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SimpliSafe
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
True to its name, SimpliSafe makes your home safe with simple equipment and effective monitoring that reliably works. And there are no credit checks.
Between its affordable prices, unique monitoring technology, and no credit requirements, it’s hard to overlook Cove even though it’s a relatively new company.
Between its affordable prices, unique monitoring technology, and no credit requirements, it’s hard to overlook Cove even though it’s a relatively new company.
Before DIY systems, almost every home security system ran a credit check before taking you on as a customer. The wait for a response raised more heart rates than the last season of Game of Thrones. Thankfully, those days are gone.
Now, you can get some of the best home security systems on the market regardless of your credit score. We narrowed the best options down to three based on equipment, monthly fees, and smart home capabilities. SimpliSafe is our top pick, but Cove and abode also impressed us with their affordable solutions that don’t require credit checks.
Keep reading as we share our experiences testing these high-quality home security systems.
Expert Examined
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
Installing a home security system is a smart way to protect your home. Most burglars will think twice if they notice a home is protected with a security system. Criminals like easy targets, so having a layer of protection will definitely help deter any burglar looking for an easy score. And security cameras are a must when it comes to choosing a home security system. Cameras not only deter criminals, but they also help law enforcement greatly. These devices increase the ability to identify the suspect or suspects and vehicles involved which increases officers being able to solve the case. As a patrol officer and investigator, the number one thing I would ask victims is if they had video footage.
Our Methodology: How We Tested The Best Security Systems for People With Poor Credit
Our Approach
We find that the best way to provide trustworthy and unbiased recommendations is by personally testing home security systems. We spend our own money to buy the equipment, install them in our homes, and test them for weeks or sometimes months. The goal is to get a feel for the features, app, response time, and what living with the security systems is like so we can give you honest recommendations based on real-life testing.
Our Testing Setup
Many factors come into play when testing home security systems, but we take steps to level the playing field. For example, we install all the equipment in one environment – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our experts. Using a real house to test security systems helps us get the most accurate data and make the best recommendations.
We even buy the same equipment for every security system and place them in identical locations. You can see below where we typically install home security system equipment.
To narrow down the best security systems for people with poor credit scores, we considered several factors. Using our extensive experience in the security industry, we decided that the most important aspects are:
Affordability (40%): You need security equipment affordable enough to purchase upfront since applying for financing requires a credit check.
Monitoring plans (30%): You’ll likely also need a security system with affordable monitoring fees – even better if there’s no contract so you can opt in and out of monitoring as you wish.
Installation options (30%): And of course, we highly recommend DIY systems that don’t require an installation or activation fee.
We reviewed each system using these criteria, and here is how we arrived at the top five:
Rating the Best Security Systems for People With Poor Credit Scores
Why You Can Trust Us
We don’t review everything from TVs to sneakers like those other review sites. Our experts exclusively cover security and safety equipment. This means we can explore the details more carefully and give readers trustworthy recommendations. The experts who collaborated on this review were:
Rob Gabriele, Editorial Director & Home Security Expert
Andrew Garcia, Lead Editor & Home Security Researcher
Jaime Fraze, Security Camera & Video Doorbell Expert
Derek Prall, Home Security Expert & Testing Coordinator
Paul Frew, Home Security System Expert & Security Camera Expert
Joshua Lee, Former patrol officer and detective for a police department in Arizona.
Our team has over 75 years of combined industry experience, making us the most accomplished home security team online. Since beginning in 2016, SafeHome.org has been featured in several major outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. Together, we have achieved:
40+ industry research/studies
60+ security system reviews
100+ home security guides
10,000+ research hours
All our recommendations are based on first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the security industry. Now, let’s find out more about the top security systems for folks with bad credit.
