Our Brinks home security system we compared against ADT.
ADT and Brinks are two of the oldest home security companies in the industry, but neither is showing their age. Both continue to offer the latest security equipment and add new features to professional monitoring plans, like smart home automation.
That said, there are some meaningful differences worth knowing before you commit. ADT’s camera lineup comes from the Google Nest range, which includes some of the best security devices on the market. Brinks’ cameras run on the Alarm.com platform and are not as feature-rich. Here's a full breakdown of both brands to help you figure out which one is the better fit.
These Google Nest Cams are safe to use inside and outside.
Similarities Between ADT and Brinks
After using both systems, we found a surprising amount of overlap in features and tech. Here are some similarities shared between ADT and Brinks when providing security services:
- Installation: Both brands offer professional installation, using in-house technicians.
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring: ADT and Brinks respond instantly to alerts from your security system.
- Trial Period: You can get your money back if you change your mind. However, Brinks only offers a 30-day trial period, while ADT offers six months.
Main Differences Between ADT and Brinks
Although several similarities were discovered during testing, we also noticed many key distinctions between the two. Significant differences between ADT and Brinks include:
- Price Transparency: ADT’s prices are available for everyone to see on its website, while Brinks requires calling for a personalized quote.
- Installation costs: ADT’s installation fee starts at $100 and increases based on the amount of equipment and complexity of the system. Brinks doesn’t charge a separate fee for installation, but it’s included in the total cost of the system.
- Medical Alert Devices: ADT offers devices that allow users to emit an alert in case of a medical emergency, while Brinks does not.
FYI: ADT medical alert devices — such as bracelets or pendant s — have a 300-foot coverage range. Medical alert systems allow seniors to age with confidence.
Brinks and ADT Head-to-Head
When purchasing a security system, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of what you’re getting. Here is a more extensive comparison between Brinks and ADT to help you make the right decision.
ADT’s Features
The latest ADT system we reviewed comes with a lot of advanced features courtesy of its partnership with Google. You’ll find indoor, outdoor, video doorbell Nest Cams featuring 1080p and 2K resolution. These devices can do more than just watch over your property, though.
You also gain all of the Nest Cam technology like intelligent motion detection. Nest Cams know the difference between your neighbor walking up your driveway and your dog chasing its tail in the front yard. You’ll get customized notifications for different alerts.
What’s even more impressive is how Nest Cams and ADT use facial recognition with your security system. If you’ve asked your neighbor to bring in delivered packages while you’re on vacation, the Nest Cam will recognize them and send a notification to their phone to disarm the security system and smart lock.
The Google Nest Cams in our ADT system used facial recognition technology to tell us who they saw in their alerts.
Did You Know? If you’re an existing Google Home Premium subscriber, you can cancel your plan after switching to ADT. All features, including cloud storage, are included in ADT plans.
Brinks Features
We recommend Brinks for home automation enthusiasts. Instead of switching off lights and locking doors before you go to bed, Brinks can handle these chores and more for you. You don’t need to be a computer scientist to set these up. The app walks you through it step-by-step.
What’s even more impressive is that these automation features extend to over 1,000 Z-Wave- and Zigbee-compatible devices. When we reviewed Brinks, we set up a rule for our Sonos speakers to play loud music when an alarm is triggered. Just in case you don’t have any cool music lined up, you can always set the automation for the lights to flash instead.
Winner: Draw
Here are some of the ways we customized Brinks to match our needs.
Contracts and Warranties
ADT requires a 36-month contract for professionally installed systems. Financing is also available for qualified customers. You can even get zero-percent APR financing over the three-year period. We find this option makes home security more accessible without requiring a large upfront investment.
>> Check Out: Best Home Security Systems for Poor Credit Scores
Brinks also requires a 36-month commitment for all customers, though financing terms vary. One of the benefits of locking yourself in with Brinks is that the equipment warranty covers the entire contract term. This way, if anything goes wrong, Brinks will replace it with no questions asked.
Winner: ADT
Plans and Pricings
Brinks and ADT take very different approaches to plans and pricing. Let’s start with Brinks pricing, because there’s not a lot to reveal. They don’t advertise any equipment prices or subscription plans on the website. Brinks wants you to call for a personalized quote. It’s not necessarily a bad thing — it means you’ll only pay for what you really need.
As for professional monitoring plans, Brinks ranges between $39.99 and $49.99 per month. That's on the pricier side, especially since you'll need the top-tier plan to get security camera support.
FYI: Brinks isn’t the only company that doesn’t display its prices online. Another one of our favorite security systems, Vivint, also requires you to call to discuss options. However, its equipment is more advanced than Brinks. Check out our Vivint review to learn more.
