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Best Home Security Systems Without a Landline
Want a modern security system without having to hook up to a legacy landline? SimpliSafe’s wireless equipment and cellular backup is our top recommendation.
Rob Gabriele, Managing Editor & Home Security Expert
Updated December 12, 2024
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SimpliSafe
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
With a simple DIY installation, quality equipment, and affordable prices, SimpliSafe is a well-rounded security system that avoids landlines entirely.
Monitoring that starts at $17.99 per month with a constant stream of huge sales on equipment from Cove can keep your security system costs down today and tomorrow.
Monitoring that starts at $17.99 per month with a constant stream of huge sales on equipment from Cove can keep your security system costs down today and tomorrow.
Let’s face it — most homes these days aren’t built with landlines. The days of needing to go home to check your voicemails are long gone. Nowadays, we all keep that same technology right in our pocket. However, the best security systems used to use those landlines to communicate with their monitoring centers. And some still do.
A home security system without a landline uses your Wi-Fi, a cellular connection, or both. So, how do you find those? Well, I did it for you. I bought all of the top security systems without a landline, installed them in my home, ranked them, and then shared my thoughts. SimpliSafe topped my list. It has reliable wireless equipment and cellular backup that ensures continuous monitoring even when your Wi-Fi is down. But it’s not the only good option. ADT, Cove, and Frontpoint also proved excellent providers of security systems that don’t need landlines. Let’s get started.
Our Methodology: How We Tested and Ranked The Best Home Security Systems Without a Landline
Our Approach
We test all home security systems ourselves. We buy the equipment, install the devices in our own homes, and test them for weeks or months. We like to get a feel for the features, app, and response time so we know what it’s like to live with the security system. This is the only way we can give honest recommendations.
Our Testing Setup
Multiple factors come into play when testing home security systems, but we try to compare apples to apples. So we install all the equipment in the same home – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot house owned by one of our experts. Using a real home environment means we get the most accurate results and can share the best recommendations.
We even buy the same equipment for each security system and install the devices in identical locations. You’ll see below where we typically set up our home security equipment.
We looked at multiple factors when choosing the top security systems without a landline. Using our extensive experience in the security industry, here are the aspects we decided were the most important:
Connectivity options (40%): If landlines aren’t an option, you’ll need a reliable Wi-Fi connection and access to the cellular network as backup.
Monitoring performance (30%): We don’t want our lack of access to a landline to impact the performance of monitoring centers when an alarm is triggered.
Smart home capabilities (30%): It’s convenient if we can integrate the other smart devices in our home, such as Alexa, Google Home, and security equipment we’ve purchased separately.
Using these criteria to assess the security systems without a landline, here is how we arrived at the top five:
Rating the Best Security Systems Without a Landline
Why You Can Trust Us
We’re not like one of those websites that write reviews on everything from energy drinks to hard drives. Our team of specialists exclusively reviews security and safety equipment. This means we notice things others might miss, resulting in more accurate and in-depth recommendations. The experts who wrote 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 experts have over 75 years of combined industry experience, making us the most accomplished home security team online. Since starting in 2016, SafeHome.org has been highlighted 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
Over 100 home security guides
More than 10,000 hours of research
Every recommendation we make is based on first-hand product experience and a thorough understanding of the security industry. Now, let’s find out more about our top picks for security systems that don’t require a landline.
Summary of the Best Home Security Systems Without a Landline
As a security system originally made for apartments, it’s no surprise that SimpliSafe doesn’t require a landline. In fact, SimpliSafe no longer sells any components that work with a landline. And it’s one of the best DIY security systems out there. I got the system up and running in about 20 minutes, but yours will probably take a bit longer since you’ll want to use the mounting brackets instead of the adhesive strips I used.
SimpliSafe Essentials Kit
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 Wireless Equipment
Like I said, SimpliSafe has completely moved away from landline connections. Now, they use Wi-Fi as the primary connection with a cellular backup included in monitoring plans. I couldn’t find what cellular network they used, though, even in my package of equipment. So, I reached out to their customer support, and they indicated they use Verizon.
