- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- Shield Security Systems – Local Provider
- Vivint Home Security – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe Home Security – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint Home Security – Best Professional Monitoring
Compare Top Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $21.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | DIY or Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | N/A | 42-60 mos. or pay for equipment in full | None | None |
| Smart home compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video surveillance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Option to extend limited warranty | N/A | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
Home Security in Allentown
Located in the Lehigh Valley, Allentown started as a Pennsylvania farmers’ market town in 1762. The Allentown Farmers’ Market continues even today, but the rest of the city has expanded to include popular attractions such as Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, the Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley and the PPL Center, where the Lehigh Valley Phantoms play hockey. The DaVinci Science Center is a popular destination for budding scientists, and an exact replica of the famous Liberty Bell resides in the Liberty Bell Museum.
Allentown is also known for having more land dedicated to parks than any other city of the same size in the country. Parks include Cedar Beach Park, Trexler Memorial Park, Canal Park and many more. The area around Allentown is well known for its scenic covered bridges, like Bogert’s Covered Bridge and the Manasses Guth Covered Bridge. We might not know much about covered bridges, but we can help you safely cover your home with a home security system that’s right for Allentown.
Allentown Crime Statistics
According to Neighborhood Scout, your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Allentown are about the same as they are for the rest of the state of Pennsylvania, but your chances of becoming a victim of property crime are higher in Allentown compared to the rest of the state. You’re also slightly more likely to become a victim of theft or burglary compared to other locations in the U.S. In Allentown in 2018, the FBI reported:
- 2,100 incidents of larceny-theft
- 463 incidents of burglary
- 169 incidents of aggravated assault
- 258 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 183 incidents of robbery
Local Spotlight: Shield Security Systems — Local Security Provider
Shield Security Systems was founded over 40 years ago by veteran police officer Ken Jezioro after his home was burglarized. The company serves the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, and it gets an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Shield offers both professional installation and a DIY option with pre-programmed equipment and no mandatory contracts.
Shield offers three different monitoring plans starting at $21.95 per month for the Basic Plan. The Basic Plan includes 24/7 monitoring for your burglar alarm, smoke alarm, flood and freeze sensors and medical alert systems. The Premium Plan is $39.95 a month and includes everything in the Basic Plan plus a fully cellular connection, crash and smash protection, email and text alerts and app control. The Advanced Plan adds in video monitoring and home automation for $49.95 a month. Shield’s website says “No long term contracts,” so you’ll probably have to pay for your equipment up front, but equipment prices aren’t listed on the website.
Starting at $$21.95/mo./mo
Our take
Founded more than 40 years ago by a veteran police officer, Shield Security Systems offers flexible options such as professional and DIY installation, and contract-free home security systems for the Lehigh Valley area. Its higher-tier plans include mobile app access and video monitoring.
What we like
- No mandatory contract
- DIY installation option
- Low starting price for monitoring
What we don’t like
- No equipment pricing online
- No app access in Basic Plan
- No cellular connection in Basic Plan
Starting at $45.99/mo
Our Take on ADT Home Security
ADT is a well-recognized name in the home security business thanks to its top-notch equipment, award-winning monitoring centers and commitment to customer service. For people who feel like you get what you pay for, it’s hard to beat ADT.
ADT prefers to provide a brief consultation before quoting a custom package. Contact ADT to get started.
★ Recommended Plan
ADT’s Video Lite Plan is nothing minor — you’ll get motion detection, smart home capabilities, and video surveillance. Equipment starts at $599. Professional monitoring starts at $54.99 per month.Pros
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- $500 theft protection guarantee
- High-quality equipment
Cons
- Must pay for an extended warranty
- Lengthy contracts
- More expensive than competitors
Starting at $29.99/mo
Our Take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint really shines when it comes to equipment. Perhaps no other provider has such an extensive catalog, which makes it an excellent provider for those who plan to install new equipment over time.
★ Recommended Plan
Vivint’s Smart Home Service is our recommended plan because it unlocks a larger selection of smart home devices, as well as video monitoring.
