The Best Home Security Systems for Seniors (2026)
A home security system is an invaluable investment for the safety of you and your family, whether you're homebodies or always on the move. We rigorously tested dozens of internet-connected, remotely controlled systems, evaluating them based on price, ease of use, durability, reliability, and smart-home compatibility. While ADT, Vivint, and SimpliSafe emerged as the top contenders, we've also included a few honorable mentions perfect for specific needs.
Did You Know: A home security system can protect your property, but only a medical alert system will protect you in a medical emergency. To find options from $20 per month, read our guide to the best medical alert systems.
Our Top-Rated Home Security Systems
- ADT Home Security : Best Solutions for Any Home
- Vivint : Best Smart Features
- SimpliSafe : Most Affordable
Our Favorite Systems Compared
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ADT Home Security
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Vivint
 |
SimpliSafe
 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Rating out of 5 | 5 | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| System price | $199 to $1,043.95 |
$800+ |
$141.44 to $709.90 |
| Monthly monitoring Price | $24.99 to $49.99 |
$24.99 to $70 |
$33 a month ($1.10 per day) |
| Contract required |
|
None, unless you finance your system |
None |
| Installation | DIY or professional |
Professional, starting at $199 |
DIY or professional |
| Noteworthy features |
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|
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| Read More | ADT Home Security Review | Vivint Review | SimpliSafe Review |
1. ADT Home Security - Best Solutions for Any Home
(855) 948-4702
What We Like Most:
- DIY and professionally installed systems
- Professional or self-monitoring
- Google Nest smart-home products
- Remote control through the ADT Control app
Overview
You may think of ADT as an old-school system for homeowners made visible by its blue sticker in front windows, but the 2026 version of ADT has options for renters and homeowners alike.
We chose a professionally installed Secure Home package that included a Command Touchscreen and a door/window sensor on my front door. The 24/7 professional monitoring costs $24.99 to $39.99 a month, which is more affordable now. Equipment costs vary widely, from $199 for the simplest system up to $1,600 for more substantial protection, and discounts are often available. We paid our equipment costs up front. Professionally installed ADT systems cost $499 to $1,049 typically, while DIY systems are much cheaper, starting at $188.30 to $384.94. This is very affordable compared to Vivint (starting at $800) and comparable to SimpliSafe (packages starting at $282.94, currently $141.44).
ADT’s new feature is a partnership with Google Nest. Since we already use Google Nest devices (like Nest Minis for lights and alarms), we appreciate that ADT sells integrated Google Nest smart-home products. We could manage the ADT security system, for instance, through the Google Nest Hub. Unlike SimpliSafe, ADT doesn’t offer self-monitoring with professionally installed systems, but it’s a solid choice for either a fully DIY or a professionally managed system with no option to combine the two.
ADT offers self-monitoring options with its DIY systems, unlike some professionally installed systems, making it a good choice if you want either a completely DIY setup or a professionally managed system.
Pros
- Google Nest integration
- Comprehensive professional monitoring
- Financing available
- DIY systems with lower prices
Cons
- Lack of prices on the website
- Higher monthly monitoring costs compared to some competitors
FYI: ADT also offers medical alert systems. To learn if they live up to the company’s home security standard, read our ADT medical alert review.
2. Vivint - Best Smart Features
855-681-0544
What We Like Most:
- Smart home device
- Professional monitoring starts at $24.99 per month
- Monthly contracts with up-front payment
- Free professional installation
Overview
Every home security system is technically a “smart home” security system, which means all the equipment is connected to the internet, part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Some companies offer more smart-home equipment than others, however, and Vivint is one of those companies. We could control every element of our home security system through Vivint’s app. We could see the history of our door and window sensors, check on our cameras’ livestreams, or even speak to our kids when they get home from school using the cameras’ two-way audio.
Vivint also offers a slew of products that make life easier. We scheduled the thermostat to turn off the air conditioning shortly after our family went to sleep, for example, and we made sure our locks were locked every night before we went to bed. Vivint offers more than home security; it also makes life more convenient and more affordable.
One drawback of Vivint, however, is that it has little to no pricing information on its website. Based on available information, you can expect equipment costs to vary significantly depending on your system configuration, with monitoring starting at $24.99 and potentially exceeding $70 per month. That’s pricier compared to some competitors’ lowest-cost packages. The prices will vary greatly based on how much equipment you have, but Vivint is an option for anyone who wants a smart home security system, whether you’re in a tiny apartment or a sprawling mansion. For more information, read my article on Vivint’s pricing.
Pros
- Smart home security systems and other home products
- Includes cost of professional installation
- Low monitoring cost
- Systems work with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Expensive packages
- Lack of pricing on website
- Higher monthly monitoring costs
3. SimpliSafe - Most Affordable
What We Like Most:
- Monthly monitoring fees start at $33 a month ($1.10 per day)
- Monthly contracts
- Packages start at $282.94 (currently $141.44)
- 24-month financing available
Overview
If you’ve ever tried to buy a home security system over the phone, you may have noticed some pretty aggressive sales tactics. You may think you need only a few door or window sensors for your ground floor and a single indoor camera, but you come out having spent thousands of dollars and signed a five-year contract with no exceptions.
SimpliSafe is the affordable antidote to those aggressive tactics. Not only do their packages start at just under $282.94 (currently half off!), but there’s also a DIY installation option and a free self-monitoring option. That means no monthly fees. Vivint and ADT have pretty affordable professional monitoring fees starting at $24.99 a month, but free is even cheaper. And we had the option to have camera recordings and arm or disarm my system remotely for only $9.99 a month. The plan also gave us notifications for any alarms, warnings, or other activity from our cameras, so it was an affordable way to stay on top of what was happening at home.
