This is the question we get asked most, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you’re actually protecting against.
What “Monitored” Actually Means
A monitored security system means a live person or monitoring center is watching your alerts in real time — not just recording footage for you to check later. If a sensor trips at 3am, a monitored system means someone is already reviewing the alert and can dispatch police before you’ve even woken up.
An unmonitored system just records and notifies you. You’re the one deciding what to do next.
When Monitoring Is Worth It
If your home is unoccupied for long stretches — vacations, work travel, a second property — monitoring fills the gap where nobody’s watching the footage in real time. The same applies if you live somewhere with a higher break-in rate, or if you simply want one less thing to actively manage yourself.
Families with kids home alone after school, or homeowners who travel frequently for work, tend to get the most value from monitored systems specifically because they remove the burden of being the one who has to notice something’s wrong.
When You Can Skip It
If you’re home most of the time, in a lower-crime area, and comfortable checking your own camera footage and managing alerts yourself, an unmonitored system saves you $30–$60 a month with no meaningful drop in actual protection. Modern unmonitored systems still send instant phone alerts — you’re just the one responding instead of a call center.
The Real Cost Comparison
Unmonitored systems are typically a one-time hardware cost of $200–$500 with no ongoing fee. Monitored systems add $20–$60 a month on top of equipment costs — which adds up to $240–$720 a year, every year.
Our Take
Monitoring isn’t about how much you can afford. It’s about how much active attention you’re realistically going to give your own security footage. If you’re honest with yourself and know you won’t check the app regularly, monitoring is worth the cost. If you’re diligent and home often, save the money and go unmonitored.
Either way — the most important security upgrade isn’t the brand you choose. It’s actually having a system at all. Most homes still have none.