ADT vs. Brinks Home Security

ADT has well over a century of experience in the home security industry, and it certainly shows. While you have to commit to a long-term contract up front, ADT security has quick response times, an impressive six-month, money-back guarantee (certain restrictions apply), and helpful customer service that’s worth the tradeoff.

If you opt for a basic package for ADT monitoring through SafeStreets, be aware that monitoring uses a landline only, similar to Protect America. It’s also worth noting that the costs for things like carbon monoxide monitoring aren’t included in the basic package and can add up quickly.

You may be lured in by Brinks’ home automation advantages and DIY installation, especially if you already own Google Nest smart home products. But be warned that due to several partnerships of varying natures—Alarm.com, MONI, LiveWatch—customer service can be challenging.¹

ADT and Brinks have most of the qualities you’d want in a reputable home security company, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.²

• 24/7 professional monitoring with two-way audio
• 3-year contracts on most packages
• Money-back guarantee (time varies)
• Smartphone app
• Compatibility with Amazon Alexa
• Similar equipment offerings

Although the two companies have different up-front costs in terms of installation and equipment, ADT and Brinks also land in about the same place on average monthly monitoring cost. If cost is what matters to you, you’ll probably be happy with either ADT through SafeStreets or Brinks as your home security providers.

These two security companies are similar on the surface, but digging into the details turns up some significant differences.

• Installation: ADT through SafeStreets requires professional installation starting at $99. Brinks offers free DIY installation.
• Reputation: ADT does suffer its share of customer complaints, but it also has an impressive amount of experience and a stellar industry reputation. Brinks’ recent bankruptcy has created some confusion about its future.
• Home automation integration: While ADT offers similar devices and Z-wave compatibility, Brinks’ partnership with Nest means it edges out a slight advantage in home automation. Plus, with any Brinks monitoring package, you have the option to control smart lights, a thermostat, and a door lock. You’ll pay a bit more for that option with ADT.
• No-contract option: If a long-term contract is a deal-breaker for you, then Brinks Nest Secure package is going to be your best option.

Brinks and ADT both own their monitoring centers, but ADT has six monitoring stations versus Brinks’ one. If you’re concerned about the reliability of professional monitoring, ADT is the clear choice to protect your home.

ADT is a trusted name in home security systems with more monitoring centers than other brands. Although you may pay a little extra up front for installation, you don’t have to buy equipment if you commit to a contract, and ADT backs up its reputation with a six-month, money-back guarantee.^†

With five different packages that fit almost any budget, ADT-monitored security can make even the most commitment-phobic person feel better about a three-year contract. Just be warned that the lower cost of the basic package means you’ll need a landline for your home security system and also that safety monitoring like smoke and carbon monoxide will add extra fees.

ADT has an attractive and generous money-back guarantee that extends for the first six months.^† It also offers free equipment when you commit to a three-year contract, but there’s a big catch. Terminating early will cost you up to 75% of the remaining contract period. ADT also provides a limited warranty on its equipment.

An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and good reviews for the ADT Control® app are a good start, but ADT falters when it comes to feedback on Trustpilot.³  What this tells us is ADT works for many people, but not everyone. That’s why we like the six-month money-back guarantee. If you decide ADT isn’t for you, there’s a large window to return the system without a hassle.

ADT offers smart home devices that provide all the bells and whistles you expect from home automation, including doorbell cameras, smart lighting, and smart thermostats. ADT offers Z-Wave integration and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

Unfortunately, automation is only available through higher-tier plans. The top-priced plan also comes with a $199 installation fee and hefty monthly monitoring rate. The good news is it includes the mobile app, live video, and add-ons like smartbulbs for your home lighting or a smart thermostat to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient.

You can arm and disarm your ADT security system remotely through the ADT Control mobile app for both iPhone and Android. You can even customize alerts, use geo-location services, and view live surveillance footage on the app. Just be sure to select the higher-tier ADT package that includes video monitoring.

Unless you have a compelling reason to do DIY installation or to insist on no contract, you’ll find ADT offers the best value across the board. Despite an installation fee and longer-term contract, you won’t have to pitch in up front for equipment, and the six-month, money-back guarantee gives you a taste of ADT’s security before you commit.

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Brinks’ partnership with Nest gives bragging rights for home automation, and many renters are attracted to the DIY installation and no-contract option. Although similar in price to ADT for professional monitoring, Brinks’ solo monitoring station can leave you in the lurch if it ever goes offline during an emergency.

Brinks has three packages, but they’re deceptively different. The Nest Secure package is a no-contact, DIY installation option that requires $299 up front for equipment costs. Brinks Home Complete and Home Complete with Video require a three-year contract but won’t result in equipment costs up front.

Not having a contract is attractive, but with Brinks Nest Secure, you’ll pay for it with higher equipment costs. Brinks Home Complete packages do have a three-year contract and require a credit check. If you cancel after the 30-day trial period, you’ll have to pay the full balance of your remaining Brinks contract. Ouch.

Brinks Home Security formerly earned top marks from J.D. Power and Associates, but reviews on Trustpilot and complaints at the Better Business Bureau highlight recent troubles.⁴ As we mentioned previously, there is some ambiguity over who is using the Brinks brand name since it’s filed for bankruptcy—and that’s creating some confusion for customers.

The Brinks partnership with Nest, a leader in home automation, means that it maintains a bit of an edge in smart home compatibility. Nest Secure equipment earns top marks, especially for its home security cameras. But Brinks Home Connect uses Honeywell equipment, the same manufacturer as ADT.

You’ll enjoy all the standard benefits of arming and disarming remotely through the Brinks app, with adjustable sensitivity and customizable alerts and notifications. One advantage to the Brinks app is the ability to create a chat room with important people like your spouse, kids, and the monitoring station so you can quickly connect, cancel false alarms, alert first responders, and make sure everyone is safe.

Hey, we like gadgets too. And if you already have some Nest smart home devices, Brinks Nest Secure can be a perfect solution for your home security—as long as you’re comfortable with installing the system yourself. The Brinks Nest Secure package is also a good solution for renters who want to avoid contracts.

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ADT is a more traditional home security company, but in this case, that means trust and reliability. You can count on professional monitoring with six centers across the US and Canada. While ADT-monitored systems do require professional installation and charges a fee, in the end it works out for your bottom line because you’ll get free equipment with your three-year contract.§

Brinks offers DIY installation, and there is a little less risk involved for renters if you choose its no-contract Nest Secure package. Just keep in mind you’ll pay for the Nest equipment up front, and you won’t have the luxury of ADT’s six-month, money-back guarantee to fall back on if something goes wrong.

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In addition to scouring the internet for reviews and ratings from real customers, we evaluated opinions from experts, ratings from consumer organizations, and our own rankings for the best home security companies. Our rankings are determined by factors that matter most to our readers, such as cost, response time, customer service, installation, and ease of use. You can get a peek at our full methodology here.

• ADT vs. Simplisafe
• ADT vs. Frontpoint

1. Brinks, In The News, “MONI Announces Exclusive, Long-Term Agreement to License the Iconic Brinks Home Security Brand”; Brinks Home Security, “Live Watch is Now Brinks Home Security”
2. Better Business Bureau, “ADT Security Systems,” “Brinks Home Security”
3. Google Play Store, “ADT Control”; Apple App Store, “ADT Control”; Trustpilot, “ADT”
4. J.D. Power, “Smart Home Features Emerge as Key Opportunity to Drive Customer Satisfaction with Home Security Systems, J.D. Power Finds”; Better Business Bureau, “Brinks Home Security”; Trustpilot, “Brinks Home Security”