- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- General Security – Local NY Provider
- Vivint Home Security – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe Home Security – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint Home Security – Best Professional Monitoring
Home Security in Rochester, NY
As the third-largest city in the state of New York, Rochester offers its residents a blend of city life with plenty of outdoor scenery to enjoy thanks to its location just south of Lake Ontario. Since it was home to both industrious leaders (such as George Eastman, founder of Kodak) and social reformers (such as suffragist Susan B. Anthony) over its nearly 200-year history, it should come as no surprise that Rochesterians feel a sense of pride in their city. But a rich history doesn’t protect homeowners from present-day threats. Thankfully, modern home security systems give peace of mind with numerous devices and monitoring options.
Compare Top Home Security Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | N/A | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | DIY or Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | 60 month agreement | 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 |
Rochester Crime Statistics
Rochester includes approximately 205,000 residents, and they experience property crime at more than twice the state average. According to Neighborhood Scout, 93% of U.S. cities are safer than Rochester. Having a home security system could help you avoid becoming an easy target.
In 2018, the FBI reported the following crime statistics for Rochester, NY:
- 5,285 incidents of larceny-theft
- 1,178 incidents of burglary
- 939 incidents of aggravated assault
- 573 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 516 incidents of robbery
Rochester Spotlight: General Security — Local Security Provider
Although headquartered in Long Island, General Security remains a family-owned and operated security provider. Its Rochester office is conveniently located along the Genesee River just south of the Greater Rochester International Airport. With more than 30 years of experience in the home security industry, General Security knows that homeowners want a wide selection of smart home security equipment to manage their specific concerns. However, with an average contract length of five years, General Security is a choice that’s best suited for homeowners, not renters.
With General Security, you can take either a professional or DIY approach to choosing and setting up your home security system. Regardless, 24/7 professional monitoring is included in all packages, as is mobile app integration and a central control panel. Equipment options include smart door locks and doorbell cameras, video cameras, smart sprinklers, garage door sensors and controls, and environmental sensors. Hand-pick your custom package for total peace of mind or allow a General Security professional to recommend a package.
Starting at $Call for quote/mo
Our take
General Security boasts 30 years of experience providing security solutions for homeowners and businesses. The company offers different packages with various smart home components, like smart thermostats and light controls, as well as DIY security options. This fast-growing security company specializes in cutting-edge, creatively designed security and home automation systems, including unique services like visual verification, intercom systems, video monitoring, card access, home energy management systems, and fire safety.
Recommended Package: Systems are customizable so you must call to explore options
What we like
- 30 years of experience in security
- A wealth of smart home technologies
- The ability to customize your security packages
What we don’t like
- Typical contract length is 5 years
- Limited service area
- Pricing and warranty information unavailable online
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 allOther Local Home Security Providers in Rochester
- OMNI Security Inc. offers Rochester residents three equipment packages will a suite of smart security equipment and Z-wave technology.
- Keystone Security Systems can monitor your existing equipment or help you choose the cameras, sensors and control panels that suit your needs.
- DTN Security offers both wired and wireless security systems, plus custom packages that focus on pet monitoring, environmental monitoring, medical alerts and much more.
Surrounding Areas For Durham
Home security companies serving the Rochester, New York, area typically also travel to the following areas:
- Buffalo, New York
- Syracuse, New York
- Geneseo, New York
- Seneca Falls, New York
- Niagara Falls, New York
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 Rochester
What home security features are important for Rochester, New York?
Rochester experiences heavy snowfall each year, which makes flood and freeze sensors a wise choice for homes in this area. Theft and burglary are the most common nonviolent crimes, so deterring opportunistic thieves with outdoor security cameras, yard signs, doorbell cameras and smart door locks is also a wise decision.
Which home security providers allow DIY installation?
General Security allows you to choose and install its security equipment without professional assistance. Even if you choose to go the DIY route for installation and setup, you can still receive its professional monitoring service.
Which home security providers offer professional installation?
Which home security provider is the least expensive in Rochester, New York?
DTN Security and Keystone Security Systems both offer competitively low prices. Professional monitoring with DTN Security costs $18.95 per month, whereas Keystone Security Systems’ professional monitoring service costs just a dollar more at $19.95 per month. You can also choose a self-monitoring provider such as Abode or Blue by ADT.
Which home security providers offer security cameras in Rochester, New York?
We recommend General Security for residential security cameras (including outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, and doorbell cameras) in Rochester, but Keystone Security Systems also offers video surveillance and DTN Security uses the Honeywell line of equipment, which includes security cameras.
