Smith Thompson Security is a family-owned alarm company founded in 1978, headquartered in Plano, Texas. They’ve built a loyal following on one premise: the cheapest monitoring in the state at $16.95/month with no contracts.
But cheap monitoring comes with trade-offs. Here’s the full picture — including when Smith Thompson makes sense and when modern DIY systems are the smarter choice.
Smith Thompson at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 (47 years, Plano, TX) |
| Ownership | Family-owned (not private equity) |
| Service Area | Texas (DFW, Houston, Austin, San Antonio) + limited Arizona |
| Monitoring | $16.95/mo (new system) / $13.95/mo (existing system) |
| Contract | None — month-to-month |
| Equipment | DSC PowerSeries panels + wireless sensors |
| Installation | Professional ($199–$499+) |
| App Control | Limited (via Alarm.com add-on at extra cost) |
| Cameras | Basic options, not core offering |
| Smart Home | Minimal |
| Rating | 2.5/5 |
Two Pricing Paths
Smith Thompson’s pricing depends on whether you need new equipment or already have a system:
| Path | Equipment Cost | Monthly | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| New System Install | $199–$499+ | $16.95 | DSC panel, 3 door/window sensors, motion detector, keypad, siren |
| Existing System Takeover | $0–$99 (activation) | $13.95 | They monitor your existing panel (DSC, Honeywell, GE compatible) |
| Alarm.com Upgrade | Varies | $24.95+ | App control, smart home features, remote arming |
The takeover angle is Smith Thompson’s real value. If you bought a house with an existing alarm panel and just want cheap monitoring, $13.95/month with no contract is genuinely hard to beat.
What Smith Thompson Does Well
| Strength | Details | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest monitoring in TX | $13.95–$16.95/mo, no one undercuts this locally | Base plan is bare-bones — no app, no smart home |
| No contracts ever | Month-to-month from day one | Equipment cost is upfront, not subsidized |
| Existing system takeover | Monitor your current DSC/Honeywell/GE panel | Panel must be compatible and functional |
| Family-owned stability | 47 years, no private equity, no acquisitions | Small company = limited tech investment |
| Texas pest control bundle | Security + pest control packages | Pest control quality varies by reviews |
| Local service | Texas-based technicians and support | Only available in TX + limited AZ |
Where Smith Thompson Falls Short
| Problem | Impact | Modern Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| No smartphone app (base plan) | Can’t arm/disarm remotely, no push notifications | Abode — free app with every plan |
| No cameras | Can’t see what triggered an alarm | Abode Cam 2 ($35), Ring cameras |
| DSC panels are outdated | No touchscreen, limited sensor capacity, aging platform | Modern hubs with Wi-Fi + cellular |
| Professional install required | $199–$499 upfront, scheduling hassle | DIY systems install in 30 minutes |
| Texas + AZ only | Move out of state = find new provider | National DIY systems work anywhere |
| No HomeKit/Alexa/Google | Can’t integrate with smart home (base plan) | Abode supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google natively |
| Alarm.com costs extra | App control jumps to $24.95+/mo — close to DIY pricing | Abode includes app control free |
| Limited online reviews | Hard to verify service quality beyond BBB | Ring/SimpliSafe have thousands of reviews |
3-Year Cost Comparison
| System | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Thompson (takeover) | $99 | $13.95 | $601 |
| Smith Thompson (new system) | $299 | $16.95 | $909 |
| Smith Thompson + Alarm.com | $299 | $24.95 | $1,197 |
| Abode (Self Monitor) | $199 | $0 | $199 |
| Abode (Standard) | $199 | $6 | $415 |
| Abode (Pro) | $199 | $20 | $919 |
| Ring | $199 | $20 | $919 |
| SimpliSafe | $249 | $19.99 | $969 |
| Alarm Grid (takeover) | $0 | $25 | $900 |
| Alarm Relay (takeover) | $0 | $12 | $432 |
Key insight: Smith Thompson’s takeover deal ($601/3yr) is cheap — but Abode self-monitoring at $199 total is cheaper and includes an app, cameras, smart home, and works nationwide. Even Alarm Relay at $432/3yr undercuts Smith Thompson for panel takeover.
Smith Thompson vs Abode: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Smith Thompson | Abode |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $13.95–$24.95 | $0–$20 |
| Smartphone App | Extra cost ($24.95+) | ✅ Free with every plan |
| Cameras | Basic add-on | Cam 2 ($35), Doorbell, Outdoor |
| Smart Home | ❌ (base) / Limited (Alarm.com) | ✅ HomeKit + Alexa + Google + Z-Wave + Zigbee |
| Self-Monitoring | ❌ | ✅ Free tier |
| Pro Monitoring | ✅ 24/7 | ✅ 24/7 ($20/mo) |
| Contract | None | None |
| Installation | Professional required | DIY (15–30 min) |
| Service Area | Texas + limited AZ | Nationwide |
| Geofencing | ❌ | ✅ Auto arm/disarm |
| Local Processing | ❌ | ✅ |
When Smith Thompson Makes Sense
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Bought house with existing alarm panel | ✅ Good — $13.95/mo takeover is fair for basic monitoring |
| Want cheapest possible pro monitoring in TX | ✅ Good — $16.95 is hard to beat locally |
| Elderly parent needs simple system | ✅ Good — keypad only, no app complexity |
| Want smart home / app control | ❌ Skip — Alarm.com upgrade negates price advantage |
| Want cameras | ❌ Skip — not their strength |
| Might move out of Texas | ❌ Skip — system doesn’t travel |
| Want modern DIY | ❌ Skip — Abode/Ring are better in every way |
Other Texas Alarm Providers
| Provider | Monthly | Contract | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Thompson | $13.95–$24.95 | None | Budget takeover monitoring |
| Hawk Security | $19.95+ | 36+ months | Houston commercial |
| Point Security | $25+ | 36 months | DFW commercial |
| ADT (Texas) | $28.99+ | 36 months (Pro) | Brand trust, pro install |
| Abode | $0–$20 | None | Best overall for TX homes |
Existing Customer Options
If you’re currently with Smith Thompson and considering a change:
| Option | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Stay on base plan | $13.95–$16.95/mo | Basic monitoring, no app — fine if that’s all you need |
| Add Alarm.com | $24.95+/mo | App control — but now you’re paying nearly DIY prices for less features |
| Switch to Abode | $199 once + $0–$20/mo | Full smart security with app, cameras, HomeKit, geofencing |
| Switch to Alarm Relay | $12/mo | Keep your DSC panel, cheaper monitoring, basic app |
Verdict: 2.5/5
Smith Thompson earns its niche: the cheapest no-contract monitoring in Texas for existing alarm panels. If you bought a house with a working DSC or Honeywell panel and just want someone to call the police when it triggers, $13.95/month is a good deal.
