The Best Security Systems for Rural Homes in 2024
Get emergency services to your rural home fast, reduce false alarms with AI, and utilize night vision with our pick, SimpliSafe.
- Camera night vision lets you see what is going on even if you have yard foliage
- Outdoor camera AI prevents false alarms caused by animals
- Fast Protect technology gets emergency services to your home fast, even in rural areas
- Professional installation available even in rural locations
- Backup cellular means you’re connected even if your Wi-Fi is spotty
- 24/7 monitoring plans offer peace of mind no matter how far away you live from town
- Custom equipment packages allow you to protect any out-buildings you may have
- Professionally trained installers can handle even the largest installations
- Available flood sensors ensure you’re safe even if you live near water
Living in seclusion in idyllic rural America has perks that us city folks don’t get to enjoy. But at the same time, it presents home security challenges. Opportunistic burglars may see isolated rural homes as easy targets. On top of that, while it’s true that property crime rates are higher in urban areas1, gun violence is more common out in the country.2 There are other types of threats as well, like trespassing, vandalism, and even wildlife.
All of those threats can be prevented or averted by having a home security system. But which one is right for you? Well, if you live in a rural area, you have a lot of unique challenges for home security. You don’t have cars regularly passing by your house to notice suspicious activity and your police response times are probably a bit longer than in a big city. It’s hard to compare home security systems without testing them out yourself though. So, we’re here to help you find a security system to protect your country cabin (or mansion). After we’ve tested dozens of security systems, we came to tell you that these are the best home security systems for your rural home.
Best Rural Home Security Systems in 2024
- SimpliSafe - Affordable DIY Security System
- Vivint - Professionally Installed System With Strong Perimeter Security
- ADT - Professionally Monitored System With Fast Response Times
- Cove - Professionally Monitored DIY Security System
- Frontpoint - Professionally Monitored System via Cellular Signals
Home Security Needs of A Rural Home
There are certain factors we consider when recommending home security systems; factors like the type of equipment offered, whether or not professional monitoring is available, and the overall reliability of the system. When it comes to security systems for rural homes, however, we have to be very specific. These are the three features you absolutely need:
- Video security: This is nonnegotiable. You need security cameras if you live out in the country, especially if you’re on a large property. Security cameras can help you keep an eye on things whether you’re home or away.
- Professional monitoring with fast response: Emergency assistance can take up to twice as long to arrive in a rural area than in the city3, but if your security company can call for help on your behalf, you’re more likely to get help on time.
- A communication line that doesn’t rely on the internet: This is difficult, because most security systems today need an internet connection. However, there are still a lot of options that offer backup communication via cellular signals.
>> Related: The Best Security Systems With Cellular Communication
With those factors and features in mind, let’s discuss the best security systems for rural homes and why they made the cut.
Comparison of the Best Rural Home Security Systems
System |
SimpliSafe
|
Vivint
|
ADT
|
Cove
|
Frontpoint
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
Ratings | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
Installation type | DIY or professional | Professional | Professional | DIY or professional | DIY or professional |
Monitoring type | Self-monitoring (professional monitoring optional) | Professional monitoring | Professional monitoring | Professional monitoring | Professional monitoring |
System communication | Internet with cellular backup | Cellular (some features require Wi-Fi) | Internet with cellular backup | Cellular (some features require Wi-Fi) | Cellular (some features require Wi-Fi) |
Indoor cameras | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Outdoor cameras | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Doorbell cameras | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Security system cost | Starts at $280 | Starts at $700 | Starts at $420 | Starts at $120 | Starts at $99 |
Professional monitoring cost | $19.99 to $29.99 | $29.99 to $49.99 | $29.99 to $44.99 | $17.99 to $27.99 | $49.99 |
Read Review | SimpliSafe Review | Vivint Review | ADT Review | Cove Review | Frontpoint Review |
The Best Rural Security Systems Digested
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1. SimpliSafe - Affordable DIY Security System
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $280 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $19.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe Overview
DIY options give you the flexibility and freedom to set up and customize your home security to your liking. Right now, SimpliSafe is the leading DIY security system.
SimpliSafe offers affordable equipment packages that include wireless components such as sensors and security cameras. The latest one we tested covered our 2,000 square feet home with 10 pieces of equipment — including two wireless outdoor cameras — for just over $500, but the cheapest SimpliSafe package costs $280 (before discounts).
