- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- General Security – Regional FL 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. | Contact for a quote | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | None | 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 | Not specified | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
About Miami
Miami, home to 471,000 residents, is a hot spot for beach-going, tropical garden exploring, and enjoying the outdoors any time of the year. Little Havana and Little Haiti offer locals a culturally rich dining and live music experience. According to Neighborhood Scout, there’s a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Miami. Whether you’re new to Miami or you’re a local, having a home security system is important for your peace of mind. We’ve looked at several local monitoring service providers in the Miami area to compare what they offer. We’ll tell you what we think is the safest choice.
Miami Crime Statistics
Statistics from the FBI reveal Miami reported 16,837 incidents of property crime in 2018. The vast majority were larceny-theft crimes, but the second-most frequent property crime was burglary. Miami residents experienced burglary at a rate 17.6% higher than the U.S. average. Here’s the breakdown of the crimes reported in 2018:
- 13,136 incidents of larceny-theft
- 2,057 incidents of burglary
- 1,973 incidents of aggravated assault
- 1,644 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 828 incidents of robbery
Miami Spotlight: General Security — Local Security Provider
General Security provides high-tech, cutting-edge security equipment for your home, as well as professional monitoring. As a family-owned and operated business, General Security is a reliable provider for monitoring your home. Given the company has spent over 30 years servicing the area, the staff has a great deal of knowledge of neighborhoods and local responders. General security isn’t transparent about its monitoring rates or equipment prices, but it offers an impressive range of state-of-the-art security equipment.
While the company doesn’t have any security equipment sets, it mentions it sells equipment from Honeywell, QOLSYS, DSC and Nortek. They can set you up with intercom, access control, and video surveillance systems. You get smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and remote access to your security system with live video feed viewing, making it an ideal system for checking on older kids and elderly parents from afar. They also offer smart devices such as smart door locks, Wi-Fi-enabled sprinklers, garage door control and doorbell cameras. General Security also sells smart thermostats from Alarm.com, which are designed to help you save energy on autopilot.
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 allAdditional Local Home Security Providers for Miami
These are some of the other home security providers in Miami:
- Arco Electronics Inc.: Operating since 1970, Arco Sells and installs alarm and surveillance systems and provides 24/7 monitoring from its own local monitoring center.
- Circle Security Solutions: Circle Security provides alarm and surveillance systems, home automation and remote access, as well as 24/7 monitoring, and claims it will meet or beat any competitor’s prices.
- DML Security Systems: This local provider has over 20 years of experience and offers alarm and surveillance systems with access control, and provides professional installation and home and business monitoring services.
- Miami Security Systems: MSS provides intrusion and fire alarm systems, video surveillance and access control equipment, along with professional monitoring and a price-match guarantee.
Surrounding Areas for Miami
You might also look into providers servicing residential areas around the city, such as:
- Coral Gables, FL
- Pinecrest, FL
- Sunny Isles Beach, FL
- Kendall, FL
- Doral, FL
- Key Biscayne, FL
- Palmetto Bay, FL
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 Miami
Which home security providers provide professional installation?
All of the local providers we looked at offer professional installation. Many nationwide providers also provide professional installation, including ADT, Protect America and Vivint.
Which of these providers is best for renters in Miami?
None of the local providers we looked at is up front about its contract terms. Renters might be better off with a month-to-month monitoring service from a national provider such as Abode or SimpliSafe, which have transparent month-to-month pricing.
Which of these home security providers offer security cameras in Miami?
Arco Electronics Inc., Circle Security Solutions, DML Security Systems, and Miami Security Systems all offer security cameras, which can be used for indoor or outdoor surveillance. General Security also offers smart doorbell cameras.
Will any of these providers allow me to finance my security system?
The local providers don’t offer transparent pricing information. However, Protect America is an option that lets you lease equipment for the duration of your contract. Nest and SimpliSafe are nationwide providers that sell equipment you can finance to own.
Which home security providers allow DIY Installation?
General Security offers DIY security systems you can self-install, as well as SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Abode, and Nest.
