SimpliSafe vs ADT Comparison

ADT and SimpliSafe consistently rank among the top home security systems available today. While they’re both great systems with top-tier equipment and monitoring, they do things differently. Ultimately, we feel like ADT has the edge, but SimpliSafe has a lot of positives of its own. The right one for you will depend on your security needs, budget, and preferences.

ADT focuses on offering white-glove service from installation to monitoring — and the quality of its protection is undeniable. However, it’s pricier, it typically requires a contract, and is more rigid with its offerings. SimpliSafe, on the other hand, offers flexible DIY systems with self-monitoring options and more affordable prices, but compromises on advanced smart home automation.

You can’t go wrong with either brands, but let’s look at them side by side to help you decide which is better for your exact home security needs.

We were able to fully protect the interior of our home with our six-piece SimpliSafe security system.

SimpliSafe vs ADT: An Overview of Two Top Home Security Systems

ADT's strengths start with its 150-year history in the industry. The company continues to offer exceptional professional installation and monitoring services, backed by an industry-best six-month money-back guarantee. ADT has also expanded its partnership with Google, integrating even more Nest devices and incorporating enhanced AI capabilities for smarter home protection.

SimpliSafe hasn't been around as long as ADT, but they revolutionized the industry with the first DIY system designed for renters. Since then, they've expanded their offerings to protect everything from studio apartments to mansions. They even offer advanced monitoring with active deterrence—SimpliSafe's Intruder Intervention and Active Guard Outdoor Protection features respond to threats in under 10 seconds on average, giving advanced systems like Vivint and ADT serious competition.

For more targeted information on each brand, you might start with our hands-on SimpliSafe review, which includes a look at their newest equipment. To learn more about ADT, have a look at our in-depth ADT review.

But enough about these two companies in isolation. Let’s talk about how they compare to one another.

A Quick Point-by-point Comparison of ADT and SimpliSafe

ADT and SimpliSafe are different systems. They offer different equipment, different monitoring plans, and they operate on different philosophies. Even so, there are a number of striking similarities – more and more all the time.

Before we dig into their differences, let’s cover what they have in common.

• Quality Hardware – Both ADT and SimpliSafe offer reliable, wireless equipment. SimpliSafe manufactures their own equipment, which keeps their costs down. ADT uses premium Google Nest and Yale equipment, which delivers the highest quality we've tested, but comes at a price.
• Smart Home Automation – Both SimpliSafe and ADT equipment work well with Alexa and Google Home. They also both integrate with some third-party smart products like August smart locks and Philips Hue lights. As a Google partner, ADT has deeper integration with the entire Google ecosystem.
• Monitoring Services – ADT and SimpliSafe offer some of the best professional monitoring services in the industry. ADT operates multiple redundant monitoring centers with rapid response times. SimpliSafe's premium monitoring plans include active deterrence features, where SimpliSafe agents can use your cameras' two-way talk, sirens, and spotlights to scare off intruders before they break in.
• Smartphone Controls – Both companies offer responsive mobile apps that let you access and manage your system remotely using your smartphone. As of the time of writing, both ADT's redesigned ADT+ app and SimpliSafe's app maintain strong ratings across iOS and Android platforms, making remote monitoring effortless.

Here’s a look at the ADT+ app from when we tested an ADT Blu system in our home.

• Environmental Protection – While both of these brands provide outstanding protection from break-ins and burglaries, they also offer features that can keep you safe from environmental dangers, like smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and flooding.
• Cellular Monitoring – Both systems now use LTE cellular backup to ensure a steady connection with monitoring centers, even during Wi-Fi or modem failures.
• Installation – Both ADT and SimpliSafe let you choose between self-installation and professional installation. There’s no question, ADT wins when it comes to professional installation, but for DIY installation, we prefer SimpliSafe’s more streamlined approach. We were impressed by the ease of setup of the ADT Blu system we tested, but it’s a completely separate product line from the ADT system we’re talking about today.
• Costs & Fees – SimpliSafe and ADT’s prices have become increasingly similar. Both companies regularly run promotions that can include discounted equipment bundles, free devices, and a free month of monitoring.

• Money-Back Guarantee – Both companies offer a money-back guarantee that gives you a good amount of time to test your system out before committing. Most companies offer 30 days. SimpliSafe offers double that number – 60. Impressive. But no one outdoes ADT. They offer an industry-best six month money-back guarantee.

