Reviews Report
- Drawing on recent independent tests and buyer guides, SimpliSafe remains the best overall DIY pick for most Indianapolis homes, while ADT (with Google Nest) and Vivint lead among pro-installed systems.
- The best home security systems in Indianapolis now emphasize easy DIY options with no long-term contracts, cellular backup, reliable apps, and growing use of video verification.
- Strong alternatives include Ring (best budget DIY for Alexa households), Abode (flexible smart-home integrations, including Apple Home on supported hubs), and Cove (budget-friendly monitoring).
When searching for the best home security systems in Indianapolis, there are many factors to consider. Some of these include the number and types of cameras and sensors, additional equipment available, if the system is wired or wireless, whether a contract is required, cost of a professional monitoring plan, ease of use for self-monitoring, and whether there is easy do-it-yourself installation or professional installation. In 2025, also weigh cellular backup, video verification options, and fit with your preferred smart-home ecosystem (Google, Alexa, or Apple).
When comparing and reviewing the best home security systems in Indianapolis, we prioritize reliability and monitoring, total cost of ownership, ease of setup and use, ecosystem compatibility, and camera/verification capabilities, reflecting findings from recent national roundups and customer satisfaction research.
The 6 Best Home Security Systems in Indianapolis
- SimpliSafe: Best overall DIY value for most homes
- Ring: Best budget DIY for Alexa households
- Abode: Best DIY for smart-home flexibility
- Arlo: Best for high-quality cameras (camera‑centric)
- Blue by ADT: Best for professional monitoring (now part of ADT’s Self Setup/ADT with Google Nest lineup)
- Cove: Best budget DIY with straightforward monitoring
Compare the Best Indianapolis Home Security Systems
| Simplisafe | Ring | Abode | Arlo | Blue by ADT | Cove | |
| Reviews.com Score | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Monitoring prices start at | $19.99/month (Standard) or $29.99/month (Fast Protect) | $20/month or $200/year (Protect Pro) | $6.99/month (Standard) or $21.99/month (Pro) | Varies by plan | Varies by line; pro-installed often $40+/month; Self Setup priced separately | Budget-friendly, month-to-month plans |
| Contract length | None (month-to-month) | None (month-to-month) | None (month-to-month) | None (camera subscriptions optional) | Varies; multi-year common for pro install, Self Setup is month-to-month | None (month-to-month) |
| Cameras | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor |
| Sensors | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood Freeze Panic button | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood Freeze Panic button | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood Freeze Panic button | None | Intrusion Flood | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood Panic button |
| Smart home integration | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home | Google Assistant (Nest ecosystem) | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Control panel | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app | Mobile app and keypad | Touchscreen panel and mobile app |
Information accurate as of 2025
Best for Flexibility
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Multiple plan and equipment options
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Easy DIY installation with the option of professional installation
Cons
- Limited smart home accessories
- High upfront costs for equipment
- No-frills products
Equipment Available
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Doorbell
- Base station
- Smart lock
- Glass break sensor
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
- Temperature sensor
Plans & Pricing
- Equipment bundles: pricing varies and is frequently discounted
- Standard monitoring: $19.99/month (month-to-month)
- Fast Protect (with video verification): $29.99/month
- Camera storage options available; terms subject to change
Best for Ease of Use
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Basic package is affordable compared to competitors
- Easy 20-minute installation with the option for professional installation
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
Cons
- Keypad and base station require separate purchases
- Cellular backup and video recording only available with paid professional monitoring
- No Google Assistant integration
Equipment Available
- Base station, keypad, and key fob
- Contact sensor and motion detectors
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Video doorbells
- Flood/freeze sensors and smoke/CO sensors
- Mailbox sensors
- Solar-powered flood and path lights
- Panic button
Plans & Pricing
- Ring Protect Pro: $20/month or $200/year
Best Self-Monitoring Home Security
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Budget-friendly solutions for self and professional monitoring
- Straightforward and easy installation
- Compatible with most smart home devices (including Apple Home on supported hubs)
Cons
- Can get expensive as devices are added
- Integration with home automation assistants can be unreliable
