Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Alarm New England
Everybody wants to feel safe in their own home, and more people are considering getting security systems than ever before. When you start looking at the best home security systems in Boston, you’ll be surprised by how many services are available.
You can—and should—take the time to look up reviews of several home security systems to get an idea of which ones are reputable and which ones to avoid.
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices, we’ve taken some of the most popular home security systems in Boston MA and examined them in several categories. Our review will give you an informed perspective so you can decide which one will best meet your needs.
How We Choose the Best Home Security Systems
Every household has different requirements and expectations for its security system. Some people want wireless home security systems, while others prefer more straightforward systems.
The three main categories that people use to make their decisions are usually price, customer service, and the features and equipment that come in the system.
Each of the security systems we’ve reviewed surpasses some of these criteria and may be lacking in others. There is no perfect service, unfortunately. So, your best bet is to find a home security system that meets your needs and budget.
Price
Many people only consider the upfront costs of installing a home security system, but they forget to think about the monthly expenses. We take both upfront and monthly fees into account in our reviews.
Customer service
Ideally, you want to be able to reach your home security system provider at any time possible. We evaluate response times, as well as times when you’re able to contact the provider.
When choosing the best home security system, you also want to factor in other aspects of customer service, such as cancellation policies and equipment warranties.
Features and equipment
Some people want high-tech smart home security systems, while others prefer traditional alarms. Some people purchase home security systems with cameras, while others consider cameras invasive.
We take a look at all of these features and evaluate systems on their reliability, ease of use, and how well they fit into your current lifestyle.
Let’s explore some of the best home security systems in Boston in 2024.
Alarm New England
We are a local security and monitoring company that services Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
What sets us apart is our focus on training its staff members to excel at their jobs. Staff training, along with an expansion of support staff, means that you can rest assured knowing your home is in good hands.
Price
Unlike many other home security companies, you don’t have to sign a three-year contract. Instead, you have the option to pay monthly and cancel at any time.
Plans start at $27 per month, including essential equipment such as a touchscreen panel, burglar detection, and wireless sensors. The top tier of services offers video monitoring for $52, which is perfect if you want a home security system with cameras.
Customer service
Because we’re a local company, we place a significant emphasis on customer service and customer satisfaction. And it shows: most customers leave satisfied reviews online.
Our customer service team is only available Monday to Friday, but our website has an extensive FAQ section that should address most of your concerns after hours and on weekends.
Features and equipment
We offer a whole host of equipment and features, ranging from straightforward control panels and sensors to complete smart home integration.
You can decide whether you want a burglar alarm system or if you want something more comprehensive. We will draw up a plan over the phone to meet all your needs.
If you already have a security system installed but want to switch to a new security company, you can switch to Alarm New England for minimal upfront cost.
A certified technician will even come and test your system and make sure that it’s fully functional and protecting your home. That’s an added value and level of flexibility you won’t find with many other providers.
ADT
If you’ve ever thought about home security, you’ve most likely heard of ADT. It’s a leader in home security and is a popular choice for home security systems in Boston due to its strong brand.
Price
ADT offers five main security packages via its Protect Your Home program. Each has various options, giving you plenty of flexibility in what you get and what you pay. The base security plan costs just $28 per month, including basic security equipment to secure your home.
ADT also requires users to sign a two-year or three-year contract, although it offers a six-month guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with either the service or your installation. Certain conditions do apply, so make sure you read the fine print before signing your contract.
Customer service
ADT’s customer service times vary by region. ADT has a reputation for having highly variable customer service. Some people report excellent customer service; however, other customers have had negative experiences with pushy dealers and rude customer support staff.
Local Boston reviews suggest that ADT dealers in Boston fall on the negative end of the spectrum. So, if customer service is essential to you, you may want to take a look at some of the other competitors in the area.
Features and equipment
When you sign up with ADT, you’ll get equipment based on the package you signed up for. At a bare minimum, you’ll get one motion sensor, a control panel for the base system, wireless sensors around the home, and a wireless remote.
If you want something more, you’ll have to pay for one of the more advanced packages. An advanced package can include cameras, keypad door locks, motion detectors, window sensors, and even home automation.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe’s entire philosophy is right in its name. It provides a security offering that is completely customizable and easy to use. You can order the equipment directly online, install it yourself, and set the level of monitoring you want.
