Compare Top Providers
 SimpliSafe Security | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro. monitoring starts at | $45.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $14.99/mo. | $44.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. |
Installation | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | DIY | DIY or Professional |
Contract | 36 months | 42-60 mos. or pay for equipment in full | None | None | No contract required |
Smart home compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Video surveillance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Warranty | Option to extend limited warranty | 120-day equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 3-year limited equipment warranty | 2-year warranty |
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About Houston
Home to the NFL’s Houston Texans and Space Center Houston, this city is the fourth largest in the nation and one of the fastest growing cities. Houston’s current population sits above 2.3 million residents, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Why are people moving to Houston? CultureMap Houston says that people choose the city for “[a] wealth of job opportunities. . .and a low cost of living”. The LifeStorageBlog lists the industries that are major players in Houston’s economy: “Energy”, “Aerospace and Aviation”, and “Life Sciences/Medical” amongst others.
According to NeighborhoodScout.com, Houston experiences more crime than New York City per capita. We want to help you protect your property and family, so we share Houston’s top 5 home security providers to help you find a solution that will work best for your home.
Houston, TX Crime Statistics
Turning to the facts, the FBI’s 2016 Crime Report shows that the number of property crime incidents exceeds all of the others. Following behind property crime is larceny-theft. Here is a breakdown of some of the worse crimes by type in Houston according to the FBI’s report:
- 100,856 incidents of property crime
- 69,630 incidents of larceny-theft
- 23,960 incidents of violent crime
- 18,488 incidents of burglary
Given these statistics, there are a number of factors and features you’ll want to consider when looking for a home security system.
Home Security Systems in Houston
- Best Overall DIY Security System
Our Take on SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe is our top pick for inexpensive monitoring, durable equipment and reliable services that simplify home security. You’ll have all the right devices and features to give you peace of mind — even when the unexpected happens.
★ Recommended Package
BarringtonPros
- 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
- Best Home Security for Industry Experience
Our Take on ADT Home Security
ADT’s a well-recognized name in the home security industry. It offers traditional security that requires professional installation and monitoring at a steep price.
★ Recommended Plan
CompletePros
- 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
- Best Smart Home Security
Our Take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint has an extensive line of smart security equipment that you can expand over time. The downside is that you’ll have a long-term contract if you finance your equipment.
★ 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 upfront
- 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)
- Best Pet-Friendly Home Security
Frontpoint Home Security
Our rating9.4Starting at$44.99/moOur Take on Frontpoint Home Security
Frontpoint lets you choose both your package and monitoring plan to help build the perfect home security system for renters and homeowners alike. Monitoring can be costly, but free DIY installation helps lower costs without reducing reliability or protection.
★ 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 for Professional Monitoring
Our Take on Brinks Home Security
Like ADT, Brinks has earned top ratings for customer service, monitoring and top-notch equipment. But for now Brinks is focused on preventing intrusions, not environmental monitoring.
★ Recommended Plan
Ultimate
Pros
- 2-year equipment warranty
- Impressive industry experience and reputation
- Flexible installation options
Cons
- No equipment for environmental monitoring
- Touchscreen control panel not available in all packages
- Lengthy contracts for some equipment packages
Common Home Security Equipment and Features
Control panel/hub
Motion sensor
As one of the sentinels in your home, the motion sensor captures unusual activity, and your system lets you know. Some providers have motion sensors that are designed to be pet-friendly, avoiding pets under 80 pounds to help prevent false alarms. Learn more about motion sensors here in our post.
Door/window sensor
Door/window sensors are sentinels for your entry points. Most have a discreet profile so they’re not easily seen, but once an entry point is breached, your control panel sounds an alarm to let the intruder know they’ve been caught. Learn more about the door/window sensors offered by Frontpoint, Protect America, and SimpliSafe.
Indoor security camera
If you want to be able to monitor the interior of your home, communicate with family members, and check in on pets, then choosing an indoor security camera is a great option. Most indoor cameras feature HD video, come with night vision, and have two-way communication. Learn more about indoor security camera options offered by SimpliSafe, Vivint, and Abode.
Outdoor security camera
Keep tabs on your property no matter your location with an outdoor security cameras. Most outdoor cameras have weatherproof features, night vision, and some even have deterrence features. Learn more about the outdoor security camera options offered by ADT, Vivint, and Frontpoint.
Video doorbell camera
Check your front doorstep without having to leave work with a video doorbell camera. Most video doorbells have built-in two-way communication and night vision. Learn more about the video doorbells offered by Guardian Protection, Vivint, and SimpliSafe.
Smart thermostat
With a smart thermostat, you can potentially improve your home’s energy efficiency. Most smart thermostats allow you to program them, creating a schedule for when your home’s heating and cooling system turns on. Some will also automatically adjust themselves based on certain conditions. Learn more about the smart thermostats offered by Vivint, Frontpoint, and ADT.
Smart lock
Go keyless with a smart lock, designed so you can easily lock or unlock your door via app. Some smart locks have a keycode feature, allowing you to set unique PINs for family members and or professionals who may need to access your home. Learn more about the smart locks offered by Guardian Protection, Protect America, and Scout.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Can’t decide? Compare top providers side-by-side: ADT vs. SimpliSafe, Vivint vs. Frontpoint, and more.
FAQs About Home Security in Houston
This will involve considering a number of factors, but here’s a brief look at each provider that can shed a little insight. If you want a home security provider who has years of experience and recognition, we would suggest ADT. For regional home security solutions, we recommend considering Fort Knox Security Services. If you would like innovative technology, Vivint would be a great provider to consider. For DIY options, we recommend checking out SimpliSafe, Frontpoint or Protect America.
Yes – with each provider you’ll find security camera options.
Yes – you’ll find home automation capabilities with each provider. While SimpliSafe does not offer any smart home devices to purchase, you can use SimpliSafe with digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. SimpliSafe also integrates with Apple Watch and August Lock.
