends you and emergency services an alert if something is amiss.
The majority of the best DIY security systems also offer professional monitoring as an add-on feature, so the authorities will be alerted to break-ins or other emergency incidents in your home. Some security kits even provide smart home control, so you can integrate third-party accessories such as smart lights, smart locks, and smart smoke detectors.
But with a number of affordable options out there, which is the best? We installed the leading DIY security systems in our own homes to find out which is the best.
The best DIY home security systems today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Best overall
Whether you're a first timer to smart security or a seasoned veteran in the world of automation, the Abode Essentials Starter Kit has something for everyone, which is why we think it's the best DIY security system overall. In addition to being a versatile smart home controller with both Zigbee and Z-Wave integration — which means you can use it to control things like smart bulbs and smart locks — it's also straightforward to set up. Abode's system can also be connected to Apple's HomeKit, and controlled using Siri.
The beginner's bundle is a bit slim in its accessory offerings, but you can choose from a host of other packages and purchase additional sensors separately.
Abode offers three tiers of service: Free, Standard ($6/month or $60/year), and Pro ($20/month or $200/year). The free plan does not let you record video from cameras or use automations within the system, but you can view live video, use smart home integrations, and get push notifications.
The Standard Plan gets you 7 days of rolling cloud storage for video and a timeline of events, such as when doors are opened. The Pro plan gets you 30 days of cloud storage, as well as 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as cellular backup. If you have the Standard plan, you can also get three- and seven-day monitoring on an as-needed basis for $8 and $15, respectively.
Abode now works with Google Nest products, including the Google Nest Cam, Nest Hub Max, Nest Learning Thermostat, and Nest Doorbell. Abode users can do such things as view livestreams from the video doorbell and security cameras and create automations around those devices.
Previously, Abode also added support for Google TV and Android watch owners. If you have a TV or a streaming device that runs Google TV, you can view feeds from your home security cameras on your TV. If you have a smartwatch running WearOS (such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5), you can view event timelines, arm, and disarm the system, check out camera views and run automations, among other features.
If you don't need all the smart home integrations, Abode is now offering a less expensive alternative. The Abode Security Kit ($139) works with Alexa and Google Assistant, but doesn't have Zigbee, Z-Wave, or HomeKit compatibility. However, it still will have battery backup, a 4G wireless backup, and a built-in siren. The kit comes with a base station, one motion sensor, and one door/window sensor; you'll be able to add more sensors to the kit.
Read our full Abode Essentials review.
Best value
Don't care too much for professional monitoring? The Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack is very bare-bones — you get the hub, one motion sensor and two entry sensors — but you also get Ooma's robust VoIP service with low monthly fees. The system also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use a smart speaker to arm and disarm your system, and get updates on the status of the system.
Ooma's free tier includes push notifications, unlimited sensors, and a remote siren. For $5.99 per month, you get e911, phone call, text message, and email notifications, and auto arm and disarm.
Ooma also added professional monitoring (for an extra $14.99 per month), which was a much-needed feature. Since its launch, Ooma has added both battery backup ($34.99) and cellular backup, so your system will continue to function if the power and Internet go down. The Ooma Telo 4G — which provides cellular backup — costs $129, plus $11.99/month.
Read our full Ooma Smart Security review.
Cheapest professional monitoring
Wyze has made a name for itself offering quality smart home devices at absurdly low prices, and its Wyze Home Security System is no exception. For $99, the starter kit includes a base station, keypad, motion sensor, and two window/door sensors, one of the lowest prices outside of Ooma. And, adding accessories, such as the Wyze Cam v3, are equally affordable. Moreover, professional monitoring is just $100 per year, far cheaper than the competition.
However, there are a couple of caveats. Unlike all of the other DIY home security systems on this page, Wyze does not have a cellular backup, so if your Internet goes down, so does the system's ability to reach you or a monitor. And it also lacks compatibility with Alexa or Google Assistant. But if you can overlook those issues, it's one heck of a bargain.
