ADT Home Security System
"For 140 Years, More People Have Chosen ADT to Help Prevent Crime."
"For 140 Years, More People Have Chosen ADT to Help Prevent Crime."
Protect Your Home has an active promotion: “Free Home Security System and 6 Free Window/Door Sensors.” (last updated 9/7/18)
ADT formed in the 1800s as American District Telegraph, the world’s first telegraph-based alert system. Now America’s largest provider of hardwired and wireless home security equipment and monitoring, it’s one of the oldest security companies in the country and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. With highly customizable packages and monitoring plans, it’s easy to make upgrades or keep your system simple.
ADT Security Services is a well-respected name in the home security market throughout the US and Canada. It’s also the largest provider in these areas. Each ADT security system is professionally installed for free and carries a 6-month money-back guarantee. Customers can bring their own equipment or lease equipment from ADT for home security as well as medical response, disaster protection and home automation.
Also setting ADT apart is their medical alert equipment. Unlike medical alert bracelets and pendants from some other companies, ADT medical alert devices work anywhere that’s covered by the AT&T Wireless Network, not just inside the home.
ADT offers 24/7 professional monitoring of your home security system 365 days a year. Beyond its most basic equipment package and monitoring plan that look like the rigorous security systems of the latter part of the 20th century, ADT now also offers home automation through its app, ADT Pulse. This includes a control panel with Z-Wave compatibility, giving you the flexibility to add whatever smart home devices you’ve already got in play, from lights and locks to appliances.
ADT also offers customized options, from carbon monoxide detection to fire and flood monitoring to help protect against environmental hazards. And if you’re not happy, it offers a 6-month money-back guarantee.
 MOBILE ALERTS | Wireless security customers can get mobile alerts from ADT alarm systems and emergency operators. Mobile alerts plus remote control and monitoring give customers control from anywhere. |
 24/7 MONITORING | Each ADT monitoring plan includes 24-hour service to dispatch police, fire and medical first responders. ADT’s medical alert bracelets and pendants work outside the home as well as indoors. |
 WIRELESS SECURITY | ADT specializes in both wireless and hardwired security. Wireless equipment installation leaves no permanent marks. Wireless ADT plans can support remote monitoring, remote control and home automation. |
 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS | Optional security cameras let you monitor your home from anywhere in the world. Stream live video and access saved clips with your mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer. |
 PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION | ADT professionally installs its security systems to ensure that customers are well protected. Get free installation of your wireless or hardwired set! Customers can also transfer equipment from other security companies. |
 HOME AUTOMATION | Home automation can provide extra security, plus it saves time and money. Use biometric voice recognition and ADT’s mobile app to automate your home’s alarm, lights, thermostat and more. |
 REMOTE CONTROL | Remote control of wireless security is enabled with an ADT mobile app as well as ADT keychain remotes. Each ADT keychain remote has four buttons: Arm, Disarm, Panic, and LED Light. |
 HARDWIRED SECURITY | An international leader in hardwired security, ADT has installed millions of systems. Installation is free whether you’re getting ADT monitoring for the first time or transferring service to a new home. |
 MEDICAL PRODUCTS | Medical bracelets and necklaces with emergency alert buttons can give immediate access to dispatchers. ADT’s On-the-Go Emergency equipment is waterproof and sends GPS data to responders. |
ADT offers three equipment package options and various monthly monitoring plans depending on which equipment you get. ADT will even monitor systems from other home alarm system companies.
Within each of ADT’s three package options, you’ve got various ways to upgrade or modify to better match your specific needs. Also, while ADT is known for offering high-quality equipment, if you are planning to lease it or you have your own equipment and you want to just obtain the monitoring service, the plan starts at a very competitive $19.99 a month.
ADT’s Traditional package is its most basic. A bit pricier than the baseline options offered by competitors, it packs a punch. A $125 upfront equipment fee provides you with wireless keypad entry, so you do not have to worry about entrance into your home. The basic package comes with a $28.99 monthly monitoring fee that includes 24/7 professional monitoring using a cellular connection. It comes with four door and window sensors (with the option to upgrade), and offers fire, carbon monoxide, and flood monitoring services. As noted, this is a significant amount of monitoring for a basic package.
The Traditional Package allows you to add on several key options as well, including Remote Security Video, Home Automation features, Remote Web and Mobile Access, as well as Email and Text Notifications in the event of an incident. These are all completely optional upgrades.
ADT’s Control Package offers its basic coverage and more. It also starts with a $125 upfront equipment fee, but with a monthly monitoring fee of $36.99, it adds home automation, giving you more control over the features and systems within your home regardless of whether you’re on site. In addition to remote web and mobile access, you can receive email and text notifications for various security triggers.
Finally, ADT’s Video Package combines everything from the Control level with its Remote Secure Video upgrade, which is ideal for those who prefer greater control over their home system from afar. While the upfront costs are still $125, your monthly monitoring fee jumps to $52.99 for live monitoring of your home, allowing you to tap into the video feed from your home’s cameras no matter where you are.
| ADT Plans | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | More Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | $125 | $28.95 | See More |
| Control | $125 | $36.99 | See More |
| Video | $125 | $52.99 | See More |
When purchasing ADT equipment packages and monitoring plans, you have a lot of flexibility to add on additional equipment to ensure your home security system works exactly how you want it to.
ADT requires that its equipment be professionally installed, but the cost is embedded in its “activation” fee, which can range anywhere from $99 to $199 depending on the gadgets you choose. While some systems offer DIY installation, ADT’s pricing is competitive and ensures that it’s done quickly and correctly.
ADT offers discounts, deals, and promotions for a variety of reasons. Lennar Homeowners and USAA members are offered a discount on ADT home security, and those who are looking to add ADT monitoring to an existing system are eligible to receive a great discount. Read all about the currently available ADT deals and promotions here.
With three equipment bundles and five corresponding monitoring plans, ADT offers a lot of customization. When it’s time to order, first choose which equipment you already have or want, then whether you’d like to upgrade from there. Your monitoring plan will automatically be based on these decisions.
It’s important to note that not only does ADT require professional installation, but regardless of what level of monitoring you choose, you’ll also have to sign a 3-year contract. That said, it does offer a 6-month money-back guarantee (some restrictions apply) if you’re unhappy.
A longtime leader in the industry, ADT Security Solutions is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. It can monitor systems from leading brands such as GE, Honeywell/Ademco, and ITI. ADT supports a full spectrum of hardwired and wireless security features that include environmental disaster prevention, emergency medical assistance, and home automation. Known for their customer service and live monitoring features, ADT offers systems that are easy to use and professionally installed.
See our full review of ADT here and our ADT FAQs section here.