Wireless equipment also works on battery power, though. Although most of SimpliSafe’s equipment is fully wireless, I still needed to plug in some components such as the indoor cameras (both models) and the base station. I also had to hardwire the video doorbell into my front door’s doorbell wiring. It was the most complex piece of SimpliSafe equipment I’ve had to install.
SimpliSafe Monitoring
Over the past few years, SimpliSafe has made some major improvements to its monitoring. And it’s not just for something to market, either. I’ve noticed the changes each year I test SimpliSafe, but the price keeps going up, too — there were two price increases in the last two years.
Anyway, I went with SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect monitoring this time at $29.99 per month. It’s also called the SimpliSafe Interactive Monitoring plan. I liked the live guard protection where an agent talked through my indoor camera whenever they got an alarm, and I didn’t respond. Although, the first time it made me jump when all of a sudden there was a strange voice in my living room. I could see some privacy issues here, but there’s a privacy shutter on the indoor security camera I reviewed that I used whenever I was home.
Pro Tip: If you’re purchasing a security system with security cameras, make sure you read our guide to camera installation. It’s important to place these pieces of equipment strategically to get the most out of them.
SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans go beyond the Fast Protect plan, though. You can also get standard monitoring for $19.99 per month, a self-monitoring plan that includes video cloud storage for $9.99 per month, or just DIY it all the way without any monthly fees.
SimpliSafe Smart Home Capabilities
I’ve been mostly singing SimpliSafe’s praises so far, but that’s about to stop. Unfortunately, SimpliSafe doesn’t offer much in terms of smart home capabilities. And if Apple HomeKit powers your smart home, it can’t integrate at all.
Installing a SimpliSafe entryway sensor
For Google Home and Amazon Alexa smart homes, SimpliSafe offers basic integrations letting you control your security system with your voice. You can’t disarm your system with your voice, though. It works with August Locks too, one of the best smart lock brands. I used my system with the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, so it locked and unlocked when I armed and disarmed my SimpliSafe system.
Unlike SimpliSafe, ADT still offers landline security systems, but you can get all of their latest equipment without a landline connection. They mostly offer landline equipment for their long-standing customers who’ve used the same ADT system for decades now. With a 150-year-old reputation, ADT’s continuous support for these customers makes us feel more comfortable, despite my desire to avoid using a landline.
Arming my ADT System
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Intuitive and easy-to-use app
24/7 professional monitoring with 12 monitoring centers
Cellular backup
SMART Monitoring technology for faster response times
150 years of experience
Offers Google Nest Cams
Now offers DIY components via ADT Self Setup
Cons:
Installation fee costs $99 minimum
Limited touch-screen control panel features
Equipment costs more than the DIY competition
Our Experience:
ADT Wireless Equipment
Thankfully, even though ADT sells systems that use a landline, you need to specifically opt-in for a landline system. That meant I could look at all of their equipment online when I built my system without worrying about whether or not any specific component needed a landline. For cellular backup, ADT uses Verizon.
Testing the ADT Control Panel
When I bought my ADT system, I received a good number of components. It wasn’t the biggest system ever, but I got to test out at least one piece from every product category. Although the system wasn’t over the top, it was enough to rack up a hefty bill with the professional installation. It would have been less if I’d gone with ADT Self Setup, though.
If you want the most reliable monitoring in the industry, ADT is a great choice. They have 12 state-of-the-art monitoring centers — each equipped with a backup generator. That’s a lot of redundancy. It’s also how they got on top of my roundup of the security systems with the fastest response times.
FYI: Before choosing a company for their cellular backup, make sure you have service with the cellular provider they use. Don’t use the maps that the cellular providers give you to see if you have coverage, though. Use the FCC’s cellular coverage map for an accurate mapping of
If you’ve been around the block, you know that ADT is constantly winning awards for it’s state-of-the-art monitoring, which it’s always working to improve. They’ve also brought the costs way down in recent years. Right now ADT has three different monitoring packages, costing $29.99, $34.99, and $44.99 per month, respectively. I have more information on that in my guide to ADT’s prices, but it’s extremely affordable for what you’re getting, no matter how you slice it.