SimpliSafe equipment
List of the Best Home Security Systems for People With Poor Credit Scores
When it comes to reliable home security at affordable prices, beating SimpliSafe is tough. It offers simple, customizable security packages that can fit almost any budget. You can slowly add more components to spread out the cost of your home security system. This gives people with poor credit scores a great alternative for spreading out the cost of their security system without financing.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Offers no-monthly-fee self-monitoring
Stylish wireless equipment
Allows DIY setup but offers professional installation
Equipment packages start at $250
Live Guard Protection feature for the Smart Alarm indoor camera and outdoor camera
Cons:
Missing a few types of equipment, like garage door sensors
Offers only a battery-powered option for outdoor video security
Monitoring price increased three times in the past four years
No touch screen keypad
Our Experience:
SimpliSafe Equipment
True to its name, SimpliSafe keeps its equipment simple and safe using long-lasting batteries and industrial-grade adhesives for all components. This basic combination makes installation easy and maintenance minimal. I really liked the entry sensor’s five-year battery life, which let me forget about it entirely without worrying about it running out of juice. When testing out the motion sensor, it avoided false alarms most others cause anytime my dog walks by.
SimpliSafe Essentials Kit
As for the security cameras, SimpliSafe is far from the least expensive option out there. But that doesn’t mean its prices are too high. When we tested the cameras, it was clear the premium price point came with a premium product.
For example, when we reviewed SimpliSafe’s outdoor security camera, I was really impressed with the built-in spotlight that’s discreet and effective while giving you full-color night vision. That means you don’t need an ugly light attached to your camera like we had to install when testing Ring’s Floodlight Cam. Take a read through our breakdown of SimpliSafe’s packages and pricing to see how much a complete system will cost.
Pro Tip: When installing SimpliSafe equipment, make sure to press the adhesive backing against the wall for the full 30 seconds. I only did so for about five seconds for the first motion sensor I installed, and it fell right off the wall. After that, I started doing the full 30 seconds and didn’t have an issue installing any other component. And be sure to wash the surface before applying the adhesive!
SimpliSafe Monthly Fees
For people who want to avoid monthly fees altogether, SimpliSafe is a safe bet. Its free unmonitored plan gives you access to basic features such as live video feeds, remote arming, and remote disarming. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t use push notifications for my system without paying a monthly fee, unlike abode.
If you’re looking to pay for a subscription, SimpliSafe gives you three options to choose from:
Plan
Self Monitoring
Standard Monitoring
Fast Protect
Cloud storage
30 days for five cameras
None
30 days for unlimited cameras
Cellular backup
No
Yes
Yes
24/7 professional monitoring
No
Yes
Yes
Secret alerts and scheduled arming
Yes
No
Yes
Lifetime warranty
No
No
Yes
Price
$9.99 per month
$19.99 per month
$29.99 per month
To sum it up, if you want cloud storage but not professional monitoring, go with the Self Monitoring plan. If you want monitoring only, go with the Standard Monitoring plan. If you want both monitoring and cloud storage, go with the Fast Protect plan. You can always avoid monthly fees completely with the Unmonitored plan. For a more comprehensive breakdown, check out our guide to SimpliSafe’s monitoring plan cost, options, and fees.
SimpliSafe’s wireless indoor camera blending in with my mantle
SimpliSafe Smart Home Capabilities
Even though SimpliSafe doesn’t give you quite as many integrations as abode, the ones it does offer work really well. It was able to pick up my voice commands with ease and actually offered a good bit of control with both Google and Alexa. I could tie my Philips Hue lights into voice commands that controlled my system so that the lights would turn off when I armed the security system as I left the house. But SimpliSafe’s options for home automation are pretty limited.
Did You Know? Another integration SimpliSafe has is with August Smart Locks. It also works with voice commands when using Google and Alexa. But I prefer to use my Apple Watch to unlock the door when I’m walking towards it. I don’t even take my keys with me anymore.
When it comes to the integrations that SimpliSafe was lacking, I really wanted to see Apple HomeKit and IFTTT integrations. This would really open up the home automation capabilities since IFTTT connects with most third-party smart devices. And let’s face it, Apple is a pretty big brand to leave out of integration capabilities.
It might still be the new kid on the block, but Cove has definitely made a splash in the home security industry by prioritizing peace of mind. This means all of the system’s components include features to minimize false alarms while still giving you the security you need. Cove requires professional monitoring for all of its systems.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Monitoring starts at $17.99 per month
Simple but functional mobile app and touchscreen controller
85 dB siren built into each Cove Hub and touchscreen keypad
Affordable equipment options
Frequently offers deals and discounts
Cons:
No self-monitoring option
Limited home automation and integrations
Doesn’t offer equipment financing
More limited equipment options than other brands
Our Experience:
Cove Equipment
Overall, Cove makes decent-quality equipment at affordable prices. I think of the company as being similar to SimpliSafe. It even has that same white coloring and kind of blocky designs. One of the biggest differences that makes me like SimpliSafe a bit more is the integrated spotlight in the outdoor camera. But Cove outshines SimpliSafe in video quality with 2K resolution instead of SimpliSafe’s standard 1080p HD. This makes digital zoom a bit clearer and the picture quality overall that much more crisp. It really helps when trying to make out faces. I’d still prefer a built-in spotlight.
