Contracts and cancellation: SimpliSafe contracts renew every month, so it's easy to cancel without penalty. ADT requires at least a 36-month contract, and you may have to pay up to 75% of your remaining balance if you want to end the contract early.
For financial advice around long-term security system contracts, check out Consumerfinance.gov's cancellation resources.
Upfront fees: ADT bundles its equipment and monitoring fees into one monthly payment. With SimpliSafe, you can pay for equipment upfront or finance it with a third-party service like Affirm.
Monthly fees: SimpliSafe has more affordable starting fees for professional monitoring. However, if you want all the bells and whistles, ADT ends up being $15 cheaper each month.
Equipment selection: ADT offers pretty much every security device available, while SimpliSafe's system excludes things like garage door sensors and touchscreen panels.
Installation: ADT systems are professionally installed by local dealers with ADT installation costs from $99 to $199, but you can install your SimpliSafe system yourself (we did, and it's really easy) or pay for pro installation. ADT technically offers a DIY option through ADT Self Setup, but it's a completely different set of security equipment.
Power source: SimpliSafe equipment runs off batteries or are plugged into a standard wall outlet. ADT's control panel plugs into a standard wall outlet, and some of its equipment (like the Google Nest Cam and Google Nest Thermostat) can be hardwired into your home's electrical system. The wired devices include backup batteries for continuous protection.
Connection type: SimpliSafe systems work off your home's Wi-Fi network, while ADT systems use a combination of Wi-Fi and Z-Wave technology. All ADT plans include cellular backup, whereas SimpliSafe only offers cellular backup with its pro monitoring plans. ADT also offers a landline option for areas with poor connectivity.
Reliability: We found ADT's devices to be more reliable than SimpliSafe's, with more consistent connectivity. ADT’s Google Nest cameras also have a smoother feed and better night vision.
System maintenance: For a little extra each month, ADT will ensure that your devices continue to work flawlessly. This is a perk you don't get with contract-free security systems like SimpliSafe.
Smart home integration: Both ADT’s and SimpliSafe’s security systems work with Amazon Alexa for voice control. But ADT has expanded its smart home capabilities through its partnership with Google Nest* so you can also control your system through Google Assistant and have ADT technicians install Nest products alongside your security system. ADT also integrates with tons of Z-Wave products for convenient smart home automation.
Monitoring plans: A monitoring plan comparison pitting ADT vs Simplisafe monitoring plans shows the flexibility of SimpliSafe's options. You can monitor the system yourself for free with no-contract home security, buy a few days' worth of pro monitoring when you go on vacation, or go all-in with pro monitoring. ADT only offers continuous professional monitoring.
Monitoring centers: ADT owns and operates six fully redundant monitoring centers in the U.S., which means something like a natural disaster or a blackout won't compromise your system. SimpliSafe currently owns and operates one monitoring center, which leaves it more vulnerable.
Live video monitoring: SimpliSafe monitoring agents can talk to people through the Outdoor Camera Series 2 after AI detects a threat, which may help prevent a break-in. ADT monitors can also check live video footage to verify an alarm, but they can't intervene to scare away trespassers.
Money-back guarantee: ADT offers a 6-month money-back guarantee, which is three times longer than SimpliSafe's 60-day guarantee.
Theft protection guarantee: ADT will pay up to $500 toward your insurance deductible if your home is burgled while the ADT system is armed. SimpliSafe doesn't offer this perk.
Warranty: Every SimpliSafe product comes with a three-year limited warranty. While ADT doesn't technically have a warranty, its Quality Service Plan (QSP) will cover any maintenance and comes included with most plans.