ADT Self Setup Review and Cost

ADT Self Setup vs. Blue by ADT

Because Self Setup is a relatively new line of products from ADT, it is helpful to look at a cautionary tale in the form of Blue by ADT, a line of products that was acquired by the company and then discontinued.

ADT acquired Blue in 2019, and unfortunately, the product line experienced a drop-off in quality. To its credit, ADT low-key acknowledged this misstep and dropped Blue. Not looking to repeat the mistake, ADT went for a sure bet when it rolled Google Nest products into its Self Setup security system.

In addition to selling Nest products, ADT also launched its ADT Plus smart security system. This system included a redesigned base station and sensors, which could be used for both a DIY setup and a professional installation. While Self Setup and ADT Plus were once considered in different silos, they are now essentially similar. We see this as a smart move because it puts Self Setup on par with the classic lineup and makes the entire ecosystem more streamlined.

ADT Self Setup: How’s The Setup Process?

ADT Self Setup made our list of the best DIY security systems of 2025. We found it easier to set up than systems like SimpliSafe, Cove, and Frontpoint since it only requires the ADT+ app. SimpliSafe’s installation involves a physical keypad, and Cove uses a tablet-like controller. Meanwhile, the Frontpoint camera required Ethernet cables.

>> Compare: ADT Vs. Frontpoint

It also took us a shorter time to install ADT than to install SimpliSafe and Cove, but that was mainly because we installed fewer pieces of equipment.

The first component we set up was the hub. We paired it to our ADT+ app and then connected it to Wi-Fi. That took about two minutes, including the time we waited as it booted up for the first time. After that, we paired each sensor to the hub by taking off their battery tabs.

Installing the sensors was just as quick and easy. They came with a peel-and-stick adhesive backing so there’s no drilling required, making ADT Self Setup a solid security system for renters. Just make sure to clean the surface before sticking the sensors so they don’t easily fall off. All in all, sensor installation took us less than five minutes.

>> Related reading: ADT Self Setup vs. Vivint

Next, we set up our Google Nest Cams. The old ADT security cameras are no longer available, which is a good thing. We’ve reviewed the Nest Cams and find that they perform better than ADT’s models. Plus, we were able to pair the cameras with the ADT+ app to watch live and recorded footage straight from the very app we use to monitor our security system.

The Google Nest Cam with Floodlights was the only camera that required a bit of elbow grease. We had hardwire it to a junction box. If that sounds like more than you can handle, you could contact a licensed electrician to handle it, or just opt for professional installation.

>> Read more: The Security Systems With The Best Apps

ADT Self Setup Equipment: A Closer Look

The ADT Self Setup security system offers a robust selection of equipment, slightly more than the ADT Control system we reviewed in the past. While it doesn’t include devices that veer closer to the smart home side of the spectrum, such as garage door sensors, we generally liked the selection. Here’s a look at some of the components we received.

The Base Station

The base station for our Self Setup system connected to our Wi-Fi. Because it acts as a hub for all of your devices, including the Google Nest cams, we recommend placing it right next to your router. The last thing you want is an unreliable connection during an emergency.

While functionality is the most important aspect of a home security system, aesthetics matter. We’re bummed that a top-notch company doesn’t include a flashy touchscreen with its packages. However, the base station with its soft, color-changing glow around the keypad gives the device a modern look that’s in line with other base stations.

More importantly, it still has the functionalities we loved from the old ADT Self Setup base station. It has a 24-hour battery backup, a 4G/LTE cellular chip for cellular backup, and a built-in siren. We wish ADT improved the siren though. It’s plenty loud at 85 decibels, but we can barely hear it from the second floor or when in the bedroom or shower.

The Door/Window Sensors

Like most systems, the Self Setup entryway window sensors pull double duty; able to cover either a door or a window. We placed sensors on the doors and windows on our ground floor, which is where intruders are most likely to enter.1 We liked that the sensors are very discreet, even smaller than the ones from the Ring Alarm system we reviewed. After they were installed, we could monitor and manage them with the ADT+ app.

The battery in the door sensors last for up to two years which is short for a door sensor. Most sensors have a five-year battery life. ADT also offers a premium door/window sensor for double the price ($40) of the ones we tested ($20). It adds a bypass button for disarming it and a vibration sensor for detecting forced entry attempts.

