Top 15 Home Security Apps for iOS and Android

Your mobile phone can make home security easier than ever. Through it, you’ve got access to a wealth of security applications, and being able to control each and every one of these through your phone is incredibly convenient.

But with so many different apps available, just what should you be looking for? Not all security apps are created equally, so it’s important to be able to find the right ones for your home and family. The apps listed here are a good place to start.

AtHome Camera

An incredibly useful home monitoring app, AtHome Camera allows you to turn most of the cameras you would have at home – whether webcams, baby monitors and so on – into a home monitoring system, allowing you to watch the feed from your phone, anywhere. Usefully you can also have up to four different video streams going at once, allowing you to monitor the whole home simultaneously.

Other useful features of this service include motion detection alerts, so you’ll know instantly if someone or something is in a room that shouldn’t be.

The app is a free download, though you can upgrade various features and purchase Cloud storage of video feeds for additional charges.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Vivint Sky

Vivint Sky is a security system for the entire house, controlled through an application, that you can download for free when you purchase the whole system (which entails a monthly fee). Far more than just a monitoring tool, Vivint Sky also controls locks and other household appliances, such as heaters and lights.

Vivint Sky, for example, allows you to let a neighbour into the home to borrow something, even if you’re not at home. They’ll contact you via a video feed to the app, and you’ll simply unlock the door through the app to let them in. Alerts if doors have been left open or unlocked will give you peace of mind that, even if you forgot to lock the door in your hurry to get out in the morning, you’ll be able to do so through the app, and not have to make the long trek back home.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

iCamViewer

If you’re really serious about security, then you’re probably going to want to have one or two CCTV cameras around the house. Not only do they provide superior security-focused footage capture, but simply by having one prominently outdoors, you’re able to ward off many intruders that might otherwise see your home as a target.

iCamViewer is an app specifically designed for CCTV cameras, allowing you to monitor up to 16 different cameras through the application. You’ll need to check that your cameras are compatible with the app, and there is some setup involved, but as a no-frills, free option for remote monitoring, it’s difficult to complain about this app.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

DriveEye Ultra

Security for the home is all the rage at the moment, but people often forget the value of having a portable camera on the dashboard of their cars as well. The footage that these car cameras capture can be incredibly valuable in piecing together what happened in the event of road accidents.

Swann has produced an app called ‘DriveEye Ultra’, that is specifically designed for managing your car camera. It’s a free app (though only works with Swann cameras), and offers comprehensive settings and data storage options.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Piper

Piper is one of the new wave of home security solutions that is proving to be very popular with people that like to control things through their phones. After you purchase the Piper hardware, you simply download the app and you’re set to go.

With Piper you’re able to record video and watch it back, watch live streams, control lights and other appliances, and monitor your home’s temperature, humidity, and so on. In other words, while the solution is built around security, it’s also a home automation solution that means you’ll come home to a comfortable, temperature controlled home.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Nest

Nest has been the darling of home automation for quite some time now, and it’s really starting to pick up steam with customers, as it offers a robust and comprehensive home management system, in an easy-to-use interface and user experience that makes it pleasurable to use as well.

Home security is just one part of the Nest solution; the devices and hardware that you’ll pair to the Nest app do everything, from providing you with video feeds to controlling the thermostat (and monitoring energy usage), to providing you with alerts if the Nest appliances detect smoke or carbon monoxide. The cameras themselves broadcast in clear 1080p, and while you won’t be able to save entire feeds, the app does take periodic snapshots so that you’ll be able to see at a glance what has been going on over the last couple of hours.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Canary

Canary is a pure-play security solution that offers some unique features that help set it apart. Most notable of these is the different profiles that the device will adopt. What the camera will record and monitor will change depending on whether you’re sleeping, away from home, or at home. The camera itself records footage in high definition, and offers comprehensive response options; the camera itself can emit a 90 decibel alarm when triggered, and you can contact the local police directly from the app.

This app also pairs up with an Apple Watch, if you have one, so you can see what’s going on at home even more quickly and easily.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Logi Circle

Logitech are the masters of providing home technology appliances that are robust and reliable, but also no-frills and easy to use. Logi Circle is Logitech’s home security solution.

The Logi Circle offers all the security features that you’ll want or need; remote monitoring via video feeds, and the option to store those video feeds in the cloud via a subscription. That way, even if the camera is stolen or damaged, you’ll still have access to the footage that it caught.