ADT equipment packages range from $404 to $1,594. You can also build a system from scratch. At minimum, you'll need the ADT Base and an entry sensor, but from there you can layer in Nest Cams, motion detectors, and hazard sensors to fit your setup. You’ll need to call ADT to finalize your setup.
Professional monitoring starts at $49.99 per month. Like Brinks, you’ll need a premium plan for security camera support. While it’s more expensive than Brinks, the advantage is that you get access to Google Home Premium features like activity zones, intelligent alerts, and facial recognition, which normally cost $20 a month separately.
Winner: ADT
Equipment and Options
Both security systems offer everything you need to secure your home. ADT has equipment bundles you can start with and add extra devices, whereas Brinks will organize a home assessment so you get a tailored solution.
One of the biggest differences comes down to how you interact with the system day to day. We managed our ADT system through the ADT+ app instead of the hub with a keypad. Brinks has a top-of-the-line touch panel. You can use it to integrate smart home devices, set up customizable alerts, and arm or disarm your system. We even uploaded an image to the panel so it doubled as a digital photo frame when not in use — a nice touch.
Unpacking the Brinks touch panel before deciding where in the house it will go.
But, overall, we think ADT’s equipment range is more advanced, especially with the inclusion of Nest products. Brinks cameras are missing features like video verification, which can speed up emergency responses.
Winner: ADT
Installation
While installing a security system is easier than you think, we prefer to opt for professional installation. ADT and Brinks use their in-house technicians to set up equipment. Some DIY security systems, like SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm, offer professional installation through third parties. In our experience, it’s not the same as having experts from the company.
>> Learn More: The Best DIY Security Systems of 2026
The other reason we choose professional installation is that no one knows how to set up a home security system better than a technician. They not only choose the best places for maximum coverage, but they also ensure everything is installed correctly for complete peace of mind. Our Brinks and ADT technicians even spent extra time with us showing how to use the system and set up home automations.
Winner: Draw
Installing our ADT entry sensors next to our Ring devices for another comparison we’re working on.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend paying for a technician to install any devices requiring hardwiring, like video doorbells or outdoor cameras. It means you won’t have to tinker with your home’s internal wiring.
Emergency Response Time
If (or when) that dreaded emergency happens, you’ll want to be able to reach the monitoring center ASAP. Thankfully, both ADT and Brinks offer different mediums of communication.
Brinks support.
If you choose to go with ADT, your system can connect with the monitoring center via Wi-Fi, landline, or cellular connections. ADT will also send you an SMS once your alarm is activated. You can respond to the message to verify or cancel the alarm. If you don’t, ADT will call to check on you.
Brinks, on the other hand, only offers Wi-Fi or cellular. This is fine by us, as the only reason you’d really need a landline connection is if you live in a rural area. If that’s you, check out our best home security systems for rural areas.
Did You Know? ADT has six monitoring centers across North America, which is more than any other home security company. Brinks doesn’t advertise how many stations it has.
Winner: ADT
Final Thoughts: ADT vs. Brinks Security Systems
Choosing the right security system for you depends on two key things: what you need and how much you are willing to pay. Overall, both ADT and Brinks are reliable, and we don’t think you’ll regret choosing either company. That said, we give the edge to ADT — for reliability, advanced equipment, and industry-leading professional monitoring.
ADT has an excellent reputation nationwide, and its pricing is often comparable to Brinks. On top of that, you get access to standout features like facial recognition and video verification — things Brinks simply doesn't offer.
But, if ADT isn’t for you, then Brinks is a great alternative. The company has been around since the 1800s for a reason. Brinks is reliable, the equipment is user-friendly, and you can integrate over 1,000 Zigbee and Z-Wave smart devices.
FAQs
- Which company offers more advanced home security technology?
ADT and Brinks both offer high-quality equipment. However, we think ADT’s security cameras with facial recognition and video verification capability give it the edge over Brinks.
- Is ADT or Brinks easier to install?
Both systems require professional installation from in-house technicians. ADT pricing starts at $100, while Brinks includes the cost as part of your package.
- What are the contract terms for ADT and Brinks?
ADT and Brinks have a minimum 36-month commitment.
- Do ADT and Brinks offer voice control?
You can connect ADT and Brinks security systems to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Both systems let you use your voice to arm and disarm the system as well as manage notifications.
- Is ADT or Brinks better for renters?
We don’t recommend ADT or Brinks for renters as they are professionally installed systems. When you move, you’ll need to start from scratch. We suggest choosing a DIY setup from SimpliSafe or ADT Blu.
