Best Home Security Systems in Tampa, FL
- ADT Home Security Best Industry Experience
- Vivint Best for Smart Homes
- Frontpoint Best Customer Service
- SimpliSafe Best for Easy Installation
- Protect America Best Entry-Level Pricing
Located along Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, Tampa, also known as “The Big Guava” by locals, is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and is known for its rich cultural diversity and plentiful tourist attractions. Whether you take a stroll through Busch Gardens, enjoy the Tampa Zoo and Aquarium, or enjoy learning in museums, Tampa has something for everyone. Many young professionals flock to Tampa, helping it live up to its reputation as a booming business center.
According to the U.S Census, the estimated population in Tampa in 2018 was 392,890, a 17% increase since 2010. Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida, growing partially due to high birth rates compared to death rates, but also high net migration rates.
Home security is important in any city, but especially in a city as large and rapidly growing as Tampa. According to the FBI, the top crime concerns in Tampa are property crime, burglary, larceny-theft, and violent crime. Neighborhood Scout reports that property crime is much more prevalent than violent crime which means home security is a top concern. Let us help you learn how to protect your home and family so you can relax and enjoy all that Tampa has to offer.
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 $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
Starting at $38.99/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 $19.99/mo
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low starting prices, over 25 years of award-winning service and monitoring plans that are based on connectivity type. If you’re looking for a capable no-frills home security system you can install yourself, Protect America might have the best priced option.
What we like
- Price-match guarantee
- Smart home devices and features
- Mobile app access & control
What we don’t like
- Contract required
- Must upgrade to get video surveillance, smart features and smoke detection
- Cellular monitoring is the most expensive plan
Tampa, FL Crime Statistics
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, property crime is the most prevalent crime reported in Tampa, FL with over 7800 reports in 2016. Property crime involves the theft of property or money. Property crime rates in Tampa have decreased over the past five years, putting it now slightly below national rates. While it’s difficult to determine exactly what causes a decline in crime rates, it is safe to say that enhanced security measures have contributed.
We’ve included a breakdown of the number of offenses reported by type from the 2016 FBI Uniform Crime Report.
- 7800 incidents of property crime
- 5695 incidents of larceny
- 1906 incidents of violent crime
- 1477 incidents of burglary
Factors to Consider When Buying a Home Security System
24/7 Monitoring – Monitoring is a very important part of a home security system. Whether you are away from home or sleeping, professional monitoring ensures that your home is protected at all times. Think of monitoring as extra eyes on your home to keep your family safe at times when yours can’t be. Home security systems that include monitoring also charge a monitoring fee.
Home Automation – Home automation features are available in many home security systems to automate simple processes like locking or unlocking doors, arming or disarming the alarm, and even setting a thermostat or turning out lights. If you leave your home and forget to lock up, or forgot to leave a light on to make potential intruders think someone is home, you can do all of that using home automation features.
Cost – Cost models vary among home security system systems in Tampa. DIY security systems and those that require no contract may require the up-front purchase of equipment. Systems that require contracts may have lower up-front costs but early-cancellation clauses should be considered. You will also see installation costs in systems that offer professional installation. We recommend asking the home security system provider for an itemized breakdown of all costs associated with their plans, options included.
FAQs on Choosing a Home Security Provider
Do any of the top 5 home security systems in Tampa offer professional installation?
All of the top 5 home security systems we’ve recommended offer professional installation except Frontpoint, which offers helpful resources for a streamlined and simple self-installation.
Do any of the top 5 home security systems recommended offer home automation?
Yes. In fact, all of our top 5 offer a variety of home automation features.
How many security cameras do I need?
The answer to this depends on several factors. First, you should consider the size of your home and the number of entry doors. Next, you should consider other areas of your property that could be intrusion points or areas that may be targeted for theft (like a detached garage). Third, review any other areas of your property you want remote visibility of (like a driveway entry). Last, decide if you need any indoor cameras for inside the home. The number of security cameras needed is a decision for you to make. Many home security system providers will also offer a consultation where they will provide you a recommendation of needed equipment.
