Comparing ADT vs Ring

There are lots of great home security systems out there, but they’re not all right for you and your family. Every company takes its own unique approach to protecting its customers, and what works for one homeowner isn’t going to work for another. That’s why we encourage you to shop around and compare before you invest in a system.

There is no question that both Ring and ADT can keep you safe. ADT has been around for 150 years, so, as you might expect, it has a pretty solid reputation. Ring is a much newer company, but its video doorbell completely revolutionized the home security industry. Plus, as a part of the Amazon family of products, it’s got a pretty stellar reputation as well.

Both will protect you, but they do things very differently.

• ADT provides the best full-service experience in the industry, offering white-glove everything from professional installation to professional monitoring. In addition, every system features high-quality equipment that integrates well with other home automation devices.
• Ring Alarm is among the best self-monitored systems you can buy. It, too, offers high-quality equipment, but where ADT prides itself on services like professional installation, Ring is focused on easy DIY installation and other features that put control in the customer’s hands.

After extensive testing and side-by-side comparison, we can tell you that ADT is the better system. That doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy one. ADT isn’t for everyone, and plenty of customers are going to find they’re better off with a Ring system. The truth is, if you really want to know which one of these you should invest in, you need more information. Boy, are you in luck? We can not only tell you everything you need to know about these two systems, but we can help you match them to your own needs.

Arming my ADT System

Similarities Between ADT & Ring Alarm

For all their significant differences, the list of similarities between ADT and Ring has begun to grow in recent years. Ring isn’t just a camera company anymore, for instance. It offers full home security systems, including 24/7 professional monitoring options. Meanwhile, ADT has undergone some significant changes as well lately. The company now lets you choose your own system online, and it offers both self-installation and self-monitoring.

We’ve already mentioned their stellar reputations, but what else do these two have in common?

Monitoring Options

Both companies offer 24/7 professional monitoring, and both companies now offer self-monitoring as an option. Ring is more well-known as a self-monitored system, and truth be told, it’s the better option if you’re looking to self-monitor. ADT remains the best option in the industry when it comes to professional monitoring, with a dozen call centers located around the country. In addition, their self-monitored and professional-monitored plans are quite different from one another. Still, it’s worth noting that they both now offer customers a choice in how they monitor their systems.

App Control

It’s not especially surprising that both ADT and Ring offer apps. Most security systems today do. Both Ring and ADT apps are powerful, though, and easy to use. In fact, both show up on our list of the best home security system apps of 2025.

ADT’s latest app is ADT+, and it powers the entire smart security system. It offers deep customization of features, it has access to connected smart home devices and security cameras, and although it was released in 2023, we found it easy to use and essentially bug-free.

Ring’s app, on the other hand, is like a well-aged wine. The Ring – Always Home app is the first app Ring released, but through updates and enhancements, it has become the user-friendly but powerful app that it is today. It offers complete control over any Ring security device, from doorbell cameras to the security system.

Ring Wireless Home Security System

Customer Service

Here’s another area of similarity between these two companies. It’s actually probably not all that surprising to find that both Ring and ADT offer responsive, friendly customer service. After all, ADT has 150 years of history behind it and Amazon is the largest single retailer in the world.

There’s a lot we could point to in terms of how Ring and ADT do business, but one great example is their approach to customer satisfaction. Both companies provide excellent money-back guarantees. ADT’s guarantee is a generous six months. You won’t find a better one in the industry. Ring Alarm’s is considerably less, but you don’t have to sign any long-term contracts. Ultimately, both of these companies are clearly committed to ensuring you’re satisfied with your home security experience.

Bottom line – while these are two very different companies, they both offer great value for the money. The question is, which approach to home security most appeals to you? We’ll get into that below, but you can get even more details by checking out our comprehensive Ring Alarm review and our ADT hands-on testing and review page.

Differences Between Ring Alarm and ADT

OK, so these two companies have some similarities. In fact, on paper, they’re starting to look more and more alike. They still take very different approaches to home security, though, and those differing approaches make them more dissimilar than similar.

What do we mean?

Installation

Let’s start with something basic, but something that says a lot about a home security company’s ethos: installation.

