Google Home Security Systems (2025)

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Google Home Security System

Transform Your Smart Home into a Fortress: Top DIY & Pro Systems That Work with Google Assistant

The idea of a “Google Home Security System” promises a future of seamless protection, where a simple voice command can arm your house, lock your doors, and show you a live feed of your property. But what does this really mean in 2025? Is there a single, all-in-one security system made by Google?

The short answer is no. Following the discontinuation of its Nest Secure system, Google has shifted its strategy. Today, a “Google Home Security System” is not a single product you buy off the shelf. Instead, it’s a powerful ecosystem you build by integrating best-in-class third-party security systems with the intelligence of Google Assistant and the Google Home app.

This guide will serve as your definitive resource. We will demystify what “Google compatibility” truly means for a security system, compare the leading DIY and professionally installed options, and show you how to layer different devices to create a comprehensive, intelligent, and easy-to-use security network for your home.

What Does “Google Home Compatible” Mean for a Security System?

When a security system claims to “Work with Google Home,” it means you can control its core functions using your voice via Google Assistant or manage it within the Google Home app. This integration moves beyond just having another app on your phone and creates a truly centralized smart home experience.

Here’s what you can typically do:

Arming and Disarming with Your Voice

This is the most fundamental feature. You can use simple commands like:

  • “Hey Google, arm the security system to Away.”
  • “Hey Google, arm my system to Stay mode.”

For security, you cannot disarm the system with just your voice. Google requires you to speak a secure PIN that you set up during the integration. For example: “Hey Google, disarm the system. My PIN is 1-2-3-4.”

Checking System Status

Never again wonder if you forgot to set the alarm. At any time, you can ask:

  • “Hey Google, is the security system armed?”
  • “Hey Google, what’s the status of my security system?”

Your Google Assistant will respond with the current state of your system (e.g., “The system is armed in Away mode” or “The system is disarmed”).

Integrating into Google Home Routines

This is where the magic happens. Routines allow you to trigger a sequence of events with a single command.

  • “Goodnight” Routine: A single command like “Hey Google, goodnight” could arm your system in “Stay” mode, lock your smart locks, turn off all the lights, and lower the thermostat.
  • “Leaving Home” Routine: Saying “Hey Google, I’m leaving” could arm the system to “Away” mode, ensure the garage door is closed, and turn on an “away” lighting scene to simulate occupancy.

Controlling Individual Smart Devices

Many security packages come with additional smart home devices like smart locks, plugs, or cameras. A good integration allows you to control these directly through Google Home, centralizing your entire smart home and security setup in one place.

DIY vs. Professionally Installed Systems: Which is Right for You?

The first major decision you’ll face is choosing between a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) system or a professionally installed one.

The Case for DIY Security Systems

DIY systems, like those from SimpliSafe or Abode, are shipped directly to you for self-installation.

  • Pros:
    • Lower Cost: The primary advantage is cost savings on installation fees and often more affordable hardware.
    • Flexibility: You can start with a basic kit and add sensors and devices over time as your needs and budget grow.
    • No Contracts: Most DIY systems offer optional professional monitoring on a month-to-month basis, with no long-term contracts required.
  • Cons:
    • Self-Installation: You are responsible for the entire setup, from placing sensors correctly to troubleshooting connectivity issues.
    • Monitoring Responsibility: While professional monitoring is an option, some users opt for self-monitoring, which means they are solely responsible for contacting emergency services if an alarm is triggered.

The Case for Professional Security Systems

Professionally installed systems, from legacy brands like ADT or modern innovators like Vivint, involve a technician coming to your home to design and install the system.

  • Pros:
    • Expert Installation: A professional ensures all sensors are placed in optimal locations for maximum coverage and that the entire system works flawlessly from day one.
    • Mandatory 24/7 Professional Monitoring: These systems are almost always tied to a professional monitoring plan, guaranteeing a response in an emergency.
    • Premium Service & Support: You have a dedicated support line and service technicians for any issues that arise.
  • Cons:
    • Higher Cost: You’ll pay for the professional installation, and the monthly monitoring fees are typically higher.
    • Long-Term Contracts: Most professional systems require a multi-year contract.

The Best DIY Security Systems for Google Home in 2025

1. SimpliSafe: The User-Friendly Champion

SimpliSafe has dominated the DIY market for years with its intuitive setup, reliable hardware, and straightforward pricing.

  • Best for: Homeowners and renters looking for a hassle-free, reliable, and highly effective DIY security system.
  • Key Features: A sleek base station with a 95dB siren, a wide array of sensors (entry, motion, glass break, water, smoke), a wireless keypad, and optional 1080p SimpliCams. The system operates on a cellular connection, so it stays online even if your Wi-Fi goes down.
  • Google Home Integration: Excellent integration allows you to use your voice to arm the system in “Home” or “Away” modes and check the current status of your system at any time. The command is responsive and reliable.
  • Pros & Cons:
    • Pros: Incredibly easy to set up, no-contract monitoring, comprehensive sensor options, excellent customer support.
    • Cons: Cameras are functional but not as feature-rich as dedicated brands like Nest or Arlo.

2. Abode Security System: The Smart Home Power User’s Choice

Abode is designed for those who want their security system to be the central hub of their entire smart home, offering deeper customization and wider third-party device support.

