The 5 Best Security Systems for Small Businesses

Security camera at a business premises

Protect your profits by selecting the best security system for your small business…


The best security systems for small businesses combine affordable pricing, ease of use, and high-quality recording round the clock. They’re an essential investment, too – deterring burglars from stealing your assets and stunting your company’s growth.

Not sure which system you need? Don’t worry, we’ve done all the research for you and selected the best security systems for small businesses in the UK, reviewing their pricing and top features.

In this article, we’ve focussed on the camera side of things. This is because – as a small business owner – it’s likely you’ll only need cameras rather than entire systems that come with panic buttons and fire detection technology.

Check out our table below for a preview of what’s to come…

5 best security systems for small business: comparison table

Security cameraBest forCost
Ring Spotlight CamBest overall£179
Nest CamEase of use£179.99 (or £7.50/mo for 24 months)
Simplisafe Outdoor Security CameraCamera zoom£169.99
Verisure Cloud Cam ProCustomer supportBespoke
Arlo UltraVideo quality£314.99

1. Ring Spotlight Cam

Price: £179

Best Security Camera for Small Businesses

The Spotlight Cam by Ring does have night vision recording, and – unlike the Nest Cam – it comes with a motion-activated spotlight. This feature quite literally shines the light on potential intruders, adding an extra layer of security for your small business.

Just like the Nest Cam, it’s battery-powered and records in 1080p, feeding footage directly to your chosen smart device. We also like the Spotlight Cam’s ‘People Only Mode’, which ensures your camera only sends notifications to your smart device when it detects a person.

This, along with the Nest Cam, is easily one of the best wireless security cameras for small businesses.

Pros

  • Motion-activated spotlight is an extra deterrent for burglars
  • Wider angle lens than the Nest Cam

Cons

  • Cannot spread cost over two years, unlike with the Nest Cam
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2. Nest Cam

Price: £179.99 (or £7.50/mo for 24 months)

Best for Ease of Use

Suitable for interior and exterior fittings, the battery-powered Nest Cam can be set up and moved anywhere around your building without hardwiring.

Recording in 1080p, the Nest Cam provides crystal clear footage 24/7 that can be accessed from your smart device, storing up to three hours of footage when using a battery and 10 hours when plugged into a power source. But it’s worth noting you’ll need to have the Nest Home app installed first.

Overall, the Nest Cam’s versatility and user-friendliness make it the easiest security system for small businesses to use.

Pros

  • Very easy to set up
  • Sends alerts directly to your smartphone when people or vehicles are detected

Cons

  • Wired connection required to store more than three hours of footage
  • Nest Home app required

3. Simplisafe Outdoor Security Camera

Price: £169.99

Best for Camera Zooming

Slightly cheaper than the Ring and Nest cameras, Simplisafe’s security camera doesn’t skimp on features and functionality. The main reason for its cheaper price is because Simplisafe manufactures its own hardware, saving on middle-man costs.

It records in 1080p and its battery lasts anywhere from three up to six months, depending on its usage, placement, and settings. It also records a 140-degree field of view, which is 10 degrees wider than the Nest Cam.

But what impressed us most is its 8x zoom, enabling you to really focus on important details such as faces and registration plates from 15 feet away. In contrast, the Nest and Ring cams only support 6x zoom.

On the downside, you’ll need to pay for a subscription (£12.99 or £19.99 per month) on top of the hardware cost in order to get basic features such as two-way communication and ‘People Only’ detection mode.

Pros

  • Cheaper than the Nest and Ring cameras
  • Removable battery can last up to six months depending on usage

Cons

  • Most security features are only available when you sign up to a subscription, unlike most other cameras on this list which come as ready-out-the-box systems
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4. Verisure Cloud Cam Pro

Price: Bespoke

Best for Ease of Use

Slightly cheaper than the Ring and Nest cameras, Simplisafe’s security camera doesn’t skimp on features and functionality. The main reason for its cheaper price is because Simplisafe manufactures its own hardware, saving on middle-man costs.

It records in 1080p and its battery lasts anywhere from three up to six months, depending on its usage, placement, and settings. It also records a 140-degree field of view, which is 10 degrees wider than the Nest Cam.

But what impressed us most is its 8x zoom, enabling you to really focus on important details such as faces and registration plates from 15 feet away. In contrast, the Nest and Ring cams only support 6x zoom.

On the downside, you’ll need to pay for a subscription (£12.99 or £19.99 per month) on top of the hardware cost in order to get basic features such as two-way communication and ‘People Only’ detection mode.

Pros

  • 24/7 technical support
  • Verisure has a 9/10 rating on TrustPilot

Cons

  • Night vision view is relatively limited (five metres)

5. Arlo Ultra

Price: £314.99

Best for Video Quality

Arlo Ultra is all about high-quality footage, boasting a 4K resolution camera and 180-degree lens. It even comes with enhanced colour night vision, giving you greater clarity than most other cameras that offer black and white footage at night.

Our favourite feature is the auto-zoom and tracking which kicks in whenever it detects motion. This feature is one of the key reasons we chose this model as one of the best security cameras for UK businesses of all sizes.

These features don’t come cheap, with a two-pack of Arlo Ultras costing £490, which is almost double the cost of the other cameras in this article. This makes it the best security system for small businesses that have some wiggle room in the budget.

Pros

  • Highest resolution camera on this list (4K)
  • Widest angle lens on this list (180 degrees)

Cons

  • Almost double the price of any other camera we reviewed

Expert Verdict

During our extensive research into business security cameras, we carefully selected the five best security systems for small businesses. The Ring Spotlight Cam takes our top spot, combining ease of use, high-quality recording, and value for money – all the features your small business is looking for.

Now, you don’t need us to remind you how important it is to find the right security systems for your business. That’s where we can help. Simply use our free comparison tool and tell us about your business, and we’ll match you up with the most suitable security companies.

They’ll then contact you directly with more information on how their systems can protect your small business, along with no-obligation quotes for you to compare. Our service is quick, painless, and totally free.


FAQs

How much is a small business security system?

Security systems for small businesses typically cost between £500 and £800 in upfront costs (assuming you purchase a few cameras) and around £10 – £50 in monthly subscription costs, depending on how many cameras you install and the number of extra features you need.

What is the most secure system?

For a really secure system, you’ll need more than just cameras. With that in mind, we’d say the most secure system is provided by SECOM. Its alarms are backed by an expert response team who are available 24/7, 365 days a year, and it’s accredited by all the major relevant security bodies.

Does a security system reduce your insurance?

It depends on the insurance provider and the security system you choose. Some insurance companies will offer discounts if your business has certain burglar alarms and cameras, while others won’t. You’ll need to carry out some prior research if you want to reduce your insurance through installing a security system.

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Written by:
Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics.