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If you want a home security system that truly has no contracts or monthly fees, your options are limited to a DIY system with self-monitoring. This means the home security company won’t install the system and won’t monitor it for you (professional monitoring always has a monthly fee).
So of all the DIY home security solutions on the market, which ones have no monthly fees? Many DIY self-monitored companies find ways to introduce monthly fees, whether it’s to use the app, access cloud storage, or to monitor the system yourself. But which ones really provide full home security functionality without a contract or monthly fee?
To be included in this article, we require that the system has the typical components of a home security system (e.g., door/window sensors, motion sensors, etc.) and isn’t an all-in-one solution (a camera with motion detection). Our reasoning here.
Top 3 Home Security Systems With No Monthly Fees Or Contracts
These home security systems have no contracts and zero monthly fees at their base level. So if you want a security system with door/window sensors, motion sensors, and a control panel, these are your options. There are no monthly smartphone app fees, monitoring fees, or cloud storage fees.
If you upgrade your system to include cameras or more cloud storage, you may have a monthly fee. This depends on the company you choose. But sticking with the basic setups will keep your monthly fee at $0.
Winner: Ring Alarm Review
Ring Alarm is our #1 recommendation for a no-contract, no-monthly-fee home security system. It offers a variety of equipment, all at a reasonable cost, including multiple camera and video doorbell options.
Its self-monitoring plan includes live-streaming video options, something that Blue By ADT (our #2 pick) requires professional monitoring for. We wish it offered media storage in its Free Plan, but that’s something you’d need to pay a monthly fee for. Another plus with Ring is that you can integrate it with other security and smart home equipment via Z-Wave and Zigbee.
However, if you decide that you want video recording options, it’s only $3 per month (or $30 per year) for one doorbell or camera with their Basic monitoring plan. And if you want to upgrade to professional monitoring, it’s super affordable at only $10 per month (or $100 per year) for all devices at one address with the Plus monitoring plan. This is the most affordable professional monitoring plan we’ve reviewed in our best home security system comparison.
Personal Experience
Being in our first home, I love the peace of mind Ring gives me. We travel a lot, and being able to check in on our house while we’re away is great. If we accidentally forget to lock our front door, we can hop on the app and arm our house, so if someone does walk in, we will be notified. And with having a little baby, it’s nice to know we’ve got that extra layer of protection between the sensors on our doors and windows and the cameras if we hear any strange noises outside.
Victoria Z.
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Pricing
Ring recently came out with a 2nd generation of security equipment. Below is the pricing for it.
- Ring Alarm Security System (includes 1 base station, 1 keypad, 2 contact sensors, 1 motion detector and 1 range extender) – $249.99
Additional Equipment
Cameras:
- Indoor Camera Check Amazon for availability | Floodlight Cam Check Amazon for availability
- Spotlight Cams: Battery $189.99 | Wired Check Amazon for availability
- Stick Up Cams: Battery $99.99 | Plug-In $99.99 | Solar (3 cameras included) Check Amazon for availability | Elite $199.99
- Doorbell Cameras:
- Video Doorbell Pro $249.99 | Peephole Cam $129.99 | Video Doorbell Elite $349.99
- Video Doorbell 3 $149.99 | Video Doorbell 3 Plus
- We’ve dedicated a separate article to go more in-depth on the Ring doorbells.
Home Security:
- Contact Sensors (2 pack) $39.99 | Motion Detector $29.99 | Keypad $49.99
- Range Extender $24.99 | Dome Siren $30.43 | Panic Button $34.99
- Chime Check Amazon for availability | Chime Pro $59.99
Home Automation:
- Pathlight: Solar $34.99 | Battery $29.99
- Floodlight: Solar $89.99 | Battery Check Amazon for availability | Wired $69.99
- Steplight: Solar $29.99 | Battery $35.32
- Spotlight $189.99 | A19 Smart LED Bulb $14.99 | PAR38 Smart LED Bulb Check Amazon for availability
- Smart Lighting Motion Sensor Check Amazon for availability | Bridge $49.99 | Transformer $99.99
Life Safety:
Monitoring
| Free | Basic | Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $3/month or $30/year | $10/month or $100/year |
| Coverage | Â | One doorbell or camera | All devices at one address |
| Ring & Motion Alerts |  | | |
| Live Video On Demand | | | |
| Warranty | One year | One year | Extended |
| Video Recording | | | |
| Review, Share & Save Videos | | | |
| Professional Monitoring | |
Read Our In-Depth Review Of Ring Alarm
Runner-Up: Blue By ADT Review
ADT acquired LifeShield in 2019 and relaunched it as Blue by ADT, its DIY home security system. With it being so new to the home security space, it’s crazy that it made our top three picks. But this really isn’t the most competitive space since we’re looking for no contracts and absolutely no monthly fees. There just aren’t many companies to choose from.
