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Of all the security system apps we tested, ADT had the best balance between features and user-experience.
Updated October 4, 2024
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In a world where even speakers and coffee makers can be controlled by apps, it has become crucial to home security to choose a security system with a good mobile app. We compare security systems based on equipment and features, so why not based on software, too? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll do here.
After rounding up and testing the best security systems of 2024, we decided to rank our top picks based on the usability, features, and accessibility of their apps. Interestingly, ADT proved to have the best mobile app overall, thanks to its versatility, the features available through the app, and the easy-to-use interface. The other apps that rounded out our top five were Vivint, SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, and Ring. Let’s have a closer look.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
We find the best way to make unbiased and trustworthy recommendations is by testing home security systems ourselves. We buy the equipment with our money, install the systems in our homes, and test them for weeks or months. We like to get a feel for what it’s like to live with the security system and observe the features, response times, and of course, performance of their apps. We use our hands-on experiences to recommend and rank security systems.
Many factors impact testing home security systems, which is why we’ve come up with ways to compare apples to apples. For example, all equipment is tested in the same house – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our security experts. Using a real house instead of a lab means we can simulate real-life scenarios and make better recommendations.
We also buy the same equipment for every test system and install them in identical locations. You can see what our typical testing setup looks like below.
We take a lot of things into consideration when recommending and ranking the best home security systems. Using our experience and knowledge of the industry, these are the most important factors for home security systems with mobile apps:
All those factors are important, so here’s how we rate our top-pick security systems and apps based on those criteria.
Rating the Best Security Systems With An App
Our team of experts only covers security and safety equipment. We’re not like those other websites that review everything from computer monitors to bookshelves. We specialize in thoroughly assessing security systems so readers get honest and insightful recommendations. The experts who worked on this review were:
Our team has over 75 years of combined experience, making us the most accomplished home security team on the internet. Since SafeHome.org began in 2016, our work has been referenced in several major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. As a team, we have achieved:
Every recommendation comes from first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the security industry. Now, let's find out more about our top picks for mobile apps.
ADT has had several mobile apps over the years, each for a different generation of its security system. One thing we can appreciate is that each new app is an improvement over the last. ADT Pulse introduced smart home automation; ADT Control improved on that and added native access to Google Nest security camera footage; the latest app, ADT+, further improved both features, introduced access to other Google Nest equipment, and added access to new ADT features like SMART Monitoring and Trusted Neighbor. You can learn more about those features in our ADT review.
Our ADT app let us customize our ADT camera’s motion detection zone.
ADT+ is the most recent ADT app we tested. It works with both the ADT Self Setup system we reviewed and the pro-installed ADT system. And we must say, we were impressed by the ease of navigation and use. It let us view, access, and manage our ADT cameras (which are actually Nest Cams), Nest Thermostats, Nest smart speakers and displays, and of course, our security system. The design was simple and minimalist, so doing all those from an iPhone 15’s small screen was a cinch.
The one thing we would like to see improved, though, is the login. It takes too long sometimes – up to 30 seconds – which can be a pain if you’re standing out in the cold or rain waiting for the app to load so you can unlock your smart lock and enter the house. (Been there!)
FYI: ADT apps aren’t cross compatible, so use the app that works with your ADT system. All the latest ADT systems now use ADT+, but if you had a system installed between 2010 and 2018, you probably have an ADT Pulse system. Systems from 2019 to 2023 use the ADT Control app.
Vivint is great at two things – protecting homes and automating them. It’s one of our top-pick home automation security systems. So of course, Vivint created an app exactly for those purposes. In addition to arming and disarming the security system, the Vivint app let us view video doorbell and security camera livestreams, monitor the status of sensors, and control connected smart devices like smart lights, locks, garage door controllers, and more. That’s possible thanks to the compatibility of Vivint’s hardware with Z-Wave smart home devices.
Vivint’s app proved a little harder to use than that of ADT, but it wasn’t difficult to master by any means. It was only more complex because of the level of customizations available. For example, when we reviewed Vivint, we were able to set our video doorbell to alert us specifically when a package is delivered to our doorstep. And to do that, we had to set some notification rules in the Vivint app. But after we set that up, those package notifications worked like a charm.
Our Vivint video doorbell alerts us anytime a package is delivered to our doorstep.
Pro Tip: Vivint’s app doesn’t work like magic. You have to carefully plan out what you want to automate, and then think of a way to achieve that using the app’s custom rules. We recommend doing so as soon as your Vivint system is set up, because once you do, you won’t have to use the app as much.
