Best Apple Home Security Systems

1. ADT - Best Professional Monitoring

Editors Rating:

9.8 /10

855-908-4461

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ADT is arguably the most recognizable name in home security. Heck, they’ve been in business for more than 140 years, and along that journey have been at the cutting edge of innovation (including work in the then-emerging field of telegraphy). Through all that time, ADT has managed to stay relevant, now offering best-in-class fully monitored security systems in addition to a host of smart home integrations.

While ADT has some negatives like the fact that they’re professional installation only and not a DIY system, they have more than enough going for them to make them our choice for Apple users looking for a fully monitored system. Let’s take a closer look at ADT.

Professional Monitoring and Cellular Backup

The cornerstone of ADT’s business is 24/7 professional monitoring. In fact, we were unable to get a purely self-monitored system (though self-monitoring is included; more on that in a bit); every one of their plans requires professional monitoring. The good news is, ADT’s professional monitoring is the best in the business, constantly on standby and ready to assist should one of our sensors get triggered. Their monitoring centers are available 24/7/365, and were ready to contact us a moment’s notice to dispatch emergency personnel if necessary. With ADT, we’re paying for the trust in knowing that the company’s track record for reliability was there.

All Types of Integrations

As with many security system providers, in the past decade ADT has adapted their business to provide a number of smart home automation integrations to fill their system out. Not only were we able to add a number of sensors to specific trouble points in our home security, but we could add smart locks and cameras to our system as well, further ramping up our home security. ADT offers a suite of integrated products from indoor and outdoor cameras to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, all unified under their security platform. And, what’s more, it’s all accessible right from our iPhone using the ADT Pulse app.

The ADT Pulse App

Earlier we said that ADT doesn’t offer a purely self-monitored home security option, but there is the option to self-monitor our home through the ADT Pulse app, which runs magnificently on an iPhone. The app has an astonishing 4.8 rating in the app store, which makes it one of the best reviewed security apps we’ve encountered. Through this intuitive app we were able to check in on security camera feeds, receive instant alerts should one of our sensors get triggered, and arm and disarm our system right from our phone. For professional home monitoring, few systems work better for Apple users than ADT with ADT Pulse.

2. Vivint - Best Smart Security System

Editors Rating:

9.4 /10

844-922-0575

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How We Review

Professional Installation

Vivint is one of the few smart home security companies to offer professional installation for free. That meant that, when we got our system installed originally, we didn’t have to do a lick of work, which was nice. Rather, once it was set up, we familiarized ourselves with the iOS app and integrated the system with Alexa and Google Assistant. Connected to the monitoring team through the SkyControl Panel, having the system installed by a professional gave us the confidence we needed to feel safe at home.

Smart Home Integrations

Whether you’re in the Google or Amazon smart home ecosystem, Vivint is a good option for you. We had Alexa turn our lights on and off, arm our security system, set our thermostat, lock our garage and front door, and show us our Vivint Doorbell Camera on our Echo Show 8. Google Assistant allowed the same commands, working with our Nest Hub Max to show our footage on the larger screen. Of course, for the full automation experience, you’ll need smart lighting from Philips Hue, a Nest Thermostat, and a Kwikset smart lock.

The Vivint iOS App

The Vivint iOS app was where we armed and disarmed our system remotely, set up our smart home integrations, viewed livestream footage and cloud storage, received notifications when our alarms went off, and controlled all of our IoT devices. Currently, the app has a 4.6 out of five star rating from over 24,000 customer reviews, so if you don’t believe us, check out the ratings themselves on the App store.

While Vivint doesn’t work with Siri directly, that’s a rarity when it comes to smart home security systems. Still, we appreciated the user-friendly nature of Vivint’s iOS app. With so many IoT devices from different companies, it was convenient to be able to control all of them through the Vivint app, rather than controlling each through its respective third-party app. Here, we could open and close our garage door, lock our front door if we had forgotten it, and turn our lights onto away mode so they made it seem like we were home when we’re not. Our iPhone can do a lot of things, but to integrate Vivint with all these smart home devices was definitely more useful than scrolling TikTok for hours…debatably.

