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Since the pre‑2020 period (see a prior KCPD annual report and an earlier report), Kansas City, Missouri’s crime picture has shifted. Homicides set a new record in 2023 and eased slightly in 2024, while broader violent crime began to improve from pandemic‑era highs; motor vehicle theft surged in 2022–2023 and started to recede in 2024 but remains above pre‑2020 levels. For the latest city totals and YTD updates, check KCPD’s Homicide Analysis and monthly Crime Statistics, and see national context from the Council on Criminal Justice’s crime trends tracker. The good news? Many property crimes are preventable. KCPD emphasizes basics like locking doors and garages and using alarm verification to reduce false dispatches.
Having a home security system can help you avoid these slip-ups and add professional monitoring and smart safeguards if an incident occurs. Our top picks for home security in Kansas City — Vivint, Frontpoint, ADT, and SimpliSafe — cover everything from DIY, no‑contract options to professionally installed, fully integrated smart‑home systems. The best choice depends on your preferences: installation style (DIY vs. pro), contract tolerance, smart‑home ecosystem, and your budget for monitoring and cameras. Keep these considerations in mind as you choose between home security systems.
The Best Home Security Systems in Kansas City: Summed Up
Vivint | Frontpoint | ADT | SimpliSafe | |
| Prices start at | Varies by package; typically $30s–$50s+ for monitoring (equipment extra) | Month‑to‑month monitoring; typically high‑$40s to $60 range | Pro install tiers typically mid‑$40s to $60+; 36‑month contract common | Lowest monthly among these; cancel‑anytime plans |
| Contract length | Month‑to‑month if equipment is purchased upfront; multi‑year agreement if financed | Month‑to‑month; no long‑term contract | 36 months (pro install). ADT Self Setup is month‑to‑month | No contracts (cancel anytime) |
| Cameras | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Sensors | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/flood/CO Panic button | Intrusion Smoke/flood/CO Panic button | Intrusion Smoke/flood/CO Panic button | Glass break Smoke/flood/CO Freeze Panic Button |
| Smart home features | Lights & Locks Thermostat Garage door Car guard | Lights Locks | Lights Locks Thermostat Garage door Smart plug | Locks Siren |
| Control panel | Touchscreen Mobile app | Touchscreen Mobile app Keypad | Touchscreen Classic keypad Mobile app | Base station Keypad Keyfob Mobile App |
How We Found the Best Home Security Systems in Kansas City
Kansas City home security rankings are based on the criteria we developed for our national review of the best home security systems. In order to find the best, we did an in-depth study of the eight most popular home security providers.
For starters, we made sure that they offer 24/7 professional monitoring. Then we checked in on services. Companies had to cover the security basics:
- Intrusion (door, window, and glass-break sensors)
- Environmental (carbon monoxide, fire, and flood sensors)
- Surveillance (indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras)
- Safety (life alert and panic buttons)
Besides covering the essentials, the best home security companies should be easy to work with and use up-to-date monitoring technology. To get a sense for their tools and service, we actually subscribed with all eight companies. Then we installed their systems and spent eight months of monitoring, programming, and tinkering to find the most user-friendly systems.
The 4 Best Home Security Systems in Kansas City
- Vivint – Best for Home Automation
- Frontpoint – Best for Customer Service
- ADT – Most Popular Provider
- SimpliSafe – Most Flexible
Kansas City Home Security Reviews
Vivint
Vivint is smart home‑focused, with deep automation and mobile features comparable to ADT’s pro‑install offering. The difference? Vivint’s platform brings smart tech and security into a single, polished experience. Our testers preferred its interface over most contenders.
Vivint’s combined smart home security hub (now the Smart Hub) anchors the system. From a single touch-screen panel, you can control smart devices (thermostats, lights, locks, garage door) and manage your alarm. That means arming/disarming, locking/unlocking, and using the panic feature — all in one place — with mobile app control when you’re away.
Like ADT, Vivint’s systems link to a mobile app so you can view cameras and manage devices remotely. We especially like the automation tools: set doors to lock at bedtime, close the garage after you leave, or adjust lights and temperature on a schedule. Smarter detection on modern cameras and doorbells helps cut false alerts, and growing industry standards around privacy and security (for example, the FCC’s voluntary U.S. Cyber Trust Mark) make it easier to compare device security claims.
Pricing depends on your configuration. Monitoring can be month‑to‑month if you purchase equipment upfront; if you finance equipment, a multi‑year agreement typically applies. If you want no‑contract flexibility, DIY options like SimpliSafe or Frontpoint may be a better starting point. For a professionally installed, premium smart‑home experience, Vivint is hard to beat. See current structure and fees on Vivint’s pricing page.
For current customer sentiment, check independent sources such as U.S. News 360 Reviews and PCMag Readers’ Choice. For historical context, see J.D. Power’s past U.S. Home Security Satisfaction Study.
Frontpoint
Maybe you’ve gotten this far and your head is spinning. Motion sensors, camera feeds, smart hubs, automation, installation — it’s a lot to take in. If you are feeling a little lost, we recommend starting with Frontpoint. This provider keeps up with the leaders on core security: round‑the‑clock professional monitoring, modern hardware, and a straightforward DIY install. Where Frontpoint stands out is support and onboarding.
From our first contact, reps were patient and focused on finding the right package, not just making a sale — a contrast with some pro‑install competitors. Setup is DIY and guided; the online tutorial is tailored to your kit and easy to follow, and a brief activation call confirms everything is online. Most homes can get up and running in under an hour.
