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
Compare Top Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $19.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | Professional | DIY | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | 42-60 mos. or pay for equipment in full | None | None | 36 months |
| Smart home compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video surveillance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Option to extend limited warranty | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | Lifetime equipment warranty |
About Tampa
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.
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
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 $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
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
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low-cost landline monitoring and great coverage for rural areas. Their professional monitoring has 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 is a good choice for your family.
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
Best Home Security Systems of 2020
See allCommon 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.
FAQs About Home Security Systems in Tampa
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.
