ADT Home Security has long been a major name in home security, but you may have heard a lot about SimpliSafe in recent years. Both companies offer a similar range of home security and smart home equipment, but their business models work very differently.
Keep reading this SimpliSafe vs. ADT comparison to decide which is the best home security for your home.
Here’s our comparison of ADT Home Security and SimpliSafe, including their plans, costs, and equipment. We break down the differences between the two home security companies and make recommendations on who might benefit most from each one.
ADT vs. Simplisafe: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | ADT | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|
| This Old House Score | 9.1 / 10 | 9.9 / 10 |
| 24/7 Monitoring | ✔ Included | ✔ Available |
| Contract Length | 36 months | 1 month |
| Installation | Professional | DIY or professional |
| Mobile App Access | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion Detection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Home Compatibility | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video Surveillance | Available | With SimpliCam purchase |
| Video Streaming Capability | Available | With SimpliCam purchase |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 6 months (installation and monitoring fees)* | 60 days |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
*Certain restrictions apply
SimpliSafe vs. ADT Overview
SimpliSafe Overview
Here are a few SimpliSafe benefits:
- Clear and inexpensive pricing
- Portable equipment
- No long-term contract required for professional monitoring services
SimpliSafe is a relative newcomer to the home security industry, and it offers a different paradigm from traditional companies like ADT. The founders of SimpliSafe couldn’t find a good security solution for renters, so they pioneered their own wireless hardware that’s easy to install and remove.
ADT Overview
Here are some top selling points of ADT:
- Longevity and a good reputation in the industry
- ADT has the largest nationwide network of monitoring centers
- Six-month money-back guarantee on installation and monitoring fees*
ADT Home Security is one of the most experienced and best home security companies in the industry. Originally founded as a telegraph company, the business expanded into security alarms in the early decades of the 20th century, and it now serves over six million homes throughout the United States.
*Certain restrictions apply.
SimpliSafe vs. ADT Packages
SimpliSafe Packages
| Feature | The Foundation Package | The Essentials Package | The Hearth Package | The Knox Package | The Haven Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Station | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keypad | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Entry Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 3 included | ✔ 6 included | ✔ 4 included |
| Motion Sensor | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 1 included | ✔ 2 included | ✔ 2 included |
| Siren | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Key Fob | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smoke Detector | - | - | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Panic Button | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
| Temperature Sensor | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
| Water Sensor | - | - | - | - | ✔ |
SimpliSafe offers five equipment packages, ranging from the basics to a full smart home suite. You can learn more about these packages on the company’s website.
Once you buy the equipment, you can choose to monitor it yourself, using it as a simple alarm system with no monthly fees. SimpliSafe also offers two professional monitoring options:
- The Standard Plan connects the base station to a monitoring center.
- The Interactive Plan gives you full control over the system with the mobile app, alert notifications, and the ability to stream video camera footage.
ADT Packages
| Feature | "The Essentials" Package | "ADT Pulse® Remote" Package | "ADT Pulse® + Video" Package | "ADT Pulse® Home Automation + Video" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keypad panel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Motion sensor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Remote keyfob | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Life Safety Equipment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Wireless door and window sensors | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mobile app integration | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Indoor camera | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Outdoor camera | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbell camera | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart lock | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Smart plug | – | – | – | ✔ |
ADT bundles its equipment and monitoring services together. If you want the hardware, you’ll need to pay for 24/7 professional monitoring.
Customer’s can get a quote and learn about plans by filling out a quick form or by calling 888-285-6952. All plans include the following items:
- Digital control panel
- Entry sensors
- Wireless keychain remote
- Motion detectors
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Yard signs and window decals
Additionally, ADT offers a variety of upgraded equipment depending on your security needs:
- ADT mobile app
- Voice control
- Touchscreen keypad
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Video doorbell camera
- Glass break sensor
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Flood sensor
SimpliSafe vs. ADT Pricing
SimpliSafe Pricing
| Pricing | "The Foundation" Package | "The Essentials" Package | "The Hearth" Package | "The Knox" Package | "The Haven" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $229.00 | $259.00 | $374.00 | $449.00 | $489.00 |
You can purchase SimpliSafe security hardware on its own, but the company offers a 20% discount if you sign up for professional monitoring at the same time. With any of these packages, the Standard Plan is $14.99 a month and the Interactive Plan is $24.99 a month. This monitoring fee is paid month-to-month and can be cancelled anytime; there is no long-term contract required.
ADT Pricing
| Pricing | "The Essentials" Package | "ADT Remote" Package | "ADT Video Lite" Package | "ADT Video + Home Automation" Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Cost | $7/week | $13/week | $15/week | $15/week |
| Monthly Cost | $27.99/month | $53.99/month | $59.99/month | 59.99/month |
ADT Home Security costs $99.00 for base package installation for qualified customers, but upgraded packages will require additional installation fees; additional fees may apply for customers requiring a cellular system. Monthly monitoring prices range between $36.99–$59.99 with credit card or automatic bank withdrawal.
SimpliSafe vs. ADT: How Does It Work?
How Does SimpliSafe Work?
SimpliSafe systems can all be purchased online or over the phone. You choose the equipment you need and have it delivered to your door. While the equipment should be easy to install on your own, SimpliSafe does offer professional installation, as well.
Learn more about installation options by visiting SimpliSafe’s website.
How Does ADT Home Security Work?
After you speak to a sales representative and purchase a plan, a professional will come to your house to install the system. The technician will help you set up and test your system, after which you’ll be able to operate everything from the control panel and, for many systems, the mobile app.
SimpliSafe vs. ADT: Similarities & Differences
SimpliSafe & ADT Similarities
While ADT and SimpliSafe tackle home security very differently, they are still similar in some ways. Both offer the latest technology in home security equipment, including sensors, security cameras, smoke and flood detectors, and more. Both also allow you to control your entire home security system via mobile app, as well as receive alerts and stream video.
SimpliSafe & ADT Differences
| Factor | ADT | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity options | Cellular, broadband, and landline monitoring options | Cellular, broadband, and landline monitoring options |
| Wireless options | Wired or wireless | Wireless |
| Contract | 3-year contract required on professionally installed systems | Month-to-month payments for monitoring |
| Self-monitoring option | Unavailable | Available |
Our Conclusion
ADT and SimpliSafe are both excellent choices for home security. SimpliSafe may be best for people who want a DIY, portable security system, those who are on a budget, or renters, considering the company has a la carte options and requires long-term contract.
Alternatively, ADT is probably the best choice for homeowners who want a traditional, professionally monitored home security system and have a little extra room in their budget. ADT’s monitoring prices tend to be on the high side, but you’ll get an established name with a nationwide resource network.
This Old House readers can view plans and get a free quote from ADT by completing a quick form or by calling 855-285-6952. You can also learn more about SimpliSafe’s plans on the company’s website.
More on Home Security Systems:
- Ring vs. Nest
- Ring vs. Simplisafe
- Best DIY Home Security Systems
- Best Self-Monitored Home Security Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.