3. Frontpoint - Best Customer Support

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

844-933-2405

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How We Review

While perhaps not as well known as ADT or Brinks, Frontpoint has been establishing itself as a major player in the home security industry, and part of that success has to do with their customer service. Frontpoint offers a host of security solutions and home integrations that are great for Apple users, but the thing that set them apart for us was their excellent customer support, especially over the phone.

Easy to Set Up, Help Included

Some professional monitoring security systems require professionals to come to our home and help. Fortunately, Frontpoint was simple enough to set up on our own without requiring installers. Additionally, their fantastic customer support staff was there for us to field questions in the setup process to ensure everything was running smoothly.

Fully Monitored System

Frontpoint’s monitoring price is relatively high, since the only plan available is the $49.99 a month Ultimate plan. However, this plan includes everything Frontpoint has to offer, from remote smartphone access and professional monitoring to video surveillance and home automation. We’d definitely recommend Frontpoint to a more well-established homeowner who can afford the cost of service, though the service Frontpoint provides is definitely some of the best.

Professional-Grade App

The Frontpoint app gave us full remote control of our system right from our iPhone and iPad, enabling us to arm and disarm our system as well as see detailed activity logs of everything the sensors were picking up. We could also watch video clips and live streams of integrated cameras for an even more detailed view of everything going on in our home. And customers agree: the app currently has a 4.5-star rating in the app store.

4. abode - Best Security System with Apple HomeKit

Editors Rating:

8.0 /10

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How We Review

Given their flair for minimal design and their pedigree in the security industry—they were founded by a former ADT executive—it makes sense that abode would be a perfect pairing with Apple’s smart home system. In fact, abode is the only smart security system on this list designed to be compatible with Apple HomeKit, which makes it the clear choice as our best overall system. Let’s take a quick look at what makes abode so special.

Most Advanced Apple Integration

The hub of the abode system is their iota, which is a sleekly designed centerpiece that connects all of our smart home devices and sensors and also features a built-in 1080p HD camera. Long story short, the iota acts as an excellent hub for any smart home security system, enabling us to monitor our home remotely by receiving instant alerts if our door was opened, and tapping directly into the hub’s video feed to ensure that everything was okay.

Because abode works with Apple HomeKit, it features Siri voice command, which allowed us to control all of the aspects of our home security system just by talking to it. The list of potential integrations is massive, but some of our favorites were smart locks from Yale and Kwikset and a number of Z-wave and Zigbee-enabled sensors built to monitor specific problem points of our home.

A Truly Beautiful, Simple System

Even casual tech users will be struck by the beauty of abode’s minimal design. Apple users especially will find the abode system to be an attractive complement to the devices they’ve already invested in. What makes abode a cut above the rest is how their minimal design isn’t purely aesthetic but is mirrored by their simple, DIY set up. While other, more complex security systems may require professional installation, a basic abode system can be installed in a matter of minutes.

Professional Monitoring and Flexible Plans

While abode doesn’t have the same professional monitoring pedigree as some of the more established security companies included on this list, the fact that they offer 24/7 monitoring at all is a big mark in the plus column. And, the fact that their plans are flexible meant that we were able to test the service in the short term (for $20 per month) before committing to a more long-term monitoring plan ($100 for their first-year annual price). Having a team of experts monitoring our home for environmental or security emergencies was a great way to get some peace of mind when we weren’t available to totally self-monitor our system.

5. Brinks Home Security - Best DIY Monitored Security System for Apple Users

Editors Rating:

8.6 /10

How We Review

If you know one security company in the U.S., it’s probably ADT; but if you know a second, it’s probably Brinks. Brinks is an industry leader in home security systems and, much like many other established companies, has spent the last couple decades adapting their offerings to a changing market. That includes smart home and automation integrations that let us carry our home security in your pocket via our iPhones.

Professional DIY Installation

“Professional DIY” is an oxymoron, sure. But one of the things we liked most about Brinks is that it was a professional home security system that we could install ourselves, but they additionally gave us free over-the-phone support with one of their experts to ensure that we were setting everything up properly and that all of our system components were functioning properly. While there is something to be said about professional installation—which Brinks also offers—being able to do it ourselves while still having professional input was a really great selling point.

