Best No Monthly Fee Home Security Systems in 2025

SimpliSafe Overview

SimpliSafe started as a company offering home security products to people living in apartments and smaller homes. Its low-impact and easy-to-setup systems have become iconic and many other security companies have followed their lead by offering their own DIY security systems. While Simplisafe now offers professional installation and monitoring services, it is still very much focused on a DIY-first approach. In our latest tests, it took us less than an hour to set up our SimpliSafe system and we could easily access it using a mobile app.

>> Check Out: Our Roundup of the Best Home Security Systems

SimpliSafe Equipment Options

If you’re going to self-monitor your systems, we recommend having at least one camera. SimpliSafe has four cameras to choose from, which are:

• Wireless Indoor Camera
• Video Doorbell Pro
• Outdoor Camera
• Wired Indoor Camera

In our review of the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro, we go into detail on the impressive features of this device, which include smart detection and a 162-degree field of vision. We have also reviewed the Wired Indoor Camera, or SimpliCam, and found it was a little lacking compared to the competition. But when put together into a cohesive security system, these cameras do a great job of keeping users in the loop (via live streaming) and keeping burglars out (through features like motion alerts and two-way talk).

But perhaps you’re wondering how much a comprehensive SimpliSafe system would cost you. Well, SimpliSafe’s prices are cheaper than a lot of professionally serviced options such as Vivint, and competitive against other no-monthly-fee DIY systems such as abode and Ring. A seven-piece package that includes an outdoor camera costs $479 (MSRP), and SimpliSafe often throws in a free indoor camera with it. It’s definitely one of the more affordable security systems.

>> Learn More: Frequently Asked Questions About SimpliSafe

Installing SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe had one of the easiest installations we’ve tried. Most of the equipment either plugs into sockets or sticks to the wall. You don’t need a drill, which is great if you’re a renter needing a security system.

We do recommend using the provided anchor points and screws to mount those sensors if possible though. We had our SimpliSafe system for two years and our command strips have failed more than once. We had the same experience with the Frontpoint security system we tested. If you really don’t want to deal with tools, professional installation is available starting from $124.99.

Self-Monitoring With SimpliSafe

When it comes to self-monitoring SimpliSafe, your options are limited but still effective. For example, when we self-monitored our system, triggering the front door sensor sent a signal straight to the base station, which blared loud enough to make you jump out of your chair. That siren didn’t call the cops, but it was loud enough to make would-be thieves rethink their plans.

The SimpliSafe App sends alerts to your smartphone, which is handy if you’re away and need to check things out or call the police. You can also watch live feeds from your cameras in the app, which is why we recommend getting security cameras if you plan to self-monitor. Just keep in mind, you need an internet connection for both the SimpliSafe base station and your phone. SimpliSafe can use cellular connectivity, but only if you’re on a paid professional monitoring plan, which is true for all the self-monitored systems we’ve tested.

Abode Overview

Founded by a former ADT executive, abode has been focused on disrupting the home security space for more than a decade. It’s been successful in a few key ways. We have been particularly impressed by abode’s home automation features. In addition to integrations with the Amazon and Google ecosystems, abode is one of the few systems that also works with Apple HomeKit. Add in Z-Wave and Zigbee communication protocols, and you’ve got a comprehensive approach to automation. We have also been impressed by the Iota hub. While control hubs from other companies mostly take up space while acting as a control station, the Iota also has a built-in HD camera, two-way audio, and motion detection capabilities.

If anything, though, abode lacks security camera options like we see from SimpliSafe. We believe that security should be the top priority. And with abode’s two-camera lineup – the $59.99 abode Cam 2 and the $99.99 Wireless Doorbell – it’s slightly harder to self-monitor than SimpliSafe without third-party security cameras rounding out your home security.

abode Equipment Options

While the Iota is an impressive device, abode is generally lacking compared to the competition when it comes to security cameras. They do have quite a few sensor options, including entryway sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, flood sensors and smoke detectors. There’s also the Multi Sensor that can detect motion, light, temperature, and humidity – all in one device.

