The best security system for
small business

Choose the best security system for your business

Choosing a Business Security System

Investing in a security system is one of the best decisions you can ever make for your small business. But with all the options available today, choosing the best business security system can be a daunting challenge.

As a small business owner searching for the best small business security system, you face a number of questions and a great deal of uncertainty. Which service provider offers the best value? Which security package is most appropriate for the type of business you manage?

These are all valid concerns. Your customers and employees trust you to protect their safety and well-being. And security systems are an essential component of any successful business plan; they can even save you costs and inventory long term.

We have rounded up some of the best security systems in the market along with information about their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more! But first, here’s why it’s important to invest in a reliable security system for your small business.

The Benefits of a Business Security System

Many small business owners think that a security system is only useful when tragedy or disaster strikes. While it’s certainly valuable to have a security system in place to prevent break-ins or to aid in natural disaster response, the real value of a business security system is the peace of mind it brings to owners, management, employees, and customers.

The best security system and service provider for your small business will be ones that provides both immediate and long-term benefits. That’s why you’ll want to learn more about how a security system can impact your business in these not-so-obvious ways.

  1. Rapid emergency response. Check on the status of your burglar, fire, carbon monoxide, and flood alarms whenever you want. When the alarm goes off, the security company dispatches police and fire departments in under a minute.
  2. Remote management at your fingertips. You’ll have access to advanced system control from your smartphone or laptop. Business alarm systems can be armed and disarmed instantly with the push of a button. You can also monitor other aspects of your business’s physical location, such as your building’s temperature to prevent damage to inventory.
  3. Text alerts and notifications. Know what’s happening the instant it happens. Get real-time arm and disarm notifications, alarm trigger alerts, power outage notifications, and more. Alerts are customizable—choose the alert type and which employees you want to receive them.
  4. On-site maintenance and testing. Security companies have licensed, background-checked technicians on the road ready to install, upgrade, and maintain your business security system for you.
  5. Regulatory compliance. For comprehensive fire protection in addition to your security system, you need an expert to help you navigate the state codes and regulations. The right security company can take care of your commercial fire system monitoring, as well as any testing or inspection services you require.

How to Choose the Best Security System for Your Business

Consider which of the following features and capabilities are most important to your business when comparing security systems.

Remotely monitor and control your business from anywhere

Managing your business is enough to handle. With a good security app, you’ll stay in the know regarding the status and security of your business, no matter where you are.

Record and view security camera footage

Be able to remotely monitor your business—both inside and out—in real-time video. This is particularly great for keeping an eye on registers, merchandise, and entryways.

Receive automated custom alerts on all of your devices

Customize and receive automated security alerts via text or email. This notifies you in the event of a break-in, fire, flood, or carbon monoxide leak.

Reduce energy consumption

Forgot to turn lights off or adjust the thermostat? Manage them through your security system app so you can save energy and automate your devices so they turn off when you’re not there.

Top 5 Security Systems for Small Businesses

To choose the five best security systems for small businesses, we looked at review websites, business websites, and other credible online sources. We asked our customers about other business security systems that evaluated and understood the needs of small businesses in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

The table below compares Alarm New England with other security systems and shows the average ratings across thousands of reviews so you can choose the best security system for your small business.

 
alarm-new-england-small-3
adt-logo-small
vivint-logo-small
simplisafe-logo-small-2
xfinity-logo-small
AVERAGE REVIEW

Alarm NEw England

9.4/10

ADT

1.9/10

vivint

7.8/10

simplisafe

6.8/10

xfinity

1/10

TOTAL NUMBER OF REVIEWS

Alarm NEw England

286

ADT

3,351

vivint

5,484

simplisafe

1,245

xfinity

509

MONTHLY COST

Alarm NEw England

$26.99, rates are locked in

ADT

$28.99, rate increases each year

vivint

$29.99

simplisafe

$24.99

xfinity

$27.99, rate increases each year

TECHNOLOGY

Alarm NEw England

128-bit encrypted Honeywell technology

ADT

Honeywell

vivint

Vivint, proprietary

simplisafe

SimpliSafe, proprietary

xfinity

Xfinity, proprietary

INSTALLATION

Alarm NEw England

Pro or DIY

ADT

Pro only

vivint

Pro only

simplisafe

DIY only

xfinity

Pro only

LOCAL, FAMILY-OWNED

Alarm NEw England

Yes

ADT

No

vivint

No

simplisafe

No

xfinity

No

COMPARE SECURITY SYSTEMS

alarm new england

 

