4.2
4.6In this guide
ADT vs SimpliSafe at a glance
| Feature | ADT | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Installation | Professional (DIY option via Self Setup) | DIY (professional available) |
| Contract | 36 months typical for professional installs | None |
| Monitoring | Professional only | Optional professional or self-monitoring |
| Monthly cost | $25–$70 | $0–$79.99 |
| Equipment cost | $200–$1,600+ | $250–$700 |
| Video storage | Cloud (Nest Aware for cameras) | Cloud |
| Works with | Google Nest, Alexa, Z-Wave | Alexa and Google Assistant on eligible paid plans; no Apple Home |
| Trial / returns | 6-month money-back guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Best for | Homeowners who want a long-established company doing the install and the monitoring | Most people — the default recommendation for a first security system |
Monitoring quality is closer than the price gap suggests
The instinct is that paying two or three times more buys proportionally better monitoring. It does not.
Both dispatch from professional central stations staffed 24/7. Both have cellular backup and battery power. Both meet the industry standards insurers recognise. In the scenario that matters — an alarm at 3 a.m. — both will call you and then dispatch police.
ADT’s advantage is infrastructure depth: more centres, more redundancy, more decades of operating history. That is real, and for some buyers worth paying for. It is not the difference between a system that works and one that does not.
SimpliSafe offers Active Guard Outdoor Protection with eligible cameras: Pro covers 8pm–6am local time for $49.99/month, while Pro Plus covers all hours for $79.99/month, when the system is armed. This is separate from the Standard or Core plans used for lower-cost professional monitoring. See the current plan comparison.
The contract is the actual decision
ADT’s professionally installed systems typically run 36 months, with early termination costing a substantial share of the remaining balance. SimpliSafe has no contract at all: cancel monitoring next month if you like.
This matters far more than it appears on a spec sheet, because life is unpredictable across three years. People move, get relocated, lose income, buy a house, split up. A contract that made sense in month one can become an expensive irritation by month twenty.
Installation: an hour of your time, or none
SimpliSafe is genuinely DIY. Adhesive sensors, no tools, roughly an hour for an average home. The real work is thinking about where sensors belong, not mounting them.
ADT sends a technician who surveys the property and installs everything. For a large house, a house with many entry points, or an owner who simply does not want to do it, this has genuine value.
The counterpoint is that DIY placement is often better, because you know your home. You know which window is hidden from the street and which door the dog sets off. A technician working through a standard checklist in ninety minutes does not.
Three-year cost, side by side
| Scenario | Year 1 | Three-year total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADT, professionally installed | ≈ $1,000–$1,400 | ≈ $2,000–$3,200 | Financed equipment plus monitoring, contract-locked |
| SimpliSafe + Standard | ≈ $576–$776 | ≈ $1,128–$1,328 | $300–$500 equipment + $22.99/month; no camera recording |
| SimpliSafe + Core | ≈ $696–$896 | ≈ $1,488–$1,688 | $300–$500 equipment + $32.99/month; recording included |
| SimpliSafe unmonitored | ≈ $300–$500 | ≈ $300–$500 | Self-monitoring only, no professional dispatch |
The SimpliSafe examples assume $300–$500 of equipment and an unchanged monthly plan price, before tax or optional installation. Standard and Core do not include outdoor agent coverage; compare all SimpliSafe plans before treating these totals as equivalent to a higher-tier service.
Which should you choose?
Choose ADT if you own your home and will stay; you want professional installation and ongoing service; you have a large property; or you want a single accountable company.
Choose SimpliSafe if you rent or might move; you want to avoid contracts; you want the option to self-monitor for free; or you want the lowest cost for professional monitoring.
For most households asking this question, SimpliSafe is the better answer. ADT earns its premium in a narrower set of circumstances than its market share implies.
Frequently asked questions
Is SimpliSafe monitoring as good as ADT?
Both offer professional dispatch and cellular backup with eligible monitoring plans. SimpliSafe also offers outdoor agent coverage on Pro and Pro Plus with eligible cameras. Response depends on the event, service and local emergency responders; we have not measured comparative response times.
Can I cancel ADT early?
Yes, but professionally installed systems typically carry a 36-month agreement with early termination fees representing a substantial share of the remaining balance. Confirm the formula in writing before signing.
Is SimpliSafe hard to install?
No. Sensors are adhesive-mounted and need no tools. Allow an evening if you want to think carefully about placement.
Which is better for renters?
SimpliSafe, clearly. Nothing is drilled, it moves with you, and there is no contract. ADT’s professionally installed systems suit renters poorly.
Full specifications and scores
Quick scores
- ADT
- 4.2/5 — The incumbent, with the monitoring record to justify it
- SimpliSafe
- 4.6/5 — The DIY system that gets the fundamentals right