Price
SimpliSafe sells its equipment as a stand-alone package without the need for a monthly contract. The simple base station and keypad are $185, or you can look at the various equipment bundles that start at $230 and end at just under $500.
There are also two monthly monitoring options available. The simplest is just $15 per month, which is a 24/7 alarm monitoring system. The second option features SMS notifications, special alerts, and remote control, in addition to the monitoring system, for $25 per month.
Customer service
SimpliSafe offers 24/7 emergency service, but its regular call hours are limited to business hours. Some people find the service hours too short, but agents are responsive. As SimpliSafe doesn’t have any technicians in-house, they hire third-party companies to go out to customers to perform on-site maintenance and troubleshooting.
Features and equipment
The best thing about SimpliSafe is that you can include as many, or as few, features as you need. You can either build your system or use one of its equipment bundles to set up your security system.
The system can be controlled either via a wired control panel or a keychain remote control. There are also indoor video cameras that offer a broad lens view—perfect for eliminating blind spots.
Vivint
Vivint is at the forefront of smart home security systems, offering fully automated packages that integrate into its other smart home offerings. You can easily use your Vivint system to control your thermostat and garage door in addition to monitoring your home.
Price
Vivint is at the higher end of the price spectrum, particularly when it comes to the initial equipment costs, which can range between $700 to $1800. However, it does allow you to add those costs to your monthly bill instead.
Vivint offers five-year contracts that range from $30 to $50 per month, plus additional equipment costs. If you cancel the contract early, you have to buy out the duration of the contract.
Customer service
Vivint has a bad reputation for having a very aggressive sales team that misrepresents its offerings to customers. Thanks to a massive outcry and several court cases, Vivint has taken the negative feedback to heart and improved its customer service.
Not only is its pricing structure more transparent, but its sales team is also much less pushy. You’ll find regular customer support a pleasure.
Features and equipment
Vivint offers a wireless security system with plenty of bells and whistles. The equipment is all very sleek and contemporary-looking, which blends in well in a modern home but may look out of place if your home is more traditional.
When it comes to features, Vivint has several options. It has a customizable remote that is designed to fit on your key ring, which contains arm, disarm, and emergency functions. You can also program it to do other things, such as lock or unlock a door or flip a switch.
If you’re looking for a home security system with cameras, Vivint has you covered with indoor, outdoor, and even doorbell cameras, which can be viewed on the smartphone app.
Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the system, Vivint does require that a professional do the installation, with no DIY option available.
Despite being high-tech, the home security system is intuitive and easy to use thanks to a dedicated touchscreen control panel with large icons and text. The system also accepts voice recognition, so you can set up voice commands to automate mundane tasks like locking your doors and arming the alarm.
Xfinity Home
Xfinity is Comcast’s foray into the world of home security, and its focus is on smart home automation and professional monitoring. Xfinity offers plenty of features and upgrades so that you can customize your perfect home security system.
The system comes with a companion app to control everything without the need for complex control panels.
Price
Xfinity offers a single plan for $29 that locks you into a two-year contract. An early termination fee applies if you terminate before the end of the contract. It does offer a 30-day money back guarantee if you change your mind.
The plan comes with monitoring and a base equipment package that contains three sensors, a touchscreen controller, and a wireless keypad. If you want additional equipment such as cameras, smoke detectors, or other sensors, you have to pay for them separately.
Customer service
Comcast is notorious for poor-quality customer service and was even rated the worst company in the United States in 2014 and 2017 by Consumer Reports. This has to do with poor service quality and rude support staff, as well as people finding it very difficult to cancel their contracts.
However, if you’re willing to brave Comcast’s customer services, there are many ways to contact Xfinity, including phone, email, and live chat. If you prefer to avoid customer service, you can take a look at the substantial amount of documentation on its customer support portal.
Features and equipment
Xfinity comes with all of the standard equipment you’d expect from a home security system. The equipment includes motion sensors, a controller, and keypad, as well as optional extras, including smoke detectors, cameras, and a variety of door and window sensors.
What makes Xfinity appealing is the integration it has with other smart home applications. So far, integration partners include Nest, Philips, August Smart Lock, and the Chamberlain myQ garage door opener.
Choosing a Home Security System in Boston
These reviews should give you a good reference point for the types of home security systems and alarm monitoring companies you’ll find in the Boston area.
Do your research, read your contracts, and enjoy the added protection your new home security system gives you.