From the beginning, Ring has been committed to providing DIY installation. This isn’t by default. In fact, these days Ring will help you connect with local installers if that’s what you’re looking for. Ring wanted to make home security accessible to everyone, and it wanted to put control in the hands of customers. The company doesn’t just offer DIY installation, it makes the process as easy as possible with easy-to-install equipment and easy-to-follow instructions. All you really have to do is turn a device on and the Ring app guides you through the rest.

ADT, on the other hand, has a long history of providing professional installation with all its systems. This was right in line with the company’s goal: providing customers with total service. ADT isn’t trying to wrest control away from consumers. In fact, it’s recently begun offering DIY-installed systems. The company just wants to take care of as much as the process for you. ADT believes that if its techs install the system and show you how to use it, you’re ultimately going to be safer.

Want to find out a little more about ADT’s new DIY-installation program? Check out our complete review of ADT’s self-setup systems.

You can see now why we aren’t telling you which one of these two systems you should buy. It all comes down to which approach makes you most comfortable.

Home Automation

Next, let’s talk about automation. Both companies provide customers with smart options, but – you guessed it – their approaches are considerably different.

In keeping with its emphasis on a DIY aesthetic, Ring doesn’t offer its own home hub device. Instead, it allows you to choose between Alexa and Google Home. Of course, either way, you can connect your security equipment to hundreds of different smart home devices, from light bulbs to televisions. The downside? You’re piecing the components of a smart home together rather than purchasing a complete package, and that can feel limiting to some homeowners.

ADT works with Alexa and Google Home, but it also offers its own home automation equipment. This means you can count every component to work smoothly with the others. ADT offers Google Nest cameras, for instance, and they’re smart enough to tell the difference between people, pets, and packages. They’re also smart enough to learn the faces of your regular visitors. Connect them to a smart front door lock, and your neighbor can easily get in to feed your fish while you’re on vacation.

Once again, only you can decide which of these approaches works best for you. Do you like the idea of adding any device to your system, or do you prefer a system where all the pieces fit neatly together?

Solar Panels

Here’s a category where Ring simply bests ADT. While solar panels aren’t available for all Ring equipment, they are available for the company’s outdoor cameras. Solar panels combine the best of the wired and wireless worlds. On the one hand, you don’t have to worry about finding (or installing) an outlet to power your cameras. On the other hand, you never have to worry about climbing up a ladder to change batteries.
So far, ADT has yet to introduce any solar-powered options.

You should also note that ADT might require you to submit to a credit check, especially if you’re applying for a financing plan. Ring, on the other hand, does not require a credit check or a contract. Just pay for the equipment up-front and you’re good to go; no contracts and no credit checks.

Contracts

Another important difference between these two has to do with how they structure the purchasing process. ADT offers equipment financing (there are other companies that offer this option. See Vivint’s smart home security systems for another example). That’s great for customers looking to completely outfit their homes with little money down. However, it means signing a contract with ADT. ADT also typically runs a credit check on customers who choose this option. In contrast, Ring doesn’t require contracts and doesn’t require any sort of credit check. You pay for the equipment up-front and you’re good to go.
Do we need to say it again? Ultimately, it comes down to which of these two approaches is going to work best in your particular situation.

One last difference to consider is that you have the option of using solar panels to power some of the Ring home security cameras. ADT does not have any solar energy options at this time.

Standout Features & Tech

Perhaps the most important differences between these two home security systems, though, have to do with the specific features they each offer. Ultimately, these determine what kind of experience you have with the systems and just how safe they keep you and your family.

Keep in mind that features can vary depending on which packages and plans you select. Here’s an overview of what you get from each company, though.

Ring Alarm Features

The first thing to note about Ring home security systems is that there are different plans or tiers that you can choose to purchase. We mention it here because, as you go up in price, each tier has different features. That means the features we describe below can sometimes be plan-specific.

