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From high-quality monitoring to professional installation, ADT is our top pick for the best security system to protect large properties.
Updated October 1, 2024
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Safeguarding a large house isn’t easy, but fortunately, there are security systems capable of doing just that. I tested five security systems in particular that offer scalable equipment, advanced features, and monitoring options designed to protect large spaces. They are ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Ring Alarm.
In this review, we’ll discuss what those security systems have that other systems don’t. I’ll also go into detail about my experience with each system and why I strongly believe they can secure large homes. After that, I’ll discuss their strengths and weaknesses and what they offer in terms of equipment, monitoring, and home automation. That way, you can choose the best security system for your home.
Let’s start with a quick roundup of my five top picks and what they’re best at, and then let’s see how they compare side by side.
We make trustworthy and unbiased reviews by testing home security systems ourselves. We buy the equipment with our money, install the systems in our homes, and test them for weeks and sometimes months. It helps us get a feel for what it is like to live with the security system and learn first-hand about the response times, apps, and features. We then use these experiences to make our recommendations.
Many factors impact testing home security systems, so we find ways to make like-for-like comparisons. One way is to test all the equipment in the same environment. For this review, we used a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our home security experts. It’s not a mansion, but using a real house means we have real-life experience with the security systems and can make accurate recommendations.
We also buy the same equipment for every security system and install them in identical places. You can see the locations where we regularly choose to place devices below.
We have to consider multiple factors when recommending the best home security systems for large homes. Using our knowledge and experience in the industry, these are the factors we believe are the most important:
Using these criteria, here is how we arrived at our top five picks:
Rating the Best Home Security Systems for Large Homes
We’re not one of those websites that reviews everything from bookcases to slippers. Our team of experts exclusively covers safety and security equipment. They know how to effectively evaluate a security system so our readers get in-depth and insightful recommendations. The team that contributed to this review were:
Our team has over 75 years of combined experience, making us the most accomplished home security team online. Since 2016, SafeHome.org has been featured in several major outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. As a team, we have achieved:
Every recommendation comes from our first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the security industry. Now, let's learn why we chose our top picks.
SimpliSafe – Equipment
| ADT | Vivint | SimpliSafe | Frontpoint | Ring Alarm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st Best Professional Monitoring |
2nd Best Automated Security System |
3rd Best Video Monitoring |
4th Best Value Security System |
5th Best Security Camera System |
| SecureScore™ | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| Allowed number of sensors | 220 | 100 + 232 Z-Wave devices | 100 | 80 + 232 Z-Wave devices | 100 |
| Home automation and integrations | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Outdoor cameras with built-in security lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Continuous video recording | Possible | Possible | Not possible | Possible | Not possible |
| Special monitoring features |
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| Monitoring Costs | Starting at $29.99 per month | Starting at $40 per month | Starting at $21.99 per month | Starting at $14.99 per month | Starting at $20 per month |
| Equipment Costs | Starting at $599 | Starting at $600 | Starting at $249.96 | Starting at $386.93 | Starting at $244.95 |
| Read our review | ADT Review | Vivint Review | SimpliSafe Review | Frontpoint Review | Ring Alarm Review |
ADT is great for large homes because it offers a blend of wired and wireless equipment. Sure, wireless sounds nice and modern, but fully wireless systems might have some trouble connecting with sensors from all around your house.
With ADT, you get a mix of both wired and wireless equipment to make connections more reliable. (ADT is our top hardwired security option.) You also get professional installation. In my experience, the technician always ensures devices and sensors are connected properly. With DIY systems like abode, that will be your job — and we can tell you it’s not so easy to do.
ADT offers indoor and outdoor cameras, including an outdoor camera with built-in floodlights that can help provide outdoor security lighting. There’s also a battery-powered indoor/outdoor model you place almost anywhere. ADT’s security cameras are actually from Google Nest. You can read all about my experience with them in our Nest Cam review.
