Each home security system we recommend has its perks. But Vivint takes the lead for its high-end equipment, smart home selection, and theft-deterring features. If you’re hunting for a budget-friendly alternative, SimpliSafe might be up your alley. Or maybe you prefer a company with over 140 years of experience protecting folks—ADT would fit the bill.
Best Home Security Systems in San Francisco, California
To find the best home security systems, we tested products and talked with security companies and customers.
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer
San Francisco, 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.
Bay Alarm
bayalarm.com
510 Myrtle Ave. #102
South San Francisco, CA 94080
1-800-610-1000
Powerhouse Security
phsecurity.com
1 Hillcrest Ave
San Anselmo, CA 94960
415-335-4300
Redwood Security Systems Inc.
redwoodsecurity.com
P.O. Box 1809
Mill Valley, CA 94942
415-929-9297
Bamboo Communications
securitycamerainstallationsf.com
4200 California St, Suite 204
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-816-7111
Golden Gate Burglar Alarm Co.
goldengateburglaralarm.com
415-285-1787
Northwest Security Inc.
P.O. Box 14084
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-861-0200
North Bay AVS
northbayavsdesign.com
Santa Rosa, CA
707-526-4549
Kurtis Company
kurtisco.com
3145 Geary Boulevard, Suite 130
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-738-8533
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
More resources for a wider customer base
Better equipment available
Familiar brands would-be intruders recognize 
Some brands prone to high-pressure sales
Long contracts with high cancellation fees
Local home security companies
Knowledge of local problems
Packages with best of different brands
Fewer customer support resources
Longer wait for install
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
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.
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).
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.
Local statistics and trends
San Francisco, California 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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