We also loved the fact that SimpliSafe doesn’t require professional monitoring. You can monitor it yourself without paying monthly fees, but even if you sign up for paid professional monitoring, there are no contracts to sign. You can do as we did and opt in one month at a time and only when needed.
>> Learn More: The Best No-Contract Security Systems
What We Like
- Easy DIY setup
- Optional professional monitoring
- Base station with 24-hour battery backup
- All wireless equipment except for the hardwired video doorbell
What We Don’t Like
- Internet-reliant when not on a professional monitoring plan
- Limited selection of sensors and cameras
- Outdoor, indoor, and doorbell cameras require Wi-Fi
- Cellular backup may not work in areas with Verizon or AT&T signal
Video Security
SimpliSafe’s video security hinges on the two indoor cameras, one wireless outdoor camera, and video doorbell it offers. We recommend the outdoor camera, in particular. We tested the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro ourselves, and we thought it was a good video security solution for large estates because it’s battery-powered; you don’t have to plug it in. It also comes with an integrated spotlight, which lights up when the camera detects movement. That’s another way this security camera deters burglars and trespassers.
Unfortunately, SimpliSafe doesn’t offer free cloud storage, but you can get a camera recording plan for $9.99 per month for up to five cameras. Another option, which is the one we went for and the one we recommend, is the $29.99 per month Fast Protect professional monitoring plan, which covers up to 10 cameras.
Professional Monitoring
Speaking of Fast Protect, SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans are optional, but strongly recommended by us. That’s because you get the best perks and benefits if you have Fast Protect. First, you get cellular backup, which is a way for SimpliSafe to send alerts when there’s no internet connection. You also get a 30-day video history for up to 10 cameras. And of course, SimpliSafe will monitor the system for you.
In our experience, SimpliSafe offers speedy response during emergencies. In our break-in simulations, SimpliSafe always notified us within the first minute of the simulated break-in. It wasn’t the fastest — Alder holds that record, with a 3.4-second average response time in 20174 — but SimpliSafe was definitely fast enough and more importantly, reliable.
>> Learn more: Alder Home Security System Review
System Communication
SimpliSafe’s biggest downside for rural homeowners is its heavy reliance on the internet when not paired with the Fast Protect plan. Whenever we’re using SimpliSafe as a self-monitored alarm, we have to make sure our internet is reliable. Otherwise, it won’t be able to deliver alerts. The base station’s siren may also not be enough to deter burglars, especially if your house is secluded and there are no neighbors to call the cops on your behalf.
That said, upgrading to Fast Protect gave us cellular backup. With it, SimpliSafe could use Verizon or AT&T cellular towers to relay alerts to the monitoring center when the internet was down. Cellular backup ensured the system was always online.
>> Further Reading: Are Wireless Security Systems Reliable?
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2. Vivint - Professionally Installed System With Strong Perimeter Security
Product Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $449 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs $40 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home Vivint Overview
Smart security systems like Vivint can bring unique solutions to rural home security, especially if your biggest concern is perimeter security. From our review of the Vivint outdoor camera, we learned that this AI-powered camera is effective in not just detecting trespassers, but also deterring them through warning lights and alarm sounds.
Before getting a Vivint system, though, you have to make sure it’s the right system for you. Vivint’s pricing is above average, it requires professional installation and monitoring, and there’s a contract to sign. Those could give any homeowner pause, but if you’re looking for top-notch and high-tech home-security equipment, Vivint can deliver.
What We Like
- AI-powered cameras that can detect lurkers
- Offers advanced home automation
- Cellular connectivity
- Onboard local video storage in security cameras
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey equipment
- Lack of pricing transparency
- Long-term contacts (up to five years)
- May be too high-tech for some homeowners
Video Security
Vivint offers three types of security cameras, all of which include onboard video storage via a microSD card. That means they can record footage without an internet connection. You have to connect them to Wi-Fi to receive smartphone alerts, though, but if that’s not possible, they can still scare away intruders on their own. For example, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro has an LED ring that flashes red and an 85-decibel speaker that sounds an alarm when someone lingers too long on your property. The alarm, based on our experience, is loud enough to overpower the sound from a garbage truck.
