Nest Security System Review 2026: Discontinued for 6 Years — What Replaced It, ADT Partnership & Best Alternatives

If you searched for “Nest security system,” here’s the hard truth: Google killed Nest Secure in 2020 and has never built a replacement. Six years later, there’s still no Nest alarm system — and based on Google’s camera-only strategy, there probably never will be. Nest still makes excellent cameras, but cameras alone don’t protect your home. Let’s break down exactly what happened, what Nest offers today, and what to buy instead.

What Happened to Nest Secure? (Complete Timeline)

Google’s Nest Secure was a sleek alarm system with the Nest Guard base station, Nest Detect sensors, and Nest Tag key fobs. It launched at $499, competed briefly with Ring Alarm and SimpliSafe, then vanished. Here’s the full story:

Why Google Killed Nest Secure (The Real Reasons)

What Google Nest Offers in 2026 (Cameras Only)

Google Nest makes solid cameras — but they are not a security system. No alarm panel, no door/window sensors, no siren, no professional monitoring, no entry delay countdown.

Nest Aware Subscription Plans

The problem: Even with Nest Aware Plus ($15/mo), you get camera recordings — not security. No one is dispatching police when your door gets kicked in at 3 AM. You’ll wake up to a notification that someone was in your house.

Cameras vs. Security Systems: The Critical Gap

Cameras record crimes. Security systems prevent them. This is the fundamental problem with relying on Nest cameras for home protection:

What About ADT Self Setup? (The Google-ADT Partnership)

In 2020, Google invested $450 million in ADT to create ADT Self Setup — a system that uses Nest cameras with ADT’s alarm platform. But this is not a Nest security system. It’s an ADT product with Nest cameras bolted on.

Verdict: ADT Self Setup is decent but overpriced for what you get. The dual-app experience (ADT+ for security, Google Home for cameras) is clunky. There are better options.

Best Nest Secure Replacements in 2026

1. Abode — Best Overall (Our #1 Pick)

Abode is what Nest Secure should have become. It’s the only security system that works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, AND Apple HomeKit. Plus Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter support for maximum smart home flexibility. And yes — it works beautifully alongside your existing Nest cameras via Google Home.

Why Abode for Nest users: Both live in Google Home. You can say “Hey Google, arm Abode” and “Hey Google, show me the Nest Cam” from the same app. It’s the seamless experience Google should have built but didn’t. Visit goabode.com →

2. Ring Alarm — Best Budget Option

Ring Alarm is the most affordable complete security system. Ring Protect Plus ($20/mo) covers the alarm system AND unlimited cameras — excellent value if you’re already in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem.

The catch for Nest users: Ring doesn’t play nicely with Google Home. You’d need to use the Ring app for security and Google Home for Nest cameras — two separate ecosystems. If you’re willing to switch cameras to Ring, it’s a solid all-in-one. If you want to keep Nest cameras, Abode is the better choice.

3. SimpliSafe — Easiest Setup

SimpliSafe is the easiest system to set up and use. Their Fast Protect monitoring with video verification is excellent for quick police response. Basic Google Home integration works for voice arming.

The catch: No free self-monitoring tier (starts at $19.99/mo for any monitoring), no HomeKit, no Z-Wave/Zigbee smart home protocol support. SimpliSafe lives in its own ecosystem.

Full Replacement Comparison

Can You Use Nest Cameras With a Security System?

Absolutely — and you should. Your Nest cameras handle video surveillance while a proper security system handles intrusion detection, alarms, and monitoring. Here’s how each pairing works:

If You Still Own a Nest Secure: Upgrade Guide

If you’re still running a Nest Secure system in 2026, it technically still functions — but here’s why you should upgrade now:

Migration Steps

Total migration time: About 1 hour. Keep your Nest cameras — they continue working in Google Home alongside Abode.

Nest Secure vs. Modern Systems (Why There’s No Comparison)

The Lesson: Don’t Build Your Security on a Tech Company’s Side Project

Nest Secure’s death teaches an important lesson: when a tech giant treats home security as an experiment, customers get abandoned. Google’s core business is advertising and cloud services — home security was always a side project.

Bottom line: Choose a company where home security is the mission, not an experiment. Abode exists solely to protect homes — and they’ve never discontinued a product line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google still sell Nest Secure?

No. Discontinued in 2020 with no replacement. If you find one for sale anywhere, it’s old stock with no update guarantee and replacement sensors are impossible to find. Don’t buy it.

Will my existing Nest Secure still work?

Existing systems technically still function but receive no software updates, no security patches, and no replacement parts. Google could drop support from the Google Home app at any time. We strongly recommend upgrading to Abode — the migration takes about an hour and your Nest cameras keep working.

Why didn’t Google build a Nest Secure replacement?

Google chose to partner with ADT instead ($450M investment in 2020). Running alarm monitoring requires CSAA certification, UL listing, false alarm management, and police dispatch relationships — infrastructure Google didn’t want to build. Cameras are higher margin with less liability.

Is ADT Self Setup a Nest security system?

No. ADT Self Setup uses Nest cameras but the alarm system is ADT hardware running ADT software with ADT monitoring. You need the ADT+ app for security and Google Home for cameras — it’s not a unified Nest experience.

What’s the best security system for Google Home users?

Abode offers the deepest Google Home integration of any DIY security system — full arm/disarm, device status, and routines. It’s also the only system that works with HomeKit and Alexa, so you’re never locked into one ecosystem. Visit goabode.com →

Can I keep my Nest cameras if I switch security systems?

Absolutely. Your Nest cameras are independent devices — they work regardless of which security system you use. With Abode, both live in Google Home so you can control everything from one app. With Ring or SimpliSafe, you’ll use separate apps but everything still works.

Related Resources

• Nest Security Cameras Review 2026 — every camera rated
• Ring vs Nest 2026 — full ecosystem comparison
• Abode Home Security Review 2026 — our #1 pick
• ADT Review 2026 — including Self Setup
• Best Security Cameras 2026
• Smart Home Security Guide 2026
• HomeKit Home Security 2026
• Best No Monthly Fee Security Systems

William Eames

William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.