- 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 $$35/mo
Our take
With 30 years of experience in the home security industry, General Security knows what it takes to keep your home and your loved ones safe. General Security, offers different packages geared towards specific safety needs you may need while owning or renting a home. Their Smart Home Security package uses state-of-the-art alarm technologies to ensure that your home stays safe and allows you to control it all from your smartphone, tablet, or PC. Meanwhile, their Fire and Life Safety package makes sure you’re covered in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide emergency and their Video Surveillance is your extra set of eyes to watch over your home, no matter where you are in the world.
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 information unavailable online
Starting at $45.99/mo
Our Take on ADT Home Security
ADT is known for its longevity in the industry and its certified monitoring centers. Choose from one of ADT’s four packages or customize to fit your needs.
★ 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
- 140+ years in business
- 6-month money back guarantee
- $500 Theft Protection guarantee
Cons
- Contract required
- No self-installation option
- Mobile app access not available in basic package
Starting at $29.99/mo
Our Take on Vivint Home Security
Winner of the 2020 IoT Breakthrough Award for its outdoor camera, Vivint is a leader in home security with its expansive equipment lineup and features.
★ Recommended Plan
Vivint’s Smart Home Service has a ton of features and devices to help you protect your home to include the basics plus home hazard monitoring devices. Equipment starts at $599.99. Professional monitoring starts at $29.99 per month.Pros
- Flexible equipment configuration
- Flexible payment options
- Variety of cutting-edge smart home devices and features
Cons
- Long contract if financing equipment
- Expensive equipment cost
- No DIY installation option
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.Pros
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- Wireless equipment
- Cellular 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
Starting at $44.99/mo
Our Take on Frontpoint Home Security
Nationally recognized for its customer service, Frontpoint is a top contender in home security with a range of packages you can choose from.
★ Recommended Plan
For the basics—a hub, sensors, and signage—Frontpoint’s Safe Home Starter plan comes at an affordable price. Equipment starts at $319.95. Professional monitoring starts at $44.99 per month.Pros
- Month-to-month contract
- Renter-friendly services and equipment
- Good customer service
Cons
- Outdoor camera, doorbell camera only available as add-ons
- Limited home automation devices available
- High monitoring starting price
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.