• Self-Monitoring Options: ADT now offers customers the option to self-monitor their systems, but Ring remains the better system if you’re looking to DIY your security, if only because it offers more self-monitoring options. You can go it entirely alone for free, with real-time alerts and access to live footage. If you want to save video clips, though, you can add cloud storage. Four dollars a month buys storage for one camera. $10 a month buys storage for an unlimited number of cameras. ADT offers just one self-monitoring plan. It’s free, but there’s no storage option.
• Professional Monitoring: Ring does offer professional monitoring, and it’s significantly cheaper than ADT’s plans. You pay $20 a month for round-the-clock coverage or just $18 a month if you sign up for a full year. ADT’s lowest-priced plan costs $25 a month, and if you want access to video feeds, it jumps to $40 a month. True, ADT has more monitoring centers across the country and a longer track record when it comes to professional monitoring, but a Ring Protect subscription connects your home security equipment to a monitoring center that keeps an eye on your property day, night, and while you’re at the dentist, and that’s ultimately all you really need.
• Thirty-Second Call Response: Ring’s professional monitoring doesn’t just beat ADT’s in terms of price. It also boasts a faster response time, just thirty seconds. The response time is the time it takes the monitoring center to contact you once it receives an alert. The faster the response time, the faster a company can verify an emergency and the faster it can get emergency personnel on-site.

• Alexa Compatibility: No surprise that Ring works seamlessly with Amazon’s Alexa platform. After all, Amazon owns the company. That means hands-free voice control of all your devices. You can arm and disarm cameras and other equipment without lifting a finger. Unfortunately, that’s about the limit of Ring’s smart capabilities. The system doesn’t work with Apple Homekit, for instance, and it can’t control other smart home devices such as thermostats, lights, and smart locks.
• Lifetime Theft Protection: Ironically, home security equipment gets stolen more often than you might think. We’re not entirely sure why. Maybe would-be thieves think if they take a camera, no one will be able to see them? Even though the camera footage is already in the cloud? At any rate, Ring replaces stolen equipment, and that theft protection plan never expires.

Ring Stick Up Cam

• Two-Way Talk: It’s one thing to be able to pull up real-time video when you get an alert. Ring cameras also come with two-way talk, though, so you can let would-be thieves know you’ve got your eye on them and the police are on their way. You don’t have to be facing an emergency to make good use of this feature. We use it while we’re at work to remind our cat that she’s not allowed on the couch.
• Video-Saving and Sharing with 180-Day Video History: The company provides the capability to share videos captured by Ring’s lineup of security cameras. The system can store video footage for up to 180 days. You will also have the option to save clips permanently if you capture the information that you need. It does come with a monthly fee though; $4 per month per camera or $10 per month for unlimited cameras.
• Snapshot Capability: Another cool feature of Ring home security systems is that you can take snapshots on your screen. This is basically like taking a photograph to capture a frame from your security footage with the viewing device.

ADT Features

We may have mentioned it once or twice already, but ADT has been around for a while. 150 years is a lot of time to figure out a few home security tricks. In fact, we’re pretty sure Ring would be the first to admit that many of its own best features were actually pioneered by older home security companies like ADT. In fact, for all Ring’s innovative approaches, ADT remains a more advanced system.

So just what are the hallmarks of an ADT system?

• 24/7 Monitoring: Similar to Ring’s monitoring, with ADT’s 24-hour monitoring, an emergency response agent will always be ready to ensure that the proper course of action is taken in the event of a break-in or other crisis. We’ve experienced slightly faster response times with ADT, but both brands deliver in this category.
• Touchscreen Panel: ADT offers the Pulse touchscreen control panel. You can arm and disarm your alarm and customize other settings with the swipe of a finger. ADT edges out Ring Alarm in this category, as Ring only offers a push-button control panel.
• Home Automation Options: ADT’s home automation options allow certain appliances and equipment to be monitored, automated, and operated remotely from your phone or tablet. Being able to use your smartphone to operate your security system is a huge plus in our book.

• Two-Way Talk Capabilities: ADT offers two-way talk capabilities as well, just as Ring home security systems do. Being able to talk between devices in the home or remotely will come in handy more often than you might think.
• Mover’s Savings Package: ADT will work with you to save you money if you need to move. All you have to do is let them know that you are moving and they will schedule a re-installation. We like the flexibility offered here.
• Equipment Averaged into Monthly Payment: ADT’s equipment costs a little more than Ring’s, but where you have to pay for Ring equipment up-front, ADT lets you finance costs for up to five years. They’ll also combine these monthly payments with your monthly monitoring charges so you pay one flat fee every month. Sure, you can buy one piece from Ring and then add to your system a little as you go. There’s something nice about buying a complete system right up front, though. It means you get everything you need and don’t have to worry about holes that need to be filled. ADT gives you that. Ring doesn’t.
• Guaranteed Theft Protection: ADT offers a theft protection guarantee like Ring does. If your equipment is stolen, ADT guarantees replacement free of charge.

