Best Self-Monitored Home Security System

If you're looking for a reliable self-monitored security system, Scout is an easy choice thanks to a cellular backup that's independent of professional alarm monitoring. Yes, it does require a monthly fee to use. But the cellular backup and ability to receive alerts via phone calls and text messages make a difference compared to systems that use only a mobile app and standard internet connection.

Scout is an excellent compromise between app-based self-monitoring and full professional monitoring services. Check out our comparison to learn what we evaluated and why Scout is the best self-monitored home security system. Plus, see which competitors don't require monthly fees.

Every system in our review provides optional professional monitoring in case you change your mind about monitoring your system on your own. Here are the professional monitoring prices for each brand:

• Scout Always On+: $19.99/mo.
• Wyze Home Monitoring: $9.99/mo.
• Abode Pro: $20.00/mo.
• Ring Protect Plus: $20.00/mo.
• Kangaroo Complete: $8.25/mo. (billed annually)

And the best part is that none of these brands offer more than one pro monitoring plan. You don't need to worry about paying extra to use security cameras or smart home gear (though you may need to pay separately for cloud video storage on security cameras).

At first glance, Scout's monthly fee for even using the app and system seems ridiculous. But when you realize that comes with a cellular backup that works when the internet goes down (and a battery backup for power outages), you have a security system that's always ready to tell you what's happening at home.

You also get alerts outside the mobile app via email, phone calls, and text messages. One of the best things about calls and texts is that they work on any cell phone—making Scout perfect for folks without a smartphone.

We're also big fans of Scout's smart home compatibility, which works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Philips Hue smart lights, LIFX smart lights, select Z-Wave devices, and Zigbee devices. We'd say Scout's smart home integration is better than Ring's but less comprehensive than Abode's.

The final drawback for self-monitoring with Scout is that it doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi. Instead, it requires running an Ethernet cable (included) to your router to connect to the internet. It's not difficult, but we realize some folks might not have an Ethernet port to spare.

Scout's attractive equipment sells for reasonable prices comparable to Abode and Ring. But it is a bit more expensive than budget brands like Wyze and Kangaroo. Although Scout sells a wide selection of sensors, and cameras, its selection isn't as broad as offerings from Ring and Abode.

Overall, Scout masters the art of self-monitoring your home security system by providing a cellular backup and alerts that work on any phone. But paying a monthly fee might be too high a hurdle for some folks. (Luckily, we have Wyze.) Head over to our Scout review to learn more.

Plus, Wyze now sells add-on devices separate from the starter kit, making it easier to expand over time. The required hub for this system is also affordable, but you need to buy the Core Starter Kit (about $100) to get it. We like that the hub comes with a built-in siren and battery backup to keep the system running during a power outage. But it's not as useful as systems with cellular backups like Scout, Abode, and Ring.

Wyze's low pricing extends to most of the devices it sells, including a comprehensive line of Wyze security cameras, which all cost $80 or less. Each camera has free (but tiny) cloud storage and most of the security cameras have local storage so you can skip out on paying for cloud storage for a no-fee experience. If you pay for the monitoring plan, you get free Wyze Cam Plus cloud storage for one security camera.

There's a small hitch in buying a Wyze security system for self-monitoring—you need to pay for at least a month of professional monitoring since the starter kit doesn't ship without it. But you can cancel anytime after setting up your system to avoid a monthly charge. The Wyze app also doesn't support multiple users, so you need to share logins with others who want to control the system away from a keypad.

Although Wyze sells a lot of smart home devices you can use in the Wyze app, not all of them integrate with Wyze Home Monitoring for home automation. The system itself still doesn't offer much support for third-party smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Still, Wyze is a great bargain for self- and professional monitoring. Read our Wyze Home Monitoring review to learn more.

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We like that Abode gives you two hubs to choose from: Gateway and Iota. The Gateway is a traditional smart hub, but it doesn't have any additional features beyond an integrated siren. Abode Iota, on the other hand, is an all-in-one security system with a smart hub, siren, security camera, and motion sensor. It watches your home without extra sensors, though we recommend getting some to improve its abilities.

As you might expect from a system with this level of smart home compatibility, Abode also allows you to automate how your devices work together. Unfortunately, it locks this feature behind the Abode Standard plan ($6 a month) so free app users can't schedule tasks or receive notifications. You still have manual control over every device, but remote control is a lesser benefit compared to automation.

Despite costing less than Vivint, Frontpoint, and ADT—Abode is one of the pricier self-monitored security systems on our list. Abode's hubs and sensors cost more than similar devices from competitors. Also, its mobile app ratings on Android and iOS are quite low. Although the app works well enough, critical reviews (and our testing confirms this) complain about buggy geofencing, paid automation, and instability affecting the user experience.

Overall, we really like Abode for self-monitoring and smart device compatibility. But we hope that Abode can fix the hit-or-miss mobile app experience (and maybe drop or lower the automation plan costs) to really unleash the potential of this DIY system. Visit our Abode review to learn more about this smart home powerhouse.

Since the cameras don't have local storage, they work best with a subscription, which adds a monthly fee. If you have more than three cameras, it's worth it to get Ring Protect Plus, which stores video for unlimited cameras. This plan also has professional monitoring, but you don't need to activate it on your Ring Alarm system. Ring Protect Plus also adds a lifetime warranty on your devices—need we say more?