Google Nest smart cameras can tell you whether the object that moved was a person, an animal, or a vehicle. They can also tell people apart with facial recognition. I woke up to a Nest Cam alert one night, and I didn’t even have to open my eyes for more than five seconds. Just by glancing at the notification, I knew it detected a cat in my backyard. I went straight back to sleep.
Here’s the ADT control panel that ties the entire system together, from sensors to cameras.
Other than the cameras, ADT offers a complete suite of sensors. They have motion and entry sensors, garage door sensors, glass break sensors, smoke alarms, water leak sensors, and gas leak sensors, just to name a few. And the best part is, all those ADT sensors are monitored professionally.
Speaking of professional monitoring, ADT is simply a cut above the rest because it has 12 monitoring facilities in total. For comparison, my second pick, Vivint, has two monitoring centers and most other companies have only one.
ADT has that many facilities for redundancy. Let’s say there’s a storm in one of the locations and it becomes understaffed or goes offline. If that happens, the other 11 can take over or offer support. I have never seen that kind of redundancy in any other monitoring service I’ve tested, especially in affordable security systems. I paid $44.99 per month for ADT monitoring, but plans actually start at $29.99. I did have to sign a three-year contract, but so did I when I tested the $49.99 monitoring from Frontpoint. I think ADT’s pricing is fair.
When you live in a large home, having home automation is simply practical. Instead of going around the house turning off lights or locking doors, you can simply use an app to make a schedule or control them manually. You can also have automation rules. “If I arm my system, then turn off the lights” — that sort of thing.
ADT offers home automation. I’m able to control my smart lights from the ADT Control app and schedule them to turn on and off at all hours. I’ve also set my smart thermostat to enter energy-saving mode when I arm ADT to Away mode.
Arming the ADT system
I’ve had to use the app and my web dashboard to customize ADT’s home automation, though. The touch-screen control panel doesn’t allow such customizations. That’s one of ADT’s weaknesses.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in home automation, secure your network with a firewall and by using strong Wi-Fi passwords. You don’t want criminals gaining access to your home through smart devices.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $269 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $29.99 per month |
| Contract length | Starting at 36 months |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
Vivint is known in the industry as one of the best smart security systems. And I’m not going to lie, that was my first impression when the technician showed me the touch-screen control panel, the Vivint Smart Hub.
Calling it just a touch-screen panel doesn’t do it justice. Lots of security systems have a touch screen, but Vivint’s is far more advanced. It can stream videos from cameras, create and control automations, and has two-way voice, which lets you speak with a monitoring agent in case of an emergency.
Vivint sensors look a bit clunky for a high-tech security system, especially those bulky door sensors that they offer. But if you can look past that, you’ll see interesting pieces of equipment from Vivint.
Holding Vivint’s entryway sensor
My personal favorite (and recommendation for owners of large homes) is the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. I suggest exploring the Smart Deter function in particular. Using person detection and following rules you set, the camera itself can send away possible lurkers and intruders using lights and sounds.
The camera is customizable. You define the monitored area, the parameters for triggering Smart Deter, and the light type (e.g., strobe, soft glow, etc.) and alarm tone. It’s best paired with the Spotlight Pro, which can use AI to follow around the movement of any person that walks into frame. It literally shines the spotlight on intruders. See my review of Vivint cameras for more details.
Just like ADT, all Vivint systems require professional monitoring. And like I mentioned earlier, Vivint has two monitoring facilities for redundancy — one in Utah and another in Minnesota.
As for cost, Vivint’s monitoring prices were surprisingly affordable. I paid $39 per month for my monitoring subscription. It’s a little more expensive than ADT, but I liked Vivint’s fast response times. It is one of the security systems with the fastest response times I’ve recorded. Text alerts came in in under 10 seconds, while alarm calls came in within 30 to 60 seconds. The average response time in the industry is 60 seconds.
Pro Tip: Remember, the response time has nothing to do with how quickly the police will arrive at your door. That has everything to do with the capacity of local law enforcement. That said, the faster an alarm company responds to alerts, the quicker they’d be able to report the emergency.
