Best for Industry Experience
Best features
- 140+ years in business
- 6-month money back guarantee
- $500 Theft Protection guarantee
Best for Smart Homes
Best features
- Flexible equipment configuration
- Flexible payment options
- Variety of cutting-edge smart home devices and features
Best Landline Monitoring
Best features
- 25+ years of industry experience
- Price-match guarantee
- Mobile app access & control
The Best Security System Providers with Professional Installation
- ADT Home Security – Best for Industry Experience
- Vivint Smart Home – Best for Smart Home Equipment
- Protect America Home Security – Best for Multiple Monitoring Options
- Guardian Protection Home Security – Best for Bluetooth Disarming
- Brinks Home Security – Best for Flexible Installation
Compare The Best Home Security Systems with Professional Installation
| Professional monitoring starts at | $35.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $19.99/mo. | $45.99/mo. | $19/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment starts at | $99.00 | $599.99 | No upfront cost | $99.00 | $199.00 |
| Basic motion detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security camera(s) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart home devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Home environmental monitoring devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Installation | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional |
| Contract length | 3 years | 42 – 60 mos. (if financing equipment) | 3 years | 3 – 5 years | 3 years |
| Trial Period | 6 months | 3 days | 15 days | 6 months | 30 days |
Home Security Providers with Professional 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
ADT installation technicians have to pass certification and are well-versed in what they do. They’ll work to ensure your system is set up correctly and ready to guard your home.
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
Vivint Smart Home Pros are known for being knowledgeable, and as a perk, Vivint will also provide you with a free in-home consultation to help you get started.
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low-cost landline monitoring and great coverage for rural areas. Their professional monitoring has 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 is a good choice for your family.
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
Protect America gives you the option to choose between DIY or professional installation. They make installation easy if you take the DIY route with a Quick Install Guide. For professional installation, you may have to pay a fee.
Starting at $45.99/mo
Our take on Guardian Protection Security
Guardian offers three professionally installed home security packages with a range of modern options, from the basic to the fully equipped. All packages have fairly low upfront costs and are backed by guarantees. Drawbacks? Guardian doesn’t operate nationwide, there’s no trial period and a long-term contract is required.
What we like
- Geo-location services for arming/disarming
- $500 Theft Protection Guarantee
- 6-month money-back guarantee
What we don’t like
- Provider’s service is not available in every state
- Touchscreen control panel not available in basic package
- May have to pay an installation fee
Guardian Protection installation technicians are well-trained and will test your security system to make sure it works according to Guardian’s standards before leaving your home.
Starting at $19/mo
Our Take on Brinks Home Security
Awarded no. 1 in customer satisfaction for professionally installed systems by J.D. Power, Brinks is a top contender. Choose from three Brinks packages or the Nest Secure System.
★ Recommended Plan
Get a touchscreen control panel, sensors, and mobile app access with the Smart Security Essential Plan. Equipment starts at $199. Professional monitoring starts at $39 per month.Pros
- Flexible pricing and installation options
- Award-winning customer service
- Works with Google Nest
Cons
- Contract required for all Brinks pacakges
- Environmental monitoring not included in packages
- Only top tier packages feature the smart home hub
Brinks also allows you to choose between DIY or professional installation. If you’d rather for a professional to install for you, Brinks will help connect you with a technician.
Professionally Installed Security Systems vs. DIY Security Systems
Home security systems with professional installation have their advantages and disadvantages. Learn more about the pros and cons of this type of home security system as well as self-installed systems.
Professionally-Installed Security Systems
Pros
- More assurance of a proper install
- Ask questions about your security system
- System maintenance is typically handled by the provider
Cons
- Typically requires an installation fee
- Typically requires a contract
- Could end up purchasing more equipment than needed
DIY Security Systems
Pros
- Can choose between professional or self-monitoring
- Monitoring is usually cheaper
- More flexibility with equipment placement
Cons
- Possibility for improper installation
- Expensive upfront cost for equipment
- May be responsible for repairs
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Systems with Professional Installation
How much does it cost to install a security system?
This will vary by the provider. Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $79 to upwards of $300 for installation. Some providers have a flat rate installation fee, while others charge based on the equipment you’ve chosen.
Are professionally installed security systems recommended over self-installed security systems?
This really depends on your needs and what you’re looking for in a home security system. A security system with professional installation is better if you don’t feel like you’ll be able to properly install your system. On the other hand, a DIY security system may be the better solution if cost is your main concern, as most of those options are less expensive.
What could I expect to pay for professional monitoring?
Professional monitoring typically ranges anywhere from $20/mo. to upwards of $55/mo. for providers that require professional installation.
What should I expect to pay for home security equipment?
Home security equipment can range anywhere from $99 to upwards of $2,000 depending on the package or equipment you choose to purchase.
Which is the best home security provider with professional installation for me?
This will depend on what you’re looking for, but here’s a good analysis of each to help you with your decision. Choose ADT for a provider who has a well-known reputation, and if you want a lengthy trial period. We would recommend Vivint if you’re looking for unique equipment and don’t mind paying more for your equipment. If you don’t want to pay anything upfront for your equipment and would like to have a locked monitoring rate over the life of your contract, we’d recommend Protect America. For access to Bluetooth arming & disarming, we’d recommend Guardian Protection. And finally, if you want flexible installation options and access to Google Nest’s security system, we’d recommend Brinks.