Cove Security System
Another piece of Cove’s equipment that I really liked was the motion sensor. It was surprisingly small. First, I opened the door sensor, which was a bit big when I compared it to the Vivint sensors I had tested just before getting the Cove system. Then, I opened up one of the smallest motion sensors on the market. It’s barely bigger than a lemon, so you can fit it just about anywhere without it drawing any attention.
As for the cost of a Cove security system, it comes in at less than SimpliSafe but more than abode if you want multiple security cameras.
Did You Know? Cove regularly runs a promotion that includes a free indoor security camera with the purchase of any security system. So you can get a security hub, a touch screen panel, and an indoor security camera for $87.50. From there, you can add more sensors and cameras as your budget allows.
Cove Monthly Fees
Unlike SimpliSafe and abode, Cove requires professional monitoring. Now, when you consider security systems that require professional monitoring, you have industry giants like ADT and Vivint. But when I reviewed the ADT home security system, it ran a credit check on me. ADT and Vivint also cost a whole lot more, both for the equipment and for the monitoring. That doesn’t mean it’s worse.
Cove’s professional monitoring plans come with RapidSOS technology. RapidSOS has partnered with Cove exclusively, meaning you won’t get this technology from any other provider. Basically, instead of you having to relay information to your provider’s monitoring center and then call the appropriate authorities, RapidSOS sends verified alarm information directly to the monitoring center, which can immediately take action. This, in theory, saves three to four minutes in dispatch time.
Plan
Cove Basic
Cove Plus
Supports security cameras
No
Yes
Automation through Cove routines
No
Yes
Equipment warranty
1 year
Lifetime
Price
$17.99
$27.99
FYI: Cove uses AT&T’s 4G LTE network for its cellular connection to the monitoring center. It does not use Wi-Fi. This means you need to have a strong signal in AT&T’s 4G LTE network, which you can check on the FCC’s Mobile LTE Coverage Map.1
Cove Smart Home Capabilities
Similar to abode, Cove has its own automation system, called routines. You set these in the app to automate parts of your home security system. For example, I made a routine to arm my security system at 11 p.m. every night since I’m always in bed by then. I made another one to disarm the system at 5:30 a.m., right before my dog usually wakes me to take him out.
A closer look at the Cove entryway sensor
That’s about all of the similarities that Cove has with abode when it comes to smart home capabilities. Cove lacks the third-party integrations that really make home automation shine. I can’t connect it to my Philips Hue lights or any of my Z-Wave devices. Even when I reviewed the Kwikset Halo Touch smart lock, I couldn’t get it to integrate with Cove. It can integrate with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, but that’s about it. If you use only Google products, make sure to consider all of the best home security systems for Google Home.
Whether you already own a variety of smart home devices or want to start building out a home automation system, abode makes it easy to connect all of your third-party smart devices. It can even act as the brains behind your home automation systems. And it offers some unique home security products, like a $35 home security camera that makes its system a serious contender for anyone who needs one of the most affordable home security systems.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Home automation powered by abode’s CUE engine
Multiple hubs to choose from
Integrates well with third-party smart home products
Innovative iota All-in-One hub comes equipped with a camera and motion sensor
Cons:
Only one security camera offered
Setup could be more intuitive
No touch-screen panels; app reliant
Limited equipment in starter kits
Our Experience:
abode Equipment
Most of abode’s equipment is about what you’d expect: motion sensors with a wide field of view (FoV), doorbell cameras that run on batteries with 1080p resolution, affordable starter packages with a basic security hub, and a variety of entry sensors. But abode does have two products that really stand out in the industry, the Iota hub and the abode Cam 2.
abode Equipment
To make the most of abode’s home automation capabilities, you need the Iota hub. This is easily one of the most capable security system hubs on the market, with a built-in security camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a sleek design. It also gives you full access to abode’s automation features, although you can get those with the Smart Security hub too.