The Motion Sensors

ADT’s PIR motion sensor detects anything with body heat that moves. If you have small children or pets, we recommend lowering the sensitivity on the back of the sensor so that you don’t get false alarms. At the lowest setting, ADT’s motion sensor can ignore pets up to 85 pounds. We have ADT as one of the best security systems for pet owners in 2025 largely because of the adjustable sensitivity of its motion sensors.

We also recommend placing the sensor strategically to further reduce false alarms. Keep it away from direct sunlight and appliances that emit heat (like microwave ovens). And if possible, place it at least six feet off the ground, angled slightly downwards to maximize its field of view.

The Smoke Detector

Besides guarding your home from intrusion, ADT Self Setup offers a couple of sensors for life and home safety. The first one is the battery-powered smoke detector. It sounds a loud alarm when it detects smoke or a rapid rise in temperature.

It’s more than just an alarm, though. The smoke detector can also trigger home automations. For instance, it can turn on your lights (provided that you have smart lights compatible with ADT+) to make it easier for you and family members to find your way out in case of fire.

The Flood & Temperature Sensor

The other home safety sensor from ADT Self Setup is the flood & temperature sensor, which protects your home from water leaks and frozen pipes. It’s also wireless and battery-powered, so you can place it in hard-to-reach places like under your sink or in flood prone areas in your basement.

The Google Nest Cam (battery)

We reviewed the Nest Cam (battery) as a standalone security camera, so head over there for a more detailed look at its features and specs. To summarize, it’s a battery-powered weatherproof camera that has a 1080p resolution with HDR, impressive night vision, person detection, and facial recognition (a.k.a. Familiar Face alerts).

When paired with ADT monitoring, Nest Cams enable video verification for alarms. That means ADT monitoring agents can use Nest Cam footage to verify an emergency, identify the type of emergency and send responders accordingly. If agents believe it’s a false alarm, they’ll reach out to you to confirm.

The Google Nest Cam (wired)

The wired indoor Google Nest Cam is the most affordable camera from ADT. However, at $99, it’s far from the cheapest option on the market. It does have the same specs as the battery-powered outdoor version, but it’s only rated for indoor use only. It has a sleek appearance and has a wide diagonal field of view (135-degrees) that can monitor an entire room, if placed properly.

The Nest Cam (wired) can also record up to one hour of backup footage in case your Wi-Fi goes out, ensuring that you’re always covered.

The Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

For front door security, ADT Self Setup offers the Google Nest Doorbell (battery) we reviewed here. Since it doesn’t require wiring, it goes with the theme of ADT Self Setup’s easy-to-install DIY equipment. It takes only a few minutes to install, and it comes with all the mounting accessories you’ll need.

Feature-wise, the Google Nest Doorbell is a knockout. It has HDR night vision for crisp, clear videos at night, a tall viewing angle that offers a head-to-toe view of guests, and it can differentiate between people, animals, vehicles, and packages.

Like all the other Google Nest cameras offered by ADT Self Setup, footage from the Google Nest Doorbell can be used for video verification.

ADT Self Setup and Home Automation

The partnership between ADT and Google Nest goes beyond product sharing. You can also tap into home automation products and features. For starters, you get voice control through the Google Nest smart speakers and displays. Some models available on ADT’s website include:

• Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Hub Max

Those devices provide control over anything that works with Google Assistant, whether or not they are compatible with ADT Self Setup. Let’s say you have smart locks that are not ADT-compatible, but work with Google. While you won’t be able to control it with the ADT+ app, you can with Google Assistant.

Next, ADT Self Setup offers the Google Nest Thermostat, the OG smart thermostat that put Nest on the map. It controls your home’s temperature and offers energy-saving features. Since it’s a direct integration, you can control your Nest Thermostat from the ADT+ app.

Lastly, to power your Wi-Fi connected smart devices, ADT Self Setup offers Google Nest Wifi router and point, which is a mesh-type router system with a decent range and bandwidth. Plus, Nest Wifi points have built-in smart speakers, so you can access Google Assistant through them as well.

ADT Self Setup also works with Z-Wave devices, and ADT plans to further expand its smart home capabilities in the near future, with Matter integration on the roadmap. Matter is a widely-used, open-source smart home standard. And once the integration is implemented, ADT Self Setup will be able to connect with, control, and automate a wide range of smart home products.

The ADT+ App

Of course, ADT Self Setup needs a capable app to tie the system together. That’s where the ADT+ app comes in.

