- ADT Home Security – Best Industry Experience
- CPI Security – Southeastern 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. | $29.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY |
| Contract | 36 months | 39 or 60 month agreement | 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 Durham, NC
Known as the “City of Medicine,” Durham is home to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park in the southeast part of the city, as well as the famous Duke University and its Blue Devils. The Eno River borders Durham’s north side, with Eno River State Park offering hiking, camping, boating and fishing opportunities for Durham’s 278,993 residents and visitors. The 22-mile American Tobacco Trail is another big draw for hikers, with its northern trailhead ending right in downtown Durham across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Families enjoy spending time in Durham Central Park, where kids can try the halfpipe at the skate park and parents can shop at the Durham Farmers’ Market. But no matter what it is that brings you to this vibrant city, we can help you find a home security system that’s right for Durham, NC.
Durham Crime Statistics
According to Neighborhood Scout crime statistics, Durham is only safer than about 6% of cities in the United States. Its property crime rate is higher than that of North Carolina as a whole. Compared to the rest of the U.S., Durham’s property crime rates are more than double the national average for burglary, and not quite double the national average for theft. For Durham in 2018, the FBI reported:
- 6,688 incidents of larceny-theft
- 2,238 incidents of burglary
- 1,125 incidents of aggravated assault
- 829 incidents of motor vehicle theft
- 723 incidents of robbery
Durham Spotlight: CPI Security Systems — Local Security Provider
CPI Security Systems is the largest privately-owned home security company in the Southeast region of the U.S., serving customers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Alabama and Virginia. CPI runs its own award-winning monitoring center and uses video alarm verification to help police assist in alarm events (for customers with video surveillance). The Better Business Bureau gives CPI an A+ rating, and customers give it an average of four out of five stars.
CPI home security services start at $29.99 a month for monitoring, with two wireless packages to choose from and the ability to customize your own package. The inTouch Essentials is the most basic package, with a control panel, three door and window sensors, one motion detector, and inTouch mobile app access. The inTouch Essentials Plus comes with a SmartHub panel for smart home devices and live video viewing, and also adds a fire communicator to the items included in the basic package. Fees for installation and monitoring vary; you’ll need to contact CPI directly for a quote. CPI’s contracts are optional, but if you want month-to-month monitoring, you’ll have to pay for your equipment up front.
Our take
Calling itself “the largest privately held security provider in the Southeast,” CPI offers home security solutions in nine different states. The company offers three plans with professional installation and monitoring, and boasts an award-winning monitoring station to help keep customers safe.
What we like
- Different packages for different needs
- Awards and certifications
- Community activity
What we don’t like
- Obscure pricing
- No DIY option
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 allOther Local Home Security Providers for Durham
If you prefer to shop local for your home security needs, here are a few more of our top picks for home security systems in the Durham area.
- Triangle Security: Rather than using salespeople to help you choose the devices you need, Triangle Security uses its trained installation technicians for your home security system consultation.
- Alarm Man of NC: Alarm Man of NC is a family-owned business with no long-term contracts and a one-year warranty on all parts and labor.
- First Security Service Inc.: Founded in 1988, First Security Service takes pride in keeping up with the latest home security technology and offers smart devices by Honeywell and other leading security brands.
- Iwatch Security: Located in nearby Raleigh, Iwatch installs home security systems ranging in size from small apartments to large homes and gets most of its business from positive client reviews.
Surrounding Areas For Durham
Durham home security providers also provide service to the following areas around Durham:
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Hillsborough, NC
- Morrisville, NC
- Cary, NC
- Apex, NC
- Wake Forest, NC
- Holly Springs, NC
- Garner, NC
- Raleigh, NC
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 Durham
What home security features are important for Durham?
Because North Carolina is prone to strong seasonal weather from hurricanes, it’s important for Durham residents to choose a home security company with at least one monitoring center outside of the state. This gives you continued access to emergency monitoring center services even when bad storms hit.
Which security provider is best for homeowners in Durham?
ADT is a good choice for Durham homeowners due to its redundant monitoring centers around the country and its years of experience in the security industry. ADT offers both professional installation and monitoring.
Which home security provider is best for Durham renters?
Renters should consider security companies that don’t require long-term contracts, such as CPI, Cove, or Alarm Man of NC. Having a month-to-month agreement instead of a contract gives you the flexibility you need if you have to move. We’d recommend DIY security systems over professionally installed systems for renters as well.
Which home security providers offer security cameras in Durham?
All of the local companies we researched offer home security cameras to Durham residents. Our top picks for video surveillance from national home security companies are SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Vivint, and ADT.
Which home security providers offer smart home devices?
Triangle Security, Alarm Man of NC and CPI offer smart home devices in Durham, and most of the national brands on our list of Best Home Security Systems—including ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Frontpoint—also offer home automation options.
