7 Best Business Security Systems for 2022

Modern business security systems involve more than some locks and a control panel. They may include everything from motion detectors to flood monitors to protect your property. Most systems include a smart app for monitoring and controlling the system, and some even let you set temperature, turn on lights, and integrate with devices like Alexa or Google Home.

The best security systems offer a variety of high-quality security tools at reasonable prices along with 24/7 professional monitoring. Some are adapted from home security systems, while others offer more specialized services. Most have contracts and financing.

Based on our evaluations, the best security systems for small businesses are:

• SimpliSafe: Best overall business security systems
• Vivint: Best for smart device functionality
• Frontpoint: Best DIY security solution with professional monitoring
• Tattletale: Best for large outdoor areas or compounds like construction, garden centers, schools, churches, and auto dealerships
• Vector: Best security system for large or multilocation businesses
• Brinks: Best for businesses that have existing security equipment
• ADT: Best for businesses needing specialized security or cybersecurity

Best Business Security Systems Compared

*$9.99 includes self-monitoring with unlimited recordings and alerts. Professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month.

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SimpliSafe: Best Overall Business Security System

SimpliSafe is a popular security solution with inexpensive pricing and easy-to-use equipment you can install yourself. It’s the best choice for budget-minded businesses that need basic security in the form of locks, cameras, and environmental monitors like flood and fire. It earned good reviews from real-world users, although customer support was deemed either excellent or terrible.

SimpliSafe earned 4.09 out of 5. While it provides great value for the money, it’s a home system that can be adapted for businesses. As such, it lacks some of the more advanced features you can find with bigger companies like Vivint.

Lack of equipment-specific monitoring, truly wireless cameras (though some are Wi-Fi-enabled, they still need to be plugged into a power source), and limited video recording options are where SimpliSafe lost points. Vivint, on the other hand, does have all of these features (just at a higher price).

SimpliSafe Pricing

Monitoring: SimpliSafe offers three monitoring plans. The plans are monthly and do not require a contract.

• Self-Monitoring plan with camera recording ($9.99/month): No tie to emergency services, but includes a timeline event log, remote arm/disarm, unlimited camera recording for five cameras, and smart home integration
• Standard plan ($14.99/month): Police, fire, and medical dispatch services, remote arm/disarm, and base station/cellular backup, plus a seven-day timeline event log
• Interactive Monitoring Plan ($24.99 /month): All the features of the Self-Monitoring and Standard Plans, with unlimited camera recording for 10 cameras

Hardware: SimpliSafe has starter kits that include the base system and keypad, plus a combination of entry sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, smart locks, cameras, key fobs, and more. You can also build your own set. Individual pieces of equipment start at $14.99 and run to $169.99.

SimpliSafe Features

• Equipment: Unlike many of the systems on our list, which use third-party equipment, SimpliSafe manufactures its own. The camera and doorbell camera include intelligent heat sensors to tell a human from an animal, and the camera motion sensors can tell the difference between humans and cars. It notifies you when it sees unusual activity, and you can view the video or set it to record using the app.
• Take it anywhere: The SimpliSafe system is easy to install yourself, and you can take it with you when you move. Others, like Vivint, charge you to transfer equipment, and several require you to sign a new contract for the new location.
• Video verification (add-on): With this addition to your plan, SimpliSafe can view video footage related to an event to determine if an intruder is on the premises and understand what is happening at the location. It helps reduce false alarms. We found this feature with Vector and ADT as well.
• Environmental monitoring: With a professional monitoring plan, you also get SimpliSafe’s fire, flood, and extreme temperature monitoring tools. This also gives you a chance to qualify for insurance discounts with some insurance providers.
• Smart platform integrations: SimpliSafe offers both smart home and business platform integrations, namely: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Watch, August Locks, and Nest Thermostat.

What SimpliSafe Is Missing

• Glitching: Real-world user reviews often complained about the equipment glitching, with false alarms—or failing when it was needed. False alarms and camera glitches are common complaints with most systems on our list.
• Unclear reimbursement policy: SimpliSafe does not have a clear policy of reimbursement if you are burgled or have damage because a system fails. We were told the policies change and “perhaps” it would reimburse you a couple of months’ monitoring fees.

