The obvious answer is to protect your family and valuables from burglars. People invest in security systems for a variety of reasons, including keeping an eye on your teenagers, or if you have elderly parents, making sure they’re safe and secure. Your needs will vary based upon your life stage and other circumstances.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and is well known for its contributions to America’s history. Here is where the famous Liberty Bell is on display as well as where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution was signed. The Athens of America, as the city is also known, has been seeing an increasing population boost for the past 12 years. According to The Daily Pennsylvanian, between 2017 and 2018 alone there’s been an increase by 3,900 people. There are two reasons for this population growth in particular:
- Millennials (who are a rather large age group) flock to the city to experience what living in a highly dense area is like.
- An influx of immigrants that have come to Philadelphia for the past 12 years.
Although Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly Love, crimes happen here just as they do everywhere else. In fact, the most reported crimes in the city were property crimes which include larceny/grand theft, burglary, arson, and motor vehicle theft.
Even though Philadelphia is a hub of culture and rich history, it was also rated as one of the most dangerous cities in America. In order to help keep you safe, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 security system providers in Philadelphia.
Best Home Security Systems
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$35.99/mo
Our take on ADT Home Security
ADT Inc. stands apart as the home security company with the most experience and the best guarantee in the industry. That’s on top of certified monitoring centers and a competitive equipment lineup that includes intrusion protection, environmental monitoring, video surveillance and smart home automation.
What we like
- 140+ years in business
- 6-month money back guarantee
- $500 Theft Protection guarantee
What we don’t like
- Contract required
- No self-installation option
- Mobile app access not available in basic package
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BBB ratingA
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Starting price$19.99/mo
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low starting prices, 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 might have the best priced option.
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 for Easy Installation
SimpliSafe Home Security
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$14.99/mo
Our take on SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe could be considered a disrupter in the home security industry, because it was among the first to provide forward-thinking customer benefits like self-installation, self-monitoring, video verification and month-to-month pricing. Its generous 60-day risk-free trial helps ensure long-term customer satisfaction.
What we like
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- Wireless equipment
- Cellular monitoring
What we don’t like
- Mobile alerts not available in the basic monitoring plan
- No selection of smart home devices
- Smart home capabilities not available in basic monitoring plan
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BBB ratingD-
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Starting price$38.99/mo
Our take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint offers all of today’s must-have home security features (professional monitoring, top-of-the-line equipment, home automation, mobile app access) with the added benefit of extensive smart home options and flexibility with your equipment and payment plan.
What we like
- Flexible equipment configuration
- Flexible payment options
- Variety of cutting-edge smart home devices and features
What we don’t like
- Long contract if financing equipment
- Expensive equipment cost
- No DIY installation option
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BBB ratingA+
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Starting price$44.99/mo
Our take on Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint offers a competitive range of security equipment and monitoring services with the freedom of do-it-yourself installation and month-to-month contracts. We also appreciate their straightforward pricing and solid customer service reputation.
What we like
- Month-to-month contract
- Renter-friendly services and equipment
- Good customer service
What we don’t like
- Outdoor camera, doorbell camera only available as add-ons
- Limited home automation devices available
- High monitoring starting price
Philadelphia, PA Crime Statistics
By far the most committed crime Philadelphia is property crime. According to the Uniform Crime Report in 2018, there were 23,172 incidents of this one particular crime alone.
Property crime, believe it or not, has actually had an overall decrease over the years. CityRating.com reports that in 2016, the property crime rate was higher than the national average by 28.15%. In 2016 there were 49,334 incidents while in 2019 there were 45,243. The second highest reported crime is larceny/grand theft at 17,481. Below is a list of property crimes as recorded by the 2018 Uniform Crime Report.
- 17,481 incidents of larceny/grand theft
- 3,063 incidents of Burglary
- 2,481 incidents of Robbery
- 2,644 incidents of Motor Vehicle Theft
- 212 incidents of Arson
FAQs on Choosing a Home Security Provider
Which home security will best fit my needs?
This decision is ultimately up to you as the buyer. As far as home security companies in PA go, all of the ones mentioned here offer smart technology and 24/7 monitoring. Advent Security in particular though seems the most upfront and focused on helping to keep you safe from any sort of property crimes though. They are pretty clear about setting alarms for both burglaries and fires.
Do any of these providers offer professional installation?
All five of these home security providers do offer professional installation services.
Do any of these providers offer security cameras?
Yes, all of these home security providers offer security cameras.