While the SimpliSafe app wasn’t as feature-rich as that of ADT nor as customizable as Vivint’s app, it rivaled both in usability. For a relatively simple security system like SimpliSafe, it was close to perfect. Arming modes were accessible front and center of the app. Sensor statuses were just a few scrolls down. And if you want to view and playback livestreams and recordings, they’re all in one place.
The SimpliSafe app also played a major role during the setup. When we reviewed SimpliSafe, we first bought a standard package and set it up. Later on, we purchased additional components. The app made it easy, since there were instructions on how to pair each type of device. Those were necessary though because SimpliSafe doesn’t offer touch screen keypads like Vivint and Frontpoint do.
The SimpliSafe app’s setup instructions helped us pair our devices to the SimpliSafe base station.
Perhaps the one thing we would really like SimpliSafe to improve is the responsiveness of the cameras, particularly the SimpliSafe video doorbell. There was often a five- to 10-second delay between audio and video transmission. You can see the lips move, but have to wait to hear what the person on the other end said. Other than that, we didn’t have a lot of issues with the SimpliSafe app.
Pro Tip: We find that connecting your phone to a fast Wi-Fi (100 Mbps in our case) solves the delay issue. That doesn’t help if you’re out and about and relying on mobile data, but it at least makes it easier to answer the door via the app when you’re home.
We saw a little bit of Vivint’s customizability in Frontpoint, but with a slightly less user-friendly interface. It was a little too colorful, in our opinion, making the app harder to navigate if you’re new to it. But once you’re accustomed to it, the Frontpoint app is actually not bad at all. You can even customize some sections of it based on the features you use the most.
Here’s our Frontpoint app home screen, which shows quick arming modes, our system status, and the weather.
One of our favorite customizations is notifications powered by geofencing. You can have the app alert you when you forget to do things like close a window or arm your system after you leave your home’s vicinity. For instance, we tend to forget to close the kitchen window. We’ve had several racoon incidents because of that, so we used geofencing to alert us whenever the kitchen window sensor detects that the window is left open.
Pro Tip: Also have the geofencing feature alert you when you forget to arm your system before you leave. We have more information on how to set up custom alerts in our Frontpoint review.
Our next pick is Ring, and what we liked most about it is the accessibility of security cameras via the app. Ring is first and foremost a video doorbell and security camera company. While it does have a security system now called the Ring Alarm, you can still tell from the app that Ring’s best products are camera-related. Livestreams and recordings are readily available right from the home screen.
We commend the app’s responsiveness as well. When we reviewed Ring security cameras and the Ring Alarm system, there were no delays to the audio and video like we experienced with SimpliSafe. And keep in mind, we had four Ring cameras installed, mostly outdoors.
Ring’s app also has a landscape mode for a better video playback experience.
We wish there were more customizations though. Some (not all) Ring cameras support motion zones. Others have customizable sensitivity. But beyond those, you can’t create custom rules like person and package detection.
Pro Tip: Ring has another app called Neighbors by Ring where you can see safety warnings and recorded clips shared by Ring users in your neighborhood.
The Cove app rivals that of SimpliSafe in terms of user-friendliness. It even has an updated design now that makes it easy to arm and disarm the system from your phone and automate arming and notifications based on rules and schedules. However, what Cove lacks are natively-supported security cameras. As we pointed out in our Cove review, it offers security cameras from a brand called Eufy. The cameras are great, but not all features are accessible via the app.
The abode app is another favorite of ours, mainly because it lets us customize and create automations similar to the Vivint app. But unlike Vivint, we saw several inconsistencies. For example, abode was supposed to send us different notifications depending on what sensor caused an alarm. But during our abode review, we received “door opened” alerts even though it was our motion sensor that was tripped. That kind of glitch can make it difficult to pinpoint where to focus your attention during emergencies.
We had a similar experience with the Alder app. It was simple and easy to use. Alerts came in pretty quickly too. Plus, it could control smart thermostats – something SimpliSafe and Cove’s apps weren’t able to do. The app works great when it’s working, but there were several instances during our Alder tests that we experienced glitches. One time, it wouldn’t let us log in despite entering the correct email address and password, locking us out of our security system. Fortunately, Alder has a pretty great touch screen control panel.
Here’s a screenshot we took of the ADT app during our test.
We don’t recommend that you choose a security system based on the app alone, but you should at least choose a security system with a decent, well-functioning app. That’s because with today’s technology, a good mobile app gives you access and control to your security system remotely. And that’s important:
Those statistics point out that security systems need to serve a purpose of protecting homes not just when the owner is around; they should also be able to protect the house when the owner is away. And as the owner, having access to a reliable home security app helps a lot.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
You might notice that we discussed home security apps on this page. These are apps built specifically for home security systems. But at the same time, most of these apps offer home automation features as well. So is there really a difference?
