Doing your research to decide on what company to choose may take longer than setting your equipment up. Don’t fret – we analyzed the top providers in Georgia for criteria such as pricing, features and equipment to report our home security systems Atlanta reviews. You’ll be able to set up the best security system in Atlanta in no time.
Comparison of the best home security systems in Atlanta
*J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale. Why we chose it No contracts, the option to monitor yourself or pay for 24/7 pro monitoring and a variety of equipment options make SimpliSafe the best and most customizable home security system around Pros:
Highest-rated in customer satisfactionCustomizable systems60-day, money-back guaranteeNo contracts
Cons:
Limited smart home accessoriesHigh upfront costs for equipmentNo-frills products
Equipment available:
Indoor/outdoor camerasDoorbellBase stationSmart lock
Plans & pricing:
Equipment bundles: $181–$342Standard monitoring: $0.50/dayInteractive monitoring: $0.83/dayCamera subscription: $4.99/month for one camera or $9.99/month for up to 10 cameras
Why we chose it If you’d like to build your own system, Ring’s long list of products and accessories ensures you’ll find everything you need. Pros:
Second-highest customer satisfactionMonitoring cheaper than competitorsNo contractsWide range of compatible smart home accessories
Cons:
No cameras bundled with packagesVideo doorbells can be priceyVideo recording costs $3 per month per camera
Equipment available:
Video doorbellSmart lightingIndoor and outdoor camerasOutdoor camera with lightsSolar chargerSmoke and carbon monoxide detector
Plans & pricing:
Equipment bundles: $260 - $927Basic video recording: $3/month per deviceProfessional monitoring: $10/month or $100/year
Why we chose it Pair your home’s existing smart devices with an Abode home security system – or add new ones. Pros:
Cue integration connects to existing smart home devicesPackages designed for home and apartmentsGeofencing available
Cons:
Security kits don’t have many devicesCellular backup is available with the pro planHomeowners insurance discounts are only available with the pro plan
Equipment available:
Slim strip and recessed door and window sensorsOutdoor smart cameraSmarthome power switchMulti-Sensor detects heat, light and moisture
Plans & pricing:
Equipment bundles: $219 - $279Self-monitoring: $0.20/day or $6/monthProfessional monitoring: $0.66/day or $20/month
Why we chose it If you’re in search of remote video monitoring, Arlo’s high-def 4K range of security cameras are some of the best of all home security companies. Pros:
High-def video of 1,080p up to 2,160p for 4KReceive alerts based on the zones you chooseCameras can detect whether the object is a person, animal or vehicleNo plan is required for live video streaming
Cons:
No recording for free self-monitoringNo professional monitoring is availableHome security systems limited to video camerasCameras can be pricey
Equipment available:
Arlo Ultra 2 4K cameraTwo HD 2K camerasSmall Essential cameraMobile Arlo Go wireless camera works with cellular dataWired and wireless doorbellsSolar panel charger
Plans & pricing:
Equipment bundles: $278.98 - $1,179.95Continuous video recording: $9.99 for 14 days or $19.99/monthPremier subscription: $2.99/month per camera or $9.99/month for five camerasElite subscription: $4.99/month per camera or $14.99/month for five cameras
Why we chose it ADT is one of the most recognizable professional security companies in the industry. Blue by ADT is the best of both worlds with DIY devices and pro monitoring 24/7. Pros:
No contractsDIY or professional monitoringBundles start at $109
Cons:
The mobile app isn’t full-featuredOnly one pro monitoring plan is availableMonitoring plan more expensive than competitors
Equipment available:
Hub/keypadIndoor/outdoor camerasMotion sensorsDoor/window sensorsYard signs and window decalsChime/extender
Plans & pricing:
Equipment bundles: $179.99 - $299.99Professional monitoring: $19.99/month
Why we chose it None of the plans on this best security system in Atlanta list require contracts. Cove takes it further by also providing a 60-day money-back guarantee. Pros:
60-day money-back guaranteeTouchscreen control panel with two-way audioEasy cancellation of monitoringCellular service back up
Cons:
No DIY monitoringMobile app only available as part of a subscriptionNo outdoor cameras are available
Equipment available:
Touchscreen panelEnvironmental sensorsIntrusion sensorsCamerasMedical alert
Plans & pricing
No upfront equipment costs with Economy planCove Basic: $0.50/dayCove Premier: $0.83/day
Home security in Atlanta: What you need to now
If you’re new to the Atlanta, Georgia, area, choosing the right home security system and knowing the local rules and ordinances is essential.
