SimpliSafe vs ADT Comparison

ADT and SimpliSafe are two different systems, but they’re growing more similar all the time. Get all the details, below.

The home security sector has matured significantly over the past decade or so. As it does, companies are starting to offer similar sets of services and products. Basically, if one company attracts a lot of new customers with one piece of tech or service offering, you can be sure the competitors will take notice and offer something similar.

Case in point: ADT and SimpliSafe used to be very different from one another, but now they are starting to look a lot more similar.

Yes, ADT still focuses on providing full-service home security. That means they encourage customers to use their professional installers and they only offer 24/7 professional monitoring. Meanwhile, SimpliSafe remains one of the best DIY-installed systems out there with the option to monitor your own system.

Here’s something we thought we’d never say, though: ADT now offers a DIY installation option. And while ADT has been busy adding installation options, SimpliSafe has been improving its professionally monitored system. At this point, SimpliSafe’s system could give ADT a run for its money. So…what does all this mean? It means that now more than ever you need a handy guide to help you tell these two apart. We can’t just say invest in ADT if you want full service and invest in SimpliSafe if you want to do it yourself. The differences are more nuanced. Luckily, you have us to do the heavy lifting for you.

We’ve been reviewing systems from both ADT and SimpliSafe for years. We’ve watched as each company has stuck to their respective niche, but also taken their cues from one another. But more importantly, we’ve lived with the current versions of each system in our homes, allowing us to get a sense of how they work day-to-day.

SimpliSafe Equipment

SimpliSafe vs ADT: An Overview of Two Top Home Security Systems

We should probably say up-front – we love both of these companies. A lot. Enough to list them as the top two systems on our Best Home Security Systems page. For the most part, we love them for different reasons. They’re each the best at what they do, but they do different things.

In business for 150 years, ADT has built its brand on service. For many years, ADT professionals have been going to homes, making recommendations, installing security equipment, and posting those signature ADT signs. The company is so keen on customer satisfaction that it offers a six-month money-back guarantee. But ADT has also recognized that today’s customers like a DIY option, and it’s recently made that option available.

Being a relatively new kid on the block, SimpliSafe has made a name for itself by putting control over your home security in your hands. The company offers multiple different security packages to choose from, allowing you to customize your system to your needs — no need to talk to a salesperson. You can even build out your own fully customized system by selecting individual pieces of equipment. They also offer top-notch integration with AppleWatch, Google Assistant, Alexa, and August Locks, among others, so you have more control over how your system operates. Finally, you get to choose between professional and self-monitoring. And there are no contracts, so you can switch back and forth to suit your needs.

For more targeted information on each brand, you might start with our hands-on SimpliSafe review, which includes a look at their newest equipment. To learn more about ADT, have a look at our in-depth ADT review.

But enough about these two companies in isolation. Let’s talk about how they compare to one another.

A Quick Point-by-point Comparison of ADT and SimpliSafe

As we mentioned, ADT and SimpliSafe have had pretty different offerings for many years. Recently, though, they’ve become more similar, especially since ADT revised its pricing plans. So, rather than make a list of similarities and differences, we’ve just got a list of similarities, with a few differences if you look closely.

• Equipment and Hardware – First off, both ADT and SimpliSafe offer wireless home security equipment, though ADT also offers wired home security devices and SimpliSafe has a wired video doorbell. SimpliSafe manufactures its own equipment and this allows the company to offer it at low prices. In contrast, ADT sources its equipment – including cameras – from companies like GE and Google Nest. These products are seemingly a step up in class, but they cost more.
• Smart Home Automation – SimpliSafe and ADT are both compatible with third-party home automation products, though ADT offers more native integrations.
• Monitoring Services – ADT and SimpliSafe both offer round-the-clock monitoring services. However, SimpliSafe also gives you the option to self-monitor. In addition, ADT locks you into a three-year monitoring agreement for most systems, typically as part of a sales offer. With SimpliSafe, it’s month-to-month no matter what. Cancel any time you wish, go back to self-monitoring, then sign up again when you want.
• Smartphone Controls – These companies each have a mobile app that allows you to access and manage your system remotely using your smartphone. We have to give the nod to ADT for functionality here; their app offers more custom capabilities. That said, SimpliSafe’s app is well-designed and easy to use.