Vivint: Best Security System for Smart Device Functionality

We found Vivint to be the runner-up best business security system. It has plans for both home and business, custom installation that may be able to incorporate any existing equipment you have, and 24/7 professional monitoring. Vivint offers smart locks, environmental sensors for temperature or flooding, smart thermostats, and a smart control panel to run it all. Plus, its cameras are wireless—an area in which SimpliSafe is still somewhat behind.

In our evaluation, Vivint earned a 4.04 out of 5. It earned high scores for everything but price, where the contract length and overall costs brought it down. It also took a hit for not having biometric locks. Vivint’s contracts are 42-60 months, which also brought its score down significantly. However, it has a higher user satisfaction rate than most of the systems on our list.

Vivint Pricing

Vivint provides custom quotes for businesses, but for comparison, its home security prices are among the lowest on our list. Home security monitoring runs from $19.99 to $44.99 monthly, with equipment packages starting around $550. Vivint installation fees begin at $49.99 with $100 for transferring your system after a move. Warranties are only 120 days unless you pay for premium service.

Vivint’s contracts run three-and-a-half to five years, which is typical of most business security systems. Only SimpliSafe and Tattletale do not have contracts. Frontpoint has contract requirements as low as one year. Contracts are notoriously hard to get out of, so choose carefully.

Vivint Features

• Alarm system equipment: Vivint offers smart locks; door, window and motion sensors; environmental sensors for temperature or flooding; smart thermostats; and a smart control panel to run everything. The temperature sensors include overheating or freezing alarms for sensitive equipment.
• Surveillance equipment: Monitor your inventory with motion-detecting indoor cameras with built-in speaker and microphone, plus an outdoor camera that offers a 140-degree field of view, night vision, and zoom which can recognize the difference between an animal and an intruder. The Vivint Smart Drive allows you to store your video footage for 30 days.
• Smart control: Vivint’s security system includes a touch-screen home control panel, a mobile app for remote access, and a keypad that allows you to arm, disarm, view live feeds, and communicate with anyone from your premises.
• Automobile security: Vivint also has tools for automobile security—a nice addition for service vehicles and something not found in other systems we reviewed.
• Recordings: You can save your camera footage on the camera for 45 days. You can choose to record clips or record 24/7. Most of the systems on our list offer some recording and storage, but not to this level.
• Smart technology: Like many systems on our list, Vivint integrates with smart devices. Its systems are designed to work with Z-wave smart locks, thermostats, and more. However, it stands out from the rest in that its cameras also include Smart Deterrent functions to scare away thieves before they break in.
• Smart platform integrations: All of Vivint’s smart tech security hardware works together with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can remotely control and manage your business security measures.

What Vivint Is Missing

• Self-monitoring option: Some small businesses on a budget prefer a self-monitoring option to minimize cost by eliminating monthly fees. If this is something you would like to have, try SimpliSafe.
• Biometric locks: Vivint does not have biometric or keycard access controls or equipment-specific sensors. For this, look to ADT or Vector.
• Unclear reimbursement policy: Some services like ADT offer some reimbursement if you have a break-in and the alarm system fails. Vivint’s policies, however, are unclear, even to the salespeople we spoke to. Most security systems do nothing, expecting you to rely on insurance.

Frontpoint: Best DIY Business Security System

Frontpoint is a DIY security system that has monitoring plans. You can purchase the equipment and install it yourself, then get a monitoring plan. If you finance, you incur a contract commitment of 12 months or more.

Frontpoint earned 3.91 out of 5 in our evaluation. It got high scores for value, and did well for installation support (important for DIY installation options) and general features. However, it lacks some of the more specific tools that others provide, like biometric locks and equipment-specific sensors. For most businesses just needing simple location security, it’s a good system and has the highest customer satisfaction score of those we reviewed.

Frontpoint Pricing

Like Vivint, you need to call for a quote for your business, but it lists prices for its home plans, which depend on the equipment you buy. The packages normally start at $392, but Frontpoint has marked them down to as low as $99. The sale makes it among the cheapest, although if you pay the full price, it’s the most expensive.

Monitoring costs $24.99 per month if you pay for the equipment outright and you can quit anytime. Otherwise, monthly plans start at $17.61 for The Bunker and $22.16 for The Fortress package with a one- to three-year commitment. This is less than all the business security services on our list, except SimpliSafe, which has no contract.