Frontpoint generally offers a single, comprehensive professional monitoring plan (month‑to‑month, no long‑term contract) with app control and smart‑home features; video support is available with compatible cameras. If you live in one of Kansas City’s safest neighborhoods, the basic setup may be all you need. Check current equipment promos and plan details on the Frontpoint site.
If you’re not sure what level of security you need, we suggest contacting Frontpoint directly. Its reps are patient and helpful, and will help you find the best home security system for your individual needs.
ADT
ADT is one of the most recognized names in home security, with a long track record of professional monitoring and service. In home security, brand recognition matters: a well‑known yard sign can add deterrence before a crime ever happens.
Research suggests that displaying a home security logo can deter many would‑be burglars. ADT’s venerable status makes its blue octagon especially recognizable — a signal to criminals that your home is professionally protected.
ADT keeps pace with modern hardware and monitoring. Its professionally installed packages are organized into tiers (Secure, Smart, Video) with Google Nest integration and app control. See current options on ADT’s packages page. If home automation is your priority, Vivint is a strong alternative; ADT Self Setup is another contract‑free option for DIY users who prefer the Google Nest ecosystem.
ADT’s mobile app, mobile app, supports remote camera viewing and control with the appropriate package. Remote check‑ins can also help you validate alarms before dispatch to reduce false calls. Kansas City will up the price for an annual alarm permit if a house has multiple false alarms, so verification can help keep costs down.
It’s worth mentioning that ADT isn’t always praised for its customer service. Our testers had a positive experience with reps and installers, but not all customers report the same. If you want extra hand‑holding without a contract, you may prefer a support‑oriented DIY provider like Frontpoint.
All things considered, ADT remains a top pick. It offers a wide range of equipment, customizable packages, and industry‑leading name recognition. If you choose ADT, you’re in excellent company.
Looking for the right home security system has become more difficult as players have saturated the field. Most people don’t want a long contract before they can try a system — that’s where SimpliSafe stands out. With its no‑contract, DIY approach, SimpliSafe lets you start with a small kit and expand as needed.
SimpliSafe offers modern equipment with either self‑monitoring or 24/7 professional monitoring. Plans are cancel‑anytime, and pricing is among the lowest of the major brands. See current tiers — including Standard Monitoring and Fast Protect — on SimpliSafe’s monitoring page. DIY setup is straightforward, and optional pro install is available in some areas. If you’re looking for simple automation, flexible monitoring, and no long‑term commitment, SimpliSafe is an easy recommendation.
Guide to Kansas City Home Security Systems
Research your neighborhood’s crime profile
You’ve got a lot of options when building out the equipment in your home security system. Before you speak with a security consultant, we recommend doing some research on your local neighborhood crime rates. Use online crime maps and KCPD’s official Crime Statistics page to understand any local concerns relevant to your security system.
Register your security system
Under the Kansas City Alarm Ordinance, home security users must register and keep their alarm permits current. Follow the City’s instructions to register their alarms and review the current fee schedule and false‑alarm policy on the Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s Alarm/Private Alarms page. For the controlling law, see the City’s Code of Ordinances via Municode. Policies can change, so confirm details as of the date you apply or renew.
Consider a local company
ADT, Vivint, and Frontpoint are all tried and true. Our testers touted their smooth install, reliable monitoring, and user-friendly equipment. We recommend them without hesitation.
Keep in mind, though, that these are all nationwide providers. If you’re looking for someone that already understands your neighborhood and security concerns, then you might consider a local company. We cross-referenced customer ratings on Yelp and Google to find the five most popular Kansas City home security providers. If you hire on‑site guards or patrols, verify licensing with Kansas City, MO’s Regulated Industries (Private Security).
- Atronic Alarms
- Best Security
- Jade Alarm Co
- Scharig Alarm Systems
- Rampart Security Systems
- Shield Security Systems
- Watchmen Security Services
Kansas City Home Security FAQ
How much does a false alarm cost in Kansas City?
There’s nothing like an alarm system for peace of mind: You press a button and the police are there to help. Unfortunately, police often arrive to find that they’re not really needed. Whether by equipment malfunctions, user error, or touchy motion sensors, false alarms happen frequently. Many analyses note a high false alarm rate.
All those calls take a toll on law enforcement. They require time and resources that could be better spent responding to legitimate emergencies — and when cops are busy responding to false alarms, it may take them longer to respond to a real one. To address this issue, the Kansas City PD administers an alarm program under the City’s ordinance, including escalating penalties for repeat false alarms and rules for appeals. See KCPD’s administrative guidance here and the governing law on Municode.
- First and Second false alarm: Check the current KCPD schedule for any waivers that may apply
- Third, Fourth, and Fifth false alarms: See current schedule and escalating fees
- Sixth false alarm: Required to attend a False Alarm Class; if the user fails to attend the class, their alarm permit will be revoked until they do.
These fees are meant to encourage correct home security system use and maintenance. Note that if an alarm user doesn’t have an alarm permit, the KCPD can (and will) refuse response to that home.
What is Kansas City’s crime rate like?
Kansas City’s public safety picture has shifted since the pre‑2020 period. KCPD reports that homicides reached a record high in 2023 and ended slightly lower in 2024, still historically elevated. See the latest details on KCPD’s Homicide Analysis page.
Broader violent crime in KCMO eased from 2023 to 2024, while property crime trends were mixed: motor vehicle theft spiked in 2022–2023 and began to improve in 2024 but remains above pre‑2020 levels. For current city totals and year‑over‑year changes, review KCPD’s monthly Crime Statistics. For national context showing similar improvements in many large cities, see the Council on Criminal Justice’s crime trends tracker. Smart‑home features (e.g., automatic door/garage locking and verified video alerts) can help reduce preventable incidents and false dispatches.
