Reviews Report
- Based on Reviews.com’s evaluations, SimpliSafe is one of the best home security systems in Indianapolis, earning a 4.4 out of 5.
- The best home security systems in Indianapolis offer DIY installation and no contract requirements.
- Other top Indianapolis home security systems include Ring, Abode, and Arlo.
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.
When comparing and reviewing the best home security systems in Indianapolis, we
The 6 Best Home Security Systems in Indianapolis
- SimpliSafe: Best Indianapolis Home Security for Flexibility
- Ring: Best Indianapolis Home Security for Ease of Use
- Abode: Best Indianapolis Home Security for Self-Monitoring
- Arlo: Best Indianapolis Home Security for High-Quality Cameras
- Blue by ADT: Best Indianapolis Home Security for Professional Monitoring
- Cove: Best Indianapolis Home Security for Guarantees
Compare the Best Indianapolis Home Security Systems
| Simplisafe | Ring | Abode | Arlo | Blue by ADT | Cove | |
| Reviews.com Score | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.25 | 4 | 3.6 | 3.5 |
| Monitoring prices start at | $0.50/day | $10/month | $0.20/day or $6/month | $2.99/month | $19.99/month | $0.50/day |
| Contract length | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| 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, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit | 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 April 2021
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: $181–$342
- Standard monitoring: $0.50/day
- Interactive monitoring: $0.83/day
- Camera subscription: $4.99/month for one camera or $9.99/month for up to 10 cameras
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 and Google Assistant
Cons
- Keypad and base station require separate purchases
- Cellular backup and video recording only available with paid professional monitoring
- Google support can be challenging
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 Basic: $3/month or $30/year
- Ring Protect Plus: $10/month or $100/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
Cons
- Can get expensive as devices are added
- Integration with home automation assistants can be unreliable
- Limited refund options on technology, which as 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 seven days of cloud storage
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Strictly a camera-based system
- 3- to 5- second recording lag time
- Older cameras are not compatible on the Elite plan
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: $278.98–$1,179.95
- Continuous video recording: $9.99 for 14 days or $19.99/month
- Premier subscription: $2.99/month per camera or $9.99/month for five cameras
- Elite subscription: $4.99/month per camera or $14.99/month for five cameras
Best Professional Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Compatible with most smart home technology
- Availability of ADT’s top-rated monitoring systems
- Easily tailored to your specific needs
Cons
- Professional installation is not available
- Higher price point for professional monitoring
- Lower customer satisfaction than competitors
Equipment Available
- Hub/keypad
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Motion sensors
- Doorbell camera
- Extender and chime
- Door/window sensors
- Yard signs and window decals
- Chime/extender
Plans & Pricing
- Equipment bundles: $179.99–$299.99
- Professional monitoring: $19.99/month
Best for Money-Back Guarantee
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Offers lifetime warranty and monthly equipment credit
- System is preconfigured for easy DIY installation
- Excellent customer reviews and resources for support
Cons
- Mobile access is only available through the Cove Plus plan
- Cameras provided through a third party
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant capabilities only in the Cove Plus plan
Equipment Available
Touchscreen panel
Environmental sensors
Intrusion sensors
Cameras
Medical alert
Plans & Pricing
No upfront equipment costs with Economy plan
Cove Basic: $0.50/day
Cove Plus: $0.83/day
*J.D. Power’s 2020 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 one of the highest crime rates in the country. It is safer than only 4% of all U.S. cities. In the state of Indiana, 99% of all other communities have a lower crime rate. The possibility of becoming a crime victim is one in 20.
- Indianapolis has a rate of 51 crimes per 1,000 residents
- Residents have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of property crime, compared to 1 in 51 in the rest of Indiana
- Of the close to 44,500 total annual crimes in Indianapolis, 75% are property crimes
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, those areas with the most crime include Districts 17 and 13. District 17, which includes Martindale Brightwood, some of Fountain Square, and the northeast side of downtown Indy, has a violent crime index of 100. District 13 includes Audubon Gardens, Brookhaven, and Northeastwood and has a violent crime index of 96.
These districts also have higher neighborhood disadvantage, average unemployment, and poverty rate scores. Residents and homeowners can also use the maps and statistics at NeighborhoodScout 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 companies to notify the city’s alarm administrator of the address and contact person for each alarm system it is monitoring. Failure to do so could result in a $100 fine. False alarms from your security system could result in penalties — the first time the police receive a false alarm, you’ll receive a warning. However, the second false warning could result in a $50 fine. The financial penalty for each subsequent false alarm increases in $25 increments. For the sixth and subsequent false alarms within a calendar year, the fee is $200.
How to Choose Your Indianapolis Home Security System
Local vs. national companies pros and cons
| Pros of local security company | Close relationship with local police Customized experience Professional installation |
| Cons of local security company | Less name recognition Professional installation costs more Requires time off work |
| Pros of national security company | National name recognition Easy to research the brand DIY setup |
| Cons of national security company | Local reputation may differ Services may be subcontracted out Equipment is same for everyone |
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 2020 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.
About the Authors
The Reviews.com staff is dedicated to providing you with all the deep-dive details. Our writers, researchers, and editors came together from Charlotte, Seattle, San Juan, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Chicago to put this review together.
