- ADT Security – Best Industry Experience
- Bay Alarm Security – Best for Personal Service
- Vivint – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint – Best Professional Monitoring
Compare Top Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $35.00/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 | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
About San Jose
Home to the famous Winchester Mystery House and 1,030,119 people, San Jose is a bustling city full of eclectic character. The SoFA District’s colorful murals decorate the walls of coffee shops, craft breweries and art galleries. Sports fans cheer at the minor league San Jose Giants games and predict which players might get called up to the San Francisco Giants. Outdoor adventurers enjoy San Jose’s surrounding mountains, taking advantage of hiking and biking trails throughout Alum Rock Park and Castle Rock State Park. But for all of San Jose’s charms, like any large city, its residents need the peace of mind that good home security offers. We’ve checked out the best home security systems in San Jose to help you make the right choice for you and your family.
San Jose Crime Statistics
According to Neighborhood Scout, crime rates in San Jose are comparable to crime rates in the rest of the state of California, but higher than those in other parts of the country. San Jose ranks in the 15th percentile for the safest cities in the nation, making 85% of U.S. cities safer than San Jose. Its motor vehicle theft numbers are more than triple the national average, at a rate of 7.57 per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of 2.29 per 1,000. For San Jose in 2018, the FBI reported:
- 13,510 incidents of larceny-theft
- 4,539 incidents of burglary
- 2,208 incidents of aggravated assault
- 7,704 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 1,593 incidents of robbery
San Jose Spotlight: Bay Alarm Home Security – Local Security Provider
Bay Alarm Home Security is a family-owned business that operates its own Five Diamond-certified monitoring center in California. The company offers 24-hour emergency system repairs, with multiple local offices throughout California and additional offices in Phoenix, AZ, and North Sound, WA. The Better Business Bureau gives Bay Alarm a rating of A+, and Yelp reviewers give it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Unlike some national providers, Bay Alarm Home Security doesn’t have set home security system packages. Instead, the company offers a customized approach based on your home’s layout and your security needs. In addition to the standard door and window sensors and motion sensors, Bay Alarm’s equipment includes key fob remotes, video doorbells, indoor and outdoor cameras, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. The Bay Alarm Link app lets you arm and disarm your system using your smartphone. Home security system installation starts at $199, and professional monitoring starts at $35 a month.
Best Home Security Systems in San Jose
Starting at $35.00/mo
Our take
Bay Alarm was founded in 1946 and has been providing home security solutions for over 70 years. To put together a security package that works best for you, call to request a quote or visit the Bay Alarm website for assistance. The provider offers smart home devices like smart lights, smart locks, and more. One of the unique features you’ll find with Bay Alarm is the personal touch you’ll receive–if you need an escort when coming home late at night or by yourself or for someone check on your home while you’re on vacation, a Bay Alarm specialist is ready to help.
What we like
- Patrol & Response program
- High-level technology integration
- Complete life safety system
What we don’t like
- Minimum contract length of 36 months
- Lack of pricing or contractual details on the website
Starting at $45.99/mo
Our take on ADT Home Security
ADT Inc. stands apart as the home security company with the most experience and the best guarantee in the industry. That’s on top of certified monitoring centers and a competitive equipment lineup that includes intrusion protection, environmental monitoring, video surveillance and smart home automation.
What we like
- 140+ years in business
- 6-month money back guarantee
- $500 Theft Protection guarantee
What we don’t like
- 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
Vivint offers all of today’s must-have home security features (professional monitoring, top-of-the-line equipment, home automation, mobile app access) with the added benefit of extensive smart home options and flexibility with your equipment and payment plan.
What we like
- Flexible equipment configuration
- Flexible payment options
- Variety of cutting-edge smart home devices and features
What we don’t like
- Long contract if financing equipment
- Expensive equipment cost
- No DIY installation option
Starting at $14.99/mo
Our take on SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe could be considered a disrupter in the home security industry, because it was among the first to provide forward-thinking customer benefits like self-installation, self-monitoring, video verification and month-to-month pricing. Its generous 60-day risk-free trial helps ensure long-term customer satisfaction.
What we like
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- Wireless equipment
- Cellular monitoring
What we don’t like
- 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
Frontpoint offers a competitive range of security equipment and monitoring services with the freedom of do-it-yourself installation and month-to-month contracts. We also appreciate their straightforward pricing and solid customer service reputation.
What we like
- Month-to-month contract
- Renter-friendly services and equipment
- Good customer service
What we don’t like
- 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 allAdditional Local Home Security Providers for San Jose
If you want to shop local, here are our top picks for home security providers local to San Jose:
- A-A Lock & Alarm: A-A Lock & Alarm has been installing home security systems and providing locksmith services to San Jose and Menlo Park for more than sixty years.
- Audio Video Evolution: If you want your home security system to be part of your integrated smart home, Audio Video Evolution can ensure all of your devices and home appliances work seamlessly together.
- Borges Security Systems, Inc.: Borges Security is family-owned and operated, and offers professional installation with optional monitoring.
- Watchdog Alarm: From security systems to fire alarms and surveillance cameras, Watchdog Alarm is a one-stop shop for San Jose residents looking for home security.
Surrounding Areas for San Jose
San Jose home security providers also provide service to the following San Jose suburbs:
- Palo Alto, CA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Saratoga, CA
- Los Gatos, CA
- Milpitas, CA
- Campbell, CA
- Cupertino, CA
- Gilroy, 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 Jose
What home security features are important for San Jose?
Because of the high rates of motor vehicle theft in San Jose, outdoor security cameras are a must. Motion sensors and well-placed video doorbells can also alert you to activity in and around your home’s parking areas.
Which San Jose home security providers offer security cameras?
SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Vivint, and ADT all offer home security cameras for San Jose residents. Local companies Bay Alarm, A-A Lock & Alarm, Audio Video Evolution, Borges Security, and Watchdog Alarm also sell and install video surveillance equipment.
Which home security provider is the least expensive in San Jose?
SimpliSafe is one of our top picks for affordable DIY home security in San Jose. Monitoring starts at $14.99/mo., and there are no mandatory contracts. Basic home security system packages start at $183, or you can use SimpliSafe’s Build My System tool to create your own customized package.
Which home security providers offer professional installation?
All of the local San Jose security companies we researched have professional installation technicians. Other companies in San Jose with professional installation services are ADT and Vivint.
Which home security providers allow DIY installation?
For DIY home security systems in San Jose, check out SimpliSafe and Frontpoint. DIY systems give you the convenience of portability, so you can take your home security system with you even if you move.
