Kangaroo vs. Ring & Top Alternatives: Best Budget Home Security for 2025

Jul 7

Choosing a home security system in 2025 can feel overwhelming. You see industry giants like Ring everywhere, but then you hear about ultra-affordable challengers like Kangaroo. Add traditional names like ADT and Vivint to the mix, and it's hard to know where to start. How do you find the right balance of price, performance, and features without getting locked into a costly contract?

You're in the right place. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the best budget-friendly home security systems, focusing on a head-to-head comparison of Kangaroo vs. Ring. We'll dive deep into their costs, monitoring plans, camera quality, and ease of installation.

Furthermore, we'll see how they stack up against other popular alternatives, so you can make a truly informed decision for your home and your wallet.

At a Glance: Kangaroo vs. Ring

  
  Comparison Table
  
      Kangaroo
      Ring Alarm
    
      Ideal For
      Renters, budget-first buyers, small homes
      Homeowners, smart home enthusiasts
    
      Upfront Cost
      Starts at $29.99
      Starts at $199.99
    
      Professional Monitoring
      $10/month (Complete Plan)
      Starts at $20/month (Protect Pro)
    
      Installation
      DIY, tool-free, peel-and-stick
      DIY, some tools may be needed
    
      Contract Required?
      No
      No
    
      Key Advantage
      Extreme affordability & simplicity
      Extensive hardware ecosystem & features

Explore Kangaroo Products

Detailed Breakdown: Monthly Plans & Monitoring Costs

A security system's true cost lies in its monthly subscription. This is where you get critical features like professional monitoring and cloud video storage. Here’s how the plans compare, and the difference is significant.

  
  Plan Comparison
  


  
    
      
      Kangaroo Complete
      Ring Protect Basic
      Ring Protect Plus
      Ring Protect Pro
    

      Price
      $8.25/month
      $4.99/month/camera
      $10/month
      $20/month
    

      24/7 Professional Monitoring
      ✅ Yes
      ❌ No
      ❌ No
      ✅ Yes
    

      Cellular & Battery Backup
      ✅ Yes
      ❌ No
      ❌ No
      ✅ Yes
    

      Video History
      30 days (for all cameras)
      180 days
      180 days
      180 days
    

      Cameras Supported
      Unlimited
      1 Camera
      Unlimited
      Unlimited
    

      Extended Warranty
      Yes
      No
      Yes
      Yes
    

Key Takeaway: For true 24/7 professional monitoring (where authorities can be dispatched for you), Kangaroo's $10/month Complete plan is half the price of Ring's comparable $20/month Protect Pro plan. Ring's lower-priced plans do not include professional monitoring; they are primarily for cloud video storage for your cameras.

Feature Comparison: Where Does Each System Shine?

1. Upfront Equipment Cost & Starter Kits

Kangaroo: Wins on pure affordability. You can start with a single Motion + Entry sensor for around $30 or get a comprehensive starter kit for under $100. This low barrier to entry is perfect for securing a single room, a door, or an entire apartment on a tight budget.
Ring: Ring's entry point is the Ring Alarm Security Kit, which starts at $199.99. While more expensive, it provides a more robust base station, keypad, and multiple sensors, making it suitable for a small home right out of the box.

Winner: Kangaroo for the lowest entry cost and best value.

2. Installation & Portability (The Renter's Dilemma)

Kangaroo: This is Kangaroo's defining feature. The entire system is designed for simplicity. Sensors are wireless and use a peel-and-stick application, requiring no tools or drilling. You can set up your entire system in minutes. This makes it the ideal choice for renters, apartment dwellers, or anyone who doesn't want to damage their walls.
Ring: Ring is also a DIY system, but the process is generally more involved. The base station requires a dedicated spot, and while sensors can be attached with adhesive, some outdoor cameras or video doorbells may require wiring and drilling. It's portable, but not as effortlessly as Kangaroo.

Winner: Kangaroo for being the most renter-friendly and simple to install.

3. Camera Capabilities & Smart Home Integration

Kangaroo: Offers essential camera functions with its Video Doorbell and a standalone Chime. It provides clear video, motion alerts, and two-way talk. It's designed to cover the basics effectively and affordably.
Ring: This is Ring's strength. Owned by Amazon, its hardware ecosystem is vast. It includes a wide variety of high-resolution indoor cameras, outdoor floodlight cameras, stick-up cams, and the famous Ring Video Doorbells. It integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice commands and routines.

Winner: Ring for a superior hardware ecosystem and deep smart home integrations.

How Do Kangaroo & Ring Compare to Other Security Brands?

Your search for a security system has likely shown you other names. Here's a quick rundown of how Kangaroo and Ring fit into the broader market.

vs. Traditional Systems (ADT, Vivint): ADT and Vivint represent the classic security model: mandatory professional installation, long-term contracts (typically 3-5 years), and high monthly fees that can exceed $40-$60.
- Choose Kangaroo or Ring if: You want to avoid contracts, save hundreds of dollars on installation fees, and prefer to manage the system yourself through a modern app.
vs. Other DIY Brands (SimpliSafe, Cove): SimpliSafe and Cove are strong competitors in the DIY space and are often compared to Ring. They offer similar hardware kits and monitoring plans.
- Choose Kangaroo if: Your absolute top priority is the lowest possible cost and the simplest setup, especially for a smaller space like an apartment.
- Choose Ring if: You are already invested in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem or want the widest possible selection of camera hardware for a larger home.

Final Verdict: Which is the Best Budget-Friendly System?

There is no single "best" system for everyone, only the one that's right for you.

Choose Kangaroo if:
✅ You are on a strict budget.
✅ You live in an apartment, dorm, or rental property.
✅ You value simplicity and a tool-free, 15-minute setup.
✅ You want the most affordable 24/7 professional monitoring plan on the market.

Choose Ring if:
✅ You are a homeowner with a larger space, including outdoor areas.
✅ You want a wide variety of advanced camera options (like floodlights).
✅ You are building an integrated smart home, especially with Amazon Alexa.
✅ You don't mind a higher upfront cost for more hardware and features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For the initial equipment purchase, Kangaroo is one of the cheapest options available, with individual sensors starting around $30 and full, monitored kits for under $100.
You can use the hardware for both systems for live viewing and mobile alerts without a subscription. However, to get crucial features like video recording history or 24/7 professional monitoring, a subscription plan is required for both.
They serve different needs effectively. Ring offers more advanced features and a wider range of hardware. Kangaroo offers core security essentials with professional monitoring at a much lower price point, making it a better value for those focused on budget and simplicity.
Besides Kangaroo, other popular Ring alternatives in the DIY space include SimpliSafe, Cove, and Abode, each with its own set of features and price points.