Baltimore’s Best Local Security Systems

Best Overall
Advanced Security Safe and Lock
Starting at 
$25.00
/mo.
Pro Bullet Positive customer reviews
Pro Bullet No contract
Con Bullet Charges up front for equipment
Best Value
Westminster Security Company
Starting at 
$18.00
/mo.
Pro Bullet Most affordable monitoring
Pro Bullet 24/7 customer support
Con Bullet 3-year contract
Most Transparent
1st Security USA LLC
Starting at 
$29.99
/mo.
Pro Bullet Prices on website
Pro Bullet $0 down equipment options
Con Bullet 3-year contract
Large Service Area
Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC
Starting at 
$30.00
/mo.
Pro Bullet Large service area across three states and DC
Pro Bullet No contract
Con Bullet Charges up front for equipment
Best Home Automation
Chesapeake Systems Service Inc.
Estimated at 
$50.00*
/mo.
Pro Bullet Excellent automation options
Pro Bullet Huge equipment selection
Con Bullet Expensive
* Lower prices are available, but this was the only number we were given.

We review only local Baltimore brands on this page. If you're looking for national companies, you can find that on our main best home security systems page.

Overview

Baltimore often feels like a small town compared to other cities in the Mid-Atlantic states, and this comforting feel can win over anyone to the Charm City.

Whether you live in Orangeville or Federal Hill, a burglar alarm can help you feel safer and more secure in your home. We researched Baltimore home security companies that can outfit your house with security cameras, motion sensors, door locks, and other security devices.

Check out our reviews to learn more about the best home security in Baltimore so you can find the best option for your needs.

Third-most dangerous metro area
By The Numbers

According to our proprietary research, Baltimore ranks third among the most dangerous metro areas in the United States. Only St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan, rank higher.


Best home security systems in Maryland

Compare home security systems in Maryland

Data effective 01/10/2020. Offers and availability subject to change.

* Lower prices are available, but this was the only price we were given.

Advanced Security Safe and Lock: Best overall

Advanced Security Safe and Lock
Starting at 
$25.00
/mo.

    Advanced Security Safe and Lock pros and cons

    Pros
    • Pro BulletPositive online customer reviews
    • Pro BulletNo contract
    Cons
    • Con BulletCharges up front for equipment

    Why we recommend Advanced Security Safe and Lock

    Advanced Security Safe and Lock comes highly recommended by its customers with an average rating of 4.9 on Google based on over 660 reviews. The company’s $25 monthly monitoring service is very competitive with other Baltimore security systems.

    It’s even better when you consider that you don’t have to sign a contract, so there aren’t any fees to pay if you cancel your subscription. Because there’s no contract, you can expect to pay for your equipment up front, which can be expensive. Advanced Security Safe and Lock’s website says that financing is available, but you’ll need to call to get more information.

    Advanced Security Safe and Lock serves the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area with three locations: two in Baltimore and one in Lutherville-Timonium. Business hours vary based on the location, but you can stop by any location Sunday through Friday. The company also offers 24-hour emergency locksmith services Sunday through Thursday with limited hours on Fridays.

    Between its large service area and lack of contract, you're covered if you decide to move away from your Baltimore home.

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    Westminster Security Company: Best value

    Westminster Security Company
    Starting at 
    $18.00
    /mo.

      Westminster Security Company pros and cons

      Pros
      • Pro BulletMost affordable monitoring
      • Pro Bullet24/7 customer service
      Cons
      • Con Bullet3-year contract

      Why we recommend Westminster Security Company

      Westminster Security Company is one of the best home security deals you can get in Maryland. The company’s monitoring prices start at $18 a month for landline connection, though you can get a cellular connection for $29.99 a month. This is very competitive with other companies on this list and certainly the lowest landline monitoring price we found.

      This security provider has a three-year contract, which isn’t as flexible when you want to cancel monitoring services, but it helps keep the monthly costs low, and you won’t pay as much for equipment as with some other companies, even national ones. Westminster Security Company also has flexible options in its relocation program if you plan to move.

      Westminster Security Company’s customer support is available 24/7, so you can get help whenever you need it. It’s the only company we reviewed with 24/7 customer service.

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      1st Security USA LLC: Most transparent

      1st Security USA LLC
      Starting at 
      $29.99
      /mo.

        1st Security USA LLC pros and cons

        Pros
        • Pro BulletPrices on website
        • Pro Bullet$0 down equipment options available
        Cons
        • Con Bullet3-year contract

        Why we recommend 1st Security USA LLC

        It’s refreshing to go to the 1st Security USA LLC website to find monitoring prices, starting costs, and FAQs in an easy-to-read format. Oddly enough, one of our favorite pages explains why the company has a three-year contract. This kind of openness and transparency means you don’t have to spend as much time on the phone when you first start shopping around for an alarm system.

        1st Security USA’s monitoring starts at $29.99 a month, which is similar to other Baltimore security companies, though you must pay for equipment up front with this option. If you can’t afford to pay for equipment, the company gives you free equipment in exchange for a higher fee, starting at $39.99 a month. 1st Security USA charges a $49 activation fee on all its monitoring packages.

