Compare the highest-rated home security professionals in Chicago, Illinois. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A nationally recognized, employee-owned company with a strong local presence. Guardian is known for its high-quality ADT and custom security systems, professional installation, and its proprietary, UL-listed, Five-Diamond certified monitoring center, ensuring rapid emergency response.
A locally owned and operated Chicago security company that has built a strong reputation for personalized service and expertise. They are an authorized dealer for top-tier brands like Qolsys and Alarm.com, offering cutting-edge technology with a focus on customer education and support.
A family-owned and operated security integrator serving Chicago and its suburbs for decades. They are highly regarded for their commercial and high-end residential security solutions, offering robust and reliable systems from brands like DSC and Bosch, backed by their own central monitoring station.
** The home security market in Chicago is robust and highly competitive, characterized by a mix of national giants, regional powerhouses, and specialized local integrators. The average quality is high, driven by consumer demand for integrated smart home features and reliable monitoring due to the city's specific urban security challenges. **Competition Level:** Intense. Companies compete not only on price but increasingly on technology, integration capabilities (like smart locks, lights, and thermostats), and the quality of their customer service and monitoring centers. **Typical Pricing:** * **Equipment & Installation:** Can range from $0 for basic systems with a long-term contract to $1,500+ for advanced, fully integrated systems with multiple cameras and sensors without a contract. * **Monthly Monitoring Fees:** Typically range from $30 to $60+ per month. The price varies based on the level of service—basic burglar alarm monitoring is on the lower end, while packages including video surveillance recording, smart home automation, and cellular/Wi-Fi backup fall on the higher end. Consumers in Chicago are generally well-informed and tend to favor providers that offer transparent pricing, local and responsive support, and future-proof technology that can grow with their needs.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Chicago regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home security services in Chicago, Illinois.
In Chicago, a basic professionally installed system with monitoring typically starts between $30-$60 per month, plus an initial equipment and installation fee that can range from $99 to several hundred dollars. Importantly, Chicago requires an annual alarm permit from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC); the fee is $60 for a residential system, and operating an unpermitted system can result in fines for false alarms.
Chicago's extreme cold, snow, and ice require special considerations. Professional installers should use weatherproof and tamper-resistant housings for outdoor cameras and sensors, and ensure wiring is properly insulated. It's also crucial to choose equipment with a wide operating temperature range (e.g., -20°F to 120°F) to prevent failures during polar vortex events, and to regularly clear snow and ice from camera lenses and motion sensor paths.
Yes, crime trends can vary by neighborhood. A comprehensive system for many Chicago homes should prioritize robust door and window sensors, as well as exterior cameras covering alleys and rear entrances, which are common points of entry. Consulting Chicago Police Department's CLEARmap crime data for your district can help identify local patterns, such as package theft or garage break-ins, to tailor your camera placement and system features.
Look for a provider with a strong, verifiable local presence and technicians familiar with Chicago's unique building styles, from historic brick bungalows to modern high-rises, which can present installation challenges. A local company may offer more personalized service and faster response times for maintenance. Always verify they are licensed by the State of Illinois as a Private Alarm Contractor Agency and check reviews specific to their Chicago-area service.
Proper system design and placement are key. Use pet-immune motion sensors adjusted for your specific interior layout to ignore movement through windows. For townhomes or apartments, request "dual-technology" motion sensors that require both infrared and microwave detection to trigger, minimizing false alarms from vibrations or shared-wall heat sources. Inform your installer about your home's adjacency so they can calibrate equipment accordingly.