However, we are impressed with Blue by ADT’s equipment lineup and equipment fees. Although the Blue cameras are fairly expensive at $200 each, we like that Blue by ADT offers an affordable professional monitoring package, if you choose to upgrade your monitoring at any time. It’s also Z-Wave compatible, which allows you to integrate more equipment to the system if you want.
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Pricing
| Security System Package Name | Build Your Own | 11-Piece System | 15-Piece Camera System | Blue Doorbell Camera System |
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| Price | $109.19 | $199.15 | $295.12 | $349.99 |
| Base | | | | |
| Entry Keypad $35.99 | | | | |
| Door/Window Sensors $8.99 | 4 | 6 | 2 | |
| Motion Sensors $29.99 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire Safety Sensors $20.99 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Keychain Remotes $14.99 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Blue Indoor Camera $199.99 | 1 | |||
| Blue Doorbell Camera $199.99 | 1 | |||
| Window Stickers (4 Pack) $1.20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Additional Equipment
Below is a list of additional equipment offered by Blue By ADT.
Cameras:
- HD Video Doorbell $199.99 | Indoor Smart Camera $59.99 | Blue Outdoor Camera $199.99 | Outdoor Camera $149.99
Home Security:
- Glass Break Sensor $20.99 | Range Extender + Chime $49.99
Life Safety:
- Temperature/Flood Sensor $29.99
Monitoring
- Self-Monitoring: Free
- Includes 24 hours of media storage
- Professional Monitoring: First month free, then $19.99/month
- Includes 30 days of media storage
3rd Place: Abode Review
View on Amazon | Visit Website
Abode rounds out our top three because it offers a variety of equipment as well as professional monitoring options. We’re disappointed that it only has a six to seven-hour backup battery, whereas our top two picks both have 24 hours.
However, if you want a decked-out home with tons of different sensors, Abode may be your best bet. We’ve listed a sampling of them in the price section below to give you an idea of what you can get with an Abode system. You can also integrate any additional equipment via Z-Wave and Zigbee.
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Pricing
- Starter Kit (1 Gateway, 1 mini door/window sensor, 1 keyfob and 1 motion sensor): $249.00
Additional Equipment
Home Security:
- Door/Window Sensor Check Amazon for availability | Mini Door/Window Sensor $24.99
- Recessed Door Sensor $34.99 | Keypad $79.99
- Glass Break Sensor $34.99 | Acoustic Glass Break Sensor $49.99
- Indoor Siren $59.99 | Outdoor Siren W/ Strobe $79.99
Life Safety:
- Water Leak Sensor $49.99 | Occupancy Sensor Check Amazon for availability
- Temperature, Humidity, Light Sensor Check Amazon for availability | Smoke Alarm Monitor $39.99
Abode offers more equipment on its website that you can view. We suggest checking Amazon prices before purchasing on the website because they are often lower than MSRP pricing.
Monitoring Plans
- Planless: Free self-monitoring, view live video, get push notifications
- Standard: $6/month or $60/year for self-monitoring and home automation
- Pro: $20/month or $200/year for professional monitoring, cellular backup, and more
Read Our In-Depth Review Of Abode
Equipment Price Comparison Table
We did not include any devices in the table below that would result in a monthly fee. So video doorbells, cameras, and smart home equipment aren’t included for companies that require a monthly fee associated with that type of equipment. We have a more comprehensive table in our self-monitored comparison that includes companies and equipment with monthly fees.