Blue by ADT Video Doorbell Installed

• Professional Installation: ADT will professionally install the equipment for you so that you do not have to worry about improper installation or the safety of your home. Although ADT’s installation is generally on-point, we have heard stories to the contrary, and we’ve heard that the service can vary from region to region. Something to keep in mind.
• Certificate for Use by Homeowners Insurance Companies: ADT will send you a certificate that can be turned in to your insurance company. Doing this will allow you to be eligible for certain rebates and reductions on your homeowner’s insurance policy.
• Six-Month Money-Back Guarantee: Customer service and support is paramount, and it’s a good thing that ADT is willing to back its promise of high-quality equipment with a six-month money-back guarantee. Here’s how it works: If your ADT system malfunctions, and ADT isn’t able to fix the problem within six months, they’ll refund your monitoring and installation fees.

ADT vs. Ring Alarm: Costs and Fees

The final important point of comparison is the cost of each home security system. After all, you’ll have to purchase the equipment (at least with Ring) and pay for a monthly monitoring service if you want to keep your home and family secure day and night. Let’s have a look at what you can expect to spend with each company.

Ring Pricing

Ring only recently began offering home security kits. Its basic two-piece kit with a doorbell camera and stickup cam costs $199.98, but larger, more advanced kits cost as much as $944.84. We often recommend going with a smaller kit to get started and then upgrading over time to suit your specific needs. That’s easier with a DIY system like Ring Alarm since the company doesn’t have to come back in and do additional installation.

And here’s a tip: Right now a lot of Ring’s alarm packages are on sale. Here’s a quick breakdown of the kits that are discounted:

Ring Alarm Sales

Once you purchase the equipment, you’ll have four Ring Protect plans to choose from. The first of these is the free option, which is pretty lean on features compared to the other plans. It does, however, come with motion-activated notifications, theft protection, real-time video, and two-way talk.

The Ring Protect Basic option costs $3.99 per month or $40 per year. In addition to the features offered in the free package, it offers snapshot capabilities, 60-day video storage, and video saving. This is the monitoring plan you’d choose if you were to install a Ring camera, but only one camera is covered by this plan.

The Ring Protect Plus package costs $10 per month or $100 per year and offers the same features as the Basic plan, only this plan covers an unlimited number of cameras installed at the same address.

Lastly, the Ring Protect Pro package costs $20 per month or $200 per year. This plan includes everything in the Plus plan, in addition to professional monitoring for the Ring Alarm.

To learn more about Ring’s offerings, have a look at our guide to Ring’s packages, plans, and pricing.

ADT Pricing

Let’s cut right to the chase: ADT is much more expensive than Ring Alarm, but you get what you pay for. Their Secure Home package costs between $58 and $61 per month (opposed to Ring’s $20 monthly fee). It includes 24-hour monitoring, three keypads, motion detectors, three window sensors, a siren, a back-up battery, and a remote. The good thing is that you don’t have to buy your equipment upfront.

If you want the works, consider going with ADT’s Smart Home package that costs $65 to $70 per month and gives you cellular connectivity, or go with the Smart Home + Video package for $75 to $82 per month, which comes with video support and smart home automations.

As you can see, ADT is more expensive than Ring on a monthly basis, but you won’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars on day one. Keep in mind though, you will need to enter into a contract with ADT for monitoring and equipment. Thankfully, they do offer that 6-month money-back guarantee that we mentioned earlier.

To really get a closer look, head on over to our in-depth breakdown of ADT’s pricing and plans here.

Which Is Better: Ring Alarm or ADT?

So which is better? Great question! It completely depends on your living situation, your budget, and the amount of features you want access to. For instance, if you’re looking for something quick and nimble that won’t break the bank, Ring Alarm is the system for you. We’d also recommend reading through our SimpliSafe review if you’re interested in a DIY system similar to Ring Alarm.

On the other hand, if you’re a homeowner who wants reliable monitoring and high-quality equipment (and you don’t mind paying for it), then ADT might be the better option. You’ll also have more smart home capabilities with ADT, which is something that we value. Either way, these are both great systems with solid reputations in the industry, so you really can’t go wrong here.