One thing I didn’t like about Vivint is that you can only have a maximum of six cameras per subscription. The maximum is six cameras. That might be enough even for a large property if you’re buying just outdoor cameras, but not if you’re also getting indoor cameras and video doorbells. My suggestion is to use a different indoor camera system. Check out my top-pick indoor cameras for guidance.
Vivint truly shines when it comes to home automation. First off, the Smart Hub. It can directly connect with third-party Z-Wave devices and control them. I have a couple of Fibaro Z-Wave smart plugs and a dimmer switch and was able to pair them both. I learned from the technician that the hub supports up to 232 Z-Wave devices, in addition to 100 Vivint sensors. I’d say that’s enough even for the White House.
Vivnt’s Outdoor Camera
I also enjoyed the level of customizations the Vivint app provided me. It let me create automation rules. For example, I set my Fibaro dimmer switch to dim the hallway lights when I turn Vivint to Staying mode at night. It makes it easier to get up in the middle of the night in case something happens. By the way, thanks to that customizability, Vivint made my roundup of the best security systems with an app.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $599.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $40 |
| Contract Length | 48 to 60 months |
SimpliSafe took off almost 20 years ago as a security system for apartments. It’s DIY, easy to use, and very flexible. But today, SimpliSafe is more than just a renter-friendly system. It can protect large homes, too, just as well as ADT and Vivint.
In my last testing of SimpliSafe, I learned about a cool new feature called Live Guard Protection. If you have the Smart Alarm indoor camera, monitoring center agents can view its live footage and use the two-way talk feature during emergencies. In theory, that would allow them to speak with the intruder and give warning that police are on the way. It’s also a form of video verification, which could speed up emergency response.
SimpliSafe’s equipment is designed for DIY installation. The components are wireless, easy to install, and lightweight. They are wireless, easy to install, and lightweight. Their equipment is possibly a little too lightweight for some folks. The motion sensors, for example, don’t have the same heft I felt with ADT and Vivint sensors.
Here I am installing a SimpliSafe motion sensor.
You should also note that while we typically recommend SimpliSafe as a good DIY security system, we highly suggest opting for professional installation if you own a large house. DIY is easy, but it can be overwhelming ensuring that all sensors are connected to the base station properly. With professional installation, the OnTech technician will do that for you.
As for your options, SimpliSafe offers sensors that detect intrusion and safety hazards like fire and gas leaks. It’s nothing we haven’t already seen from ADT and Vivint, but that’s not bad. It just shows SimpliSafe can provide the same level of security and peace of mind. There is one item missing though: A garage door sensor or tilt sensor. SimpliSafe recommends using the typical door sensor for that.
Remember the Live Guard Protection feature I talked about earlier? I got access to that when I signed up for the most expensive monitoring plan from SimpliSafe, called Fast Protect. Well, it cost me only $29.99 per month, so it really wasn’t that expensive.
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about someone spying on you through SimpliSafe’s indoor camera, rest easy; it includes a privacy shade that is always closed when the camera is not actively recording.
I strongly recommend picking the same plan not only for the Live Guard feature but also video verification for your other cameras. It also includes a 30-day cloud storage for up to 10 cameras. Here’s an overview of the subscription options:
| Service plans | Fast Protect | Standard Monitoring | Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Guard Protection | Yes | No | No |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cellular backup | Yes | Yes | No |
| 30-day cloud storage | Up to 10 cameras | None | Up to 5 cameras |
| General activity notifications | Yes | No | Yes |
| Price per month | $29.99 | $19.99 | $9.99 |
It’s also worth pointing out that unlike ADT and Vivint, SimpliSafe doesn’t require any contract of sorts. You’re free to opt in and out anytime. That’s the reason SimpliSafe made my list of the top security system options for renters, but it’s also a good thing for homeowners.