Besides the outdoor camera, Vivint offers an indoor camera that’s just as proactive in deterring crime, as well as a video doorbell that can detect when a package is delivered to your doorstep. You can read our Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro review for more information on it.
>> Also See: Do Wireless Security Cameras Need the Internet?
Professional Monitoring
Vivint offers professional monitoring — or rather, it requires all security systems to be monitored. Professional monitoring doesn’t cover the cameras, though, but it complements the perimeter security they provide, creating a multilayered home security.
For instance, if the cameras’ alarms aren’t enough to scare off a determined burglar, the entryway and motion sensors installed inside your home will alert Vivint. Once they do, the agent responding to the alarm can use the two-way audio on the touch screen control panel to let the intruder know they’ve been spotted. A quick response time is necessary for that system to work, though, and in our tests, Vivint’s response time averaged 30 to 45 seconds. That’s a little faster than SimpliSafe, and is well within industry standards.
>> Learn More: How Does a Security System Work?
System Communication
Broadband internet connections are now widely available in rural America, but nearly three out of 10 rural homes still don’t have a reliable internet.5 If your house is one of those, Vivint should be on your shortlist. The control panel communicates with Vivint’s monitoring center via cellular signals.
Of course, some components require an internet connection, so you’ll have to make compromises if you want to use Vivint offline. As mentioned earlier, Vivint cameras can’t send alerts without Wi-Fi. We had to check the microSD card recordings every few days when we ran the cameras off-the-grid. Another example is the Vivint Smart Thermostat — you can program and schedule temperature changes on the device itself, but you’ll need an internet connection to control it via the Vivint smartphone app.
>> See More: The Best Security Systems With Apps
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3. ADT - Professionally Monitored System With Fast Response Times
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $599 Monitoring Options Professional Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $25 per month Contract Lengths 36 months and up Installation Options Professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home ADT Overview
ADT is arguably the most recognizable home security brand across America, and there’s a good reason for that. Its security systems are flexible to users’ needs. Although professional installation and monitoring are mandatory, ADT lets you customize your equipment. It offers a wide range of options, from sensors to cameras to smart home devices.
ADT’s pricing can be flexible, too. On top of the deals it so frequently offers, ADT provides financing plans. You don’t have to pay in full for the equipment right off the bat; you can pay for it over the course of one, two, or five years.
ADT’s flexibility makes it one of the best security systems for most homes (including those in rural areas) — as long as you don’t mind signing a three-year monitoring contract.
What We Like
- Reliable professional monitoring
- Variety of equipment
- Offers Google Nest security cameras and smart home devices
- Customizable equipment packages
What We Don’t Like
- Long-term contract
- Customer service is hit-or-miss
- Professional monitoring can cost up to $61.99 per month
- Doesn’t work without professional monitoring
Video Security
Next to Vivint, ADT has the best lineup of security cameras among the security systems we tested. ADT’s cameras are from Google Nest — the Nest Cam (battery, indoor/outdoor), the Nest Cam (indoor, wired), and the Nest Cam with floodlight. They are some of the smartest security cameras, capable of person and package detection as well as facial recognition.
We use those advanced features to sort out real threats from benign events. For instance, our Nest Cam (battery) tells us when our house sitter, who we’ve introduced to facial recognition, arrives at our home. That way, we know we don’t need to check the footage just by looking at the notification. Much like with Vivint, those advanced features can create unique solutions for rural homeowners.
>> Learn More: Our Nest Cam (battery) Hands-On Review
Professional Monitoring
What really sets apart ADT is the professional monitoring service. Again, this is required for every ADT security system, but the company’s monitoring service stands out in terms of response speed and reliability. We notched an average response time of about 35 seconds. On top of that, we found out that ADT has multiple monitoring centers around the country. (It has nine facilities, to be exact.)
Why does it have so many when other companies like Vivint have only one or two? For starters, ADT is servicing over six million households, so it needs to make sure it has enough manpower to respond to alerts coming from those homes. Another reason is redundancy. Even with backup generators and servers, a monitoring center could fail to operate for a number of reasons, including natural disasters. To ensure it always has facilities, ADT put up nine of them in different locations.
>> Further Reading: ADT FAQs
System Communication
While ADT’s redundancy makes sure its monitoring service is always online, the security system’s cellular backup made sure we’re always connected to those facilities. The technician connected our ADT control panel to Wi-Fi to access features like home automation and live video access, but he also informed us that should the Wi-Fi go down during an alarm event, the control panel’s cellular chip would take over. Just to make sure, we unplugged our router during one of our break-in simulations. True to the technician’s word, the alarm still went through and we got a call from ADT shortly after.