Unfortunately, without paying anything monthly, we didn’t get phone notifications. When our child came home early from school and set off our system, for example, we didn’t find out until we happened to check our SimpliSafe app for my cameras’ livestreams. We were able to give him the code through the camera’s two-way audio, but it would have been nice if SimpliSafe notified us as soon as it happened.
Unfortunately, without paying anything monthly, I didn’t get phone notifications. When my child came home early from school and set off my system, for example, I didn’t find out until I happened to check my SimpliSafe app for my cameras’ livestreams. I was able to give him the code through the camera’s two-way audio, but it would have been nice if SimpliSafe notified me as soon as it happened.
Pros
- No-monthly-fees option
- Self-monitoring with camera recordings
- Low-priced packages
- Professional monitoring for $33 a month ($1.10 per day)
Cons
- Self-monitoring does not include notifications
- Limited lifetime warranty available with paid plans
Honorable Mentions
ADT, SimpliSafe, and Vivint are our top choices, but the options below came in fourth through eighth, in no particular order.
- Frontpoint: Frontpoint’s professional monitoring costs $69 a month, which is more than double the cost of Vivint and SimpliSafe.
- Protect America: You may have heard about the home security company Protect America. In 2020, it was purchased by another home security company, Brinks, which brings us to our next point.
- Brinks: Brinks’ website doesn’t include pricing, and to buy a system we had to call a phone number. Most people appreciate cost transparency, especially when it comes to monitoring fees.
- Ring: Ring is Amazon’s smart home security company, and it has the most sensors, cameras, and video doorbells we’ve ever seen. Several years ago, news outlets reported that Ring cameras were vulnerable to hacking, though, which certainly gives us pause about putting them in our home.
- Xfinity: Xfinity’s plans cost $10 a month even with self-monitoring only. Professional monitoring costs $55 ($45 with auto pay and paperless billing) a month, one of the highest prices we’ve seen from a home security company.
Our Methodology: How We Evaluated Home Security Systems
Here are the factors we used to evaluate home security systems.
- Pricing: Pricing includes the price of both monitoring and equipment and installation. We look for a wide range of packages with different price points, as well as affordable professional monitoring at around $30 per month.
- Simplicity: Especially for older adults who may not be familiar with the Internet of Things, a system needs to be simple enough to set up and use correctly. We made sure to select systems that were easy to set up and use.
- Smart-home integrations: Most systems work with Alexa or Google Assistant, as well as other IoT devices from third-party brands like Google Nest.
- Reliability: We’ve found that the best professional monitoring centers are 24/7 and U.S.-based. To further test reliability, we look at ratings from the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Google, and Consumer Affairs, compiling an average rating from those sources.
- Durability: We look for durable equipment and lifetime warranties, since security systems should be able to last the remainder of your life.
What Seniors Should Look for in a Home Security System
If you’re just starting off on your home security system journey and you’re not sure where to start, here are some key factors to look for.
- Customizability: You may have downsized to a smaller apartment, or perhaps you’ve aged in place in your large home. Whatever your situation, look for packages you can customize, mixing and matching different pieces of equipment. Don’t feel like you have to buy packages with equipment you don’t want or need.
- Affordability: Home security used to be quite expensive, but companies like Ring have brought down prices for everyone. You can get away with paying $30 a month for professional monitoring — even less in some cases — but don’t sacrifice quality for low prices.
- Ease-of-use: The system should be easy to use. Ideally, you’ll be able to test a system or watch a video about how to use it before you buy it, but you can also read our home security reviews to see my experience installing and using systems. A good place to start is our guide to home security systems for seniors.
- Flexibility: Look for flexible contracts that don’t force you to sign up for a long period. Some companies offer financing, but that often means you have to sign up for a long time — up to five years, in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do home security systems benefit seniors living alone or with limited mobility?
Home security systems use internet-connected devices, monitored via smartphone apps, to benefit seniors, especially those alone or with limited mobility. Users can arm or disarm the system without physical movement and view livestreamed footage from other rooms on their phones. Professional monitoring further assists by alerting a team who contacts emergency services, eliminating the need for the senior to call the police themselves.
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Are there specific features or technologies that make a home security system more suitable for seniors?
Some specific features or technologies that make a home security system more suitable for older adults include 24/7 professional monitoring, cameras with two-way audio, and smart-home integrations. The less a senior has to rely on their smartphone, the better, but livestreamed cameras can allow family members and professional monitoring centers to check in on homes for seniors.
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Do home security systems for seniors offer options for remote monitoring by family members or caregivers?
Yes, home security systems for older adults offer options for remote monitoring by family members or caregivers. The majority of, if not all, home security systems are internet-connected and can be controlled and monitored through smartphone apps. Most of the apps allow for multiple users, including both family members and caregivers.
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Are there any additional costs or fees associated with maintaining a home security system for seniors?
Typically, the additional costs and fees associated with maintaining a home security system for seniors include professional monitoring. There aren’t any other maintenance fees once you pay for the equipment and installation, along with an activation fee and local permits in some cases.
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Can any home security systems detect falls?
No, there are no home security systems that can detect falls. To detect falls, you’ll need a medical alert system with fall detection. The home security company ADT sells a medical alert system called ADT Health Medical Alert Plus, but fall detection requires a separate device and an additional quarterly payment.
