Reviewed by the HomeSmartSetup team · Last reviewed June 2026. We compare systems on the total cost of ownership, including whether you’re forced into monitoring fees. HomeSmartSetup may earn a commission from links on this page — it never changes what we recommend.
DIY home security in 2026 is genuinely good — you install it yourself in an afternoon, and the big decision is professional monitoring (someone calls the police for you) versus self-monitoring (you respond to app alerts, $0/month). Here’s the best DIY system for each situation, with real prices and the monitoring trade-off spelled out.
Best overall: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is the system we’d put in most homes — DIY install, no contract, professional monitoring from $9.99/month, and the broadest sensor catalog (smoke, CO, water, freeze, glass-break). It’s the proven all-rounder. Note: no Apple HomeKit support.
Best no-monthly-fee: eufy HomeBase 3
The eufy Security HomeBase 3 system ($300–$400, or a 5-piece kit at $159.99) processes AI detection locally with up to 16TB of storage and charges $0/month, ever. The trade-off: no one calls the police for you — you respond to alerts yourself. Best if you want real security without a recurring bill.
Best for Apple homes: Abode
Abode is the hidden gem — native HomeKit support, professional monitoring at $12/month, and a usable $0/month self-monitor tier. An Abode Security Kit ($140) plus a Cam 2 ($35) is a hub, door sensor, keyfob, and camera for $175 total, fully functional on the free plan.
Best for Alexa homes: Ring Alarm Pro
Ring Alarm Pro is the tightest fit if you’re already in the Ring/Alexa world, though its full pro monitoring (Ring Protect AI Pro) runs $19.99/month — the priciest here.
DIY systems compared
| System | Starter price | Monitoring | HomeKit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe | ~$250 | $9.99/mo (optional) | No |
| eufy HomeBase 3 (5-pc) | $159.99 | $0 (self only) | Yes (eufy) |
| Abode (kit + cam) | $175 | $0 or $12/mo | Yes |
| Ring Alarm Pro | ~$250 | $19.99/mo | No |
A real 5-year cost scenario
The monitoring choice dominates the math. An eufy 5-piece kit ($159.99) self-monitored costs $160 over five years — done. SimpliSafe ($250 hardware) with pro monitoring at $9.99/month adds ~$600 over five years, about $850 total. Pro monitoring is worth it if you travel often or want guaranteed dispatch; if you’ll reliably respond to phone alerts, self-monitoring saves hundreds. Apple households get the best of both with Abode’s free tier.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need professional monitoring?
Only if you want a monitoring center to dispatch police when the alarm trips. If you’ll respond to app alerts yourself, self-monitoring (eufy, Abode) is free and effective.
Which DIY system has no monthly fee?
eufy HomeBase 3 ($0 ever, local AI) and Abode’s free self-monitor tier. SimpliSafe and Ring make monitoring optional but charge for it.
Which works with Apple HomeKit?
Abode and eufy. Neither Ring nor SimpliSafe supports HomeKit, so Apple-first households should choose Abode.
More: see our best security cameras and outdoor cameras.