We also found abode’s prices to be reasonable. Their starter kits are just that – packages that include the most basic of abode’s equipment – but they are affordable and they give you a lot of options to upscale your system.

A three-piece Iota system – with abode’s top-of-the-line hub – has an MSRP of $380, but that price is usually discounted. The system comes with one entryway sensor and a key fob. You can add sensors from as little as $30 apiece. If you want to spend a little more, the Iota hub is available in six-piece ($660 MSPR) and eight-piece ($800 MSRP) bundles, both of which are usually available at discounted prices.

Installing abode

Similar to SimpliSafe, abode is a really DIY-focused home security system. It took us about 15 minutes to install. That’s less time than it took for our SimpliSafe system, but mostly because our kit had fewer components. The most time-intensive task was placing the door sensors and window sensors around our home and pairing them with the base station as we went. Our only gripe with the install was having to connect the base station to our router using the supplied Ethernet cable, which was odd with a Wi-Fi-capable base station.

Professional installation is an option. Just like SimpliSafe, abode uses a third-party installation provider for the service. Keep in mind: The installation cost scales with your system size.

>> Learn More: SimpliSafe vs. abode Comparison

Self-Monitoring With abode

Abode markets its products as being fully featured without the need for a professional monitoring plan, unlike some of its competitors. While that is technically true, features like cloud storage can’t be accessed without a subscription.

The same is true for abode’s highly-touted automation features. You can technically pair compatible devices without a plan. But CUE – abode’s home automation engine – requires a paid subscription to either the premium self-monitoring plan or professional monitoring plan. That’s a shame, because a lot of our favorite abode features depend on CUE, like automating smart devices through rules, schedules, and scenes. At least you can still control those devices from the abode app though, and voice control via Alexa or Google would still work. SimpliSafe requires a subscription even for those features.

Ring Overview

Ring Alarm is the home security brand attached to the highly popular Ring doorbell cameras. Camera technology should be at the center of any security system without monthly fees, and the Ring security camera selection is among the best.  But Ring Alarm goes beyond cameras with a range of sensors and other security devices that can be used to create a comprehensive security system that doesn’t require monthly fees.

If you have a specific security need — say your Ring Spotlight Cam isn’t able to light up your full backyard — you can easily upgrade to the Ring Floodlight Camera. We’ve found that a good security camera/lighting combo is both a burglar deterrent and a safety feature that prevents tripping in the dark.

Ring Equipment Options

You’re probably very familiar with Ring’s video doorbell. But the company also has a few other camera options that match the doorbell’s level of quality. The indoor and outdoor cameras from Ring come in a few different model types and all of them provide high-quality surveillance.

The security sensor options are also fairly comprehensive. On top of that, Ring is owned by Amazon, which means its devices play well with a wide range of smart home devices. This means you can conveniently supplement your Ring Alarm system to create a more comprehensive security approach that includes lighting, locks, and other devices.

Ring Alarm offers a huge list of products, and the company bundles these into quite a few security packages. We break a lot of these down in our guide to Ring’s costs, but the whole-home bundles are probably the best starting point for folks looking to build a home security system without fees. These bundles start at around $400, and they often include a Ring Alarm system (base station and a few sensors), a Ring security camera, and a Ring doorbell camera.

Installing Ring

As with the other systems on this list, installing a Ring Alarm system is pretty easy. It took us less than a minute to install the peel-and-stick sensors. Installing the video doorbell took a bit of work and the use of a power drill. Installing our Floodlight Camera took the most work. When we replaced an existing floodlight with the Ring Floodlight Camera, it required a bit of elbow grease and perspiration to get the job done, but it didn’t require any special electrical skills.