  • Best for: Tech-savvy users who want to create complex automations and integrate a wide range of Z-Wave and Zigbee smart home devices.
  • Key Features: The Abode Iota hub includes a built-in 1080p camera and motion sensor. Abode supports a massive list of third-party devices, far beyond typical security sensors.
  • Google Home Integration: Robust integration allows you to arm/disarm (with PIN), check system status, and even trigger automations you’ve built in the Abode platform (CUE). You can also view the live stream from the Iota’s built-in camera on a Nest Hub.
  • Pros & Cons:
    • Pros: Unmatched smart home compatibility (Z-Wave, Zigbee), powerful automation engine, no-contract monitoring options.
    • Cons: Can be more complex to set up than SimpliSafe, and the sheer number of options can be overwhelming for beginners.

The Best Professionally Installed Security Systems for Google Home in 2025

1. ADT Control + Google Nest: The Trusted Name, Modernized

[Image showing the ADT logo next to the Google Nest logo]

ADT is the most recognized name in home security, and its strategic partnership with Google has transformed its offering into a modern smart home powerhouse.

  • Best for: Users who want the peace of mind of the nation’s largest professional monitoring network combined with the best-in-class smarts of Google Nest hardware.
  • Key Features: Professionally installed systems now heavily feature Google Nest products, including Nest Doorbells, Nest Cams, and Nest Hub displays, all monitored 24/7 by ADT’s network.
  • Google Home Integration: This is the deepest integration available for a pro system. You can control your entire ADT system through your Nest Hub, arm/disarm with your voice, and create routines that incorporate both your ADT security devices and your other Google Home smart products.
  • Pros & Cons:
    • Pros: Unbeatable brand reputation, elite professional monitoring, seamless integration with top-tier Google Nest hardware.
    • Cons: Premium pricing, long-term contracts are required.

2. Vivint Smart Home: The Premium Home Automation Experience

Vivint has built its reputation on providing a high-end, fully integrated smart home security experience with cutting-edge technology and a sleek user interface.

  • Best for: Homeowners who want a single, white-glove service to automate and secure their entire home with premium hardware.
  • Key Features: Vivint designs its own high-quality hardware, including an elegant touchscreen hub (the Smart Hub), top-rated outdoor cameras with smart “lurker” detection, and video doorbells.
  • Google Home Integration: Strong integration allows you to control the security system, smart locks, lights, and thermostats with Google Assistant. You can ask Google to arm the system, tell you if a door is locked, or turn on the lights.
  • Pros & Cons:
    • Pros: Beautiful and high-performance proprietary hardware, excellent home automation features, professional end-to-end service.
    • Cons: Expensive equipment and monthly fees, requires a long-term contract.

Beyond the Alarm: Building a Complete Security Ecosystem

A truly smart security system is more than just sensors and an alarm. By layering other Google Home-compatible devices, you can create a proactive security network.

  • Smart Security Cameras: Use cameras like the Google Nest Cam or Arlo Pro series to get visual confirmation of what’s happening. Your security system can alert you to a breach, and your cameras can show you who or what caused it.
  • Video Doorbells: The Google Nest Doorbell not only shows you who is at the door but also uses AI to detect packages, people, and familiar faces, acting as a crucial first line of defense.
  • Smart Locks: Integrate a lock from August, Schlage, or Yale. You can check the lock’s status with your voice and include “lock the doors” in your “Goodnight” routine, ensuring your home is secure.
  • Smart Lighting: Use Philips Hue or Wyze lights to create security automations. For instance, if an outdoor camera detects motion after midnight, you can have your porch lights and entryway lights turn on automatically to deter intruders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Google Home listen for glass breaking or smoke alarms?

Yes. Google Nest speakers and displays have a feature called “Sound Detection.” When you subscribe to Nest Aware, your devices can listen for the specific sounds of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and glass breaking. If detected, the Google Home app will send a notification to your phone, allowing you to hear a clip of the sound and contact emergency services.

Can I use Google Home to call 911 directly?

No, you cannot directly call 911 or other emergency services through Google Assistant on a smart speaker or display. This is a critical safety distinction. In an emergency, you must always use a landline or mobile phone. The professional monitoring service connected to your security system is what bridges this gap, as it will dispatch emergency services on your behalf.

Do I need a professional monitoring subscription?

For professionally installed systems like ADT and Vivint, a subscription is mandatory. For DIY systems like SimpliSafe and Abode, it is highly recommended. Without it, the system becomes a “local alarm” — the siren will sound, but no one (including you, if you miss the phone notification) will be notified to call the police or fire department. The small monthly fee is worth the immense peace of mind.

How secure is using my voice to disarm the system?

It is very secure. Google and its security partners require you to set a spoken PIN code. When you say, “Hey Google, disarm the system,” the assistant will prompt you for this PIN. Without the correct code, the command will fail. This prevents an unauthorized person from shouting through a window to disarm your system.

What happened to Google’s Nest Secure alarm system?

Google discontinued sales of its Nest Secure DIY alarm system in late 2020. While Google continues to provide software support and service for existing Nest Secure owners, it is no longer available for new purchases. The company’s current strategy focuses on its partnership with ADT for professional security and ensuring robust compatibility with leading DIY brands.