2025 Home Security Market Report

How Common Are Home Security Systems in the U.S.?

Our research shows that home security system use has increased among Americans, with over half having some security device. Among the four types of devices we studied — cameras, alarms, access controls, and video doorbells — cameras were the most popular, with 52 percent of households having at least one security camera.

The use of security cameras has increased since last year, as well as the use of video doorbells. Video doorbell use rose 12 percentage points, the highest increase of any type of security system. Alarms and use-access control systems both dropped slightly over the same period.

Our research suggests that millions of households are using security systems. At least 14 million households use access control systems, and 68 million homes have security cameras today. Only one in four households have no security devices at all.

Across the board, homeowners are more likely than renters to use home security devices, which likely speaks to the degree of control homeowners have over their spaces. That said, home security tools remain popular even among renters, who may be bound by lease agreements forbidding them from making certain alterations.

Nearly half (42 percent) of renters use home security cameras, only slightly higher than those who use video doorbells (37 percent). Notably, renters are almost as likely as homeowners to say they have use-access control systems. Such technology is favored in high-density housing and among corporate landlords.

All types of home security devices are growing in popularity among both homeowners and renters. Just 21 percent of homeowners say they don’t have a security system, down from 25 percent last year; 30 percent of renters say the same, down from 36 percent in 2023.

Why People Use Home Security Systems

We wanted to understand what motivates people to purchase or use home security systems. Among those using alarm systems, for example, the presence of children in the home was a key motivator. Frequent travel and high-value possessions also motivated this group to adopt home security devices. However, they focused less on things like the risk of crime (10 percent) or disasters (two percent).

Note: Multiple selections allowed

There was little difference between renters and homeowners, as both groups had the same top five reasons for using alarm systems.

The reasons for using alarm systems are more nuanced than simply mitigating crime risk. Interestingly, most alarm system users selected motivations other than crime prevention, which may be linked to the fact that 62 percent of people consider their homes very safe. This perception of safety is further supported by broader societal research, including Gallup data showing improvements in crime perception.

In 2024, the percentage of Americans believing crime is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem declined from 63 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024. These statistics suggest that while security concerns persist, homeowners' decisions to install alarm systems are influenced by a complex mix of factors beyond direct crime risk.

When installed properly, cameras and alarms serve not just as deterrents but as active detection tools: nearly a quarter of security camera users and one-sixth of alarm system users report that their devices have actually captured or detected potential criminal threats, transforming them from passive protective measures to active security monitoring technologies.

Top Alarm System Brands

Two brands dominate the home alarm system market: ADT and Ring. Of users with home alarm systems, 29 percent use ADT products, and 28 percent use Ring Alarm products. Our research shows slight differences between homeowners and renters, with ADT leading for homeowners and Ring leading for renters.

It’s too early to tell whether ADT’s acknowledgment of a pair of breaches targeting employee and customer data will impact its market standing. However, if Ring’s status as a leader is any indication, ADT is likely to remain at the top of the heap. In 2024, more than 100,000 Ring customers started receiving payments as part of a settlement the Amazon-owned company reached with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that Ring improperly handled and failed to protect customers’ video footage.

>> Related Reading: ADT Home Security Review

Most Popular Security System Features

Our research reveals that home security system users value the ability to integrate smart home apps and devices, allowing them to create highly personalized security ecosystems. While some add-on technologies prove more popular than others, users appreciate the flexibility to expand and customize their home protection beyond traditional alarm systems, connecting everything from smart cameras and motion sensors to integrated mobile applications that provide real-time monitoring and control.

Our research shows outdoor cameras, motion sensor lights, floodlights, motion sensors, and internal cameras are the five most popular security system features. Almost two-thirds of people (63 percent) own a system with outdoor cameras. While we did not ask about outdoor cameras in 2023, our research shows that the majority of the most popular features are holding steady or even rising in popularity.

Popular Home Security System Features

Among security system users

Some features are also rapidly gaining traction with users, including smart smoke detectors, which have risen 10 percentage points, and smart carbon monoxide detectors, which have climbed eight percentage points since our last report.

As for more futuristic features, 17 percent of security system users said they’d be interested in components that leveraged machine learning or AI to predict crime incidents or perpetrators. In comparison, another 40 percent said they’d like to add biometric tracking tools to their home security devices.

The U.S. AI market, valued at more than $750 billion in 2025, is projected to balloon to $3.6 trillion over the next decade. Given the massive investment in AI across all sectors of the economy, security brands will likely continue to roll out these advanced features.

While people are interested in future tech, today's customers prefer how they set up and monitor their systems. Most people with home alarms prefer professional installation – 61 percent choose this over doing it themselves. The majority also choose wireless systems (67 percent). These choices suggest that people value convenience since DIY installation or dealing with hardwired devices takes more time.

Most customers also prefer professional help with security system monitoring. About half chose standard professional monitoring, and 16 percent opted for advanced monitoring, where security staff can respond to threats directly.

How Consumers Choose Home Alarm Systems

When choosing a home alarm system, professional monitoring is the most critical factor for users overall, ranking higher than price and well above features like smartphone apps, easy installation, or brand name.

However, location plays a vital role in these preferences: rural and small-town residents have different priorities, with only 19 percent valuing professional monitoring (compared to 28 percent of all users). Instead, these rural customers focus more on price and the ability to connect their alarms with smart home devices and apps.

Cost emerges as the top priority for city dwellers and ranks second among all users when choosing an alarm system. Most users invest around $400 for installation and about $40 monthly for monitoring services. The fact that only nine percent of users received free installation suggests that people are willing to spend money to ensure their homes are adequately secured.

Home Security Market Outlook for 2025

The outlook for the home security market in 2025 is strong, with high growth potential among both renters and owners. Overall, 51 percent said they were considering purchasing a home security product in the coming year.

Our research estimates that about 14 million Americans are considering purchasing home alarm systems in the next year, and as many as 32 million are interested in doorbell cameras. We expect security cameras to have the highest growth potential among all consumers.

How many people are considering home security purchases in the next 12 months?

Notably, interest in purchasing home security products of any type is slightly higher among renters than homeowners. However, at least half of each group is weighing their options in this area.

Though our research showed that most Americans feel safe at home, the home security market shows no signs of slowing. In 2025, many will consider their first entry into security system ownership, and others will add new tools or features to their existing home security stack.

As security companies introduce more advanced features powered by AI and machine learning, these technologies will likely become standard offerings, providing homeowners and renters with even more sophisticated protection options.

Methodology

In October 2024, SafeHome.org conducted an online poll of 2,145 American adults regarding their home's safety and security. Homeowners comprised 67 percent of our respondent pool, with renters representing 33 percent. The respondent pool was 53 percent men and 46 percent women, with one percent declining to disclose their gender. Their ages ranged from 18 to 82, with a median age of 48.

Sixty-five percent of participants were white, 11 percent were Black, 18 percent were of multiple ethnicities, six percent were Asian, and about one percent preferred not to answer. Fifty-two percent of participants lived in the suburbs, 26 percent lived in an urban area, and 22 percent lived in a small town or rural area.