>> Learn More: Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe

Once all of our sensors and cameras were in place, we plugged in the base station, downloaded the app, and started pairing all the devices. For that part of the installation, it took about 30 minutes to get the system up and running.

>> Learn More: Comparing Home Security Systems

Self-Monitoring with Ring

Ring Alarm is very effective as a self-monitored system. However, the company keeps a lot of valuable functionality behind paywalls. For example, you can’t access a camera’s person detection capabilities without a cloud subscription. If your Ring camera detects motion, your notification won’t indicate if it’s a person or the neighborhood cat. You’ll have to open the app and check the live feed to find out what your camera detected.

In our opinion, a self-monitored, no-subscription Ring system is really best suited for folks who spend a lot of their time at home. It’s perfect for someone who works from home or a retiree who doesn’t like to go out too much. But then, we can say the same about other options on this list. None of them offer free cloud storage for videos, so you’ll have to be very hands-on in checking camera feeds as alerts roll in.

>> Learn More: Best Alarm Systems for Seniors

Arlo Overview

Arlo’s security cameras are the company’s bread and butter, but it recently stepped into the home security space in a big way with an innovative $30 sensor that performs eight different functions, including:

• Motion detection
• Leak detection
• Window and door opening detection
• Tilt detection for garage doors
• Temperature detection
• Smoke alarm listening
• Light detection
• Carbon monoxide alarm listening

You’d normally need to buy a handful of different devices from a more traditional company to get all of this functionality. With Arlo, though, all you need is a few of their sensors strategically placed around your home. When we tested this system, we found that we only really needed five of them to protect our entire house — from burglars and environmental hazards.

>> Compare: Ring vs. Arlo Security System Comparison

Arlo Equipment Options

As we said in our recent review of the Arlo Pro 3 — Arlo’s equipment is built to exacting standards with some of the most advanced features in the industry today. For example, the minimum video quality available on these cameras is 2k. We’ve also found that they’re extremely DIY-friendly. This combination of quality and approachability is a big reason we think Arlo is a top pick for home security without monthly fees.

>> Check Out: Arlo Pro 2 vs. Ring Spotlight Cam

If you want to get the most out of your Arlo cameras, you have to pay for a subscription. Like pretty much every other home security camera, Arlo cameras don’t have onboard AI capabilities needed for person detection and facial recognition. Arlo’s AI technology is based in the cloud and accessing it requires a monthly fee. If you don’t want to pay that fee, you’re only going to get a fraction of your cameras’ functionality.

>> Check Out: Best Affordable Security Cameras

While their cameras are a little on the expensive side, Arlo security bundles are pretty affordable. They currently only offer two packages, though, priced at $200 and $300. Arlo regularly offers discounts on their cameras. Keep an eye on our guide to Arlo’s deals to get the best bang for your buck.

Installing Arlo

There’s not a whole lot to installing an Arlo home security system, since it’s really just two different pieces of equipment. You’ll download the app, plug the keypad base station into the wall, and stick up your sensors. That’s really it. When we tested this system, it took about 10 minutes to have everything up and running, and we weren’t rushing at all.

>> Read About: Arlo Video Doorbell Review

If you’re looping cameras into your system, though, that can take a little more work, depending on where you want to place them. We recommend checking out our guide to installing security cameras for a little more information on how to do that safely and effectively.

Self-Monitoring With Arlo

Arlo’s security system is really designed to be coupled with a monitoring plan (or at least a subscription to activate all of the features) but there are customers out there who choose to forgo that monthly cost and self-monitor their system using Arlo’s app. Given the price of everything it might not be for every budget, especially if you’re looking to save.

That said, this is some of the highest-quality equipment on the market today. The cameras are on the same levels as the Google Nest Cams we reviewed, which says a lot because they are some of our favorite security cameras. So with Arlo, you know that the system you’re monitoring is going to be top-notch. It’s really a balancing act of how you want to budget with Arlo.

>> Read More: SimpliSafe vs. Arlo