Best Local Business Security Companies in Massachusetts

1. ADT

With over 145 years of experience in the industry, ADT is one of the oldest security companies out there. People are familiar with their blue logo, but is this the optimal security system for your business?

What to Expect

ADT offers professional monitoring services that include 24/7 monitoring and police, medical, and fire dispatch. The company has six monitoring centers that use almost all types of monitoring technology, including broadband, landline, and cellular.

Equipment and Installation

ADT’s traditional plan includes a wireless control panel and door and window sensors. You can also get smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide monitoring systems, as well as motion sensors and security cameras for additional fees. All of this equipment has to be professionally installed by ADT’s team.

Pricing

ADT offers four pricing packages, with monthly fees ranging from $28.99 to $58.99. The installation fee is $99.

The Verdict

You can count on ADT not going anywhere, as they’ve been in the business for a long time. They’ve updated their system to ensure it can keep up with the high-security demands of today’s world. Based on some of their clients’ feedback, it seems like there’s still room for improvement for ADT, especially when it comes to their customer service.

Pros

  • 90-day limited warranty
  • A large and old company
  • Solid technology integration features
  • Free installation fee on specific packages
  • Six-month money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No self-installation option
  • Mixed customer reviews online
  • Slow customer service
  • Sales reps do not show up on scheduled appointments

2. Wayne Alarm

Established in 1968, Wayne Alarm has been providing security equipment and systems to both residential and commercial establishments for decades.

What to Expect

When you take advantage of Wayne Alarm systems, you can enjoy professional monitoring that includes 24/7 surveillance; two-way intercom; and fire, medical, and police dispatch. The company uses both cellular and broadband as its monitoring technology.
Wayne Alarm has only one monitoring center, but the center is located in the heart of Massachusetts so the team can attend to your security needs as fast as possible.

 

Equipment and Installation

The system’s control panel comes in two types: basic or advanced full-color touchscreen. Wayne Alarm offers other home security equipment including doorbell cameras, alarm systems, home automation systems, smoke detectors, security cameras, and fire alarms. This is another security system that requires professional installation.

Pricing

Wayne Alarm offers three pricing packages with monthly fees ranging from $33.95 to $52.95.

Pros

  • Locally based
  • Fast response time
  • Amazing customer service
  • Systems can be tailored to meet your needs

Cons

  • No available information on warranty and installation fees
  • Only available for locally based businesses

The Verdict

Wayne Alarm is known for their fast response time of 30 seconds (as compared to the standard response time of 60 seconds). The swift response time can be attributed to their monitoring center and staff being locally based. If you plan to relocate or move out of Massachusetts, the efficiency of service you’ll receive may differ.

3. American Alarm

American Alarm was founded by three engineers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1971.

What to Expect

The company’s professional monitoring services include 24/7 monitoring; fire, medical, and police dispatch; and two-way intercom. American Alarm carries out these services through cellular and broadband technology in their monitoring center, which is CSAA certified and UL listed.

Equipment and Installation

When you choose American Alarm’s security system, you have the option to use either a cellular or landline system. The landline system has a cheaper monthly fee, but their upfront costs are almost the same. The company uses proprietary DMP equipment, including a control panel, wireless sensors, and alarm or siren.

Pricing

American Alarm’s pricing packages range from $27.55 to $76.95.