ADT App Controls

• Environmental Protection – Both brands offer environmental protection features such as fire and smoke detection, and water/flood monitoring.
• Cellular Monitoring – ADT and SimpliSafe both offer cellular backup, one reason why they’re both more reliable than other systems on the market. While primarily connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, both systems can use cellular signals to send alerts any time the internet fails.
• Installation – This used to be the most notable difference between these two companies, and it’s still probably more of a difference than a similarity, but things are definitely changing. ADT used to require professional installation on all its systems, at a cost between $100 and $200. SimpliSafe, on the other hand, has always been a DIY-installed system. You do all the work yourself, but on the plus side, there are no extra fees. Now, SimpliSafe offers professional installation starting at $125, and about a year ago ADT began offering its own ADT Self Setup Systems. We tested one ourselves, and while we weren’t impressed enough to put ADT on our list of Best DIY security systems, we can’t emphasize enough what a big change this is for the company.
• Costs & Fees – This is a tricky one. ADT used to require professional monitoring for a fee. SimpliSafe offers professional monitoring but has never required it. That’s a big difference. It means you can save on monthly fees if you go with SimpliSafe. But when it comes to equipment, the two currently offer comparable options ranging from $200 to $1,000. Both also let you finance these costs, though that locks you into a longer contract. If you are planning to use SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring, that price is, again, comparable to ADT’s. For example, the most basic SimpliSafe plan is about $7 cheaper per month than the cheapest ADT plan.
• Contracts – We mentioned this already, but ADT requires a three-year monitoring contract, minimum, for most systems. In contrast, SimpliSafe doesn’t require you to sign a contract at all. With SimpliSafe, you just pay for your equipment and then month-to-month for any monitoring services. However, keep in mind that SimpliSafe lets you finance equipment. Do that, and you’ll wind up with a contract through Affirm, their third-party financing partner.

• Money-Back Guarantee – All right, we have to give it to ADT on this one. Simply put, ADT has one of the best money-back guarantees in the industry. They give you up to six months to return your equipment and cancel your contract, risk-free. SimpliSafe’s guarantee isn’t bad — 60 days, or double the industry average of 30 days. Still, it’s shorter than 180 days.

SimpliSafe Packaging

SimpliSafe vs ADT: In-Depth Comparison of Home Security Systems

We’ve given you a thorough run-down of the similarities and differences between ADT and SimpliSafe, but let’s unpack those a little.

Equipment and Pricing

Let’s not beat around the bush. SimpliSafe is the more affordable of these two systems. Sometimes the bottom line can be deceptive, though. A lot goes into a system’s value, and talking about the raw prices isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. For instance, ADT doesn’t require a steep up-front fee, which might change the way you think about system costs. Let’s dig into all of this a little more deeply so you’ll see what we mean.

ADT’s Costs

ADT’s monthly monitoring fee ranges from $29.99 to $44.99. That doesn’t include equipment financing which can range from $7.47 to $22.89 and up. Also, ADT charges an installation fee of about $99 to $199 unless you DIY the installation. Remember, you’ll be paying for monthly monitoring for 36 months if you sign a contract, which most systems require, so be sure you have it in your budget. To learn more, read our in-depth ADT pricing guide.

Build Your Own Package

ADT’s most basic package is its Build Your Own Package which starts at $37.46 per month for equipment financing and monitoring. In comparison to other security companies, the package is pricey, but you’re mostly paying for the monitoring service. Here is what you get with this package:

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Cellular connection
• 1 window/door sensor
• System base
• ADT Secure Monitoring

Front Door Protection Package

The Front Door Protection Package starts at $64.96 per month and is an upgrade to the Build Your Own package, and it includes the Complete Monitoring plan that supports video. This package includes:

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Cellular connection
• System base
• 3 window/door sensors
• 1 motion detector
• 1 smart door lock
• 1 Google Nest Doorbell (battery)
• ADT Complete Monitoring with Nest Aware

Total Safety Package

Starting at $78.71 monthly for monitoring and equipment, the main feature of the Total Safety Package is the wide range of cameras included in the package. It features everything you could need to protect a large home or medium-sized business with eyes in and out of your property. Here is what the Video and Smart Home Package includes:

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Cellular connection
• 3 door/window sensors
• 1 motion detector
• 1 Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
• 1 Google Nest Cam (indoor, wired)
• 1 smoke and carbon monoxide detector
• 1 Google Nest Cam with floodlight
• 3 water/temperature sensors
• 1 smart door lock
• 1 Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

SimpliSafe Costs

In contrast to ADT, with SimpliSafe you own the equipment outright unless you finance it through Affirm. That’s good news if you ever want to move. If you want to finance your equipment through Affirm, your system needs to cost at least $150.

