How to buy a security system with no monthly fee
The trick is knowing what “free” actually covers on each system, because the brands don’t always spell it out. Here’s what to check before you buy.
Confirm what self-monitoring includes
On every system here, free self-monitoring means app control, arm/disarm, and instant alerts when a sensor trips — the core alarm function works with no fee. eufy is the purest expression of this: it’s self-monitored by design and has no professional-monitoring option at all, so there’s simply nothing to subscribe to. Ring Alarm self-monitors for free too, though note that its cellular backup is the one piece gated behind Ring Protect Pro, so a fully free Ring setup leans on your home Wi-Fi staying up.
Decide whether you want dispatch kept on the table
“No subscription” doesn’t have to mean “no dispatch, ever.” SimpliSafe and Abode both run free out of the box but let you add professional monitoring later as an optional, month-to-month plan — Abode even offers short-term, on-demand monitoring for a single trip. If you like the idea of self-monitoring for free most of the time but want the option of a staffed center for a two-week vacation, those two are the flexible picks. eufy, by contrast, is a one-way commitment to self-monitoring. When professional dispatch is involved, look for a center that meets the UL 827 standard for alarm monitoring.
Watch the parts that quietly add a fee
The alarm itself is free to self-monitor, but adjacent features can still carry a charge. Recorded camera footage is the classic example: several of these brands let the alarm run free while camera clips need a paid plan, so if you plan to add cameras, price that separately rather than assuming the no-fee promise covers everything. Some of Abode’s advanced automations also want a plan. None of that undermines free self-monitoring of the alarm — it just means reading the fine print on the extras. And whatever you buy, secure the account itself: a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication.
Is free self-monitoring enough for your home?
Only you can answer that, but the sober starting point is federal victimization data on household burglary rather than a brand’s scare copy. A visible, self-monitored system — a sign, a sensor on every entry, a siren, and instant alerts to your phone — is a reasonable first layer for most homes. If you travel a lot, sleep through your phone, or want someone watching around the clock, that’s the case for keeping optional professional monitoring within reach, which is why SimpliSafe and Abode land where they do here.