A Fully Monitored System

Much like ADT, Brinks offers full 24/7 monitoring that would contact us and dispatch necessary personnel in the event of a security or environmental emergency. As with other established security companies, we wish we had the option to fully self-monitor, but knowing that our home was being protected gave us assurance in the Brinks system.

The Alarm.com App

The Brinks security system runs on the Alarm.com app platform (along with a few other security providers), which may seem like a negative. But because Alarm.com is dedicated to the app performance, it leaves Brinks to focus on hardware and monitoring, instead of doing both things halfway. The Alarm.com app is one of the better iPhone security apps, enabling us to check the status of our system, arm and disarm it right from our phones, engage in two-way audio and a whole lot more. The app currently has a 4.7-star rating in the app store, so other users besides us are in agreement that it’s among the best in the business.

6. eufy Security System - Best Apple Security System for Video Monitoring

Editors Rating:

7.5 /10

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How We Review

While more robust home security systems offer environmental and break-in sensors as well as smart locks and more, there is something to be said about low-cost home monitoring using local alarms security cameras. Eufy is the security camera brand of respected tech powerhouse Anker, and their offerings are some of the best for home monitoring, especially for Apple users.

Simple Self Monitoring

Eufy is primarily a security camera company, with a unique collection of simply setup cameras that enabled us to check live feeds right from our phones; but that wasn’t the only thing that they brought to the table. In recent years the company has expanded their offerings to include a DIY home alarm system with remote sensors that alerted us to the presence of intruders when triggered.

No Monthly Fees and Low-Cost Storage

One of the things we liked most about eufy’s system was that it didn’t require monthly fees to use their cameras or their alarm system. Of course, this meant that there wasn’t a professional monitoring option, but not everyone (us included) is in the market for full 24/7 monitoring and the monthly fees that level of service entails. Even without monthly fees we were able to live stream our video feeds, and the cameras had local storage capacity so we could review our footage after the fact. What’s more, eufy offered affordable cloud storage for as little as $2.99 per month. Learn more about eufy’s costs and how you can save with eufy Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Using the eufy Secure App

With an impressive 4.7 rating in the app store, eufy is one of the more popular security apps on the market. The eufy app gave us a window into all of our camera feeds directly from our iPhone as well as the ability to arm and disarm our alarm system with the push of a button. This sleek, intuitive app makes remote home monitoring easy for Apple users.

7. Ring Alarm Security Kit - Best Low Cost Professional Monitoring for Apple Users

Editors Rating:

7.7 /10

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How We Review

Ring Alarm may be part of the Amazon ecosystem of products, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a stellar option for Apple users looking for a DIY home security system with the option of professional monitoring. With sleek, simple hardware, a host of integrations and, most importantly, a number of flexible professional monitoring options at some of the lowest rates in the category, Ring Alarm provides a level of customization other systems can’t.

Lowest-Priced Professional Monitoring Around

As we’ve seen with some of the other 24/7 professionally monitored systems on this list, prices can get pretty staggering, with some capping out at nearly $50 per month for premium service. Because Ring Alarm is backed by Amazon’s immense resources, they’re able to provide professional monitoring at some of the lowest costs around: $10 per month. Ring Alarm does only offer one plan option for professional monitoring, however, so for those looking to customize their plans, Ring may not be the best choice. To see all of your options, read our Ring pricing page.

A Number of Ways to Expand Our System

While customizations may not be readily available in their plans, Ring Alarm does have a massive suite of integrated products that enabled us to build out the security system of our dreams. From sensors and cameras to locks and doorbells, whatever we needed to feel protected could be easily integrated. And, because of Ring’s simple DIY installation process, we could move and expand our system as we changed apartments.

Well-Designed Experience for iPhone Users

The Ring app is one of the most popular apps in the smart home market, currently ranked as the number five app in the Utilities category of the app store. Even with that many users, the app retains a 4.4 out of five-star score. We were impressed with the app’s capabilities, specifically the fact that we were able to get notifications of crime and safety alerts from our neighbors through the app.