ADT Security System Alternatives
If ADT isn’t the home security system for you, we recommend these great alternatives.
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Last Updated on Nov 28, 2023
If you’re looking for reliable home security, an ADT system will get you there. But not everyone is a fan of ADT. Compared to other home security systems, ADT’s prices are steep and its contracts restrictive.
Luckily, there are some solid alternatives out there if ADT isn’t the system for you. Check out our picks: SimpliSafe, Cove, and Vivint. All let you arm and disarm your system remotely, with great customer service and few false alarms. Let’s get started.
ADT Alternatives
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1. Vivint
Product Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $449 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs $40 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home After a $3 billion funding injection in 2011, Vivint skyrocketed from a tech startup in Provo, Utah, to a full-blown security powerhouse.2 Today, it offers one of the most sophisticated home security systems available.
In our full review of Vivint, we found a system that’s light-years ahead of its rivals. Vivint’s home automation options are ideal for folks who want to automate their home with Alexa, Google Assistant, or other voice assistants.
Plus, every Vivint system comes with professional installation, so you don’t have to dig out your drill or climb up that ladder. We were pleased with Vivint’s sleek, modern equipment, including cameras, motion sensors, and a touchscreen keypad. The company also offers smart home devices like smart thermostats, smart locks, smart plugs, smoke detectors, and flood sensors. Thanks to Vivint’s intuitive mobile app, all of the system’s features are accessible and easy to use.
TIP: If you have many windows in your home, consider picking up a few of Vivint’s glass-break sensors.
Of course, it’s not a perfect security system. If you’re trying to avoid ADT because of its contracts and slightly steeper prices, Vivint isn’t any better. In fact, a Vivint monitoring contract can last up to five years, whereas ADT’s contracts are typically three years.
Vivint equipment pricing is also a bit higher than ADT. A piece of equipment can cost up to $400 (the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro), but even its sensors are at least $10 more expensive than ADT’s pricing.
So why choose Vivint? Vivint is a great ADT alternative if you’re looking for smart features, since Vivint’s home automation is top-notch. Compare Vivint and ADT security systems to learn which is a better fit for you.
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2. SimpliSafe
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $280 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $19.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home The story of SimpliSafe, a wireless DIY alarm system, began in 2006 after a team of Harvard Business School students noticed an uptick in burglaries.1 They wanted to create a security system for first-time buyers and apartment dwellers.
Today, the company offers stick-on security equipment, no-fuss setup, and flexible month-to-month monitoring plans. SimpliSafe’s security camera, the SimpliCam, plugs in for easy indoor monitoring. The camera recorded clear, smooth video footage in our tests.
SimpliSafe is poised as a great ADT alternative especially to renters. Since it doesn’t require a monitoring contract, it’s easy to get out of paying monthly fees when the budget is tight. There are no penalties or extra fees for canceling either, unlike with ADT and Vivint.
SimpliSafe’s monitoring rates are also cheaper. You can get professional monitoring for as low as $19.99 per month – for the same, ADT charges over $40 monthly.
And then there’s the fact that it is a DIY system, so there are no installation fees involved. So compared to ADT, SimpliSafe is a more practical choice overall.
Are there downsides? SimpliSafe’s technology isn’t as advanced as ADT. See our SimpliCam review or our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review for examples. Neither camera contains a battery backup, for instance, and they have no local storage for recordings. They also don’t have as many features as other similarly-priced cameras offer. Meanwhile, ADT offers some of the most advanced cameras in the market, especially now that it partnered with Google Nest to include Nest Cams in its packages. Nest Cams offer features like person detection and facial recognition for a truly futuristic home security.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT
Learn all about this vendor in our in-depth SimpliSafe system review. But first, check out SimpliSafe’s latest package costs below.
SimpliSafe Packages
SimpliSafe package Components Price The Foundation Base station, keypad, entry sensor, motion sensor $249.96 The Essentials Base station, keypad, 3 entry sensors, motion sensor $279.95 The Hearth Base station, keypad, key fob, 3 entry sensors, motion sensor, auxiliary siren, smoke detector $399.91 The Knox Base station, keypad, key fob, 6 entry sensors, 2 motion sensors, auxiliary siren, smoke detector $479.87 The Haven Base station, keypad, key fob, 4 entry sensors, 2 motion sensors, auxiliary siren, panic button, freeze sensor, smoke detector, water sensor $519.86 -
3. Cove
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Must customize package Monitoring Options Professional Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $17.99 per month Contract Lengths No contract required Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Cove is a no-contract security system that offers quick and easy setup. The company is a relative newcomer, with equipment and monitoring costs on the low end of the spectrum. Rather than offering kits or packages, Cove takes an á la carte approach to home security.
In our testing of Cove, we picked out equipment based on our needs and the size of our home. This way, we didn’t pay for anything we didn’t want.
Cove’s equipment selection includes door sensors, motion detectors, key fobs, yard signs, and window stickers. If you want a security system that handles the essentials and not much more, Cove might be suitable for you.
When it comes to monitoring, Cove provides two plan options: Basic and Plus. Both plans include 24/7 professional monitoring, environmental monitoring, and cellular backup. In our tests, we appreciated having cellular backup, as we didn’t want the system to go offline if the power went out.
FYI: Visit our Cove pricing guide for a deeper look at Cove’s equipment and monitoring costs.
Final Thoughts
Every security system has its pros and cons. To recap …
- SimpliSafe is easy to install and contract-free.
- Vivint is loaded with intelligent motion detection features and offers top-notch equipment.
- Cove is both a DIY security system and an affordable security system.
If you’re looking for something different from ADT, it’s good to know there are viable options out there.
If these ADT alternatives aren’t quite what you’re looking for, take a look at our best security systems list. We’re confident you’ll find the right fit.
Boston Globe. (2016). SimpliSafe’s success awakens sleeping giant.
bostonglobe.com/business/2016/01/03/simplisafe-success-awakens-sleeping-giant/fJcLg5vynjI0BIzj4O5HAM/story.htmlVivint. (2021). About Us.
vivint.com/company/about-us