Atlanta, GA, crime statistics
Unfortunately, Atlanta is one of the least-safest cities in the country. Securing your home with the best security system in Atlanta can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.
Crime Index: Atlanta has a safety rating of 3 out of 100, where 100 is reserved for the safest cities).Atlanta had 46 property crimes and 8 violent crimes per 1000 residents annually.The chances of being a violent crime victim in Atlanta is 1 in 121 and 1 in 294 in Georgia.
Research your neighborhood
If you’re considering a move to Atlanta, choosing the right neighborhood can make a big difference in how safe you and your loved ones will feel. The safest neighborhoods in Atlanta are:
W. Wesley Road NW / Moores Mill Road NWDruid HillsVinings
Druid Hills and Vinings are family-friendly neighborhoods with an urban feel. They’re generally more expensive than other Atlanta suburbs and a popular area for young professionals. More than half of the residents rent their homes. Atlanta’s metro area is fairly large. There are many other safe areas to live in. Doing your research ahead of time will give you a good feel for the area you’re looking at. Some good sources for safety information include:
Niche: Provides information on property values, schools and safety statisticsWalkscore: Areas that are safe enough to walk in are typically safe enough to live in.
Other ways to get a good overview of a neighborhood is by joining a local community Facebook group or searching for neighborhood watch groups for the areas you’re interested in. You can get some good insight into what to expect before you make such an important financial decision to purchase or rent a home.
Register your home security system in Atlanta
Atlanta requires homeowners and renters to register their alarm systems and renew the registration annually. If a false alarm happens due to a non-registered system, you may face a $150 fine. Registered systems get their first false alarm forgiven. Additional ones cost:
Second false alarm: $50Third: $100Fourth to eighth: $200 eachSeventh or higher: $500 each
Registering your security system is fairly simple. Call 1-855-725-7102 or register online:
Visit www.crywolf.us/atlantaga.Click or tap on “New Accounts.“Choose “Apply for a Permit.“Fill out the information required.Click or tap on “Submit.“Save the registration form for your records.
How to choose your Atlanta home security system
Interior/exterior cameras: Atlanta is prone to heavy rainstorms and occasional freezing. Make sure your exterior cameras are outdoor-rated and can handle the heat, rain and occasional cold spell that could damage a less-robust security camera. Most outdoor cameras are rated for more extreme conditions than you’d experience in Georgia. If in doubt, check the specs for the camera.Control panel: The control panel is the brain of your home security system. It arms and disarms your sensors and system overall. Some DIY systems don’t include a panel, and use your smartphone instead. The best Atlanta home security control panels feature an attractive touchscreen display that makes it easy to manage and control your system, as well as review video feeds directly from the panel.Compatibility: With more smart home devices available every day, finding a security system that’s compatible with your smart devices creates a more comfortable home environment. Look for a system that works with Alexa and Google or sells its own smart devices, such as smart locks, lighting and lightbulbs, thermostats, and wall plugs. You could plug in a lamp to a smart plug and have your security system turn the light on automatically if the system detects motion outside your home.Storage: Being able to capture footage of events such as someone arriving at your doorstep is incredibly useful. Imagine if you see someone taking your delivered packages from your doorstep. If you don’t have recording enabled, you wouldn’t be able to provide police with imagery of the person who took your packages. Some home systems include video storage for a set amount of time for free. Other companies only provide storage if you pay for it. Depending on the cost, it’s worth the investment in case of an incident.Window/door sensors: Window and door sensors are some of the easiest components in a home security system to install. They’re also effective – you or your monitoring company will get notified if someone opens a window or door. You can also set your sensors to chime if activated. The sound may deter thieves from entering or alert neighbors or others in your household of an intrusion.
Local vs. national companies
Monthly Price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric. Equipment Cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower equipment prices.Contracts: We reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score. Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.Installation: Like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies with flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
