If you want to cut costs, you can go with a bare-bones DIY security setup with self-monitoring for much less money. But if you want the most reliable alarm system for your home, we recommend springing for—at least—professional monitoring. Unlike with professionally monitored systems, not all DIY companies let you finance your equipment over the length of a contract (because a lot of them don’t have contracts). That means you’ll pay more up front, even if your equipment costs less over time. As for monitoring, you’ll find the cheapest prices for professional monitoring among DIY providers. Even with a fee, self-monitoring is cheaper than the price you’d pay each month for professional monitoring.