The command strips on the back of SimpliSafe’s sensors made them easy to install.

SimpliSafe vs ADT: In-Depth Comparison of Home Security Systems

Now that we’ve established the basic parameters for comparing these two systems, let’s dig deeper and talk about some of their more substantive similarities and differences, starting with costs.

ADT’s Costs

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution with ADT. Unlike SimpliSafe that offers pre-built packages, you can only get an ADT system by going through a personalized consultation. This means an ADT expert will help design a custom system for your home’s unique needs and your budget either over the phone or through an in-home visit. Both are free, so we recommend taking advantage of the offer.

Of course, requiring a personalized quote means that you won’t have an easy time figuring out your budget for an ADT system. It’s much easier and convenient to shop online. But consider this: If you get a pre-bundled system, you could receive equipment you don’t need and not enough of the equipment that you do. Even with bundled systems, most shoppers end up customizing their system. So it’s better that you start with a personalized quote — especially if a product specialist from ADT is helping you.

While we can’t give you exact pricing, we can tell you that a mid-range ADT system with some sensors and security camera coverage indoors and outdoors cost a little over $600. That’s the system we tested. And looking at the sensors’ individual prices, they aren’t overpriced. Entry sensors range from $20 to $40 per piece (depending on the type) and the motion sensors we purchased were only $40. Those are within industry averages.

As for monitoring, the final monthly price will depend on your equipment, features, and tech, but it generally starts at $49.99 per month. That’s on the higher end, but includes almost every feature you’ll need — from professional monitoring with cellular backup to security camera cloud storage and home automation.

You can get even more details in our full ADT pricing guide.

>> Check Out: The Best Home Security Cameras of 2026

SimpliSafe Costs

If we look at regular retail prices of individual equipment, SimpliSafe's pricing is competitive with ADT. The difference is that packages are available, although you can still customize your SimpliSafe system. The most expensive package, ‘The Beacon,' costs $733.90 at full price. However, SimpliSafe packages are almost always on sale. You're practically guaranteed to find discounts of at least 20 percent (and sometimes up to 70 percent during major sales events like Black Friday). With these discounts, SimpliSafe is more affordable than ADT.

SimpliSafe also offers more affordable entry-level monitoring options. Basic professional monitoring costs $22.99 per month. We recommend SimpliSafe's Core plan, which includes unlimited camera storage and Intruder Intervention for indoor cameras for only $32.99 a month.

However, SimpliSafe's monitoring plans range up to $79.99 per month for the Pro Plus plan with Active Guard Outdoor Protection. This feature allows SimpliSafe's agents to actively deter potential intruders using the outdoor camera's built-in AI detection, spotlight, two-way audio, and 95dB siren when a threat is detected. ADT doesn't offer a comparable feature.

We wanted to make sure the privacy screen on our SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Camera was closed.

For full SimpliSafe pricing, head over to our SimpliSafe pricing assessment. There, we detail all packages available, their MSRPs, and their typical discounted prices. But here’s an overview:

• The Beacon: $733.90
• The Lighthouse: $482.93
• The Haven: $558.86
• The Knox: $520.87
• The Hearth: $437.91
• The Starter: $282.94
• The Foundation: $250.96

Keep in mind that those are listed MSRPs. Final discounted prices are clearly visible on SimpliSafe’s website when you’re ready to shop.

Contracts & Warranties

ADT’s Policies and Contracts

• Contract – ADT requires a contract for financed systems, but you may be able to avoid it by paying for your equipment upfront. Otherwise, the minimum contract is 3 years.
• Money-Back Service Guarantee – To help cushion the blow of that 36-month contract, ADT offers one of the longest money-back guarantees in the business. ADT offers a six-month money-back guarantee, guaranteeing the quality of equipment and installation.
• Theft Protection Guarantee – ADT’s so confident about the protection they offer that they’ll refund you up to $500 of your insurance deductible if an intruder robs your home.
• Warranty – ADT includes a standard 90-day warranty on all equipment. Extended coverage is available through their Quality Service Plan, which provides ongoing equipment replacement and maintenance for a monthly fee.

