- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- SMS Security Systems LLC – Regional NJ Provider
- Vivint Home Security – Best Smart Home Equipment
- SimpliSafe Home Security – Best DIY Installation
- Frontpoint Home Security – Best Professional Monitoring
Compare Top Providers
| Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $39.95/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | Not specified | 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 | Not specified | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty |
About Newark, NJ
With just over 280,000 residents, Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey, and also one of the oldest cities in the nation. Only 30 minutes from Manhattan, Newark is home to Port-Newark Elizabeth, which is the primary container terminal in the busiest seaport on the East coast. Newark also hosts a wealth of major corporations, including Prudential, Panasonic Corporation of North America and Audible. Additionally, several top educational institutions have campuses in Newark, including the Rutgers University medical and law schools, Seton Hall University law school and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
If you live in Newark, or are planning on moving there, you may be thinking about a home security system. We’ve laid out some of the best home security companies in the area, so you can make your final choice.
Newark Crime Statistics
The 2018 FBI Crime Report states that larceny-theft is the most common crime in Newark. Motor vehicle theft is next, with just over 2,000 incidents, and aggravated assault rounds out the top three with over 1,100 cases. According to Neighborhood Scout, property crime is less common in Newark than in the rest of the U.S., but still about 50% more common than it is in the rest of New Jersey.
- 2,827 incidents of larceny-theft
- 2,015 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 1,155 incidents of aggravated assault
- 832 incidents of burglary
- 689 incidents of robbery
Local Spotlight: SMS Security Systems LLC — Local Security Provider
SMS Security Systems is a family-owned business that’s served New Jersey for over 35 years. An Alarm.com authorized dealer and a GE Security Pro dealer, SMS offers home security, fire alarms and inspections, camera systems and personal emergency monitoring, among a host of other services.
Gateway’s professional monitoring service starts at $39.95 per month (call for quotes). The company offers a wide variety of equipment options, including cameras and personal emergency equipment. SMS specializes in customized solutions, so it’s best to give their reps a call to let them know your situation, so they can help you come up with a plan.
Our take
SMS Security Systems is a local, family-owned business with over three decades of experience in home and commercial security. The company partners with Rapid Response Monitoring for uninterrupted, 24/7 monitoring.
What we like
- Custom solutions
- Personal emergency monitoring
- Central station monitoring
What we don’t like
- Pricing not very transparent
- No month-to-month arrangement
- No DIY installation
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 $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
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
Best Home Security Systems of 2020
See allAdditional Local Home Security Providers for Newark
There are many New Jersey- and New York-based security companies that serve the Newark area, including:
- Supreme Security Systems: Operating since 1929 and family-owned for three generations, Supreme Alarm serves New Jersey with home security, automation and personal emergency monitoring services.
- Ultimate Security Systems: In business since 1978, Ultimate Security designs, installs and monitors custom home security systems throughout New Jersey.
- Essex Alarms: Essex alarms serves customers not only with home security systems, but also locksmith, door and glass services, making it a one-stop shop for keeping your home secure.
- A&R Alarm Corp.: Based in New York, A&R Alarm has also served New Jersey customers’ home security needs since 1966.
Surrounding Areas for Newark
Newark is one city in a huge metropolitan area that, for all intents and purposes, is contiguous with New York City. Towns surrounding Newark include:
- Bayonne, NJ
- Belleville, NJ
- Bloomfield, NJ
- East Orange, NJ
- Elizabeth, NJ
- Harrison, NJ
- Hillside, NJ
- Irvington, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kearny, NJ
- North Arlington, NJ
- Orange, NJ
- South Orange, NJ
- Union, NJ
- West Orange, NJ
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 Newark
What home security features are important for Newark?
Larceny and car theft are by far the most reported crimes in Newark, so it’s wise to consider home security systems with entry detection as well as outdoor cameras.
Which home security provider is the least expensive in Newark?
Local area companies are competitive at around $35 to $40 per month, providing personalized service. For the lowest cost, consider a national DIY company such as SimpliSafe.
Which home security providers offer security cameras in Newark?
Many New Jersey-based providers offer camera systems, including SMS Security Systems and Supreme Security Systems. National providers that offer cameras include ADT, Vivint, Frontpoint, and SimpliSafe.
Which home security providers offer professional installation?
Most local security companies offer professional, custom installation services, including SMS Security. In addition, all of the best national firms such as ADT and Vivint offer professional installation.
Which of these home security providers offer smart home devices?
Supreme Security Systems prides itself on a robust home automation selection, as do other wireless security companies like Frontpoint and Abode.
