The short answer
Start with the outcome you need
A burglar alarm is primarily about detection and warning. Door contacts and motion detectors identify activity, while the control equipment and siren respond according to the system design. CCTV is primarily about visibility and recorded evidence. Cameras cover selected views and an NVR stores footage for later review.
If you want to know promptly that the protected property has been entered, begin with an alarm. If you need to see an entrance, driveway, yard or other priority area, begin with CCTV. If both questions matter, a combined design is usually the clearest route.
One well-positioned detector or camera can be more useful than several in the wrong places. Define the risk, view and response first; the survey can then confirm the appropriate equipment.
Compare the roles
Burglar alarm vs CCTV at a glance
| Question | Burglar alarm | CCTV | Combined system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Detect activity and raise a warning | Provide live and recorded views | Detection plus visual context |
| Typical equipment | Hub, contacts, PIRs and siren | Cameras, NVR and storage | Both sets, designed together |
| Useful for | Doors, rooms and circulation routes | Entrances, approaches, yards and priority areas | Properties needing both internal detection and recorded external views |
| Key design question | What activity should trigger the system? | What useful detail should each camera capture? | Where does each layer add a distinct benefit? |
| Starting monthly price | From £16.64 | From £18.06 | From £30.56 |
Choose detection
When is a burglar alarm the stronger starting point?
- You want a warning when a protected door opens or movement is detected
- The main risk is unauthorised access inside the property
- You need a straightforward system for a finished home or small business
- There are no useful external camera positions, or recorded images are not the immediate priority
- Your initial budget should focus on detecting activity rather than recording several views
The alarm design should reflect entrances, circulation routes, pets and the way authorised users enter and leave. You can compare installation options in our wired vs wireless alarm guide and review what affects price in the UK burglar alarm cost guide.
Choose visibility
When is CCTV the stronger starting point?
- You want recorded images from a defined entrance, approach or external area
- You need to review incidents rather than rely only on an audible warning
- A driveway, side passage, yard or customer entrance is a priority
- The property has practical camera positions and cable routes
- Live viewing would help you check a property when you are away
Plan cameras around useful views, not simply the outside corners of the building. Our guides explain how many cameras a property may need and where to position CCTV cameras for entrances, night conditions and privacy.
Layer the outcomes
When does an alarm and CCTV package make sense?
A combined system is useful when neither layer answers the whole problem. The alarm can detect activity at protected doors and inside selected areas, while CCTV can provide images of the relevant approach, entrance or external space. The systems complement one another without needing to duplicate the same job.
Define the alert. Decide which opening or movement should trigger the alarm.
Define the view. Decide what the camera needs to show and at what distance.
Define the response. Agree who uses each system, how it is armed or reviewed and whether app access is required.
Different users, different priorities
How the choice changes for homes and businesses
For homes
Family routines, pets, rear access, garages and ease of daily use usually drive the decision. A compact home may begin with an alarm and one camera at its most important approach. A detached property with several external routes may benefit from broader CCTV coverage alongside internal detection. See our home security options.
For businesses
Opening hours, staff access, stock, customer entrances and outdoor operating areas need separate consideration. An out-of-hours alarm and CCTV around a delivery yard answer different risks, so many commercial designs use both. See our business security options.
Published starting points
Compare Alarm Plan monthly prices
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Starter equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Burglar alarm | From £16.64/month | Hub, bell-box siren, one PIR and one door contact |
| CCTV | From £18.06/month | One IP camera, NVR and 1TB storage |
| Alarm + CCTV | From £30.56/month | Both starter specifications above |
Smartphone app access is optional at £3.50 per month for each system. That means app access is £3.50 for an alarm or CCTV plan, or £7 per month when added to both systems in a combined package. Routine servicing and non-warranty repairs are not included; the starter packages carry a 12-month warranty.
All prices are starting figures, including VAT and standard professional installation. The final monthly payment is subject to survey, specification and eligibility, with complete payment terms confirmed in writing before you proceed.
Nationwide installation
How property patterns change the answer around the UK
Flats and terraces
Shared approaches, neighbouring properties and limited external mounting positions can make a focused alarm or single priority camera a sensible start.
Detached homes and outbuildings
Several approaches, garages and side access may justify layered alarm detection and more than one camera view.
Shops, offices and operational sites
Staff, customers, stock and outside areas often create distinct needs for detection and recorded evidence.
View all UK installation locations, or use the package builder to compare an alarm, CCTV and combined starting specification before your free survey.
Common questions
Alarm or CCTV FAQs
Is a burglar alarm better than CCTV?
They do different jobs. A burglar alarm is designed to detect activity and raise an alert, while CCTV records video from selected views. The better starting point depends on whether your priority is immediate detection, recorded evidence or both.
Can CCTV replace a burglar alarm?
CCTV can provide useful live and recorded images, but it does not perform the same job as a purpose-designed intruder alarm. If immediate detection and an internal or external warning are priorities, an alarm should be considered separately.
Should I install both an alarm and CCTV?
A combined system can make sense when you want an alarm to detect activity and CCTV to show what happened around important entrances or external areas. A survey can identify where each layer adds useful protection rather than adding equipment without a clear purpose.
Which is better for a business?
Many businesses benefit from both, but the design should follow the risk. An alarm may prioritise out-of-hours detection, while CCTV may support oversight of entrances, stock areas, yards or incidents. Opening hours, staff access, site layout and the evidence required all affect the answer.
Can I add smartphone app access?
Yes. App access is optional at £3.50 per month for each system. It can be added to an alarm or CCTV plan; a combined alarm and CCTV package uses two systems, so adding app access to both costs £7 per month.