SimpliSafe offers a number of equipment options. You can build your own package starting at $80, or you can use one of their pre-packaged deals. SimpliSafe’s cost of pre-packaged security systems starts at $100, which is incredibly affordable compared to the industry average of $400+. But you can also go with a more robust 10-piece system for $292.00. Also, while you can self-monitor (unlike with ADT), SimpliSafe offers professional monitoring services — which start at around $22 per month.

There are other cost benefits of going with a SimpliSafe system, too. The primary one is that there’s no required monthly monitoring, and therefore no necessary monitoring fee. If you want monitoring, the bare-bones monitoring is just $21.99 per month. The Core Monitoring package is the next step up and at $31.99 per month it offers way more functionality that ADT’s basic plan at $29.99 per month.

SimpliSafe SimpliCam Indoor

SimpliSafe Security System Packages

Below are the seven available pre-packaged equipment deals that SimpliSafe offers. We’ve listed the MSRP prices and the current sales prices. Keep in mind they frequently run special pricing offers. For example, at the time of this writing, SimpliSafe was offering more than 50 percent off all new systems (that means you can build a custom one if you want) and a free wired indoor camera when purchased with a monitoring plan. To explore SimpliSafe’s packages and pricing further, check out our SimpliSafe packages and cost guide.

The Beacon

Costing $729.90 (sale priced at $292.00), The Beacon is the big daddy of SimpliSafe’s security systems. It is for people who want the total inside and outside home security. It includes:

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 4-door sensors
• 2-motion detectors
• 1-outdoor security camera

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse has a smaller footprint than The Beacon, so it is suitable for someone with a smaller home or who desires relatively less protection at the lower price point of $479.93 (sale-priced at $192.00).

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 3-door sensors
• 1-motion detector
• 1-outdoor security camera
• 1-free wired indoor camera with professional monitoring

The Haven

The Haven package costs $529.86 (sale-priced at $212.00) and is great for people who want both home security and environmental protection.

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 1-key fob
• 4-door sensors
• 2-motion detectors
• 1-alarm siren
• 1-temperature sensor
• 1-water sensor
• 1-panic button
• 1-smoke detector
• 1-outdoor security camera

The Knox

At $489.87 (sale-priced at $196.00), The Knox is a step down from the Haven, but it still offers whole home protection with some environmental monitoring.

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 1-key fob
• 6-door sensors
• 2-motion detectors
• 1-alarm siren
• 1-smoke detector
• 1-outdoor security camera

The Hearth

For slightly smaller homes, The Hearth package packs a pretty good punch with entryway sensors and basic environmental protections for just $409.91 (sale-priced for $164.00).

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 1-key fob
• 3-door sensors
• 1-motion detector
• 1-alarm siren
• 1-smoke detector
• 1-outdoor security camera

The Starter

If you’re looking for something basic and affordable, the $279.94 (sale-priced at $112.00) Starter package is a no-brainer. It’s ideal for very small homes and apartments.

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 3-door sensors
• 1-motion detector
• 1-outdoor security camera

The Foundation

With SimpliSafe’s Foundation kit, you’ll get a lean home security setup for only $249.96 (sale-priced at $100.00). Just note that you’ll probably need to buy a couple of extra entry sensors a la carte.

• 1-base station
• 1-keypad
• 1-door sensor
• 1-motion detector
• 1-outdoor security camera

Contracts & Warranties

ADT’s Policies and Contracts

• Contract – SimpliSafe does not require any contracts or credit checks. However, their lowest-tier monitoring plan costs $21.99 per month.
• Theft Protection Guarantee – If an intruder breaks-in or robs your home, ADT refunds you $500 of your insurance deductible.
• Warranty – For an extra fee, ADT offers its Extended Limited Warranty/Quality Service Plan (QSP). The warranty covers repair or replacement costs of equipment malfunction.
• Money-Back Service Guarantee – There are no penalties if you cancel your ADT contract within the first six months. Also, ADT will refund you the remaining monitoring expenses.

