Lately, home security is on everyone’s mind and rightly so. Keeping our family and home safe is everyone’s top priority.
According to the 2016 FBI’s Crime in the United States Report, there were an estimated 7,919,035 property crime offenses in the United States. The good news is that criminal offenses have continued to decrease. The bad news is that property crimes resulted in an estimated $15.6 billion in losses.
The best way to protect your family and property is to install a good home security system. Conversely, you can choose to install cameras and sensors to monitor your home yourself. The boom in security system apps can help DIY consumers stay on top of their safety. Alarm system apps made for Android and iPhone let consumers use old phones and devices like cameras and viewers.
Other apps can be used with existing systems or additional equipment. In order to help you decide which is the best home security app, we look at the most popular and versatile choices.
DIY & Repurposing
Our current access to technology makes keeping our home and family secure easier than ever. With a bit of ingenuity, anyone can have a home surveillance system without having to spend any money just by downloading an application and connecting your old smartphones or tablets to your wireless network.
Apps like Manything, Alfred, and Presence can help you monitor your home, children, and the pets when you are not home. All three applications are compatible with Android and iOS devices. So, turning that old phone, you’ve got collecting dust in a drawer into a powerful tool that helps you monitor your home is a cinch.
You only need to worry about figuring out the placement: near a power source and at the right angle to provide useful monitoring. And trust me, this won’t take you that long. All three of these applications have earned a spot on the best home security app list.
Alfred
To use Alfred you need at least two working phones; one to use as your camera and the other as your viewer. Alfred automatically compresses and adjusts the video quality to work best with your wireless network.
Alfred can send you notifications when motion is detected, and you can watch the event that is stored in a cloud-based environment. You can also view the live feed. This app also offers a walkie-talkie-like communication feature that lets you talk to whoever is on the other side of the lens, be it human or furbaby.
The application can be downloaded and used for free. Users can keep videos for seven days and can share images called “Moments.” HD quality video and zoom capabilities are available with a monthly or yearly subscription plan.
Manything
Also a free download and easy to use, Manything is similar to Alfred. Users need to set up at least two devices; a camera and a viewer. With an internet connection, Manything users have access to live streaming, motion detection alerts, and cloud-based recording.
If you want to use more than one phone as a camera, you must subscribe to the paid version. The monthly subscription plan also lets users store recorded video on a cloud-based storage system for 48 hours. The application also supports two-way communication and IFTTT smart home integration.
Presence
Another cloud-based storage app that lets users turn smartphones and tablets into their own surveillance kit is Presence. The application is free to download and is compatible with Amazon Alexa, through which users control devices with their voice.
Presence can be set to be activated by motion or can be used as a surveillance camera. Users can monitor their home and even control a variety of compatible sensors that can be connected via Wi-Fi. Some of the sensors available are window entry sensors, motion detectors, water leak sensors, and temperature and humidity sensors. iOs users can download a premium version of Presence to increases encrypted cloud video storage and have priority customer support.
Self-Made or Third Party
ADT Pulse
The ADT Pulse App is the proprietary application developed by ADT, LLC that works with the ADT Pulse and Pulse Video monitoring plans. It is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems.
With this free app, Pulse subscribers can remotely arm and disarm their systems and control smart home devices, including Nest thermostats. It also works with Amazon Alexa, Kwikset, and Z-Wave devices.
The application is free to download, but customers need to sign up for one of the company’s Pulse plans and agree to a 36-month contract. The Pulse app lets users turn their alarm system on or off from anywhere, watch live video from the installed security cameras, remotely lock or unlock doors (garage door included), turn lights on and off, and control any other smart device connected.
| Google Play rating: 3.7 stars | iTunes rating: 4.7 stars |
Vivint Sky
The Vivint Sky App is available for Android and iPhone users and was developed by Vivint.SamrtHome. This proprietary application basically puts Vivint’s SkyControl panel and home automation features in the hands of its users.
Like ADT’s Pulse app, Vivint’s Sky application is free to download but can only be used with the creator’s devices. The Sky app gives user climate control capabilities, access to the doorbell camera, the power to lock and unlock doors and watch live video feeds from their installed cameras.
This application scores highly with its users, and it’s considered one of the best home security apps, mainly because it gives customers full control and customization capabilities.
| Google Play rating: 4.6 stars | iTunes rating: 4.5 stars |
Protect America SMART Connect
Protect America SMART Connect is available to both Android and iPhone users with smart home automation from Protect America. The SMART Connect app was developed by SecureNet Technologies, and it’s built as a portal to work exclusively with the GE Simon XT security system.
The application can be used to arm and disarm the alarm system, lock and unlock doors, and control the smart devices connected to the system. It lets users dim lights or turn them on or off even when they are not home. Users also have access to the real-time status of the installed system. The application also offers live video surveillance.
| Google Play rating: 3.1 stars | iTunes rating: 2.4 stars |
Alarm.com
The Alarm.com app was developed by Alarm.com Mobile and gives users control of their security and home automation systems. In contrast, to the applications offered by ADT, Vivint, and Protect America, Alarm.com is built to be used by local home security providers.
Users can arm and disarm their security systems, lock and unlock doors, control the thermostat, and watch live HD video. Video can be streamed with apps made for Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV Voice control capabilities are through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The developer provides an application for Apple watches, too. Alarm.com is also regarded as one of the best home security apps.
| Google Play rating: 4.4 stars | iTunes rating: 4.3 stars |
LifeShield
The LifeShield interactive application is compatible with Android and Apple. Customers do not need to pay extra to be able to control their security system with the company’s application. LifeShield customers can arm and disarm their systems, add or change security codes, lock and unlock doors, have access to video surveillance, and check their history log.
| Google Play rating: 3.6 stars | iTunes rating: 3.5 stars |
SimpliSafe
The SimpliSafe application is available to SimpliSafe2 users, and it’s compatible with Android and Apple devices. Although the application is free to download, customers need to subscribe to the company’s monitoring plan to use it. SimpliSafe’s interactive app lets customers arm or disarm their systems from anywhere, watch and download security footage (SimpliSafe’s footage is HD), monitor sensors, and lock and unlock doors. SimpliSafe also notifies via the app when someone in the home disarms the systems and allows users to see recorded footage of the event.
| Google Play rating: 3.3 stars | iTunes rating: 2.6 stars |
Xfinity Home
The Xfinity Home app is available to Android and iPhone users. The app lets Xfinity customers stay connected from anywhere. Depending on the equipment purchased, customers can watch live video, rewind and share it, control their thermostat, turn lights on and off from their smartphone, and arm and disarm their security system. Users can also monitor their home through their television sets. The application is free to download, and it’s available to all Xfinity Home Security customers.
| Google Play rating: 4.3 stars | iTunes rating: 4.5 stars |
As you can see, keeping an eye on your loved ones and home has never been easier with options for every budget. The applications listed here are the best home security apps available today.
You can choose one of the DIY & Repurposing options, or a have a professional monitoring provider give you a hand. Although crime is decreasing, it can be very expensive to be a victim of a home invasion, so why not do something to prevent it. Whether you decide to protect your family and property yourself or get a professional to do it for you, you won’t regret it.