Read our full Wyze Home Security System review.
Best professional monitoring
If you don't care too much about fancy home automation schemes like flashing bulbs when someone opens a door, the SimpliSafe Essentials kit is our runner-up pick for best DIY smart security system. In addition to having one of the louder sirens we tested (93 decibels), it's also stylish, and an included keypad makes setting it up accessible for anyone. And, the kit comes with more accessories than the typical bundle from competitors, including three entry sensors instead of the standard one or two. Additional accessories won't break the bank, either, and include a smart lock and a video doorbell, two things you rarely find in DIY home security systems.
Simplisafe integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as August, which makes what we consider to be the best smart lock. Simplisafe's professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month, and a $24.99/month plan includes a lot of additional features, such as secret alerts. You can also cancel the plan at any time.
Read our full Simplisafe Essentials review.
Best Ring system
Ring's Alarm system is affordable, very easy to set up, has a loud alarm, battery and cellular backup. Plus, Ring has a lot of compatible add-on devices, such as video doorbells, security cameras, and smart lights, and it works with Alexa, so you can arm and disarm your system by voice. Ring's system is compatible with select Schlage, Kwikset, and Yale smart locks, as well as smart plugs, smart light switches, and smart outlets on GE and Leviton. Here is a list of everything that works with Ring.
Ring's second-generation Ring Alarm has smaller door and window sensors, as well as a redesigned keypad with one-touch buttons for Police, Fire, and Medical assistance. The Ring Alarm Security Kit costs $199, and includes a keypad, base station, contact sensor, motion detector, and a range extender. Ring also sells a retrofit alarm kit for $199; if you have a home with existing sensors, it can incorporate those sensors into Ring's system, potentially saving you some money and the hassle of adding new sensors yourself.
Ring also has the Ring Alarm Pro, which has an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router built into the main hub itself. It starts at $299, and also includes 24/7 Internet backup, expandable backup power, local video storage, and Eero Secure, which protects your network from malware and other online threats.
If you want professional monitoring, you'll have to subscribe to Ring Protect Pro, which is $20/month, but which also includes Internet backup if you have the Ring Alarm Pro.
Read our full Ring Alarm review.
Most smart-home compatiblity
Most home security systems have a base station that's best left hidden; the Abode iota changes that with a hub that has a built-in 1080p camera, as well as a 93-dB alarm that connects to all its other door and motion sensors and sounds loudly when someone tries to break in.
The iota is also one of the only security systems that works with Apple HomeKit. It's a good idea, but you can't do as much with the camera as you can with standalone wireless security cameras, which limits its effectiveness.
Abode offers three tiers of service: Free, Standard ($6/month or $60/year), and Pro ($20/month or $200/year). The free plan does not let you record video from cameras or use automations within the system, but you can view live video, use smart home integrations, and get push notifications.
The Standard Plan gets you 7 days of rolling cloud storage for video and a timeline of events, such as when doors are opened. The Pro plan gets you 30 days of cloud storage, as well as 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as cellular backup. If you have the Standard plan, you can also get three- and seven-day monitoring on an as-needed basis for $8 and $15, respectively.
Read our full Abode iota review.
Easiest setup
One of the biggest potential hurdles for anyone installing a DIY home security system is setting up all the sensors correctly. Arlo tries to make this part a lot simpler, as each of its sensors can perform eight different functions: It can act as a window sensor, door sensor, water leak detector, listen for smoke/CO2 alarms, monitor the temperature, light sensor, and freeze detector. Even better - they're not all that large, so you can place them virtually anywhere in your home. The kit we tested comes with two sensors; each additional sensor costs $30.
Using the system itself was just as intuitive. Arlo's app is very easy to understand, and we had no problem setting up routines and other automations. And, if you have Arlo security cameras, you can easily incorporate them into your system.
However, there were a few things that keep Arlo's system from the top of our list. For starters, its professional monitoring costs ($25/month) are the most expensive of the services we tested. And, if you want cellular or battery backup, that's an extra $80 to tack on. For some, though, it could be worth it.