Pros
- Month-to-month contract option if equipment is purchased up front
- Backup battery included with the Sky Control panel
- Extensive equipment features, including Vivint Car Guard
Cons
- Long contract if equipment is financed
- Installation can take 3-4 hours
- Short (120-day) equipment warranty and service guarantee (unless you purchase Premium)
- Short (3-day) trial period
Our Take on SimpliSafe Home Security
Keep those pesky burglars away with a SimpliSafe security system. Choose from a range of packages and equipment, and get inexpensive professional monitoring.
★ Recommended Plan
We recommend The Barrington if you’re interested in SimpliSafe. This package combines intrusion detection and video surveillance. Equipment starts at $388.93. Professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month. Self-monitoring is free.Pros
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- Wireless equipment
- Cellular monitoring
- Free self-monitoring
Cons
- Mobile alerts not available in the basic monitoring plan
- No selection of smart home devices
- Smart home capabilities not available in basic monitoring plan
- Research SimpliSafe
Starting at $44.99/mo
Our Take on Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint recently changed its billing model to month-to-month contracts, which we believe shows that the company strives to stay on top of industry trends and cares about customer service. We also appreciate that Frontpoint’s equipment is compatible with the major smart home hubs.
★ Recommended Plan
Our recommended Frontpoint plan is the Safe Home Starter equipment package combined with the Ultimate monitoring plan, which will give you access to a smartphone app for monitoring your security devices.
Pros
- No lengthy contracts
- Excellent customer service
- Variety of equipment to choose from
Cons
- Monitoring fees are relatively expensive
- Short (30 days) trial period
- No professional installation option
Best Home Security Systems of 2020
See allAdditional Local Home Security Providers for Allentown
If you prefer to shop where you live, the Allentown area has a good selection of local home security providers.
- Protect Alarms: Protect Alarms was founded in 1963 in the Lehigh Valley and has its own UL-listed Central Station for monitoring.
- Monks Security Systems Inc.: Monks can cover your home security needs along with medical monitoring, intercom systems and central vacuums.
- Altronics Security Systems: If you’re looking to combine home security with home automation, Altronics specializes in smart home systems that include environmental monitoring and mobile app control.
- Secure Technologies Inc.: Secure Technologies works with you to put together a custom home security package that fits your home and your lifestyle, with the goal of making it easy and convenient for you to use.
Surrounding Areas For Allentown
Allentown home security providers also provide service to the following Allentown areas:
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Catasaqua, Pennsylvania
- Wydnor, Pennsylvania
- Lanark, Pennsylvania
- Emmaus, Pennsylvania
- Wescosville, Pennsylvania
- New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
- Northampton, Pennsylvania
Common Home Security Equipment and Features
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Can’t decide? Compare top providers side-by-side: ADT vs. SimpliSafe, Vivint vs. Frontpoint, and more.
4 Questions To Find Your Home Security Provider
Select the features you want and we’ll match you with the right home security provider.
Frequently Asked Questions for Allentown
What home security features are important for Allentown?
With higher rates of theft, burglary, and property crime overall, Allentown residents should be using home security cameras to get extra eyes on their property. The presence of security cameras can deter crime, and built-in motion sensors can trigger recording so you can catch burglars in the act.
Which home security providers offer security cameras in Allentown?
Shield Security, Protect Alarms and Altronics Security Systems all offer home security cameras to Allentown residents. National brands SimpliSafe and ADT are also good options for home security systems with video surveillance.
Which home security provider is best for Allentown renters?
Allentown renters will benefit from DIY, no-contract home security systems such as those offered by Shield Security and SimpliSafe. You won’t be locked into a long-term agreement and you can take your system with you when you move.
Which home security providers allow DIY installation?
Allentown’s top DIY installation options for home security are Shield Security, SimpliSafe and Blue by ADT. Each company offers pre-programmed devices and full customer support.
Do home security providers require a contract for service in Allentown?
Most of the local Allentown companies we researched didn’t have contract information on their websites, but Shield Security specifies “no long term contracts” and national brands SimpliSafe, Blue by ADT, Frontpoint and Cove also offer contract-free options for Allentown residents.