Pro Tip: While ADT used to make you sign a long-term contract for their monitoring services, they now offer month-to-month options. I’m all for that flexibility!
I also really like ADT’s SMART monitoring capabilities. It stands for System Monitoring and Response Technology, but what it does is sends you a text notification if there’s an alarm event. This allows you to easily verify if the alarm is real and get emergency responders on the way quickly. You can also use their Alarm Messenger service to quickly connect with your emergency contacts to determine if the alarm is legitimate or not. I don’t know about you, but most of my life is spent on my phone, so having an alarm company that leverages that is pretty convenient.
ADT Smart Home Capabilities
Anyone that uses Google smart home products will like ADT a lot. They’re partners with Google and sell Google Nest security cameras. So, the security system integrates really well. I integrated my system with my Nest Hub smart home to let us control the security system with my voice.
Since I got the Nest Hub Max with a decent-sized screen, I could check my Google Nest Doorbell from my kitchen whenever someone was at the door. Then, I could use the two-way audio to let them know I’d be right there and just needed to finish getting the cookies in the oven. Check out the other ways I used my video doorbell in my Google Nest Video Doorbell review. That’s also why I think ADT is the best security system for Google Home.
As for Alexa and Apple smart homes, ADT works, but not quite as well as it does with Google Home. For instance, my Amazon Echo couldn’t automatically connect to my Google Nest cameras like my Nest Hub could. It also doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit, but you can still use your Apple Watch and Apple TV with your ADT system.
When I tested Cove, I got a police officer at my doorstep. But, don’t worry, it was a good thing. I’ll get more into that later.
Basically, Cove is an affordable security system that doesn’t require you to sacrifice much. It might not have a dozen monitoring centers like ADT or the option to go without monitoring entirely, but Cove does offer equipment I like that regularly goes on sale with monitoring that most anyone can afford.
Cove equipment
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 Wireless Equipment
All of Cove’s equipment is completely wireless aside from its base station which needs to be plugged in. That came with a 24-hour backup battery, though, in case I lost power, and almost every other component used batteries and Wi-Fi for power and communication. That said, you can hardwire your video doorbell if you want. There’s also cellular backup with the AT&T network.
Aside from batteries, I found it pretty interesting that their outdoor camera has a solar panel for power — normally you have to pay extra for that. It did limit where I could install the camera, though. The solar panel is right on top of the camera itself, which makes for a nice aesthetic, but I couldn’t put it under the eaves above my garage, pointing at my driveway, since it wouldn’t get any sun there. I ended up mounting it on the side of my garage. It didn’t look as nice, but the camera never lost power.
One thing to note, all of Cove’s security cameras come manufactured by Eufy. And that’s a good thing. The security cameras were the thing I liked the most when I reviewed the Eufy security system. They even made my list of the best facial recognition cameras.
Even though Cove doesn’t need to offer much for their monitoring to be worth their low prices, their monitoring is actually pretty impressive. Like I said earlier, it was good enough to bring the police to my doorstep during my test. That’s thanks to an exclusive partnership Cove has with RapidSOS. This technology allows Cove’s monitoring centers to relay information to a 911 dispatcher in real time, meaning the police got to my house before I could even tell Cove I was just running a test.
Unboxing the Cove system.
RapidSOS only comes with Cove’s more expensive monitoring plan at $27.99 per month. You’ll also need that plan for the monitoring to work with your cameras. That said, you can always lower your monitoring to the $17.99 per month plan to save a bit when needed.
Cove Smart Home Capabilities
Unfortunately, Cove doesn’t do great with smart home integrations. They only integrate with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. That means I couldn’t lock my August Smart Lock when I armed my security system like I could with SimpliSafe. And Cove doesn’t sell any smart locks, either.