Read our full Arlo Home Security Kit review.
How to choose the best DIY home security system
Abode: $20/month
Alexa Guard Plus: $4.99/month
Ooma: $14.99/month
Simplisafe: $14.99/month
Ring: $20/month
Nest: $19/month
Wyze: $10/month
How many doors and entryways do you want to monitor?
Most security kits come with two or three motion and door sensors. However, if you live in a house with a lot of windows, you'll need to add more sensors. Check out how much additional sensors cost; the price can quickly climb.
Key fobs equal convenience
If you have people coming in an out of the house frequently — whether they be dog walkers, house cleaners or annoying family members who happen to live close by — you will want to look at a security system that accepts key fobs or remote access.
Many of the app-first solutions will let you set up individual PIN codes for the different members of your household, while others will include access tags in the box. If this is of particular concern, the Nest Secure is one of the better choices, since even the most technophobic will be okay with merely scanning a keychain every time they exit and enter the house.
Do you want professional monitoring?
How much do you want to spend per month to ensure that your home has that extra protection? In most cases, the bigger the kit and the more devices you're using to monitor your dwellings, the higher the monthly subscription price. (The only system that doesn't do this is the Ooma Home Security kit, though it doesn't offer professional monitoring.) Some companies start as low as $15 a month, like ADT, though they only cover specific triggers. Others can be as high as $30 a month for around-the-clock surveillance. Note that you may also need to register your home alarm with your city or county, which will also add to the overall professional-monitoring fee.
Do you want to make this part of your smart home?
While many security systems will work with such devices as smart locks — unlock your door, and the system will disarm itself — not all integrate as easily with other best smart home devices like security cameras, lights and other sensors. Abode's system is the most compatible in this regard, while Nest's system also does a fair job.
Is the app easy to use?
Consider a security system that comes with an app you'd love to use. You can usually preview these things on the corresponding website. App reviews in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are also a good indicator of the overall user experience. After all, if you don't have a working portal or gateway to your security system, it's not going to be very functional.
DIY versus professionally installed home security systems
Installing a security system in your home or small business can be an incredibly empowering experience. In the past, if you wanted to protect your home and outfit it with sensors and a siren and the like, you would have had to call a company like ADT, sign up for an annual contract and then wait for someone to come over and configure it all for you. But these days, all you have to do is pick out a kit that suits your security needs.
Perhaps the biggest benefit to setting up your home security system is the fact that you can choose when you want professional monitoring enabled. For instance, if you're the work-from-home type, you might not want a security service, since you're home all the time to see what's going on, anyway. But when you and the family are ready to take a trip away from the abode for several days, you can use an app to enable that additional, watchful eye.
How we test DIY home security systems
We tested out the DIY home security systems in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area in a two-story townhouse over the course of three months. Each kit comes with a base station and a variety of sensors. The security gateways were all configured on the first floor of the house near the main entrance, while the motion sensors were placed facing the front door and were no higher than six feet off the ground. (This was done to test whether each sensor would pick up cat movement.) Additionally, we used a sliding glass door to test each entry sensor.
Most manufacturers list the decibel power of their sirens, but we tested their relative loudness by setting off the alarms and leaving the house. We signed up for every professional monitoring service to check their responsiveness in case of a trigger. Each gateway was also unplugged and used in battery mode to determine its abilities in case of a power outage. If the gateway required an Ethernet connection, it was hooked up to a Google Wi-Fi node that was closest to the front door.
All mobile apps were tested using a Google Pixel 2 smartphone running Android 8.0 and up. All browser apps were tested using the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
There are some instances when the interface of the system won't rely too much on a mobile app, as is the case with the Samsung SmartThings ADT security kit, which comes with a touch-screen panel, or the SimpliSafe Essentials kit, which comes with a keypad. These are also worth considering if you're not the kind of person who always carries around your phone.
More from Tom's Guide