I really liked using the Smart Security hub since I just put it in my living room, where I’d normally have an indoor camera. This let me get the full value out of this hub. If you don’t have a good place to put the hub and use the indoor camera, I recommend saving $70 to $100 by going with the Smart Security hub. Find out what you can fit into your budget with our guide to abode’s packages, plans, cost, and pricing.
Then, there’s the abode Security Cam 2 that I tested. What makes this security camera stand out is its price point. With it regularly going on sale for $35, it’s one of my favorite budget security cameras. It’s an indoor and outdoor camera, so you can put it wherever you want, and it features 1080p resolution, and full-color low light and night vision. I wish the abode Cam 2 had a wider FoV. It has only 121 degrees; Vivint’s home security cameras give at least 140 degrees of visibility. They also cost about five times as much. I did miss having the option of a high-end security camera when testing abode’s system.
FYI: You can still use the abode Cam 2 even without an abode home security system. It integrates into smart home systems and even other security systems. That means you can still get a security camera on a budget without committing to a full abode system.
abode Monthly Fees
abode is one of the best no-monthly-fee home security systems. You can still get push notifications and even access abode’s third-party integrations. The only main feature locked behind a subscription is the CUE automation system. Otherwise, you have pretty much full use of your abode system. Of course, you don’t get cloud storage or professional monitoring for free.
adobe’s central base station, aka your connection to the world of automation
abode gives you a lot for free, but that doesn’t mean the subscription plans aren’t worth it. You can choose between two paid plans: one for cloud storage and one for professional monitoring. Here’s the breakdown:
Plan
Standard
Pro
Cloud storage
10 days of storage for unlimited cameras
10 days of storage for unlimited cameras
Cellular backup
No
Yes
Professional monitoring
No
Yes
Price
$6.99 per month or $69.99 per year
$24.99 per month or $149 for the first year, then $249.99 per year
Between abode’s low-cost security camera and support for unlimited cameras with its cloud storage, I recommend abode for any household that wants a lot of security cameras. The cost-effectiveness is just too good to even compare when you need more than five cameras. If you want only a few security cameras, compare SimpliSafe vs abode.
abode Smart Home Capabilities
What excited me while testing abode’s system is that the smart home capabilities of abode are unmatched. While it doesn’t have the highest-quality security camera or the lowest-priced system, abode makes up for all of that with its smart home capabilities. It integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, as well as other third-party integrations through Z-Wave and Zigbee support. You can even use Philips Hue lights and other closed-source third-party devices. If you use only Alexa smart home products, read our comparison of abode and Ring to see which best fits your needs.
Did You Know? abode also integrates with Bose speakers. One of the cool features is that it lets you increase the volume of the siren. If an alarm is triggered, it will start coming through your sound system, so it alerts the entire neighborhood.
As for its ability to automate, I ended up loving CUE. It took me a bit to get used to, but once I spent about an hour playing around on the app, it eventually clicked. By the time I was done testing abode, I automated my entire house using CUE. I was even able to figure out the more advanced features, like geofencing, which automatically turned the lights off, locked the doors, and closed my garage door when I left for work every morning.
Surprised to see ADT on this list? They might have been known for long-term contracts and expensive equipment you need professionally installed in the past. However, this 150-year-old business is trying to change its image with the introduction of ADT Self Setup.
The small but mighty Nest Cam (pen for scale) is part of the ADT security system we reviewed.
The company has partnered with Google and offers several Nest security and smart home products under the banner of ADT Self Setup. But while it’s significantly cheaper than its traditional product range, it’s still pricier than our other recommendations. You also get access to one of the best professional monitoring services, but it comes at a bigger cost than our top picks.
Ring
Affordable product range and cheap monitoring – why isn’t Ring higher on this list? Well, it’s not all good news. Ring has earned an excellent reputation for its high-quality video doorbells. But the rest of its home security range is a little too lean for our liking.
Our Ring Alarm system didn’t give us a lot of sensor options, but it made up for that with its vast security camera lineup.
We’re also not a big fan of Ring waiting at least 30 seconds to alert authorities after an alarm triggers. It might help reduce false alarms, but it also gives thieves plenty of time to escape with our belongings.
