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
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–$32 |
| Equipment cost | $200–$1,600+ | $250–$700 |
| Video storage | Cloud (Nest Aware for cameras) | Cloud |
| Works with | Google Nest, Alexa, Z-Wave | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Watch |
| 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’s counter-advantage is live agent intervention — an agent who can see an outdoor camera, speak through it, and give police an eyewitness report. On the specific question of stopping a break-in in progress, that is arguably the more useful capability.
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 + core monitoring | ≈ $500–$650 | ≈ $950–$1,150 | Equipment bought outright, cancel anytime |
| SimpliSafe unmonitored | ≈ $300–$500 | ≈ $300–$500 | Self-monitoring only, no professional dispatch |
SimpliSafe costs roughly a third to a half as much over three years, and the unmonitored option removes recurring cost entirely — something ADT cannot offer at all.
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?
For practical purposes, close. Both use professional central stations with cellular backup. ADT has deeper infrastructure; SimpliSafe has live agent intervention. Neither is meaningfully unreliable.
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.