Pros

  • Lifetime warranty and annual inspection
  • Locally based
  • Comes with a virtual keypad software, which can be accessed through an app in Android and iOS devices
  • Video surveillance systems available

Cons

  • Not much available information online about costs, warranty, installation fee, and other policies
  • Available only in certain parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire

The Verdict

American Alarm is one of the largest independent security companies in the market and offers an extensive list of home and business security systems and features. American Alarm uses proprietary DMP products, which are fairly reliable but tend to be expensive. However, not all security companies can handle DMP systems, so you may encounter some problems if you plan to switch to a different security provider in the future.

4. Cape Cod Alarm

Cape Cod Alarm is a family-operated business that has been in the market for over 35 years. If you live in Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, read this review to determine if this is the best business security system for you.

What to Expect

Cape Cod’s cellular and broadband monitoring systems are operated at their only UL listed monitoring station. Aside from their dispatch and monitoring services, they also offer installation, repairs, upgrades, and training. The company’s monitoring and home automation systems can be accessed through an app.

Equipment and Installation

Cape Cod Alarm offers comprehensive security and home automation systems and the basics like carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms, and smoke alarms. You can also use more advanced and innovative equipment like medical alert buttons; fire sprinkler suppression systems; motion, door, window sensors; and doorbell cameras. The company also offers energy monitoring systems that allow you to regulate your lights and heating systems remotely.

Pricing

There is no available information about the company’s monthly fees, installation fees, and warranty.

Pros

  • Not limited to emergencies: the system will also notify the business owner of an open window or door
  • Wide range of advanced, basic, and innovative security and automation features
  • Remote access for the owners
  • Multisite management for business owners

Cons

  • No pricing information provided
  • Some users reported false alarms and accidental police dispatch
  • Apps have a few bug issues

The Verdict

Cape Cod Alarm has a variety of security options available, making them a versatile company when it comes to security solutions. However, they have a limited online presence and slow customer service, so a few clients have reported problems getting information about their products, services, and fees.

Why Alarm New England?

Alarm New England is your best choice when it comes to small business security. That’s because a professional, dedicated team is at your disposal from the moment you first call. We’re fully committed to maintaining security services for a select region of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and that’s so we can give our customers 100% of our undivided attention.

We’ve grown to become New England’s best-rated security company.

Alarm New England is your best choice when it comes to small business security. That’s because a professional, dedicated team is at your disposal from the moment you first call. We’re fully committed to maintaining security services for a select region of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and that’s so we can give our customers 100% of our undivided attention.

Customers rate us higher than our competitors and note our superior value, with services on par with much bigger, national security companies. We offer breakthrough features, remote access, and full security integration with a UL-approved monitoring station. Only the highest-quality Honeywell components are sourced by Alarm New England to deliver clients a top-of-the-line experience.

Read more of our reviews »

We protect your business every second of the day.

Alarm New England delivers the peace of mind of knowing your business is safe and secure at all hours of the day. It harnesses smarter wireless and cellular technology that intruders can’t disable. Professional alarm monitoring dispatchers watch over your business 24/7. In an emergency, we alert you and instantly call the police.

We offer monthly or contract service plans, and are able to provide clients with the hardware, software and support that’s a perfect fit for their unique business needs.

Learn more about our alarm monitoring service »

We work hard to protect your small business. Because we are one.

Training makes all the difference. Ongoing education and training advancement are cornerstones of maintaining a skillful workforce, and at Alarm New England, training our staff is a top priority. The professional staff of Alarm New England brings a full understanding of the latest security technology to your small business. Our employees are the best-trained and will provide unparalleled service in meeting your security needs.

Alarm New England offers a 100-day satisfaction guarantee and is proud to be one of the region’s highest-rated security service companies. We offer monthly or contract service plans, and we’re able to provide clients with the hardware, software, and support that’s a perfect fit for their business needs.

Learn more about the Alarm New England team »

Are you ready for the next step?

It’s easy to see why Alarm New England is your best choice for small business security systems in the region. The team’s experience, training, and proven track record make it clear that there truly is no better choice than Alarm New England.

The best security system and service provider for your small business will be ones that provides both immediate and long-term benefits. That’s why you’ll want to learn more about how a security system can impact your business in these not-so-obvious ways.

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