- Limited refund options on technology, which has a one-year warranty
Best for High-Quality Security Cameras
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- High-quality, weatherproof cameras
- Includes local storage and optional cloud storage
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Strictly a camera-based system
- Subscription required for full video history and advanced features
- Older cameras may not support newer plan features
Equipment Available
- Arlo Ultra 2 4K camera
- Two HD 2K cameras
- Small Essential camera
- Mobile Arlo Go wireless camera works with cellular data
- Wired and wireless doorbells
- Solar panel charger
Plans & Pricing
- Equipment bundles: pricing varies by kit and promotions
- Arlo Secure subscription options vary by number of cameras and features
Why we chose it
Pros
Cons
Why we chose it
Pros
Cons
*J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Home Security in Indianapolis: What You Need to Know
Indianapolis, Indiana, crime statistics
Indianapolis has seen homicides decline from the record levels reached in 2021, aligning with broader national decreases in violent crime reported for 2023. For the most current citywide and neighborhood-level statistics, consult official IMPD dashboards and the FBI Crime Data Explorer, and pair them with recent multi-city trend analyses.
- Homicides have trended down since the 2021 peak, with additional improvement indicated through 2023 and into 2024 (based on IMPD reporting and independent multi-city trackers)
- Nationally, violent crime decreased in 2023, while motor vehicle theft remained elevated; verify Indianapolis’ 2023–2024 vehicle theft trend using IMPD data
- Use the City of Indianapolis/IMPD crime statistics portal and the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the latest counts and per‑capita rates
Research your Indianapolis neighborhood
Before you build your home security system, it’s a good idea to do some research on the threats your neighborhood faces. This could factor into the number of entry sensors or video cameras you feel are necessary to secure your home.
Breaking crime down by the city-county’s council districts, prior analyses have highlighted higher violent-crime indices in select districts. For current district-level patterns, review the latest IMPD dashboards and local data coverage such as recent media analyses.
These differences can correlate with neighborhood disadvantage, unemployment, and poverty rates. Residents and homeowners can also use the maps and statistics at NeighborhoodScout alongside official IMPD data to learn about crimes in Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Register your home security system in Indianapolis
Sometimes, home security systems can be a little too secure, resulting in a high number of false alarms to local police stations. False alarms can be more prevalent if your system relies on motion detection since simple things like a misplaced step from your pet could trigger one of your sensors. For police officers responding to such calls, the cost of false alarms is far greater than just inconvenience. It means taking the time to handle a non-existent threat when their services could be better used elsewhere.
The city of Indianapolis requires alarm systems that can request police service to be registered with the city’s alarm administrator. Failure to comply may result in penalties under the city code. False alarms can also lead to escalating civil penalties based on the number of occurrences within a defined period, with appeal procedures available through the city’s program. Check the city’s alarm-permit guidance for current rules and fee schedules.
How to Choose Your Indianapolis Home Security System
Local vs. national companies pros and cons
| Pros of local security company | Bespoke system design and on-site consults Direct, relationship-driven support Professional installation (often using mature platforms like Alarm.com) |
| Cons of local security company | Less name recognition Service quality can vary by provider Professional installation may add cost/time |
| Pros of national security company | Nationwide service footprint and mover programs Easy to research with abundant reviews DIY options and standardized apps/processes |
| Cons of national security company | Contract rigidity and early-termination fees (for pro install) Call-center wait times can vary Customization may be more limited |
Indianapolis Home Security Systems FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated home security companies based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation, and customer satisfaction to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best home security reviews. To compare home security companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Monthly Price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric.
- Equipment Cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower prices on equipment.
- Contracts: Reviews.com reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score.
- Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.
- Installation: Just like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies that have flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
