If you've started shopping for a home security system, ADT is probably one of the first names you've come across — the company's been protecting homes for over 150 years, making it one of the most recognized brands in the industry. Guardian Protection is a smaller player by comparison, but with more than 75 years in business and an A+ BBB rating, it's built a solid reputation of its own, especially in the states where it operates.
We put ADT and Guardian through our hands-on testing process to see how they actually compare on equipment, pricing, and day-to-day use. Guardian holds its own on camera variety, but ADT pulled ahead where it counts most: cheaper monitoring, a DIY installation option Guardian doesn't offer, and a higher SecureScore across the board. Here's where the two are alike, where they diverge, and which one makes more sense depending on what you're looking for.
An Overview of ADT vs. Guardian Protection
Home Security Expert Rob Gabriele Tests ADT Home Security System
ADT and Guardian Protection are both long-standing names in professionally installed, professionally monitored home security — ADT has been in business for over a century, while Guardian has more than 75 years behind it and holds an A+ BBB rating. But after testing both systems firsthand, ADT comes out ahead in nearly every category that matters.
Here's the quick version:
- Price: ADT now starts monitoring at $24.99 per month for a self-installed system or $34.99 for professional install, while Guardian's monitoring starts at $49.99 per month with no self-install option. On equipment, ADT starts at $269, while Guardian’s basic packages start slightly lower at $199.
- Installation: ADT is one of the few major providers that now offers a genuine choice — free DIY installation through ADT Blu, or professional installation for a fee. Guardian requires professional installation on every system, no exceptions.
- Contract: Guardian's contracts run longer. Guardian's packages typically require 36- to 60-month agreements (though a no-annual-contract option exists if you pay for your full equipment price upfront). ADT tops out around 36 months, and outside of financed equipment or promotional deals, a contract often isn't required at all.
- Equipment & Home Automation: ADT's system is built around Google Nest cameras and works with Alexa, Google Home, and over 4,000 Z-Wave-compatible smart home devices. Guardian's equipment is solid but more limited — its standout feature is Geo-Services, a geofencing tool that automates arming/disarming based on your phone's location.
>> Learn More: The Ins and Outs of Home Security Contracts
ADT and Guardian Protection Similarities
Despite ADT's edge, the two companies share some common ground:
- Wireless Equipment: Both systems are 100% wireless, so there's no drilling or exposed wiring for an intruder to cut.
- 24/7 Professional Monitoring: Both companies staff monitoring centers around the clock and require a paid monitoring plan — neither offers a free, self-monitored tier.
- Cellular Backup: Both systems stay connected to their monitoring centers over cellular networks if your Wi-Fi or power goes down.
- Mobile Apps: Both provide a companion app for remote arming/disarming, alerts, and live camera access. We still give the edge to ADT's app for its cleaner interface and deeper automation controls.
- Floodlight Cameras: Both offer an outdoor floodlight camera option, and Guardian goes a step further with a dedicated spotlight camera as well.
- Video Gated Behind the Top Plan: Neither company includes live video monitoring on its entry-level plan — you'll need to step up to each provider's most expensive monitoring tier to unlock full video features.
FYI: Always match indoor and outdoor cameras to their intended use. Outdoor cameras are built to withstand heat, cold, and moisture; using an indoor camera outside can cause it to fail prematurely.
ADT and Guardian Protection Differences
ADT even has entryway sensors that match your trim colors.
Similarities are useful context, but they won't tell you which system to actually buy — the differences will. So let's get into what sets ADT and Guardian apart, category by category, so you can see exactly where each one pulls ahead.
Pricing
Guardian’s equipment runs anywhere from $199 to $2,000 depending on the package, and monitoring plans run $49.99 per month for security plus automation, or $59.99 per month if you add video.
ADT has moved to make its packages more affordable. They start at $269 for a Build Your Own system and run up to $1,593.95 for its most comprehensive Total Safety package. Monitoring starts at $24.99 per month for a self-installed system without cameras, or $34.99 for professional installation — climbing to $39.99 to $49.99 per month once you add video. That means ADT’s pricing now undercuts Guardian at every monitoring tier.
| Provider | Equipment | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|
| ADT | Starts at $269 | $24.99 to $49.99/mo |
| Guardian Protection | $199 to $2,000 | $49.99 to $59.99/mo |
Pro Tip: Ask any ADT or Guardian rep about current promotions before you sign — both companies regularly discount equipment or waive installation fees for new customers.
Equipment
Here’s everything that came with the Google Nest Cam we bought with our ADT security system.