SimpliSafe’s biggest weakness is home automation — or rather, it’s lack of home automation. Unlike Vivint, which can pair with Z-Wave products, and ADT, which offers smart devices like smart bulbs, SimpliSafe’s sole focus is on home security. It had a smart lock of its own for a while, but it has been out of stock for a long time. It also used to work with Nest smart thermostats and Philips Hue bulbs, but those integrations have since been discontinued.
Here I am installing SimpliSafe’s entryway sensor.
For you, that means you can’t use SimpliSafe the same way you can use Vivint or ADT to automate your home. But all hope is not lost. SimpliSafe works with Alexa and Google Assistant. And with those integrations, you can synchronize SimpliSafe with other devices compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant. That’s not as good as direct integrations like we saw from Vivint, but it’s better than nothing.
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $9.99 |
| Contract Length | Monthly |
My next pick is Frontpoint, and you can think of it as a Vivint-like system but with more affordable equipment. Large homes need more equipment, so Frontpoint could be a more practical alternative to Vivint.
Frontpoint isn’t just a Vivint alternative, though. It can hold its own. It has strong home automation features, it’s very customizable, and it even has a unique feature called geofencing. You’ll see more of it later on, but just know, Frontpoint’s features are nothing to sneeze at.
I don’t have much to say about Frontpoint’s sensors other than they feel high-quality. They are made of tough plastic and they are built to last. The batteries on the sensors last long, too! I bought a Frontpoint system five years ago (different version than the one they offer now) and the door and window sensors still work fine.
What I found really unique is the keypad-less Frontpoint Hub. Unlike the Vivint Smart Hub, Frontpoint’s main hub is separate from the keypad. Frontpoint has good reasons for choosing that setup. You won’t have to place the hub near your front door, which means if a thief breaks in, they won’t easily find and smash up your Frontpoint system’s main hub.
If anything though, I’m not a big fan of the included analog keypad (shown below). It does nothing besides arm and disarm the system. I had to spend another $150 for the touch-screen keypad.
Here’s Frontpoint’s cheaper analog keypad.
Frontpoint charges $49 per month for monitoring. It doesn’t matter how big or small your system is, you’re going to pay $49 per month. That’s a downside if you live in an apartment, but for large homes, the $49 per month Frontpoint’s price is fair. Did you know ADT could increase your monthly fee the more equipment you have? Vivint does the same – $5 per month per camera. With Frontpoint, $49 is all you’ll pay no matter the size of your system.
Better still, that monthly fee gives you access to all features, from professional monitoring with remote app access to cloud video storage and home automation.
I still consider Vivint the top home automation option for smart homes, but Frontpoint has unique features like geofencing. Basically, the Frontpoint app on your phone coordinates your location with the security system. You can use that to automatically arm the system when you leave or disarm it when you arrive. So far, Frontpoint is the only system I’ve tested that offers geofencing.
Frontpoint’s home automation also involves connecting with third-party products, particularly those using Z-Wave. (Yep, just like Vivint.) Frontpoint can also connect with up to 232 Z-Wave devices.
The main difference between Frontpoint and Vivint is that Frontpoint is more app-controlled. Even the optional touch-screen keypad doesn’t offer as many control options as the Vivint Smart Hub. So if you go with Frontpoint, prepare to be on your phone more frequently.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $79 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $49 per month |
| Contract lengths | Monthly or 36 months |
| Installation options | DIY |
| Smart platform integrations | Google Home, Alexa, and Siri |
Ring earns its spot on this list for two reasons: The scalable Ring Alarm system that’s great for indoor security and the numerous available Ring security cameras that excel at perimeter security. They make really good video doorbells, too; just take a look at my Ring Video Doorbell 3 review.
All in all, Ring is a good home security option, especially if you want a ton of security cameras watching over your property. I saw Ring’s potential for large homes firsthand when I tested it. Unlike Vivint, which limits you to six security cameras, there’s no limit to the number of cameras you can connect to your Ring account.
