At the top of your list is probably cost. When choosing a home security provider, make sure the provider’s costs will work for your budget. You’ll typically have to consider the cost of equipment and professional monitoring. For 24/7 professional monitoring, it’s typical to pay a monthly fee.
Best for Industry Experience
- Over 140 years of industry experience
- $500 Theft Protection
- 6-Month Money Back Guarantee
Best for Smart Homes
- Variety of smart home devices and features
- Wireless system
- Mobile app access and control available
Best for DIY Installation
- No contracts
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- A range of security packages
Best for Customer Support
- Locked monitoring rates
- Limited lifetime warranty
- 4G LTE Monitoring
Best Monitoring Options
- Locked monitoring rate
- No installation fees
- Smart home devices and features
Top Home Security Providers in Chicago, Illinois
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ADT Security
Best Industry Experience
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Vivint
Best Smart Home Equipment
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SimpliSafe
Best DIY Installation
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Frontpoint
Best Professional Monitoring
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Protect America
Best Basic Security System
Chicago is home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears, Wrigley Field, Millennium Park (where the giant, stainless steel “bean” lives) and much more. Despite waning in population, Chicago is still the third largest city in the U.S., according to the Chicago Tribune. Currently, the city has over 2.7 million residents. But why are residents leaving the city?
The Economist writes that high taxes as well as political issues fuel the reasons why some are choosing to leave. Violence is also a mentioned as a contributing factor to why some are choosing to leave.One essential measure to take as a resident is protecting your family and home, and we want to help you find a security solution that will work best.
Best Home Security Systems in Chicago
Best for Industry Experience
ADT Home Security
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$35.99/mo
Our take on ADT Home Security
ADT has over 140 years of home security experience which sets them apart as the oldest security provider. ADT remains a top home security company by providing a broad range of services and custom security solutions. It is no surprise that ADT helps protect the home of over 7 million customers. ADT offers three packages homeowners can choose from: Traditional Package, Control Package, and Video Package. All ADT’s security packages include 24/7 professional monitoring with dedicated centers ready to alert authorities if an alarm is triggered at your home. Professional monitoring for ADT’s home security packages starts at $28.99/mo. Customers can choose from a wide range of equipment options, like motion detectors, smart locks, thermostats, doorbell cameras and more. ADT also offers customers to control their alarm system remotely through ADT’s mobile app in select packages.
What we like
- Over 140 years of industry experience
- $500 Theft Protection
- 6-Month Money Back Guarantee
Best for Smart Homes
Vivint Home Security
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BBB ratingD-
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Starting price$38.99/mo
Our take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint is recognized for its innovative security equipment and simple home automation integration. Vivint provides 24/7 professional monitoring services and professional installation. With Vivint, you have the ability to customize your own equipment package and choose a monitoring service to fit your family’s needs. Vivint has a range of well-designed equipment, with popular choices being the outdoor camera pro, indoor ping camera, and doorbell camera. Vivint offers basic motion detection and keypad control in all packages, allowing customers to customize their smart home and surveillance features. Vivint offers two professional security monitoring plans that start at $38.99/mo. Vivint allows customers to control their home security system no matter where they are through the smart home app.
What we like
- Variety of smart home devices and features
- Wireless system
- Mobile app access and control available
Best for DIY Installation
SimpliSafe Home Security System
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$14.99/mo
Our take on SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe is a popular DIY security provider known for its affordable professional alarm monitoring. SimpliSafe offers a range of home security solutions for customers with both equipment packages and monitoring plans to choose from. Customers must purchase SimpliSafe equipment upfront, but there are three different package options. SimpliSafe’s equipment is modern and easy to install. Designed with renters in mind, installing SimpliSafe equipment is non-invasive. All packages include the security basics like motion sensors, while the more advanced packages include enhancements like video surveillance or key fob control. SimpliSafe also offers several professional monitoring, starting at the low cost of $14.99/mo. The monitoring plans include features like environmental monitoring, mobile alerts, security camera recording and more.
What we like
- No contracts
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- A range of security packages
Best for Customer Support
Frontpoint Home Security
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$34.99/mo
Our take on Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint Security offers customizable, DIY home security systems and is consistently recognized for outstanding customer service. Giving customers easy-to-follow installation instructions and access to help over the phone, Frontpoint makes DIY systems simple. Frontpoint provides modern security equipment and home automation options through six different packages. Customers can choose to include security cameras, smart home devices, motion detection, environmental monitoring and more in their security package. Customers have to purchase Frontpoint’s equipment upfront, but are able to choose from different monthly monitoring plans. Professional monitoring for Frontpoint home security packages starts at $34.99/mo.
What we like
- Locked monitoring rates
- Limited lifetime warranty
- 4G LTE Monitoring
Best Monitoring Options
Protect America Home Security
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BBB ratingA-
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Starting price$19.99/mo
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Serving customers for over 25 years, Protect America focuses on providing affordable home security systems to customers. Protect America offers DIY installation options, allowing you to save money on your alarm system. Protect America does not have any upfront equipment cost, rather offering three security equipment packages: Copper, Silver and Platinum. With 100% wireless and portable equipment, Protect America is an ideal solution for renters. Protect America offers advanced equipment options including security cameras, keychain remotes, motion sensors and more. You can also enhance your homes protection using Protect America’s Smart Connect mobile app for remote control and live feed access. For professional monitoring, there are also three packages offered based on type of connectivity: Landline Plan, Broadband Plan or Cellular Plan. Protect America’s home security monitoring costs start at $19.99/mo.
What we like
- Locked monitoring rate
- No installation fees
- Smart home devices and features
Chicago, IL Crime Statistics
According to the FBI’s 2016 Crime Report, property crime followed by larceny-theft are two of the most prevalent crimes in Chicago. Violent crime falls third to both according to the report. Here is a breakdown of several crimes by category as reported for Chicago:
- 86,960 incidents of property crime
- 61,229 incidents of larceny-theft
- 30,126 incidents of violent crime
- 15,815 incidents of aggravated assault
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that violent crimes as well as “burglaries, motor vehicle thefts and robberies [are] at their lowest levels citywide since 2000″. This is good news for the city. While you’re searching for the best home security system, we want you to keep several factors in mind as you consider your options.
Home Security System Frequently Asked Questions
Which provider will best fit my needs?
This can depend on a number of factors, but we share brief highlights of each provider listed so you can have more insight. ADT has over 140 years of experience in home security, so if you’re looking for a company with more experience, we’d recommend ADT. If you prefer a regional security provider that provides the basics and home automation options, we’d recommend Security Doctors. For innovative home security equipment, Vivint is a great choice. If you’d like to self-install your home security system and avoid paying an installation fee, we recommend Frontpoint, SimpliSafe or Protect America.
Do all of these providers offer security cameras?
Yes – with each provider you’ll find security camera options.
Do all of these providers have home automation features?
Yes – each provider listed offers home automation features. With SimpliSafe, there aren’t any smart home devices you can purchase, but SimpliSafe does offer home automation integration, which means you can use the provider’s services with devices like Apple Watch, August Lock and digital assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