Of course, some rural homes may not get good cellular service, either. If you have an active landline, we suggest talking to ADT’s customer support to find out if the company can offer a landline security system in your area.
>> Also See: Landline Security Systems and No-Landline Alternatives
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4. Cove - Professionally Monitored DIY Security System
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Must customize package Monitoring Options Professional Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $17.99 per month Contract Lengths No contract required Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Cove Overview
Cove is a DIY system that closely resembles our top pick, SimpliSafe, but instead of making professional monitoring optional, Cove requires it. Professional monitoring isn’t always cheap. We learned from our home security cost assessment that it usually ranges between $30 and $60 per month, but the main reason Cove made this list is its affordable pricing. Cove monitoring plans cost as low as $17.99 per month, which is even cheaper than SimpliSafe.
Of course, Cove is also a great security system all-around. Our $300 Cove system included security sensors, a free indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a doorbell camera. That was a discounted price, but it’s a great bang for our buck.
What We Like
- Affordable professional monitoring
- Contract-free
- Well-rounded equipment
- Security cameras for indoor, outdoor, and front doors
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t work without professional monitoring
- Lower quality equipment compared to pricier brands
- Limited customer support
- Requires Wi-Fi (but with cellular backup)
Video Security
Cove’s video security solution consists of security cameras from a brand called eufy. One of eufy’s cameras made our list of the best security cameras of 2024, and it’s the same one Cove offers for indoor use. You can read our eufy 2K camera review for the full specs.
Cove also offers an outdoor camera, also from eufy. We loved the camera because, while it wasn’t as pricey as the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro ($399) or the $180 Nest Cam (battery) from ADT, it offered advanced features. It told us via the app whether it saw a human or a pet, it let us create activity zones, and it stored videos locally onto a microSD card. It lacked facial recognition, but that’s expected from a $130 outdoor camera.
Professional Monitoring
Just because Cove is one of the most affordable security systems doesn’t mean it’s subpar. The $17.99 per month Cove Basic plan offers bare-bones professional monitoring with smartphone access, but the $27.99 Cove Plus plan includes monitoring, access to the Cove app, smart home integrations, and cloud video storage. We went with Plus since we had security cameras.
Cove’s response time ranged between 30 seconds to a little over a minute — not the fastest, but still good. We also loved the InstaText feature. In addition to calling our emergency numbers, Cove sent out text communications where we could directly reply to confirm or waive off alarms. A growing number of alarm companies are using a similar feature to speed up response times, including ADT. It increases efficiency, since everyone in our circle is informed immediately instead of being called one by one.
System Communication
Similar to Vivint, Cove doesn’t need a Wi-Fi connection; we know from experience that it can work just fine without one. The fiber optic line to our house got damaged about a week into testing Cove, and it took our internet provider three days to fix it. During that time, Cove continued to work. The cameras still recorded clips onto their onboard microSD card, the control panel still sent alerts to the monitoring center, and our Cove app still received notifications. We missed out on some features, though, like remote control via the app and remote live viewing, but Cove kept our home under its watch.
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5. Frontpoint - Professionally Monitored System via Cellular Signals
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Starting at $99 Monitoring Options Professional only Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $49.99 Contract Lengths 1-36 months Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Frontpoint Overview
Frontpoint is another DIY security system, and like Cove, it requires professional monitoring. However, Frontpoint’s rates aren’t as affordable — though the company does offer a more premium service. As we’ll discuss under video security, for example, its cameras remind us of the high-end outdoor camera from Vivint.
Frontpoint is an excellent choice for rural homes because it’s completely wireless. It was actually one of the pioneers of cellular security systems and one of the first to completely ditch landlines.
What We Like
- Affordable equipment
- Offers a wide selection of cameras
- Continuous video recording
- Completely wireless system
What We Don’t Like
- Limited home automation without Wi-Fi
- Requires monitoring with a three-year contract
- Expensive monthly fees
- May require a credit check
Video Security
Frontpoint offers different types of security cameras, but our favorite from the bunch was the outdoor security camera. It’s not perfect — for example, it’s a plug-in camera, so you’d need to find placement with an outlet nearby — but it offers a lot of features that will work great for a rural home.