Ring Alarm’s sensors don’t really stand out. I find them feeling a bit less sturdy than ADT sensors, but the overall quality is good. They also look more modern and sleek than my Vivint sensors. That said, Ring Alarm doesn’t offer a lot of options. It doesn’t even have smoke alarms; just listening devices that can listen for the sound of your existing smoke alarms.
Ring makes up for its lack of sensor options with plenty of security cameras though. Here’s an overview of Ring’s most popular cameras:
| Camera | Stick Up Cam | Floodlight Cam Plus | Indoor Cam | Doorbell Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power source options | Battery, plug-in, solar | Plug-in, wired | Plug-in | Battery, Wired |
| Resolution | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1536p HD |
| Indoor, outdoor, or doorbell | Indoor/outdoor | Outdoor | Indoor | Doorbell |
| Field-of-view | 130-degrees | 140-degrees | 143-degrees | 150-degrees |
| Price | Starts at $99.99 | Starts at $169.99 | Starts at $69.99 | Starts at $229.99 |
Among the Ring security cameras I’ve reviewed are battery- and solar-powered cameras with a built-in spotlight, a simple plug-in porch camera (Ring Stick Up Cam), and a $60 indoor camera.
If your house is on a large estate, I recommend the Floodlight Cam from Ring. It’s an outdoor camera which you can either wire to a junction box or plug into an outdoor outlet. It has two floodlights sitting side-by-side that can function either as normal floodlights or as motion-activated lights. And again, you can have as many of these cameras as you want.
Ring’s monitoring option comes in three flavors: free self-monitoring without video recording, self-monitoring with paid cloud storage for videos, and professional monitoring. Cloud video storage comes complimentary with the last option.
I highly suggest going with the professional monitoring option because it costs only $20 per month yet includes cloud storage for unlimited Ring cameras, professional monitoring, and if your state requires it, Alarm Verified Guard Response. Some states require in-person verification by a certified security guard before sending responders to your address. The guards won’t intervene during emergency situations, but they provide necessary verification to speed up response by the police.
Pro Tip: I also saw an option for live camera monitoring like SimpliSafe, but it costs $99 per month, requires a Ring Alarm system, and requires a professional monitoring subscription. I’ll let you decide if it’s worth it.
Ring Alarm is a lot like SimpliSafe, but slightly better in the home automation department. First off, it works with third-party Zigbee devices including smart lights, smart switches, smart locks, and smart thermostats. You can control those types of devices from the Ring App.
My Ring Alarm system doesn’t offer a wide variation of sensors.
Speaking of the Ring App, note that it’s the all-in-one control center for all Ring and Ring-connected devices. I like that that’s the case, but it can also become overwhelming to use the more devices you connect to it.
In any case, you can also control Ring devices via an Amazon Echo smart speaker or display. My Echo Show 8, for example, announces whenever someone rings my Ring doorbell and can even show me the live video feed. So convenient.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $244.95 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $20 |
| Contract Length | 1-12 months |
I always say in my reviews that each home has unique security needs. Having a large house amplifies that. Your specific needs will depend on a host of factors, from where your house is located and how much outdoor space you have to how much you’re willing to spend. As you’ve probably noticed, options like Vivint and Ring offer high-end equipment and monitoring options that come with a hefty price tag.
In general though, there are four things most large home owners need to secure their homes: Sensors, security cameras, reliable and high-quality professional monitoring, and home automation. Let’s go over them one by one.
A strategically placed glass break sensor can monitor multiple rooms.
There are many different types of sensors. There are motion sensors, door and window sensors, glass break sensors, garage door sensors, etc. There’s no exact number or even a recommended range for the number of sensors you need for your large house. Again, every home is unique. What I can provide is a guide on where to best place each type of sensor so you can scout your own place and come up with a shopping list.
Here’s one of our testers repositioning the ADT security cameras.
Next, let’s talk about security cameras. Just like with sensors, security camera placement is the key, but you should also know which type is best for which areas. Here are a few examples.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
The third thing you need is monitoring, and industry-wide, the two most common options are DIY and professional monitoring. For large homes, I strongly recommend going with the latter.
