- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- Gateway Alarm, Inc. – Regional MO/IL Provider
- Vivint Home Security – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe Home Security – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint Home Security – Best Professional Monitoring
| 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.
What we like
- Month-to-month option
- Home automation
- Environmental sensors
What we don’t like
- Monthly arrangement costs more
- No BBB rating
- 50% deposit on pro installation
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 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
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 St. Louis
What home security features are important 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.
Which home security provider is the least expensive in St. Louis?
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.
Which home security provider is best for St. Louis renters?
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.
Which St. Louis home security providers offer professional installation?
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.
Do St. Louis home security providers require a contract for service?
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.