Well, these days, the line between home security and home automation apps has been blurred. Security apps offer automation features, and some automation apps offer security controls as well. But the two are not the same.
Most home security apps work with a specific security system. Take ADT for example. It has an app for each generation of security system it released, and these apps are not cross-compatible with other ADT systems or security system brands.
The main job of a home security app is to connect you to your security system, especially sensors and security cameras. The included automation features are completely optional; you can access them only if you’re on the right subscription plan and have the right automation devices.
A sampling of notifications we programmed Vivint to send us via the Vivint app.
The automation features of home security apps are also more limited; they can’t control absolutely all types of smart devices, except for a few outliers like Vivint and abode. But generally speaking, home security apps have limited control over third-party smart home devices.
Home automation apps, on the other hand, specialize in automating homes by integrating and orchestrating smart home devices. There are still limitations. For example, you can only control devices that are compatible with the ecosystem.
On that note, another difference between home security and automation apps is that the latter doesn’t necessarily need hardware. You need a corresponding system to use the home security apps we recommended above, but some automation apps work even if you don’t have a physical automation system. One example is IFTTT, which works without a physical hub.
Pro Tip: You can use both home security and home automation apps together to get the best of both worlds. Our page on the best IFTTT-compatible security systems lists three options that have their own mobile apps but can also connect to the IFTTT home automation app.
Most home security and automation apps are free to download and install. However, in some cases, you will need a subscription or monitoring plan to access your security system using the app. There are more traditional security systems, for example, that don’t include mobile app access in their entry-level plans. That means you would need to pay more to use the app.
That being said, all the home security apps we recommended above don’t need a special subscription. In the case of ADT, Vivint, Frontpoint, Cove, and Alder, you’ll be able to use the app if you buy a security system and get any of the available monitoring plans. All those systems require professional monitoring, by the way.
As for SimpliSafe, Ring, and abode – some of the top DIY systems today – you can use the app right away after buying a security system. Some features like video playback and advanced automation require a subscription, but you’d be able to at least arm and disarm your system, receive alerts, and stream live camera footage without paying a monthly fee.
Your home and safety hang in the balance, so you don’t have time to fuss and fiddle with a clunky app. The best home security mobile apps are easy to use, intuitive, and designed with the user in mind. The interface on a quality mobile app is simple to navigate, with a display of large icons that just feel right.
All home security mobile apps have one-touch arming and disarming. Heading out for the day? Simply open the app and arm the system. While you’re out, you can remotely check your system’s status and even view activity logs. Then, as you pull into your drive, open the app again and disarm the system with the push of a button. Easy does it.
Level up with Remote Control Door Locks. The best security mobile apps allow you to access, monitor, and control your automatic door locks from your smartphone. This technology combines convenience and security, and it embodies the evolution of home security. If you have smart door locks, or you’re looking to get them, be sure your system’s mobile app supports this feature.
The top home security mobile apps offer remote viewing capabilities. This feature is tailored for those with doorbell cameras or any type of indoor/outdoor security camera. Simply hop on the app and tap right into your live-stream video. The best apps allow you to talk and listen to visitors with two-way voice. Never miss a beat with remote viewing.
Customize like a King (or Queen!). If you like a custom feel to home security, then you’ll love these apps. Connected to the right equipment, certain mobile apps will let you preset commands like arming the front door when it’s locked, setting a room of mood lights at a specific time, and turning up the inside temperature just before you get home.
Did your home spring a carbon monoxide leak while at work today? You would never know without a mobile app that supports Environmental Monitoring. Coupled with smart devices, this potentially life-saving feature sends automatic alerts when smoke, excessive heat, carbon monoxide, and other threatening hazards are detected. The best mobile apps support real-time environmental monitoring. Don’t go without it.
Did you know home security and automation systems can help you save energy? It’s true. The best mobile apps support home automation features, which help tremendously in the Energy Saving department. Dial in the perfect settings for heat, AC, lights, and other appliances. And transform your house into the most efficient home on the block. That’s money in the bank and a healthier planet.
Equipped with the right mobile app, you can program your lights to do just about anything. This helps reduce energy costs and, well, it’s pretty darn cool. Open the app and set a room of lights to match the mood you want, program your lights to turn on or off at a specific time of day, and more. The possibilities are endless.
Compatibility is another key feature of the best home security mobile apps. The leading companies deliver value-packed apps that are compatible with Android, iPhone, and even Blackberry platforms. Be sure that your home security mobile app is compatible with your mobile device and operating system before you make your purchase. This will save you money, time, and countless headaches.
The Zebra. (2024). Burglary Statistics. https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/burglary-statistics/