Frontpoint Features

• Two-way voice cameras: Like SimpliSafe and Vivint, Frontpoint cameras have two-way voice communications. Not only can you speak to a visitor you see in the camera, but if it’s an intruder, you can warn them away before they break in.
• Crash and smash protection: If your device is destroyed, such as by a burglar, the authorities are immediately notified. Most simply treat this as another alarm, while Tattletale boasts equipment that’s almost unbreakable.
• Custom business security package: Frontpoint offers businesses with a custom security package for hardware, automation, and professional monitoring. Frontpoint’s experts will assist you with the best solution for your unique business layout and needs.
• Smart automation: This feature allows you to customize your security and alarm settings such as lighting and temperature, as well as alert notifications. You can also integrate Frontpoint with smart platforms such as Google Assistant and Alexa.
• Perimeter Guard™: Paired with video analytics, Frontpoint’s camera can be customized to let out flashing lights and loud beeps when intruders are detected within its field of vision.
• High customer satisfaction: At the time of this writing, Frontpoint has garnered a 4.5 out of 5 user satisfaction rating from over 12,000 reviews on Trustpilot—the highest among all the providers in the list. Users praised customer support—a rarity for this field—and most said the equipment was excellent. Tattletale follows with a score of 4.2 but with less than 100 reviews. SimpliSafe and Vivint earned customer satisfaction scores of 4 out of 5 from more than 16,000 and 20,000 reviews, respectively.

What Frontpoint Is Missing

• Professional installation: Frontpoint does not have professional installers, even though most DIY security systems, such as SimpliSafe, offer this option.
• No biometrics: Access control is limited to the keypad only; it does not offer keycards or biometric access. If you need this, look at Vector.

Tattletale: Best for Compounds & Outdoor Security

Although Tattletale ended up in the middle of the pack in our evaluation, it deserves special consideration because its commercial plan is specifically designed for the needs of large outdoor areas such as construction sites, utilities, recreation sites, garden or landscaping businesses, schools, and churches. Its home system is suitable for small businesses as well.

In our evaluation, Tattletale earned a 3.81 out of 5. The system is very affordable, has great installation support, and high user reviews. However, it has the lowest score for general and hardware features of the systems on this list. Limited device compatibility, warranties for equipment and damage, lack of smart platform integration, and inability to use the system to tell if locks are locked, cost it points.

Tattletale Pricing

Tattletale lists pricing on its website, something many business security systems don’t do. Business plans with outdoor monitoring cost $40–$70 per month. Home monitoring, which can be used for shops or offices, comes with two options. For $33.95 per month, you get police, fire, and medical monitoring with mobile alerts as well as contacting the authorities; for $20.95 per month, you get text or email alerts only.

Indoor equipment is priced about average for the industry, with sensors starting at $29.95, and the touch screen costing $399. Commercial equipment is more expensive, especially for the outside units. The sensor hub starts at $999. However, these systems are outdoor-rated and extremely robust. All equipment comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty.

Tattletale Features

• Heat detection alarms: The commercial environmental sensors include a rate-of-rise sensor that can sound an alarm if the temperature increases more than 10 degrees per minute or rises above 194 degrees. Only Vivint offers something similar, although its sensors send out an alarm when an area is too hot or too cold.
• Large area security: For large properties with equipment, such as auto dealers or utilities, Tattletale offers motion detectors with 90-degree views and 40 feet of sensitivity as well as invisible fences. The Portable Security System can track up to 500 sensors, be set for 125 users, and is one of the most durable in the industry. It contains a strobe warning system as well as a 115-decibel alarm.
• Plug-and-play technology: Even with its wide array of outdoor equipment and ability to integrate up to 500 sensors at a time, Tattletale maintains a plug-and-play setup with its unbeatable PRO security system so you can opt for a DIY installation.
• Equipment locks: Tattletale is unique in its equipment security. Its equipment locks work like bike locks to tie down your equipment. Alternatively, attach its Rattler(™) alarm to the machine or hide it in a pile, like in a stack of lumber at a construction site. When someone tries to move the equipment, the alarm goes off.
• RV alarm system: Tattletale has a system designed specifically for RVs, something we did not find with other systems. This could be a good choice if you have a food truck or mobile office.

