The Best Home Alarm Systems – Who Makes the Best Equipment?

This blog was originally published in February 2011. New product information was added in March 2020.

Alarm companies do not make alarm equipment. Even ADT, one of the largest home security companies, does not manufacture the systems it sells—ADT buys the equipment from Ademco, DSC, Honeywell, and Interlogix. In the home security industry, the company that sells you the equipment and takes care of the monitoring of your home security system is known as a “dealer”—and there are roughly 13,000 dealers in the US alone.

These dealers put together packages of home security equipment, making it easy for you to implement a full home security system. Frontpoint focuses on a DIY approach to home security systems, which means you can pick and choose what products best meet your needs. These products come from trusted manufacturers, many of which have been in the home security business for years.

A lot has changed since I first joined the home security system industry in the 1980s, but many of the home security system manufacturers are the same. Here are a few examples of the best home security system manufacturers:

• ITI (Interactive Technologies, Inc.) was acquired by Interlogix, which was, in turn, purchased by GE Security. Then, United Technologies purchased GE Security and changed the name back to … Interlogix! But they are still allowed to use the GE Security name, and the equipment is better than ever.
• Ademco was acquired by Pittway, a public company, which was then acquired by Honeywell. As mentioned above, ADT primarily uses Honeywell equipment, even though ADT's parent (Tyco) purchased DSC, the next company on my manufacturers list. Go figure! Honeywell is hurting a bit lately since some very large alarm companies have moved away from Honeywell to more current technology (primarily GE Security).
• DSC (Digital Security Controls) was acquired by Tyco International in 2002. DSC makes a smaller line of equipment, but are credited with creating the first small security keypads and micro-processors for home security systems.
• Radionics was considered the most advanced and reliable equipment in the late 1980s, with most of the top 10 companies using their devices. After changing hands a few times, the company lost its luster—and was eventually acquired by Bosch, the European technology giant. It’s still very good equipment.
• Detection Systems was another great company that was known as much for its motion sensors as for its control panels (if not better known). Detection Systems and Radionics had flirted with merging for years, and then, ironically, they were both acquired by the same company: Bosch.

Other, smaller equipment manufacturers have been around for decades: DMP, Napco, and Visonic are good examples. Each company’s technology has its advantages and adherents, and many alarm companies stay with the same equipment for years—until there is a compelling reason to change.

In short, there are have been many home security system manufacturers over the years. The best companies are the ones that continue innovating and providing reliable, trusted products to the market. As the security industry evolves, we will see more manufacturers begin to work with security system companies to offer smart home and home automation devices.

And what about Frontpoint?

Frontpoint continuously reviews and tests products from trusted manufacturers—and as a wireless system, we focus on wireless home security system manufacturers. While we commonly use DSC, Interlogix, and GE Products equipment, we strive to provide the best products possible to our customers. As new players come into the market providing smart home devices, we have expanded to using Yale and Jasco developed products, including our smart door lock and smart light bulbs.

Starter packages combine popular security products, making it easy for a customer to assess what they need. All packages come with door and window sensors, motion sensors, and signs and decals. Package variants add additional sensors or other security products, such as a glass break sensor, to the package. For all of the packages, you can select additional items like indoor cameras and smoke and heat sensors.

Pre-programmed devices significantly reduce the time (and complication) of adding equipment to your security system. All Frontpoint devices work together through our proprietary Hub, which allows easy integration of new products. And a full system set-up usually takes about 30 minutes.

To learn more about security systems, read our blog: “Do I Really Need a Home Security System.”

Frontpoint makes life easier and more efficient. We've been revolutionizing the home security industry for over a decade. And we're just getting started. To shop DIY home security systems, check out our Security Packages. If you have questions or would like to discuss a quote, contact us at 1-877-602-5276.