That said, I was impressed with the voice control I got with my Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo. Both gave me complete control of my system with my voice, making it easy to arm the system as I ran out the door. I just wish it had more third-party integrations for smart devices.
To put it bluntly, I used to not really like Frontpoint. It used to be a system I’d recommend you actively avoid. But over the years, Frontpoint took feedback into consideration and made meaningful changes. Nowadays, it has some innovative smart home features, high-quality equipment, and flat-rate monitoring.
Frontpoint equipment
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
High-quality wireless equipment
DIY installation with professional install option
Fully cellular communication
Customizable automations
Outstanding app
Cons:
Expensive monitoring
No touch-screen control panel included in basic packages
Outsourced monitoring
Limited keypad functionality; more app reliant
Our Experience:
Frontpoint Wireless Equipment
None of Frontpoint’s equipment can even connect to a landline. Actually, Frontpoint takes things even a step further by using your Wi-Fi as a backup to its cellular connection instead of the other way around, like most providers. To my surprise, that didn’t transfer to the wireless capabilities of the system. A good bit of components still needed to be plugged in for power.
It was a bit annoying that the outdoor camera needed to be plugged in. That meant I had to install it within 14 feet of an outlet. I opted to put it over my garage, but then there was a wire hanging down from the camera that got in the way sometimes. Otherwise, I liked the quality of the outdoor camera, especially since Frontpoint upgraded all of its cameras to meet the industry standard 1080p full HD. That gave me clear enough video to read the license plate of cars pulling up my driveway.
Frontpoint Monitoring
When I heard that Frontpoint offered flat-rate monitoring, I thought that meant it’d be inexpensive. But I was wrong there. Frontpoint only offers one monitoring plan, and that plan costs $49.99 per month. That seemed a bit outrageous to me until I learned about their cellular network.
Did You Know?Frontpoint’s pricing used to be the cheaper alternative to ADT when ADT’s monitoring used to start at $44.99 per month. That’s no longer the case with ADT’s new pricing that caps their monitoring costs at $34.99 per month. You’ll still be paying more for your equipment with ADT, though.
You see, most security companies choose one cellular provider and work with them for all systems. SimpliSafe uses Verizon. Cove uses AT&T. Well, Frontpoint mixes that status quo up for the better. Instead of just one cellular network, Frontpoint uses AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — meaning you’ll get coverage just about anywhere. That also builds in a good bit of redundancy in case a network goes down in your area.
Holding Frontpoint’s door sensor
While I was testing Frontpoint, a snowstorm rolled through and knocked out a Verizon tower. I still had service, though, since the AT&T tower stayed up. That shows the power of Frontpoint’s triple-network system.
Frontpoint Smart Home Capabilities
Yes, Frontpoint has integrations with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. That means you can use almost any device for voice control. But that’s not what excites me most about Frontpoint’s smart home capabilities. It’s their geofencing.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget your phone! Frontpoint’s geofencing feature works by establishing the system’s proximity to your cell phone. If you leave it at home, it’s not going to work.
Basically, geofencing allowed me to set specific actions for my connected smart devices based on the location of my phone. To give you an example, I set my smart thermostat to kick up the temperature whenever I was home and lower it when I left to cut down on my heating costs.
Product Specs:
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
Runner Up – Vivint
Our Vivint test system includes sleek-looking and high-tech equipment, as shown above.
You’ll struggle to find a more high-tech security system than Vivint. Some of the equipment is wireless, and others are connected to your internal wiring, but they all come with cellular monitoring. However, they only have two monitoring centers compared to ADT’s 12 centers.
It also integrates with Google, Alexa, and more than 10,000 smart products through Z-Wave technology. But the reason it’s not higher on our list is because of the price. Vivint is one of the best security systems, but its high equipment prices – not to mention contracts that can be up to five years – can be a hindrance.
Are Security Systems Without Landlines Reliable?
Yes, home security systems without landlines are absolutely reliable. While the internet used to be new technology, it’s now a robust infrastructure that spans most of the United States. That means it’s just as reliable as landlines used to be. Sure, it can go out when the power goes down and network issues can happen. But overall, Wi-Fi is as reliable, if not more so, than landlines used to be.