What Tattletale Is Missing

• Tools for homes and smart platform integrations: We did not find door locks in Tattletale’s catalog. It also does not offer smart home technology integration. Try SimpliSafe for the most smart platform integration options.
• No reimbursement policy: Tattletale says it does not have a compensation policy for loss due to the system failing, but the only failures it has seen in 23 years were from user error such as ignoring a warning or letting a battery die.
• No native surveillance camera equipment: Tattletale integrates with Arlo for its indoor and outdoor camera equipment. However, high-grade PRO cameras for business security systems are currently out of stock. Consider SimpliSafe if you prefer a security hardware package that includes a free HD camera.

Vector Security: Best for Multiple Locations

Vector Security earns a spot as one of the best security systems for businesses because it offers plans and equipment specific to the needs of different industries. Vector is one of the few providers that has commercial-grade equipment and dedicated consultants who help with customization for your unique business as it changes or expands, making it ideal for larger or multilocation businesses that need a serious security solution while working within a budget. Vector works with the automotive, financial, food, warehousing, grocery, healthcare, restaurant, and retail industries.

Vector earned a 3.68 out of 5 in our evaluation. It took a hit for pricing and contract length as well as its auto renewal policy. The warranty is shorter than many, which hurt its score, as did the lack of some advanced tools like equipment-specific monitoring.

Vector Security Pricing

Like with the other business security systems on our list, Vector does not advertise prices for business services. Home plans require a three-year contract that includes equipment and monitoring. The lowest plan costs $44.95, and includes a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector, and signage. Midrange plan costs $59.95 per month with an upfront fee of $99 while Vector’s highest plan has a one-time fee of $149, and then runs $69.95 per month. Vector gives you a discount if you want to install it yourself and have a technician walk you through it and check your work.

Contracts: Vector’s contracts include an auto renewal policy. When your contract is up, it can be renewed automatically for another year. Many users were surprised by this. Read the contract carefully.

Much of Vector’s commercial-grade equipment is not listed on the website catalog. You will need to contact the provider for pricing. All equipment comes with a one-year warranty.

Vector Security Features

• Biometric access: Vector has biometric access controls, something only ADT lists as available. If you have secure areas that need more than a code for entry, Vector can support you.
• Additional access tools: Vector has one of the widest ranges of access security tools we saw. It even has proximity readers, which is a card or fob that automatically gives someone access. It offers turnstile readers, intercom systems, and more.
• Push notifications: All the systems on our list can text or call you in case of alarms. Vector also lets you choose to receive email, text, or push notifications for other events such as an employee entering the store, particular cabinets or safes being opened, the system being disarmed, or someone trying to log in to your account. The Cancel-Verify feature lets you cancel false alarms online or through your app from anywhere.

What Vector Security Is Missing

• Not available everywhere: Vector is only available along the East Coast and a few interior states so you should check with your local vendor for availability options. For wider options, check Vivint.
• Limited warranty: The equipment warranty is only a year. Compare this to the three-year warranties of other systems such as SimpliSafe and Frontpoint.
• Equipment monitoring: Vector does not have tools to monitor specific equipment such as machines for overheating or automobiles for theft. If you need this, look to Vivint or Tattletale.

Brinks: Best for Compatible Equipment

Brinks is one of the few security systems we found that says it can work with existing equipment. It sells both Nest and Security Safe equipment, which you can pay to have installed or install yourself. It has a firm three-year contract, so be sure you understand the terms and are confident in the service.

Brinks earned 3.64 out of 5 in our evaluation. Like with many security systems, the long-term contract and lack of clear online pricing for businesses hurt its score; it also lacks certain tools like biometric locks. It charges a monthly insurance cost for its equipment of $5 if you want the extended warranty. However, it earned strong scores for general security functions and installation and ease of use.

Brinks Pricing

You need to ask for a quote, which is location-dependent. However, according to U.S. News, hardware packages prices start at $199 for the base system equipment plus $39.99 a month for monitoring. You can return your Brinks system within 30 days to get a refund. After that, you are tied into the three-year contract or will need to pay the remainder of the equipment fees, depending on whether you purchased a Nest Secure System or a Smart Security System.

You also have an option to build your own security package, or purchase add-ons to the standard security hardware kits. Although no longer listed, equipment is also sold separately from $29 to $199. This is competitive when looking at individual pieces.

