 SimpliSafe Security |  Gateway Alarm, Inc. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $19.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
Installation | Professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
Contract | 36 months | Optional | 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 | Lifetime warranty with new system | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
About St. Louis
Named after Louis IX of France, St. Louis is known first for the famous Gateway Arch, built between 1963 and 1965 as a monument to St. Louis’ 19th-century role as the gateway to the west. However, as the largest metropolitan area in Missouri with more than 2.8 million residents, St. Louis has much more to offer than the Arch. The St. Louis metropolitan area is home to two major sports franchises in baseball and hockey, as well as nine Fortune 500 companies, including Ameren, Edward Jones and Reinsurance Group of America, to name a few.
If you live in St. Louis, or will be moving there soon, you may want to consider a home security system. Here we’ve detailed some of the best providers in the area, to help you make your final decision.
St. Louis Crime Statistics
According to the 2018 FBI Crime Report, larceny-theft is the most common crime in the city of St. Louis. There were also over 3,500 aggravated assaults, almost 3,000 burglaries, and over 2,700 robberies. Unfortunately, St. Louis has a slightly higher rate of aggravated assault than similar-sized cities, but this may be due to reporting differences. Because St. Louis County is separate from the city, and home to 89 municipalities of its own, these crime rates don’t account for the entire metropolitan area of St. Louis.
- 12,413 incidents of larceny-theft
- 3,577 incidents of aggravated assault
- 2,979 incidents of burglary
- 2,750 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 1,452 incidents of robbery
St. Louis Spotlight: Gateway Alarm, Inc. — Local Security Provider
Gateway Alarm is a locally owned security company in St. Louis with over 30 years of industry experience. Gateway offers in-house professional monitoring, which means this company is right with you every step of the way. Gateway technicians are bonded professionals, and the company prides itself on personalized customer service.
Gateway’s professional monitoring service starts at $22 per month with a two-year contract or $24 per month with no contract. The company offers a wide variety of equipment that can be purchased a la carte, as well as DIY system kits, environmental sensors such as flood detectors, and wearable emergency devices.
Best Home Security Systems in Kansas City, MO
Our take
Gateway Alarm is a locally owned business with over three decades of experience with home and commercial security. Offering both month-to-month and contracted agreements, this company has something for everyone.
Pros
- Month-to-month option
- Home automation
- Environmental sensors
Cons
- Monthly arrangement costs more
- No BBB rating
- 50% deposit on pro installation
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
- Best for Money-Back Guarantee
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
- Best for Smart Homes
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
- Best for Customer Service
Frontpoint Home Security
Our rating7.6Starting at$44.99/moOur 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
Additional Local Home Security Providers for St. Louis
St. Louis is home to a host of excellent home security companies in addition to Gateway Alarm. Some of the best include:
- Citywide Alarms: One of the top-rated security companies in St. Louis, Citywide Alarms emphasizes cutting edge equipment for a safer and more powerful home.
- Erker Security Systems: Serving the St. Louis area since 1994, Erker Security Systems provides custom security systems that focus on the customer’s unique needs.
- Central District Alarm: CDA is the oldest and biggest family-owned security company in St. Louis, and with 67 years in business, one of the most experienced in the country.
- Burnes-Citadel Security: Burnes-Citadel is another local St. Louis company that’s been in business for over 40 years, offering a wide array of home security services and equipment.
Surrounding Areas for St. Louis
St. Louis is a large metropolitan area, and security companies serving this area serve both St. Louis proper and surrounding towns both in Missouri as well as across the border in Illinois, including:
- Alorton, IL
- Brooklyn, IL
- Cabanne Place, MO
- Cahokia, IL
- Eagle Park, IL
- East Saint Louis, IL
- Gratiot, MO
- Hathaway Meadows, MO
- Madison, IL
- Madison Station, IL
- Maplewood Park, IL
- National City, IL
- Newport, IL
- North Venice, IL
- O’Fallon, MO
- Sauget, IL
- St. Charles, MO
- Tower Grove, MO
- Venice, IL
Common Home Security Equipment and Features
Control panel/hub
Motion sensor
As one of the sentinels in your home, the motion sensor captures unusual activity, and your system lets you know. Some providers have motion sensors that are designed to be pet-friendly, avoiding pets under 80 pounds to help prevent false alarms. Learn more about motion sensors here in our post.
Door/window sensor
Door/window sensors are sentinels for your entry points. Most have a discreet profile so they’re not easily seen, but once an entry point is breached, your control panel sounds an alarm to let the intruder know they’ve been caught. Learn more about the door/window sensors offered by Frontpoint, Protect America, and SimpliSafe.
Indoor security camera
If you want to be able to monitor the interior of your home, communicate with family members, and check in on pets, then choosing an indoor security camera is a great option. Most indoor cameras feature HD video, come with night vision, and have two-way communication. Learn more about indoor security camera options offered by SimpliSafe, Vivint, and Abode.
Outdoor security camera
Keep tabs on your property no matter your location with an outdoor security cameras. Most outdoor cameras have weatherproof features, night vision, and some even have deterrence features. Learn more about the outdoor security camera options offered by ADT, Vivint, and Frontpoint.
Video doorbell camera
Check your front doorstep without having to leave work with a video doorbell camera. Most video doorbells have built-in two-way communication and night vision. Learn more about the video doorbells offered by Guardian Protection, Vivint, and SimpliSafe.
Smart thermostat
With a smart thermostat, you can potentially improve your home’s energy efficiency. Most smart thermostats allow you to program them, creating a schedule for when your home’s heating and cooling system turns on. Some will also automatically adjust themselves based on certain conditions. Learn more about the smart thermostats offered by Vivint, Frontpoint, and ADT.
Smart lock
Go keyless with a smart lock, designed so you can easily lock or unlock your door via app. Some smart locks have a keycode feature, allowing you to set unique PINs for family members and or professionals who may need to access your home. Learn more about the smart locks offered by Guardian Protection, Protect America, and Scout.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Can’t decide? Compare top providers side-by-side: ADT vs. SimpliSafe, Vivint vs. Frontpoint, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions for St. Louis
Larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary are the crimes most often reported in St. Louis, so your home security system should include great professional monitoring and entry detection, at the least.
Gateway Alarm offers professional monitoring starting at $22 per month, which is competitive with some of the most affordable companies in the nation, including SimpliSafe.
Because of their flexible, customized solutions, both Gateway Alarm and Erker Security are great choices for renters and homeowners alike. Some excellent national providers for renters include SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Cove.
Almost all St. Louis providers provide professional installation, including Gateway Alarm, Burnes-Citadel, and others, as well as many of the best national companies, including ADT, Vivint and Protect America.
Most local companies require a contract for professional monitoring, but Gateway Alarm has a month-to-month option. If you’re open to national options, check out these providers that don’t require a contract for their services.