On top of the reliability of your internet connection, the best wireless security systems also use a cellular backup. That means if your internet ever does go down, that cellular backup kicks in to keep your security system fully operational.
A collection of SimpliSafe’s equipment.
Do Any Security Systems Use Landlines Today?
Although wireless security systems are completely reliable, you can still get landline systems today, but they’re few and far between. Unless you’re in a specific circumstance that necessitates a landline, I suggest using a security system that doesn’t use a landline. They’re more advanced, easier to use, and more reliable overall.
I get it, though. There are times when you need to use a landline. Here’s when I’d recommend a security system with a landline:
You live in a rural area that doesn’t have quality internet service yet.
Your cellular reception is spotty at best.
The internet is not an option in your home.
Essentially, if you can avoid using a system that relies on a landline, you should.
It’s also important that your system is reliable — there were about 4.3 million larceny incidents in 2022 — the most recent year the FBI has compiled the data. Also worth considering:
23 percent of property crime victims were 30 to 39 years old.
21 percent were 20 to 29 years old.
Victims knew the offender in 79 percent of cases.
Males represented 55 percent of the victims of property theft.
Females represented 44 percent of the victims of property theft.
However you look at it, installing a reliable security system is important for anyone who doesn't want to become a victim.
Expert Examined
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert:
Landline or wireless, any home security system is going to provide an added layer of protection when it comes to your home. Landlines do have some disadvantages as the line can be cut or disabled by would-be criminals looking to break in, whereas wireless systems are much harder to disable. Make sure whatever system you choose has a loud siren and covers all doors and windows. The sound of the alarm will most likely scare off most intruders and can also alert neighbors. Read more about Anthony Travaglia →
What Do Security Systems Use Instead of a Landline?
Instead of a landline, modern security systems use the internet and cellular services to communicate your system’s alerts to their monitoring centers. This makes a meaningful improvement to the security of your system. Here’s a quick rundown on the security vulnerabilities of landline systems:
Requires maintenance: The infrastructure for landlines requires regular maintenance. That means you’re relying on your town to keep your landline and security system operational at all times.
Susceptible to wiretapping: Your landline can get wiretapped. These wiretaps can do more than spy, though. They can also put your system out of commission for just enough time for a burglar to break in.
Less flexibility: With a wireless system, you can move your components freely whenever you want. This prevents criminals from figuring out the weak spots in your security system. You lose this flexibility with landline systems since components need to be plugged in.
Final Thoughts
Installing a security camera
There’s certainly no shortage of options when looking for a security system without a landline. Pretty much every security system these days offers some extent of wireless options. That said, they don’t all offer the same alternatives to a landline. Some systems use the internet with a cellular backup, while others primarily use cellular with your internet connection as a backup. And the cellular network each provider uses varies too.
I recommend looking at a cell coverage map as your first step. Then, figure out which network gives you solid coverage on 4G LTE. From there, look for a system that uses that provider.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Not to worry — I’ve compiled a list of the best home security systems of the year for you to review. If you didn’t find a system that struck your fancy here, I’m sure you will over there.
FAQ About Home Security Systems Without a Landline
After testing dozens of security systems, my favorite system that doesn’t use a landline is SimpliSafe. The system gives you great value from the equipment to the monitoring. For a high-end option, I suggest ADT.
Yes, some security systems still require a landline. I think those systems are using antiquated technology, though, so I’d recommend an alternative unless your home doesn’t have internet access and cellular coverage. Some systems like ADT also offer a landline connection as an alternative.
Most security systems require an internet connection if they don’t use a landline. Frontpoint is one of only a few providers that use cellular as the main form of connection with your internet as a backup. So, you can still use their system without an internet connection or a landline.
No, professional monitoring does not require a landline. Your security system can still send alerts to your system’s monitoring centers over the internet or through cellular networks. That’s the way most security systems work nowadays.
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.