The ADT+ offers native controls of Google Nest equipment. You probably won’t even need the Nest app on your phone, as you can view your cameras, review recordings, control your thermostat, and more using just the ADT+ app.

If you have other home automation devices paired with ADT Self Setup, you can control them too using the app. You can set up home automation with rules, schedules, and scenes. Turn up your HVAC when someone comes home, or turn on your perimeter lights when someone trespasses.

The app impressed us with its advanced security and personalization features. For example, the Auto Stay feature automatically leaves our motion sensors disarmed if our doors and windows are closed. That way, we don’t need to worry about accidentally triggering a motion sensor when we get up for our midnight snack.

Trusted Neighbor

One of ADT’s new features is called Trusted Neighbor. It was designed to let trusted people into your house automatically by using facial recognition and other signals to verify their identity. For example, if you have a dog walker that comes daily to pick up your pets, you can make ADT open the door and disarm the system to let them in without hassle.

Trusted Neighbor requires several key components, namely, a Nest Cam placed outdoors to identify people’s faces, a compatible smart lock to open the door automatically, the ADT+ app installed on the guest’s phone, and an indoor Nest Cam to record their activity inside your house.

Here’s how it works:

1. Introduce your trusted neighbor to your Nest Cam by letting the Nest Cam see their face and tagging them.
2. Set up your Trusted Neighbor rules i.e. “When this person is seen between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., activate Trusted Neighbor.”
3. Have your trusted neighbor install the ADT+ app. They need it to unlock the door and disarm the system during their visits.

When we tried this feature out, we were able to set up different rules. For example, we could set time-based and event-based triggers for activating Trusted Neighbor. We used the latter so that we can ask a friend of ours who lives nearby to get our pets out of the house in case one of our smoke alarms sounds. We’ve yet to conduct more long-term tests, but Trusted Neighbor worked the few times we tried to trigger the rules we set.

ADT Self Setup: How Much Does It All Cost?

How much is it going to cost to set up an ADT Self Setup system? There are two factors here: The equipment cost and the monitoring cost.

ADT Self Setup Equipment Cost

For the equipment, expect to spend at least $269 to get started. That’s for the Build Your Own system, which includes just the base station and a regular door/window sensor. From there, you’re going to purchase additional components that suit your security needs.

Another option is to buy a premade package. ADT currently offers six packages: Security Starter, Video Essentials, Front Door Protection, Outdoor Video, Total Safety, and Life Safety. The MSRPs range from $349 to $1,573, but those prices are often discounted. You’ll also need to buy at least one month of monitoring which ranges from $24.99 to $39.99 per month.

ADT Self Setup Professional Monitoring Cost

ADT requires at least one month of professional monitoring with the purchase of any package. Sensor-only packages must come with at least one month of Secure monitoring. Packages with at least one camera must include a month of Complete monitoring.

At $24.99 per month, the Secure Monitoring plan is designed to support systems without video cameras. It includes 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup, access to the ADT+ app, text alerts, and voice control. This plan doesn’t include smart home automation or video verification from monitoring agents.

At $39.99, the Complete Monitoring plan is meant for systems with video cameras. It adds on smart home automations, video verifications, and 24/7 live video monitoring. For an extra $7 per month, you can add 10 days of continuous video recording and 60-day event-based video history for your Nest cameras.

The Verdict: Does ADT Self Setup Have Any Downsides?

As far as DIY security systems go, ADT Self Setup is one of the top options right now. We especially like that it has ADT’s backing, which means it can offer high-quality service similar to that of professionally installed security systems.

The selection of equipment is great: ADT Self Setup uses hardware from ADT and Google Nest, two smart home and home security powerhouses. And the ADT+ app? It’s simply the cherry on top.

That said, ADT’s pricing does have a few downsides. The cheapest camera costs $100, which is higher than low-tier offerings from other companies. We also don’t like that the mobile app is the default system controller, instead of a touchscreen hub included in packages from other companies.

Additionally, its monitoring prices are on the higher end for a DIY security system. For comparison, SimpliSafe professional monitoring costs start from $21.99 per month. But considering that ADT provides the monitoring service, and that the higher-tier plan includes a Nest Aware subscription, ADT Self Setup’s pricing is still pretty attractive.

Overall, it’s a great security system, but if the downsides we mentioned are deal-breakers for you, take a look at our top-rated SimpliSafe DIY security system review. SimpliSafe has been around for over a decade, it offers more equipment options in terms of sensors, and it has more affordable monitoring plans.