Note that the “package price” includes bundled equipment at a discount. Those are listed as “included” in the table. We’ve also listed individual prices in case you wish to add to or piece together your own system.
| 1st: Ring Alarm | 2nd: Blue By ADT | 3rd: Abode | SkylinkNet | |
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| Package Price | Check Amazon for availability | $199.15 | $249.00 | $129.99 |
| Base Station | 1 Included | 1 Included | 1 Included (Gateway) | 1 Included (Internet Hub) |
| Keypad | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability | 1 Included | Check Amazon for availability | $24.99 |
| Door/Window Sensor | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability For 2 Pack | 4 Included $8.99 | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability | 2 Included |
| Motion Sensor | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability | 1 Included $29.99 | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability | 1 Included $22.61 |
| Key Fob | 1 Included $14.99 | 1 Included $24.99 | 1 Included $19.79 | |
| Range Extender | 1 Included Check Amazon for availability | $49.99 | ||
| Flood & Freeze Sensor | $34.99 | $29.99 | $49.99 (Flood Only) | $19.99 (Flood Only) |
| Smoke & CO Listener | $34.99 | 1 Included (Fire Only) $20.99 | $39.99 (Smoke Only) | |
| Indoor Siren | $30.43 | $59.99 | ||
| Outdoor Siren | $79.99 | |||
| Indoor Camera | Check Amazon for availability | $69.89 ($69.89 / Count) | ||
| Outdoor Camera |
$189.99
(Spotlight Cam) Each Additional $99.99 (Stick Up Cam) Each Additional $199.99 (Stick Up Cam Elite) Each Additional Check Amazon for availability (Floodlight Cam) | |||
| Smart Switch | ||||
| Mini Door/Window Sensor | $24.99 | |||
| Recessed Door Sensor | $34.99 | |||
| Glass Break Sensor | $20.99 | $34.99 | ||
| Acoustic Glass Break Sensor | $49.99 | |||
| Occupancy Sensor | Check Amazon for availability | |||
| Video Doorbells |
Check Amazon for availability
Video Doorbell Check Amazon for availability Video Doorbell 2 $249.99 Video Doorbell Pro $349.99 Video Doorbell Elite $129.99 Peephole Cam |
Monitoring Features Comparison Table
This table compares the monitoring features you get on no monthly fee/no contract plans.
Note that all monitoring for these self-monitored security systems is via broadband (aka WiFi). Some companies offer cellular monitoring, but it comes with a monthly fee, so we didn’t include those options below. Learn more about the types of monitoring, so you know what to consider before making a purchase.
| 1st: Ring Alarm | 2nd: Blue By ADT | 3rd: Abode | SkylinkNet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motion-Activated Notifications | | | | |
| Real-Time Video With Live View | | |||
| Two-Way Talk | | |||
| Lifetime Theft Protection | | |||
| Media Storage | 24 Hours | 3 Days |
Why Didn’t We Include “All-In-One” Solutions Like Canary And Novi?
The all-in-one solutions (like Canary and Novi) can be limiting due to the fact that they are contained in a single unit, and thereby restrict your ability to expand (for larger homes and multiple areas) and extend (smart home options such as light switches, thermostat, etc.) your system when you need to.
And while it’s possible to purchase multiple all-in-one devices to cover larger areas, you are exposing those areas of your home to video monitoring. You may want to consider the vulnerabilities of security cameras before making this decision. It’s for these reasons we have omitted them from this comparison, but you’re still welcome to consider them as options — combined with other devices they work well for a lot of people.
Additionally, companies that offer a self-monitoring option but require a monthly fee did not make the cut (e.g., SimpliSafe, Scout Alarm, and Nest Secure).
Finally, companies like Frontpoint aren’t included because they require a monthly monitoring fee despite not having a contract requirement.
What About SkylinkNet?
SkylinkNet didn’t make our top three picks, and you’ll see why by reading our review of them below.
SkylinkNet Review
View on Amazon | Visit Website
SkylinkNet didn’t make our top three because of its inferior performance. The equipment hasn’t been updated in more than five years, and it has a very cheap feel to it. It’s not a user-friendly system either. However, it is very affordable if you want to give it a try. If you end up liking it, you can use IFTTT for further integrations.
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Price
- Starter Kit Mini (1 hub, 1 door/window sensors, 1 motion sensor): Check Amazon for availability
- Starter Kit (1 hub, 2 door/window sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 keychain remote): $129.99
- Starter Kit Plus (1 hub, 2 door/window sensors, 2 motion sensors, 1 keychain remote, 1 camera): $179.99
- Window/Door Sensor:
- Motion Sensor: $22.61
- Keychain Remote: $19.79
Read Our In-Depth Review Of SkylinkNet
Is Self-Monitoring For You?
If you aren’t comfortable moving forward with any of the options in this article, you may want to consider spending a little extra and choosing a company that offers professional monitoring. We’ve reviewed the best professionally monitored security systems and chosen winners based on customer service, equipment, technology, ease of use, and value.
Tagged With: Comparison, Self-Monitored
