Best Home Security Systems in Los Angeles, California

To find the best home security systems, we tested products and talked with security companies and customers.
Best local pick
Fluent
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at$29.99/mo
  • pro
    Pro installation
  • pro
    30-day trial period
  • pro
    Premier video options
Best professional home security
Vivint
Vivint
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at$29.99/mo
  • pro
    Pro installation
  • pro
    Smarter security cameras
  • pro
    Advanced smart home features
Best DIY home security
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at$19.99/mo
Trusted security brand
ADT
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at$45.99/mo
  • pro
    Pro installation
  • pro
    Longest money-back period
  • pro
    Google Nest products

Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer

We recommend Fluent for its premier video options, customizable plans, and local professional installation. If Fluent isn’t your style, Vivint has high-end equipment and proactive theft-deterring features. Or ADT has the most experience in the business with top notch professional monitoring. For a budget-friendly alternative, take a peek at SimpliSafe.

Why you can trust us

To find the best home security systems, we dig into hands-on tests, meet with security companies, and learn from real customers. 

Person testing home security equipment eq

Image: SafeWise

Compare the best home security systems in Los Angeles, California

Our reviews cover these home-security picks among others. We love the quality equipment and comprehensive service a national brand provides, but we also share local picks so you can decide what works best for you.

Brand
Installation
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Best for
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
ProfessionalBest local pick$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
ProfessionalBest professional home security$599.00No *Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
DIY or ProBest DIY home security$245.00NoAmazon,
Google
ProfessionalMost trusted security brand$0.00YesAmazon,
Google,
Z-Wave

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer

Los Angeles, California local security companies

Local security companies are more likely to uniquely understand your neighborhood. And sometimes these providers can offer packages with the best of different brands. But it’s also typical to experience longer waits for installs, less transparent pricing/packages, and fewer customer-support resources.

APS Security Systems
apssecurityinc.com
22156 Sherman Way, Suite F
Canoga Park, CA 91304
818-887-7089

Protection Alarms
protectionalarms.com
21704 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth CA 91311
818-885-7726

San Marino Security Systems
sanmarinosecuritysystems.com
2405 Huntington Dr
San Marino, CA 91108
626-285-7778

First Digital Surveillance
cctvinstallation-losangeles.com
3183 Wilshire Blvd Ste #196 D10
Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
310-901-4954

Should I buy local or national home security?

The best home security system for your family depends on your priorities. Maybe you value the latest tech a national company provides. Maybe you like that local providers are more tied to your community.

National home security companies
pro More resources for a wider customer base
pro Better equipment available
pro Familiar brands would-be intruders recognize
con Some brands prone to high-pressure sales
con Long contracts with high cancellation fees
Local home security companies
pro Knowledge of local problems
pro Packages with best of different brands
con Fewer customer support resources
con Longer wait for install
con Less transparent pricing/packages

What to look for in home security

Home security isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. Here are the top things to consider when picking out your perfect home security match.

Household type and composition

If you rent, look for wireless home security equipment that won’t damage your walls and is easy to take with you when your lease is up. If you’re a homeowner, consider the size of your property and the number of ground-floor access points. 

Do you live alone, or do you have others in the home like children or pets? If you have kids coming home on their own after school, you might want security cameras or a video doorbell in your system. (Video doorbells can help spot package deliveries and detect familiar faces too.) 

For pups who like to take off, look for motion sensors to tack onto a pet door or outdoor gate. If you have roommates, you may want to protect only your room, so look for a smaller DIY security system you can manage on your own.

Neighborhood

Look into local crime stats, talk to neighbors, and connect with your neighborhood watch. You can also use neighborhood safety tools like Ring’s free Neighbors app. It gives you real-time updates from people in the neighborhood and provides crime reports from local law enforcement. If your neighborhood has a lot of vehicle break-ins, think about an outdoor security camera or a system that offers car security.

DIY vs. professional installation

If you’re into doing things yourself, then a DIY alarm system might be a better fit. SimpliSafe is our DIY recommendation, but there are other good options out there like Frontpoint. Want the convenience of letting someone else sweat during the install? Vivint does all the work for you and offers high-end equipment.

Keep in mind what brands offer

Vivint cameras

Security cameras

You can tailor your system’s security cameras to your needs—whether you need indoor or outdoor cameras, or more advanced features like motion-activation or night vision.  You can also use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to view footage from your cameras and access your home security system remotely. With motion-activated cameras, you can quickly review relevant footage.

customer service rep answering a phone call

Professional monitoring

You can get home security systems that don’t include professional monitoring, but we don’t recommend it. You’re always safer with trained pros watching your home 24/7. Plus, sometimes local police won’t respond to a burglar alarm without verification of a threat (which is automatically provided when you add professional monitoring to your home security system).

woman checking on home security system via app on smartphone

Smart home security

Smart home automation is easy and affordable. And you can monitor your security system and other gadgets from your phone. Control your smart locks or appliances remotely and link up voice-assistant speakers with your security system. Plus, automated security systems let you set up text and email notifications for events, like children coming and going, or emergencies.

L.A. home security FAQ

Installation cost, equipment, and monthly monitoring charges are the three main pricing variables for your home security system.

  • Professional installation can cost you from $25 to $200, with the average falling around $80. If you’re handy, DIY installation can save you some cash.
  • A basic security system package will cost you around $280 on average. That said, there are options ranging from $100 to $700. Don’t want to shell out for a system? If you sign up for monthly monitoring, some providers will give you a system.
  • Monthly monitoring ranges from $4 to $65 monthly—$32 on average. Monitoring can be free if you choose to self-monitor. But investing in pro monitoring means you don’t need to be glued to a live feed. The pros will contact you if something’s awry.

We recommend Vivint. Few brands can compete with its proprietary high-end equipment and smart home selection. With Vivint, you can customize home security packages to your heart’s content. Vivint products also feature proactive theft-deterring features, and installation is a breeze since the pros do it for you. 

SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system, hands down. It has some of the most affordable monthly monitoring fees in the industry, and it doesn’t tie you down with lengthy contracts. We’re also big fans of SimpliSafe’s RapidSOS feature for faster help during emergencies. SimpliSafe lives up to its name with a stress-free online shopping experience—no pushy salespeople to deal with. 


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Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

†Google, Google Nest Secure, Google Home, Google Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.