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.
Best for Industry Experience
- Over 140 years of industry experience
- $500 Theft Protection
- 6-Month Money Back Guarantee
Best Monitoring Options
- Locked monitoring rate
- No installation fees
- Smart home devices and features
Best for DIY Installation
- No contracts
- Inexpensive professional monitoring
- A range of security packages
Best for Smart Homes
- Variety of smart home devices and features
- Wireless system
- Mobile app access and control available
Best for Customer Support
- Locked monitoring rates
- Limited lifetime warranty
- 4G LTE Monitoring
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
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 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
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 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 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
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.