SimpliSafe’s Contracts and Policies

• Contract – SimpliSafe doesn't require any contracts or credit checks. Professional monitoring plans range from $22.99 to $79.99 per month.
• Warranty – SimpliSafe offers a standard one year warranty from the date of purchase. It extends to three years if you purchase a Self-Monitoring or Standard monitoring plan before the one year warranty expires. You can further extend it to a lifetime warranty with the purchase of a Core, Pro or Pro Plus monitoring plan. The warranty covers defective material and workmanship under normal use.
• Money-Back Guarantee – SimpliSafe has a pretty generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

Main Features & Tech

ADT leverages Google's advanced AI capabilities including enhanced object detection and facial recognition. SimpliSafe introduced proprietary machine learning algorithms that can distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles.

The Google Nest Cam that came with our ADT system kept an eye on our front yard and driveway.

ADT Features

ADT's current feature set emphasizes AI-powered automation and predictive security:

• Home automation available
• Custom alerts
• Z-Wave technology
• Smartphone access & control
• Video monitoring with live footage
• Recorded video clips
• Facial recognition-powered automation
• Indoor and outdoor cameras available
• Environmental protection sensors
• 24/7 monitoring
• 6-month guarantee
• Theft protection guarantee

SimpliSafe Features

SimpliSafe Wireless Keypad

SimpliSafe's latest features focus on proactive deterrence and user-friendly operation:

• Visually confirmed mobile alerts
• 24/7 monitoring with active threat deterrence
• Wireless equipment
• Surveillance cameras
• AI-powered threat detection
• Environmental disaster protection
• Remote control (using the mobile app)
• Backup battery
• Touch-to-wake keypad
• Open window alerts
• Heartbeats (built-in diagnostic equipment checks)

Installation

This is perhaps one of the biggest fundamental differences between SimpliSafe and ADT. SimpliSafe is a DIY-first system with options for professional installation via a third party service. That means they can’t guarantee the quality of the installation. ADT is a professionally installed system through and through, and ADT technician does the job. In our experience, they do it very well. That said, if you want an ADT system with DIY installation, that’s available through ADT Blu — a separate line of security system with distinct equipment offerings.

For the purpose of this comparison, let’s talk about our experience with ADT’s professional installation and SimpliSafe’s DIY installation. 

Installation for ADT Security Systems

We're big fans of ADT's professional installation. A certified technician arrived on time and did a full walkthrough of our home before making placement decisions. And we can tell they took into account details we provided, such as pet sizes and where we typically spend our time in the house, to avoid future issues. Professional installation fees depend on the size of your system (usually $100+), and we think that fee is well worth it. Having an expert handle placement ensures every component is where it'll perform best.

Before leaving, the technician walked us through the ADT+ app and showed us how to manage cameras, set up activity zones, and create automation rules. That onboarding experience — which typically takes the better part of two hours for a full system — gave us confidence that everything was working correctly from day one, with no troubleshooting required after the fact.

Installation for SimpliSafe Security Systems

When you go with SimpliSafe, you're installing it yourself — and in our experience, that's genuinely fine. Professional installation is available starting at $125, but the DIY process is simple enough that most people won't need it. There's no scheduling, no installation fee, and no waiting around for a technician. We had our seven-piece SimpliSafe system up and running in about 30 minutes, which includes time spent double-checking sensor placement.

SimpliSafe's wireless equipment makes DIY installation as frictionless as possible. The sensors use peel-and-stick adhesive backing, the base station just plugs into an outlet, and the Wireless Indoor Camera sits on any flat surface. The only component that requires wiring is the Video Doorbell Pro, which uses your existing doorbell wiring. If you're going that route, make sure to read our guide to SimpliSafe installation to make the process as seamless as possible.

How Do I Know Which Security System Is Best for Me?

When it comes to keeping your home safe from intruders, it’s tough to go wrong with either system. However, these two home security brands really do target different living situations and budgets. If you’re looking for something easy-to-use, highly customizable, and affordable, go with SimpliSafe. If you’re looking for total home protection that you won’t have to lift a finger for (and don’t mind shelling out cash for), ADT is probably more your speed.

Why Choose SimpliSafe?

In the long run, you can save a lot of money with SimpliSafe. First, with SimpliSafe you are not obligated to pay for professional monitoring fees. However, if you want the monitoring services, SimpliSafe offers extremely affordable fees (starting at $22.99 per month). Also, with SimpliSafe, you don’t have to worry about installation fees and cancellation fees. On a last note, SimpliSafe manufactures its own equipment, which also helps you save money on the equipment because there are no middlemen to jack up the prices.