The top professionally monitored security systems offer around-the-clock protection. You’d need that, because I can say from my experience that DIY monitoring isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially if you have such a large space to monitor. You’d need to be on top of every sensor going off and every security camera detecting movement. With professional monitoring, you can at least rest easy knowing someone has your back. This is increasingly important, especially when you consider the following statistics:
There are downsides to professional monitoring, of course. There’s the monthly fee that ranges from $20 to $60 per month, the fact that you could face a fine if the police are called to a false alarm, and the contract most companies require. All in all, I’d say that the pros outweigh the cons.
Finally, let’s talk about home automation. It’s a broad topic, but when it comes to security systems with home automation, that usually means systems that can connect with smart devices. Once connected, they can offer manual and automatic controls. You can adjust your lights from an app or a touch-screen keypad, set a morning routine that turns on your coffee maker and other appliances, or schedule lights to turn on at a certain time of day.
Home automation is really optional; you can buy a security system without home automation features and set up your own separate home automation system. But if you don’t have the time (or interest) to do all the work, home automation security systems provide an easier alternative.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
Some of the most important features of home security systems for large homes include customization, home automation and surveillance. Customized home security secures your entire home no matter how large. Here are some of the other popular features of home security systems for large homes. And for more tips and benefits, visit our in-depth security system buyers guide.
Control panel, mobile apps, remote control — there are several different methods of arming and disarming your security system. If you have a large home and desire peace of mind, then you’ll be glad to know you can control your system from virtually anywhere. Most security systems for big homes offer mobile access. That’s total home protection, from the convenience of your smartphone.
Door Locks is another popular feature among those who own large homes. And not just door locks, but smart door locks. This option automates your entryway with an electronic locking mechanism. And it’s stacked with benefits. Get keyless entry, remote locking and unlocking, and many smart locks even let you hand out virtual keys to friends, family, and service providers.
Here’s another top home security feature that’s especially helpful in large homes. Home Automation puts smart home features, like smart lighting, door locks, thermostats, garage door controls, and more, right on your mobile device. Now you can control, adjust, monitor, and do just about everything from your smartphone. Smart home automation makes your life a little bit easier.
Do you own a large home? If so, Remote Access allows you to hop on a mobile app, from anywhere in the world, to access and monitor your home security system. If your home is outfitted with automation features, you can even do things like remotely lock and unlock doors, open and close the garage door, turn on the AC, and more.
A smart doorbell camera is a wise investment for those with large homes. If a visitor comes a-knockin’ and you’re on the other side of your house, this feature allows you to tap into your doorbell video from your smartphone. Some even offer two-way talk, a unique feature that enables you to speak and hear visitors. Welcome to smart home security.
Don’t limit yourself when it comes to home security, especially if you live in a big house. It’s important to choose a home security system that is expandable. An expandable system syncs with third-party equipment and devices. Security cameras, motion detectors, smart home automation features — all of these work together to deliver a well-rounded security system.
It’s no secret that large homes require more attention to detail. This holds true for home security monitoring, too. Strategically mount motion detectors throughout your home. The moment they detect motion, the alarm will sound and alerts are sent. Motion detection is particularly important in rooms with high-value items like art, jewelry, or a gun collection.
Entry Sensors are a standard offering with every security system. The magnetic sensors are mounted on doors and windows. When the magnets separate, the system signals a security breach by sounding the alarm and sending alerts. If you live in a large home, purchase a package with enough sensors to cover your multiple entry points. Or purchase additional sensors sold separately.
Large homes tend to have plenty of entry points. And many criminals like to bash windows and make off with your belongings. Stop them in their tracks with Glass Break Sensors. These sensors use microphone technology to detect the distinct sound frequency of glass breaking. When triggered, the alarm sounds and alerts are sent. Go with glass break sensors to protect your property.