The camera itself has been designed to be portable, so you can move it around the home as needed, and you’ll also be able to talk and listen through it; you might not want to talk with an intruder, but if you’ve got a bored pet at home your voice might be all it needs to stop causing trouble.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Arlo Q

What sets Arlo Q apart is its generous free Cloud offering. Cloud storage is important to security cameras, because it’s footage that isn’t stored on the camera. If a camera should be destroyed or stolen, without Cloud storage the footage would then be gone, but via the Cloud you’ll still have everything right up until the camera stopped recording.

You get seven days of free Cloud storage through the Arlo Q application, and that’s much more than most other services offer. Otherwise the app functions much like other security-based apps, giving you full communication and monitoring tools. The Arlo Q camera itself is of a high quality, with a wide viewing angle, as well as comprehensive night vision technology.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

eSecure 2.0

eSecure 2.0 is a comprehensive home security solution that is almost a commercial application in its feature set. Through this app you’re able to create user profiles for each person at home, and manage their system user codes. You’re also able to view footage taken from eSecure cameras, lock and unlock doors, control lights and thermostats.

A comprehensive alerts service will send to-the-second email alerts if unusual things are happening at home, such as a rapid jump or drop in temperature. It’s even possible to set up specific restricted zones within the home (such as an alcohol cabinet, or a valuable collection) and get alerts if there’s any movement in that area.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Reolink

The Reolink application is ridiculously easy to use; taking just three steps after downloading the app to have it working with your cameras. For people who aren’t comfortable with technology, but still want a robust, modern security system, this app is the logical choice.

Through this application you can have up to 16 different cameras, and it’s possible to capture and record footage remotely, schedule video recording, control the cameras themselves (pan or tilt them), enable motion-triggered recording, and save images captured from the cameras onto your phone.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Alfred

For people that want some home security, without spending too much money, Alfred is a handy little application. Through Alfred, you’re able to turn old phones into security cameras. Simply set up the old phone in the home, and then, when you’re out and about, you’ll be able to check in on what the old phone is displaying through its camera.

Alfred offers a comprehensive feature set, too. The app features motion detection alerts, and will save any videos captured through motion detection for up to 7 days. It features night vision controls, or you can remotely turn on the old phone’s flash to light the area up. It’s also possible to communicate remotely through the camera.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

iSentry

iSentry is as bare-bones as security applications come, but it’s free and covers what most people want most in their security applications; motion-control and alerts. To operate iSentry all you do is set up an iOS device and turn the app on. Then, if there’s any motion detected, the device will take a snapshot and send you an alert.

For additional security, the application can upload photos taken to a Dropbox account. That way, even if an intruder steals or breaks the device, you’ll have access to proof of what happened.

Download from iTunes here.
No Android version is currently available.

iVideon

One of the more expensive home security options, iVideon is nonetheless worth the investment thanks to the comprehensive feature set that it offers. Through this very popular combination of hardware and software applications (iVideon claims over 1.5 million users), you’ll get push notifications if anything suspicious is happening, as well as robust searching tools for recorded footage so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.

While you probably don’t want to broadcast your home to the Internet, iVideon also enables the embedding of footage on to websites or blogs. This means it can double up as a broadcasting tool, if you’re interested in using it to start up a Web show.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Salient Eye Mobile Security

Another simple application that turns an old phone into a security camera, Salient Eye’s focus is on motion detecting. When motion is detected, you’ll be sent notifications either via email or push messaging, and the device will also emit an optional alarm, to act as an intruder deterrent.

The app operates with the old phone’s screen off, preserving battery. When it does detect motion and spring into action, it will take photos, which are immediately available online. You’re also able to schedule when the camera will be in operation.

The application is easy to operate and will provide you with peace of mind, even if you’re unable to afford “proper” security solutions.

Download from Android here.
Download from iTunes here.

Keeping your home safe

As you can see, there are a lot of options for home security out there for people with phones or tablet devices. Prices and quality can range greatly, but whether you’re looking to turn an old phone camera into a simple security camera for free, or install a full home automation and protection solution, your phone is increasingly becoming the place where you’ll manage all of your home security needs.

For other home security measures, contact SP Screens today to discuss how best to protect your screen doors from intruders.