ADT's hardware lineup centers on Google Nest cameras, paired with Yale smart locks and other smart home devices — all controllable through the ADT+ app. That partnership gives ADT's ecosystem a more cohesive feel, and its cameras' facial recognition (which powers the Trusted Neighbor feature) is a genuine standout.
Guardian's equipment is competent but not as tightly integrated. Its lineup includes its own touchscreen control panel, tamper-proof entry sensors, indoor/outdoor cameras, and floodlight/spotlight camera options — and compared to industry averages, expect to pay slightly more if you buy from Guardian.
Home Automation
Guardian Protection’s mobile app clearly displayed all of the key information about our home’s security.
ADT's home automation is anchored on its Google partnership, plus its Z-Wave compatibility with more than 4,000 third-party smart home products. That’s what makes it the clear leader here. Its Trusted Neighbor feature — automatic, facial-recognition-based entry for people you trust — remains one of the most useful automation features we've tested in any system.
Guardian's home automation is more limited: smart door locks, thermostats, lighting, and a garage door opener, all controllable through its app. Its standout is Geo-Services, a geofencing feature that can automatically arm/disarm your system or trigger reminders based on your phone's location as you approach or leave home.
FYI: The AI that powers the Google Nest Cam’s facial recognition also allows them to disregard motion alerts set off by your pets. That’s one reason ADT tops our list of the best home security systems for pet owners.
Installation
Before the tech installed our entry sensors, we took a picture of them with a quarter for scale.
This is now a meaningful point of difference. Guardian requires professional installation on every package — there's no DIY path. ADT still offers (and we still recommend) professional installation for its flagship Pro Install system, but it now also sells ADT Blu, a self-install line that uses the same monitoring network and app, with no mandatory contract and self-monitoring plans starting at $9.99 per month.
If you want the flexibility to install your own system, ADT is the only one of the two that can accommodate you.
>> Read More: The Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2026
Contracts
Guardian's contracts run longer than ADT's. Most Guardian packages require a 36- to 60-month commitment, unless you opt for its No Annual Contract or 12-month plan, which requires you pay for the equipment upfront.
ADT has loosened its contract requirements. It can now work as a no-contract security system. A contract is now typically only necessary if you're financing equipment, taking advantage of a promotional deal, or choosing professional installation — and even then, it tops out around 36 months. ADT backs its contracts with a six-month money-back guarantee and a price-lock guarantee; Guardian offers no money-back guarantee on the system itself, though it will refund your installation if you're not satisfied within 90 days, and it separately guarantees $500 toward your insurance deductible if you're broken into while armed and monitored.
Tip: Read the fine print before signing with either provider. Understand what you're committing to monthly, and what it costs to get out early if your plans change.
Availability
ADT is available nationwide. Guardian Protection's footprint is smaller — it operates in a more limited number of states, so availability should be confirmed directly with Guardian before you get too far into the shopping process. If you're outside Guardian's service area, ADT will likely be your only option between the two.
Which System Is Best for You? ADT or Guardian Protection
ADT remains our pick. It's cheaper across nearly every pricing tier, offers a DIY installation path Guardian doesn't have, backs its system with a stronger guarantee, and simply out-scores Guardian across every SecureScore category — Customer Service, Value, Equipment, Features & Technology, and Ease of Use.
Guardian isn't a bad system — it has a good customer service reputation, an A+ BBB rating, and its Home Relocation Guarantee is a nice touch if you move often. But between the longer contracts, the lack of a self-install or self-monitoring option, and higher pricing across the board, it's a harder system to recommend over ADT for most shoppers.
Neither system feels right for you? Check out our guide to choosing a home security system, where we walk through how to find the right fit for your home.
FAQs About ADT vs. Guardian Protection
- Where is Guardian Protection available?
Guardian Protection is only available in 10 states, and they don’t offer coverage for the entirety of those 10 states either. If you live outside of Guardian Protection’s service area, consider going with ADT instead.
- Do both ADT and Guardian Protection require a long-term contract?
Yes, both ADT and Guardian Protection require a long-term contract. ADT requires a three-year contract for most customers, whereas Guardian Protection has a standard five-year contract.
- Can I self-monitor an ADT or Guardian Protection security system?
Yes, you can self-monitor an ADT system once you complete your contract. Guardian Protection requires professional monitoring for most basic functionality.
- Will I get a discount on my homeowner’s insurance if I buy an ADT or Guardian Protection security system?
In most cases, you can qualify for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance as long as you maintain a professional monitoring subscription whether you buy through ADT or Guardian Protection. Both providers will provide you with a Certificate of Monitoring you can send to your homeowner’s insurance to prove you have professional monitoring.
- Do ADT or Guardian Protection outsource their monitoring?
No, both ADT and Guardian Protection own and operate their own monitoring centers.
