The Best Business Security Systems to Protect Your Small Business

So you’ve decided to protect your small business with a security system. Good choice! But also, maybe a confusing choice? After all, lots of companies claim they have the best security solutions to protect your valuable assets. But at the end of the day, how do you know who can actually make sure no one steals shiz from your biz?

That’s why we’ve rounded up the best security systems out there for small-business owners—with Frontpoint as our top pick due to its extra layer of protection and good reputation. Throughout this article, though, we’ll tell you what systems work best for different businesses and help you ultimately make the right choice among the many commercial security systems out there.

Ready to secure your business? Then let’s get started.

• Installation type: DIY
• Monitoring type: Professional
• Contract length: N/A
• Cancellation cost: N/A

We recommend Frontpoint for most businesses, thanks to its solid combination of equipment quality, pricing, and reputation.

That reputation is where Frontpoint really excels: customers have given Frontpoint a 4.2 (out of 5) on Trustpilot.¹ That score is way higher than what other security companies have. Customers love Frontpoint. So if you want a commercial, small-business security system that won’t add to your stress, Frontpoint is the way to go.

Plus, Frontpoint offers Crash and Smash Protection with its Interactive and Ultimate plans. Not sure what that is? (No worries—neither did we.) Crash and Smash Protection automatically alerts law enforcement if someone—say, a grumpy burglar—destroys your system’s control panel. That means no one can trick your system by destroying it, giving your business extra security.

So while Frontpoint doesn’t have the lowest prices or the fanciest equipment (SimpliSafe takes that honor), we think it offers the most value to most businesses.

• Installation type: DIY and professional
• Monitoring type: Professional and self-monitored
• Contract length: N/A
• Cancellation cost: N/A

If you just want to protect your business on a budget, then take a look at Simplisafe.

As you’ll see, its monitoring plans are super affordable—its best plan is cheaper than the starting prices of Frontpoint and Vivint. And if you need another way to lower your security costs, SimpliSafe lets you turn professional monitoring on and off as you need it. So if, say, you only want to have your business monitored when you’re away for an expo, you can do that with Simplisafe.

Now, you know how sometimes you get what you pay for? You’ll mostly see that in SimpliSafe’s equipment offerings. It has proprietary equipment, and some users say it’s lower quality than other alarm brands. At the very least, SimpliSafe has fewer equipment options, and it doesn’t really integrate with outside equipment.

But if you just want to secure your small business as cheaply as possible, then SimpliSafe’s low costs make it a great option.

• Installation type: Professional
• Monitoring type: Professional
• Contract length: 42–60 months
• Cancellation cost: 100% of remaining contract

Vivint works best for home-based businesses thanks to its many home automation features that complement its high-quality security system.

Some of those features make your home (and business) more secure, like smart locks for your doors, a remote garage door controller, and a doorbell camera. Other features mostly add convenience, like a smart thermostat or integrations with smart light bulbs and other smart home devices. So if you want to use a mobile app to close your garage door from that midtown business lunch or you just want to adjust all the lights from your office chair, Vivint has you covered.

One downside? Vivint has longer contracts than most other companies. You can avoid its contracts entirely by paying for your equipment up front, but of course that only works if your business can afford a large expense.

Also, if you want to use all of Vivint’s smart home features, you’ll need to get its top-tier plan. (The mid-tier plan also supports some smart home features, but not all.) Fortunately, Vivint recently dropped the price on that plan.

Put simply, Vivint offers robust business security along with impressive home automation features. So if you want to make the most of securing your home-based business, Vivint has just what you need.

The security systems above are our favorites, but we found two more companies you might be interested in if you have some specialized needs.

We don’t really recommend self-monitoring for your business, but if that’s the way you’re determined to go, Abode is a good choice. It offers a free self-monitoring plan. And if you ever need someone to look out for you, you can always switch over to its contract-free pro monitoring plan.

Link Interactive has some specialized equipment that other security companies don’t, like a grill sensor (to let you know if it’s hot when it shouldn’t be), gun locks (complete with sensors), and an outdoor sensor (for use on gates and sheds). So if you want to customize your system for your unique needs, Link might be the company to go with.

Before you choose a security system for your small business, make sure you understand the essentials of business security.

For starters, most security companies don’t offer business-specific burglar alarm systems—they just offer home security systems and equipment to businesses. So if you already protect your home with a security system you love, you can probably get a similar system for your business (assuming it meets all your business needs, of course).

As you weigh your security options, make sure you’re not neglecting the security basics. Why bother getting that fancy business alarm system if you consistently leave the front door unlocked and have such dim lighting that a camera can’t record a clear image anyway? Invest in good door locks and window locks, and make sure important areas like entrances and the cash register are well-lit.

One final thing to consider: your acceptable losses. Will you end up spending more on security than you’d lose in a burglary? In other words, would you rather lose $500 of merchandise in a break-in than pay $800 a year for an advanced security system? Sure, the peace of mind alone might be worth the cost of a security system—but that’s a call you need to make.

Securing your business is serious, well, business. But honestly, you have more options now than ever before. Whether you just want a cheap way to secure your office or you want an advanced system that gives you remote control over your system via app across various devices, there’s a system to meet your needs.

And with our list of recommended business security solutions, you can find the security solutions that fit your business’s unique needs.

So while we know your business is probably always on your mind, hopefully that extra security will help you sleep a little better at night.

Want to keep your business secure in the virtual realm too? Check out our resources on database security and network security.

Disclaimer

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.