First, it has an excellent night vision range. It can see up to 50 feet out at night, even without streetlamps. It also uses what Frontpoint calls “Perimeter Guard,” which uses light and sound to deter trespassers. You can even set it to deter wild animals, as it can distinguish humans from pets. Lastly, it can record continuously, even offline, on a microSD card. That’s more than we expected from a $120 camera.
>> Related: How Much Do Security Cameras Cost?
Professional Monitoring
Frontpoint’s monitoring service is set up in a way that requires you to go all in to get your money’s worth. That’s one thing we didn’t like much about Frontpoint, but since we recommend getting security cameras anyway, we think it’s good value for rural homes. The monitoring plan costs $49.99 per month; it’s the only option available. It includes cloud recording, home automation, and professional monitoring. You’d need to connect it to Wi-Fi to enjoy cloud recording and automation, though.
As for the service itself, Frontpoint was speedy enough. They responded to our break-in simulations in 45 to 60 seconds, which was about as fast as SimpliSafe.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint
System Communication
Being 100-percent cellular, you don’t need an internet connection to set up Frontpoint. That’s its advantage over systems like SimpliSafe and ADT, which require an internet connection during setup. Without Wi-Fi, Frontpoint cameras can use a microSD card for local video storage and the system itself remains connected to the monitoring center.
That said, we do recommend shelling out an extra $150 for the touch screen keypad if you’re going to use Frontpoint without Wi-Fi. Frontpoint packages come with a screenless hub (literally a router-like box) and an analog keypad, with the idea that users can use the Frontpoint app for more advanced controls (schedules, automations, etc.). Unfortunately, the app can’t control the system without Wi-Fi, so you’d need the touch screen keypad to access those advanced features.
>> Learn More: Frontpoint FAQs
Rural Home Security Tips
Installing a security system isn’t the whole solution for rural home security. While all of our top picks can elevate your home security, you need to make conscious efforts to secure your property. Here are some tips from our security experts:
- Limit entry points: It can be difficult to watch for intruders if they can access your land through multiple entry points. We suggest surrounding your property with fencing or thick hedges to reduce access points. If you plan to use hedges or shrubbery, though, read up on defensive landscaping.
- Keep guard dogs: Besides being wonderful companions, dogs can help out a lot when it comes to watching for intruders. They have strong senses and can alert you to guests — both welcome and unwelcome. They are high-maintenance, though, so make sure to include them in your budget.
- Put up signs: Putting up signs that your home is under 24/7 security camera surveillance or is being monitored by an alarm company may help discourage burglars. Even a simple “No Trespassing” sign can prevent accidental trespassing. That said, be mindful of the message you’re sending out. For example, advertising you keep guns might actually invite burglars, as firearms are one of the most commonly stolen items in home invasions.6
- Maintain your property: A well-maintained property sends out a message that the property is occupied. Aside from that, keeping your property tidy can eliminate potential hiding spots, like tall grass or rundown sheds.
- Invest in a secure toolshed: Speaking of sheds, make sure your outdoor shed and other outbuildings are secure. Always keep them locked up. It’s also a good idea to put up security cameras and motion-activated lights in or around them.
>> More Options: The Best Outdoor Security Cameras
Can the Top Rural Security Systems Speed Up Police Response?
Even with those best practices and a fully-working security system, crime still happens. Police assistance usually takes longer to reach rural areas than homes within the city or suburbs. Can security systems help speed things up?
The answer is complicated. The response time of an alarm company is the time it takes for the monitoring center to contact you after an alarm event (i.e., when a sensor is triggered). It has no control over how fast the authorities can get to your house, but the faster your alarm company can contact you, the sooner they can report it.
That’s not all that there is, though. The police respond to a ton of false alarms from monitored security systems. The city of Seattle reportedly spends over $1 million annually responding to false alarms, for example.7 Some states require alarm permits so they can hold homeowners accountable for such cases.
As for alarm companies, some of them offer video verification. The idea is that if the police are to choose between an unverified alarm and a verified one, they’d more likely prioritize responding to the latter. With alarm verification, the monitoring center will use live and recorded footage from security cameras on-site. If they can confirm that a crime is in progress or has taken place, they can relay it to the authorities for a potentially faster response. All of our top picks (except Cove) offer video verification.