But if you’re looking for affordable equipment with lots and lots of security camera and doorbell camera options, Ring is worth considering.
Do I Need a Good Credit Score to Get a Home Security System?
The good news here is that you do not need a good credit score to get a home security system. Nowadays, most providers let you pay for the entire system upfront without any financing or long-term contracts. But there are still some that check your credit score. Unfortunately, they’re some of the biggest names in the industry, such as ADT and Vivint.
That shouldn’t stop you from taking your home security seriously with a quality home security system. There are still plenty of options. You can even still spread out the cost of your system by slowly buying components instead of buying the entire system at once. Cove is great for this, with its basic package including a free indoor camera.
About to arm my Cove system before heading out
Do I Need a Home Security System?
The topic of credit scores isn’t an easy conversation to have. It can start to make you wonder if getting a home security system is even worth all the hassle. But even the data recommends installing security devices. Here are some recent stats from our internal research that suggest it’s a good idea:
119 million people reported package thefts in 2023.
In the third quarter of 2023 alone, 17 percent of Americans experienced package theft.
48 percent of all violent crimes occur at a home or apartment.
Just 13 percent of burglars say they will continue with the break-in if they see an alarm system.
The total value of stolen property in 2022 was more than $463 billion.
How Can I Tell If a Home Security Provider Is Going to Run a Credit Check?
After a credit check, Vivint had us sign a contract and installed our security system.
The last thing you want is to spend hours figuring out the perfect system only to find out you don’t qualify due to your credit score. It’s a frustrating experience, but one that anyone who’s struggled with their credit score can relate to. To avoid that, here are a few signs that a security provider will probably run a credit check before approving you:
Long-term contracts: Whenever a company has you sign a long-term contract, it runs a credit check to make sure you can hold up your end of the deal. Fortunately, there are plenty of security systems that don’t require contracts.
Required financing: Some companies roll the cost of your equipment into their monitoring costs through financing offers. Even if there is no interest charged, they’ll still probably run a credit check.
They won’t say they don’t check credit: Any company that doesn’t check your credit score will gladly tell you so. So, if you’re having a hard time getting an answer after asking about a credit check, you know why.
Can I Get Professional Monitoring With a Bad Credit Score?
As long as you’re not financing equipment or signing up for long-term contracts, you can usually get any subscription that a home security provider offers. This includes professional monitoring.
Your credit score should never preclude you from any provider’s professional monitoring specifically. And you might even be able to get a discount on your homeowners insurance by having a professionally monitored home security system. Look at it from the provider’s perspective: It can just turn off your monitoring if you miss a payment, so there’s no risk for the provider.
Final Thoughts
Unless you need to finance your equipment, you can absolutely get a high-quality home security system without a credit check. Most providers nowadays don’t even run a credit check since they don’t offer financing or long-term contracts.
You can still get all the services you need from cloud storage to professional monitoring. And you get to avoid those pesky long-term contracts with hefty early-termination fees that you probably didn’t want anyways.
Our top picks for folks with poor credit? SimpliSafe, abode, and Cove.
FAQ About Home Security Systems for People With Poor Credit Scores
Typically, ADT charges higher monthly fees for people with low credit scores and even denies some people service. So, I don’t recommend ADT if your credit score is bad.
Yes. Most security systems that don’t run credit checks still offer professional monitoring. These companies eliminate long-term contracts by offering month-to-month monitoring services instead.
Generally, you’ll start to encounter issues once your credit score dips below 600 when it comes to getting home security systems from providers like ADT and Vivint.
Absolutely! You can get a great security system no matter what your credit score is. There are plenty of providers that don’t require financing or long-term contracts and therefore don’t run credit checks, like SimpliSafe, abode, and Cove.
SafeHome.org only uses high-quality sources to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
As a home security expert and Managing Editor for SafeHome.org, Rob Gabriele has written and edited over 1,000 articles related to home security. His expertise is in smart home protection with thousands of hours of testing and research under his belt. Formerly a reporter and producer for the USAToday network, Rob has been a writer and editor for over 10 years. He holds a Master’s of Science with an emphasis on writing from the University of Montana, and he currently lives in Indianapolis, IN.