But if you want anything modern — an app, cameras, smart home integration, remote arming — Smith Thompson either can’t deliver or charges extra until the price advantage disappears. For new systems in 2026, Abode at $199 + $0/month gives you more security for less money.
FAQ
Is Smith Thompson Security legit?
Yes. Smith Thompson is a legitimate, family-owned security company operating in Texas since 1978. They have an A+ BBB rating and a real monitoring center. They’re not a scam — they’re just a traditional, no-frills alarm company.
How much does Smith Thompson cost per month?
$13.95/month for existing system takeover, $16.95/month for new system monitoring. Adding Alarm.com app control bumps it to $24.95+/month. No contracts on any plan.
Does Smith Thompson have an app?
Not on the base plan. You need the Alarm.com upgrade ($24.95+/month) to get app control, push notifications, and remote arming. The base $13.95–$16.95 plan is keypad-only.
Can Smith Thompson monitor my existing alarm?
Yes — this is their strongest offering. They can take over monitoring of most DSC, Honeywell, and GE panels for $13.95/month. They’ll inspect the system and activate it for a small fee ($0–$99).
Is Smith Thompson better than ADT?
For price, absolutely — Smith Thompson is less than half the cost of ADT. But ADT offers more technology (Google Nest cameras, app control included, nationwide service). For a fair comparison, see our ADT review.
What’s better than Smith Thompson in Texas?
Abode offers free self-monitoring ($0/month) with full app control, cameras, HomeKit support, and works nationwide. Even Abode’s pro monitoring ($20/month) is only $3 more than Smith Thompson’s Alarm.com plan — with far more features.
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.
Ha Cu says
Wow, Smith Thompson Home Security is the absolute best! Fast call response, price, communication and customer service. These guys Rock when it comes to security. Keep up the good work Smith Thompson!
Rachel W says
Great company. Professional,knowledgeable technician installed new wireless alarm system over our existing one. Very pleased.
Peggy says
These guys are great and if you want a company with excellent customer service then you should take a closer look at Smith Thompson Security. The monthly price is not bad either, at around $18/mo.
Krissy N says
Using Smith Thompson has given us such peace of mind. Installation was quick and easy, payments are affordable and customer service is great!
Paul says
I have just started with Smith Thompson as referred from a friend that this was a really great company to have. I must say that they are absolutely the best. The Tech was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. I would recommend this company to everyone seeking a great security company at an unbeatable cost, and when I say unbeatable I mean it.
Neil says
This may not be the experience everyone out there had, but it was the case for me. I just want to share…
I was not only overcharged but charged 3 times in one month. When I called to get it sorted, they told me it was taken care of but they only refunded me one of the 2 over charges. It took nearly 10 days to get the other one. At the end of the month there was an extra $30 something on my bill still and no one could give me a straight answer as to why. Very disappointed. Thankfully there is no contract and I was able to pay it and walk away.
Tom says
No contract = WIN. I don’t know many companies who offer this but I like it! I move a lot because I am in the military. Since I am away for sometimes 3 months in one go, I want my wife and our two sons to be safe. This is why I went with Smith Thompson. The mobile access is well worth the upgrade as well. It is not anything expensive.
Troy says
Absolutely! I am a firm believer of things can happen and it is best not to be tied down. I do not like contracts. The only contract I have is with my home since I bought it and I am paying back the loan but that isn’t really a contract like this is. Either way… I love no contract companies.
Gary D. says
Which areas are not covered? I was trying to call them earlier today and couldn’t get through to anyone.
A friend of mine spoke about Smith Thompson and I loved that I knew someone who can legitimately tell me they are a good company. That being said, I wanted to try them out but I am not sure if I am in their coverage area. My friend lives out of state so he is not sure either.
Ellen says
This is the best security in all of Texas! I feel they not only go above and beyond with their security measures but they do put the customer first. I have never been more revealed than to have signed with a company I can trust. Highly recommend these guys!
Peter Brack says
The free installation is what got me to sign with the company. The upgrade for mobile access was a bit of the downside with them. You pay for what you get though. The last company I was with the mobile app and service was awful and it was free. Go figure. All and all, very happy with Smith Thompson Security.
Tammy says
Well I am going to give these guys a shot and report back. I have not found one single company to have no contract and I love that! I move around a lot so this is a HUGE bonus for me. Thanks for all this information too. Was so helpful. Going to give them a call tomorrow or Friday and see what I can arrange.