        The company’s three-year contract is average compared to national companies like ADT and Brinks, but not as long as the five-year contract offered by some security providers.

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        Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC: Large service area

        Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC
        Starting at 
        $30.00
        /mo.

          Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC pros and cons

          Pros
          • Pro BulletLarge service area across three states and DC
          • Pro BulletNo contract
          Cons
          • Con BulletCharges up front for equipment

          Why we recommend Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC

          Advanced Wiring Solutions LLC has a large service area that spans Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. It’s an especially good option in you live in Frederick County or Montgomery County, near its base in Frederick, MD.

          We like that this company doesn’t require its customers to sign a contract, but you do need to pay up front for your equipment, which can be very expensive depending on how much equipment you get. If paying for equipment all at once isn’t appealing or possible, you can sign a three-year contract to spread the costs out.

          Its monthly fee starts at $30 a month for landline monitoring and $40 a month for cellular monitoring, which is average for a home security system, though not the most affordable price on this list. Customer service is available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

          >>Shop Now


          Chesapeake Systems Service Inc.: Best home automation

          Chesapeake Systems Service Inc.
          Estimated at 
          $50.00
          /mo.*
            * Lower prices are available, but this was the only number we were given.

            Chesapeake Systems Service Inc. pros and cons

            Pros
            • Pro BulletExcellent automation options
            • Pro BulletHuge equipment selection
            Cons
            • Con BulletExpensive
            • Con Bullet3-year contract

            Why we recommend Chesapeake Systems Service Inc.

            Chesapeake Systems Service Inc. (CSS) is one of the best options in Maryland for premium home automation systems like Control4 and Elan. It has a massive selection of equipment from dozens of brands across home security, home theaters, and the smart home. Home automation systems like these are expensive, but you can also opt for a simple security system instead.

            On average, CSS’s customers pay around $50 a month for alarm monitoring services, making it the most expensive company in our top five security providers in Baltimore. The only information we could get was a ballpark of around $50 on average, but the sales agent mentioned cheaper monitoring options are available without disclosing the prices. You can expect to sign a three-year contract, which is common among security companies.

            >>Shop Now


            How we chose

            We started by identifying a pool of 20 top security companies in Baltimore for our research. We then worked to narrow this list by reading customer reviews of Yelp, Google, Angie’s List, and Facebook. We also looked to see if companies had customer complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Ultimately, we chose seven local Baltimore companies to feature in this list.

            We have years of experience reviewing home security systems, so we focused on two essential aspects of each business: the monitoring prices and contract terms. To get this information, we emailed and called these companies directly.

            We did not use the secret shopper approach during our interactions with these companies and were open about our purpose to write short reviews. Lastly, we took a second look at online customer reviews to confirm our conclusions about each company.


            Other brands we considered

            Outside of our top five, there are two other local security companies in Baltimore we want to mention. We excluded both companies from our top five because we weren’t able to get in touch before publishing our reviews.

            Other brands we considered
            HS Tech Group
            Vintage Security

            HS Tech Group

            HS Tech Group is nationally recognized for its home automation systems. It also offers home security systems and seems to be as expensive as Chesapeake Systems Service, according to what little pricing information we could find.

            Vintage Security

            Vintage Security serves Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. It uses Alarm.com equipment, making it comparable to Frontpoint and Brinks.

            Other local home security systems


            Baltimore home security FAQ

            Does Baltimore require an alarm permit?

            Yes. Baltimore police ordinances require users to register their alarms with the city as part of an effort to reduce false alarms.1

            False alarm reduction program
            Take Note

            Baltimore provides a useful guide to residents that explains the city’s stance on false alarms. It also includes prevention tips and information on fees associated with excessive false alarms.

            View the Guide

            How much does it cost to get an alarm permit in Baltimore?

            There is no fee to get an alarm permit if you are a customer.

            Does a security company need a license to install a system in my home?

            The state of Maryland requires security system installers and monitoring companies to obtain a license through the Maryland State Police.2 Security companies must renew this license every three years. Additionally, the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development requires security companies to register with the city on an annual basis.
            Help report crimes
            Protip

            You can report crimes by filing a police report on the Baltimore Police Department website. There are strict requirements for what you can report, but it is a helpful tool for Baltimoreans wanting to help their community. If it’s an emergency, call 911.

            Visit the Baltimore Police Department Website


            Our recommendation

            We think all of the local Baltimore security companies are a great choice for your home, but each is also a standout option above the competition in its own way. Ultimately, you should choose a burglar alarm based on its strengths so you can get the system that best meets your needs.

            Here’s a quick recap of the best home security in Baltimore:

            While there’s a lot to like about a local security company, sometimes a national provider like Frontpoint, ADT, or Vivint is a better option. Check out our review of the best home security systems to see if one’s right for you.


            Sources

            1. Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, "Alarm Registration"
            2. Maryland State Police, "Security Systems Agencies"