Brinks Features

• Use existing equipment: Like Vivint, Brinks may be able to incorporate your existing equipment into its system. This could save you money and make transitioning from another security company easier.
• Reimbursement policy: If you incur damage from theft or accident that the system failed to detect, Brinks will reimburse you up to $2,000. This is the clearest and best reimbursement policy we found among security systems.
• Built for large areas: The hub can handle 119 smart home or security devices and can be controlled using smartphones, Alexa, Google Home, Apple TV, and other systems. The system itself can handle 256 unique passcodes and takes a photo of the person using the panel.
• False alarm prevention: Like SimpliSafe, Brinks has video verification, so Brinks can check for signs that an alarm is true. Plus, it has two-way voice communication on its indoor cameras so you can speak to someone on camera. This could be enough to scare away a would-be thief or to verify that it’s an employee who flubbed their code.

What Brinks Is Missing

• No biometric locks: Brinks does not have keycard or biometric access controls. Check Vector for these.
• No equipment-specific monitors: It also lacks equipment-specific monitors, which you can find with Tattletale.

ADT: Best for Businesses With Specialized Security Needs

ADT is a staple among security systems for homes and businesses. We recommend it if you are a stable business with specialized needs because it offers an excellent variety of monitoring and alert services covering everything from burglary to flood to cybersecurity. It’s a strong choice for businesses that need a comprehensive system.

In our evaluation, ADT earned a respectable 3.34 out of 5. It has the highest scores for general and hardware features out of all the systems on this list. However, expensive pricing, long contracts, lack of overall transparency, and mixed customer reviews prevented ADT from earning a higher score.

ADT Pricing

ADT’s website lists three business professional monitoring plans: Secure, Interactive, and Complete, with cost ranging from $45.99–$59.99 per month and a standard three-year contract that also includes extended warranty for equipment. It also offers add-ons for cybersecurity, access control, and video verification tools, but you will need to contact ADT for the costs.

As for business security hardware, ADT sends a person to your location to do a consultation and make recommendations for you to build your own hardware package. According to ADT’s shop page, a build your own equipment plan starts at $419.30 which you can pay in full or in installments of $6.99/month for 60 months; $11.65/month for 36 months; or $17.47/month for 24 months.

Basic equipment includes:

• One touch-screen panel
• Three doors/window sensors
• One motion detector
• Remote arm/disarm via ADT’s mobile app

You can customize and add more hardware which will, of course, increase your monthly equipment cost. There’s also a professional installation fee that starts at $99.

ADT Features

• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging: ADT was the only security system on our list to provide RFID tagging of merchandise to reduce theft in retail stores.
• Variety of cameras: ADT also tops our list for its variety of cameras. You can get wired, wireless, or hidden cameras, which you can program to record when they detect motion or to record continuously. ADT offers on-site or cloud storage of recordings, and you can view them on your smartphone app. It also has video doorbells. ADT also offers video verification like SimpliSafe and Brinks.
• Advanced access features: You can provide access control to employees and visitors. ADT has biometric scanners or key cards, and with its commercial plan, it can even check visitors against local and federal criminal databases before issuing a keycard.
• Reimbursement policy: If for some reason, you do incur damage or theft because of a flaw in the system, ADT will reimburse you a percentage of your insurance deductible. Only ADT and Brinks have a clear policy.

What ADT Is Missing

• Locked into the contract: ADT has a lot to offer but can be expensive. More concerning, however, is the number of complaints about how hard it is to leave the service. Even with legitimate reasons such as moves, customers found themselves stymied by customer service and hit with extra fees.
• Low satisfaction rate: ADT had the lowest satisfaction rate on our list: 2.41 out of 5 averaged over multiple review sites. Terrible customer service and long contracts that are expensive to break are the common themes. Very few mention equipment or monitoring.

How We Evaluated the Best Business Security Systems

We delved into business security systems, looking at a dozen US services. We narrowed it to those that provide service in multiple states, have plans suited for small businesses (even when they were primarily focused on homes), and offer professional monitoring. Next, we looked at the equipment, features, and service, concentrating on physical security. We also considered environmental monitoring.

We rated based on these criteria:

What to Look for in a Security System

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Bottom Line

Business security has gone beyond motion sensors and fire alarms. Now, systems can include biometric locks, cameras with two-way communication, flood sensors, and smart home technology. When considering the best, determine your needs first. Also think hard about whether you want to be locked into a contract, as these are notoriously difficult to get out of.

We found SimpliSafe to be the best business security system for small businesses because of its affordability and ease of use.

Visit SimpliSafe

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