SimpliSafe’s Contracts and Policies

• Contract – SimpliSafe does not require any contracts or credit checks. However, their Core Monitoring costs $29.99 per month.
• Warranty – SimpliSafe offers a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase if you sign up for Standard Monitoring. For a lifetime warranty, you’ll need to sign up for Core Monitoring or above before your current warranty expires. The warranty covers defective material and workmanship under normal use.
• Money-Back Guarantee – SimpliSafe has a pretty generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

Main Features & Tech

If you want to really get down to brass tacks, here are the different features offered by SimpliSafe and ADT. Note that ADT is more advanced, but it’s also much more expensive.

ADT Wireless Video Camera

ADT Features

The features you get with an ADT home security system will depend on the package you choose. ADT offers the following features:

• Home automation available
• Custom alerts
• Z-Wave technology
• Smartphone access & control
• Video monitoring with live footage
• Recorded video clips
• Indoor and outdoor cameras available
• Environmental protection sensors
• 24/7 monitoring
• 6-month guarantee
• Theft protection guarantee

SimpliSafe Features

SimpliSafe Wireless Keypad

The SimpliSafe features you get will depend on which monitoring package you choose. SimpliSafe offers features like:

• Visually confirmed mobile alerts
• 24/7 monitoring
• Wireless equipment
• Surveillance cameras
• Environmental disaster protection
• Remote control (using the mobile app)
• Backup battery
• Touch-to-wake keypad
• Open window alerts
• Heartbeats (built-in diagnostic equipment checks)

Installation

Here again, these two systems have grown more similar, though there remain some important differences.

Installation for ADT Security Systems

ADT prefers customers choose professional installation and setup for their wired and wireless systems. You have to pay $99 to $199 for this service, but you don’t have to worry about deciding where to place equipment. ADT techs are some of the best in the business, and they not only put your cameras and sensors in the best possible spots, but they’ll handle any wiring, and they know lots of tricks for helping your system blend into your home decor.

You can now opt for a DIY ADT system, though. You save on installation fees, of course, but you give up one of ADT’s best services.

Installation for SimpliSafe Security Systems

When you go with a SimpliSafe system, you’re going to be installing it yourself. You can pay for professional installation which starts at $125, but it’s so easy to install that we don’t recommend it. That means you don’t have to worry about scheduling a time for a tech to visit or worry about any extra fees. SimpliSafe’s wireless equipment makes it super simple to do — all you have to do is set up your base station and place your equipment where you need it. The only thing that requires wiring is the Video Doorbell Pro which uses the same wiring as your current doorbell. Just make sure to read our guide to SimpliSafe Installation to make the process as seamless as possible.

How Do I Know Which Security System Is Best for Me?

When it comes to keeping your home safe from intruders, it’s tough to go wrong with either system. However, these two manufacturers really do target different living situations and budgets. If you’re looking for something easy-to-use, highly customizable, and affordable, go with SimpliSafe. If you’re looking for total home protection that you won’t have to lift a finger for (and don’t mind shelling out cash for), ADT is probably more your speed.

Why Choose SimpliSafe?

In the long run, you can save a lot of money with SimpliSafe. First, with SimpliSafe you are not obligated to pay for professional monitoring fees. However, if you want the monitoring services, SimpliSafe offers extremely affordable fees (starting at $21.99 per month). Also, with SimpliSafe, you don’t have to worry about installation fees and cancellation fees. On a last note, SimpliSafe manufactures its own equipment, which also helps you save money on the equipment because there are no middlemen to jack up the prices.

SimpliSafe Base Station at Night

Why Choose ADT?

Rather than purchasing your security equipment upfront, you can pay monthly fees with ADT. However, keep in mind that with ADT you are financing the equipment which means you need to pay it off before you own it outright. Also, take into consideration that with ADT you are committing to a 3-year contract unless you pay for the equipment outright at its full price and install it yourself. And while you’re under contract, canceling your ADT monitoring will result in hefty early cancellation penalties. With that said, ADT does offer stellar home protection with entry sensors, cameras, home automation features, and the list goes on. One final note here: we only recommend ADT to homeowners who plan on staying put for a few years.

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