Security Camera Placement for Rural Homes
For video verification to work, and for your cameras to be effective in deterring or catching crime, you need to carefully choose where to put your security cameras. That’s most critical for outdoor cameras because they’re going to be your first line of defense.
When it comes to installing outdoor cameras, here are some ideas:
- Place cameras near entryways: It’s important that you can monitor who comes and goes. Plus, having a visible security camera upfront can discourage burglars.
- Inside and around outbuildings: Outbuildings like sheds are common and easy targets for burglars, especially if they can’t get into your house.
- Hidden: It’s good to have visible cameras to discourage would-be burglars, but it’s also a good idea to have a few hidden security cameras in case someone vandalizes your other cameras. You can hide your cameras in a bird box, behind plants, inside a PVC pipe, and so on.
- In the garage and around heavy machinery/farming equipment: If you have farming equipment or other heavy machinery or vehicles, you should make sure they’re under watch since they’re also common and valuable targets for thieves.
- Where you keep livestock: Livestock are one of the most commonly stolen items in rural areas. Aside from that, they can also attract predators.
FYI: Some people – and lawmakers – consider security cameras an invasion of privacy. Read up on security camera law before you install any.
Rural Home Security — More Work, But Possible
Rural home security is definitely more work than apartment security or home security in urban areas, but it’s not impossible. With the right equipment and a reliable monitoring service, our top picks can help you keep yourself, your family, and your assets safe.
Of course, there are even more options for keeping your rural home safe. We know that every home is unique so you might need something a bit different than what we suggest here. Just keep in mind the three features we recommend for rural homes:
- Perimeter security via security cameras
- Professional monitoring with fast alarm response
- Cellular-based alarm signaling
If you’re in a bind, we also recommend checking out our home security guide. There, you’ll pick up useful tips on how to choose the best security system for your home, whether it’s in the city or out in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few frequently asked questions we’ve come across while reviewing our home security systems.
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Does SimpliSafe work in rural areas?
SimpliSafe works in rural areas. However, if you want to keep an eye on things using the SimpliSafe app, you will need to have Wi-Fi access at the house. If you’re using a local system (you’re at home and near the gateway), you won’t need Wi-Fi.
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What are some good farm security systems?
The best farm security systems are Vivint, SimpliSafe and ADT because they offer lots of options in terms of setup: you could opt for a plan that only covers the main house, or one that covers just the outlying buildings or both. There’s no limit to the size of the system you put up, so you have a lot of options when it comes to securing your farm.
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Is SimpliSafe as good as ADT?
SimpliSafe isn’t as good as ADT; it’s better. For one, its plans are less rigid, offering you more options in the amount of cameras and sensors you add. It’s also cheaper, meaning you can more bang for your buck. We also like how SimpliSafe lets you set up the system yourself.
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What are the best-rated home security systems?
ADT, SimpliSafe, and Vivint are our three highest-rated security systems. They’re the same systems we recommend for rural homes, but it all depends on what you’re looking for. ADT is a professionally installed system with a standout monitoring service. SimpliSafe is an affordable and DIY solution. And Vivint boasts strong perimeter security with its security cameras.
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What security threats should rural homeowners look out for?
Rural homes are at risk of many of the same things as urban or suburban homes. Natural disasters, break-ins, and vandalism are a few examples. But there are some incidents city folk aren’t likely to experience. For example, if you take care of livestock, watch out: they could be stolen. Same deal with agricultural equipment.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2023). Criminal Victimization, 2022.
bjs.ojp.gov/document/cv22.pdfNational Criminal Justice Association. (2022). Gun Violence Rates In Rural Areas Match or Outpace Cities.
ncja.org/crimeandjusticenews/gun-violence-rates-in-rural-areas-match-or-outpace-citiesNational Library of Medicine. (2022). Emergency Medical Services Response Times in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5831456/Alder. (2024). Home Security.
alder.com/home-security/Pew Research Center. (2021). Some digital divides persist between rural, urban and suburban America.
pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/08/19/some-digital-divides-persist-between-rural-urban-and-suburban-america/Bankrate. (2022). Most common items stolen in home burglaries.
bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/common-items-stolen/Seattle Government. (2024). False Alarm Program.
seattle.gov/police/community-policing/community-programs/false-alarm-program