The biggest smart home differences between Ring Alarm and Abode are that Ring doesn't have Apple HomeKit support or Zigbee support, it doesn't support as many Z-Wave devices, and its Google Assistant is less robust. But if you're a dyed-in-the-wool Alexa user, Ring is the easy choice. (Amazon owns Ring.) We're also fans of Ring providing a fully functional mobile app to non-subscribers.

Ring Alarm has a strong selection of sensors and other equipment. Its starter kit selection is gigantic—with many combinations of sensors, cameras, and Amazon Echos. Unless you have a studio apartment, we recommend skipping the cheapest starter package (5-Piece) since it comes with only a single motion sensor and entry sensor.

Overall, Ring Alarm is the best self-monitored home security system with cameras, wired sensors, and Amazon Alexa smart devices. Between the system and cameras, it's one of the most expensive options in our top five, but it's probably worth the higher costs for most folks. Check out our full Ring Alarm review if you want to see how this system stands out beyond self-monitoring.

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Two Kangaroo products stand out compared to the competition: Motion + Entry Sensor and Doorbell Camera + Chime. The best thing about the Motion + Entry Sensor (about $30) is that it combines a motion detector and a contact sensor. This makes sense for smaller apartments where the main living area is next to the front door—you can watch the door and room at the same time.

The Doorbell Camera + Chime (about $25) is similarly awesome—mostly because it's the cheapest video doorbell you can buy. Kangaroo provides cheap cloud storage for this camera (about $2 a month), which makes it an ultra-budget alternative to Ring and Wyze. Because it comes with a chime, you might even consider using it indoors outside a private doom room or techie teen's bedroom.

Although Kangaroo doesn't have a wide selection of other equipment, this has the byproduct of making everything simple to configure for your needs. There also isn't much smart home support if you don't pay for professional monitoring (around $99 a year); Kangaroo locks Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility for non-subscribers. And you won't find cellular backup—no matter how much you pay.

Overall, we like Kangaroo's affordable, standalone equipment for apartment dwellers and folks who want a simpler self-home-monitoring system. But Kangaroo’s limitations ultimately make Wyze a better budget option. Learn more about this security company's unique approach in our full Kangaroo review.

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The Lorex Home Center camera system supports add-on sensors, making it a great candidate for folks wanting a self-monitoring security system with cameras. The sensor selection is pretty sparse—just motion sensors and entry sensors—but it's more than enough to build a functional security system.

We tested this camera earlier this year and loved how easy it was to set up and use. It doesn't have optional professional monitoring or a cellular backup, but it comes with a smart display command center. The display is great for controlling your system without an app and there's tons of video storage included. Learn more in our Lorex cameras review.

Ooma came close to making our top five because it has a nifty feature: Remote 911. It allows you to call your local 911 dispatchers from the Ooma app. This is useful when you're on vacation and need to call help to your home—something other self-monitoring security systems lack—though it requires a monthly fee to work. You wouldn't need to call a friend or neighbor to check on an alarm like with other systems.

It's fortunate that Ooma has Remote 911 because there are no security cameras for this system. We also struggled with the small equipment selection and optional monitoring that's available in just 42 states. Still, this unique little system could work well for some folks. Learn more in our complete Ooma review.

Blue by ADT is a solid option for a self-monitored alarm system, but it doesn't offer as many device options as Abode and Ring. Another big drawback is that this brand's security cameras are the most expensive on this list—costing around $200 each.

Still, the starter kits and sensors have reasonable prices, and it's hard to beat ADT's experience with professional monitoring. Overall, this security system is a better deal with professional monitoring than without it. Learn more in our in-depth Blue by ADT review.

Until very recently, SimpliSafe wasn't a great option for self-monitoring. SimpliSafe used to not include mobile app access without a professional monitoring plan.

The company has since rolled out a more user-friendly self-monitoring plan that's certainly caught our attention, but we're still evaluating how it stacks up to other self-monitored systems. Read our full SimpliSafe review to find out why our readers love this system.

Scout wins our recommendation for self-monitored security systems because no other brand offers cellular backup without professional monitoring. We also like that you get phone and text message alerts alongside more traditional email and push notifications. Unfortunately, Scout charges a monthly fee to even access your system, which misses the point of self-monitoring to avoid fees.

If you want self-monitoring without a monthly fee, any of the other options in our top five picks will work, though we're partial to Wyze Home Monitoring's low prices. If you want a no-contract option for professional monitoring, check out our DIY home security system review.

We've done hands-on testing with every brand in this review—though it's been a few years with some of them. Those experiences were a good starting point for putting this comparison together and ultimately determine our rankings. We also researched each brand's current offerings to reconfirm our conclusions.

All of the brands we chose allow DIY installation and self-monitoring while offering optional professional monitoring. But unlike our other home security comparisons, we used a laser focus on self-monitoring and didn't allow professional monitoring to affect our rankings. Visit our methodology to learn more about how we test and review products.

• What Is the Difference between Monitored and Unmonitored Security Systems?
• Abode vs. Ring: Which Security System Is Better?
• How Does the Police Response Work?
• How to Choose a Security System
• Are Home Security Systems and Alarm Monitoring Worth It?