- ADT Security – Best Industry Experience
- Bay Alarm Security –
- Vivint – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint – Best Professional Monitoring
Compare Top Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $35/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | 36 months | 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 | 1 year warranty | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
About San Diego
Situated on the United States and Mexico border, San Diego was the first site in California visited by the Europeans, so it’s sometimes called “the birthplace of California.” Modern San Diego is contiguous with Tijuana, and it’s the second-largest such multi-country urban area in the U.S., next to Detroit/Windsor.
With a population of 1.4 million, San Diego is the second-largest city in California. It has a year-round temperate climate, many beaches, a world-famous zoo, and is home to the United States Navy Seal Headquarters.
If you’re considering a move to San Diego, or you’re already a resident and have yet to equip your home with a security system, we can help you decide which company is best. Here are the best home security providers in San Diego.
San Diego Statistics
According to the FBI Crime Report for 2018, San Diego’s most committed crime is larceny-theft. Over 18,000 cases of larceny were reported, as well as more than 5,000 motor vehicle thefts and 3,700 incidents of burglary. Here is a breakdown of the most prevalent crimes in San Diego in 2018:
- 18,482 incidents of larceny-theft
- 5,182 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 3,752 incidents of burglary
- 3,281 incidents of aggravated assault
The good news is that the rate of property crime in San Diego is lower than California’s overall rate, and it is consistently ranked among the safest big cities in the U.S. Still, it’s a good idea to keep safe. The good news is, there are some great choices for home security in San Diego.
San Diego Spotlight: Bay Alarm – Local Home Security Provider
Bay Alarm is an independent, family-owned company. Bay Alarm has been in business since 1946, so you can count on a ton of experience in home security. This company is different from most other companies in that it goes all out to create a local, personalized service. Bay Alarm doesn’t offer standard one-size-fits-all packages. Instead, it consults with customers to put together a custom solution. Not only that, but Bay Alarm technicians live in the neighborhoods they serve, creating a better sense of community with residents knowing that someone from the company is always nearby.
Bay Alarm systems start at $199.00, which is competitive in the field, and its professional monitoring service starts at $35.00/mo. Since the company personalizes each customer’s solutions, you won’t find specific package details on its website. Instead, they recommend requesting a custom quote. Bay Alarm offers a wide variety of services and equipment, including professional monitoring, alarm systems, home automation, doorbell cameras, smoke detectors, patrol and response services, and security cameras.
Best Home Security Systems in San Diego
Starting at $35.00/mo
Our take
Founded in 1946, Bay Alarm Home Security has plenty of experience protecting homes. The company offers fully customizable plans to suit your home and budget. With great equipment and integration with smart devices, Bay Alarm’s security systems can give you peace of mind and control over your home safety.
★ Recommended Plan
Custom: Bay Alarm does not offer pre-bundled equipment packages. You’ll need to consult with a Bay Alarm representative to select the best equipment for your household, which may include wearable medical monitoring devices, fire and smoke detectors, and security cameras and sensors. A custom package allows you to get exactly what you want without having to pay for extras that you may not use, which is often the case with pre-bundled packages.
What we like
- Patrol and Response program
- Complete life safety system
- Fully customizable packages
What we don’t like
- Minimum contract of 36 months required
- Lack of specific pricing on the website
- Lack of contract details on the website
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 San Diego
Bay Alarm isn’t the only provider available to San Diego residents. Other good companies that serve the San Diego area include:
- ADT – One of the oldest security companies in the country, ADT is a solid choice for homeowners.
- Alarm 2000 – Local to San Diego, Alarm 2000 prides itself on technicians with many years of experience.
- Dempsey Alarms – Also San Diego based, Dempsey alarms has packages designed specifically for condos as well as homes.
- SimpliSafe – A newer company, SimpliSafe has made a name for itself with innovative equipment and flexible month-to-month agreements.
- Smart Shield Systems – Another San Diego company, Smart Shield Systems offers a variety of smart home, video, and security packages for almost any situation.
Surrounding Areas for San Diego
These companies serve San Diego and surrounding areas, so whether you live in downtown San Diego, Carlsbad, or Carmel Valley, you’re covered. Area cities supported by these local companies include:
- Carlsbad, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Coronado, CA
- Del Mar, CA
- El Cajon, CA
- Encitas, CA
- Escondito, CA
- Imperial Beach, CA
- La Mesa, CA
- Lemon Grove, CA
- National City, CA
- Oceanside, CA
- Poway, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Marcos, CA
- Santee, CA
- Solana Beach, CA
- Vista, CA
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 San Diego
What home security features are important for San Diego?
Since larceny, motor vehicle theft and burglary are the most prevalent crimes in the San Diego area, it’s a good idea to make sure your security provider has a good outdoor camera selection, professional monitoring, and sufficient entry detection.
Which home security provider is the least expensive in San Diego?
Many of the local providers don’t publish their rates, but Smart Shield Systems’ professional monitoring systems start at $39.95/mo., which is competitive with many national providers.
Which home security provider is best for San Diego renters?
Since Bay Alarm personalizes solutions for each of its customers, it’s a great choice for renters and homeowners alike.
Which home security providers allow DIY installation?
SimpliSafe is the only provider on our recommended list that allows DIY installation. If you prefer to install your own system, SimpliSafe might be a good choice for you.
Do San Diego home security providers require a contract for service?
Local San Diego providers usually require contracts between one and five years for their service.
