ADT Home Security Review

We give ADT four stars because its reputation and experience make it one of the most trusted names in the industry. Add in the company's six 24/7 monitoring centers—more than most home security brands—and it's no surprise ADT is a household name.

But all that quality comes at a cost. ADT's prices for security and all the perks (video monitoring, smart home control, and ADT app access) can cost more than $60 a month. If that's just too much for your budget, check out ADT's DIY option, ADT Self Setup, or try these ADT alternatives.

Besides the Basic kit, ADT monitored plans are customized and differ from tier to tier, each sweetening the deal with new features or equipment options. Here's the breakdown on plans:

The Basic Plan includes the basic starter kit and standard landline monitoring. What's missing is the Quality Service Plan that offers extended warranty protection and a deal on any service calls you may need during your contract. This plan also misses out on the 6-month money-back guarantee.

The Secure Plan is a basic cellular-connected package plus the Quality Service Plan. It also allows you to skip the wiring that comes with landline service. Hardwired systems take longer to install and can be clipped or damaged by intruders. If you live in a rural area or want to protect a vacation home in the country, this is an affordable option that comes with extra warranty and service protection.

The Smart Plan adds remote access into the mix through the Google Home app. Remote access lets you monitor and control your system from your phone. Whether it's an open window or a full-blown system alert, you'll know. This connection allows for so

The Video Plan costs about $7 more, but trades automation for live video on Google Nest cameras. Video storage requires a Nest Aware plan (about $6 a month).

Finally, the Complete Plan comes with all of ADT's video and automation features for just a few dollars more per month.

Every ADT package includes the essential components you need in a system, but you can add extra devices too:

• Touchscreen panel, motion detector, three entryway contact sensors: included in every plan
• Smart lock: one included in the Smart and Complete plans
• Google Nest Doorbell (battery) and Google Nest Cam (indoor or outdoor, wired or battery): one of each included in the Complete plan
• Carbon monoxide detector: $100.00
• Smoke detector: $100.00
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector: $180.00
• Google Nest Thermostat: $209.00

Still have questions? We have more details in our breakdown of how much ADT costs.

If you're looking for tried-and-true home security monitoring and want the pros to handle installation, ADT is worth it. You'll pay more for setup and monitoring, but you won't have to lift a finger after making the initial phone call. 

See how ADT monitoring and equipment compares:

• ADT vs. Vivint
• ADT vs. SimpliSafe
• ADT vs. Frontpoint
• ADT vs. Ring
• ADT vs. Brinks
• Alternatives to ADT

Where ADT beats nearly every other security company hands-down is its professional monitoring centers. ADT operates its own centers that alert the police or other emergency responders, and it has six monitoring stations.

This matters to you for two big reasons—well-trained operators and monitoring support redundancy.

ADT trains all of its operators and has total control over how your call for help is handled. And with six monitoring centers, you'll never be stranded without help when you need it.

If one center goes offline for any reason (think hurricanes, the polar vortex, etc.), monitoring will be automatically transferred to another center that's still up and running.

All ADT equipment packages are professionally installed by trained technicians and come with a starter kit to lower up-front costs. 

The starter kit includes:*

• Touchscreen control panel
• Three contact sensors for doors or windows
• Motion detector

You'll get the most out of the ADT touchscreen panel with a cellular connection and a mobile app. In an emergency, the panel will connect you with an ADT monitoring center, and you can speak directly with someone through the panel.

It also connects with smart devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant so you can control it with your voice to arm, disarm, or make adjustments in the sensors or your smart equipment.

The ADT touchscreen panel is multi-lingual and has 12 hours of battery backup that kick in when the power goes out, keeping your home safe during storms or other power outages.

See how it compares with other touchscreen panels.

The top two plans offer video monitoring with Google Nest security cameras. The cameras shoot in 1080p HD video, and you can watch your home live or check recordings in the backlog (if you also subscribe to Nest Aware).

When the system's sensors or cameras detect motion, you'll get a notification so you can tune in and see what the camera sees. This way you can tell if it's just your pooch prowling around the house or a real emergency.

Get all the details in our ADT security cameras guide and Nest cameras review.

In addition to using the Google Home app to control your system, you can tell your ADT home security system what to do when you add voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

ADT recently teamed up with Google to offer ADT customers Google Nest^†​ products and greater integration. You can now purchase Google Nest products through ADT and have them installed by a technician. Here's how you can use them:

• Google Nest Mini (2nd gen): Control your system and connected devices with your voice by saying "Hey Google." You can arm your alarm, lock and unlock doors, turn lights on and off, set your thermostat, and make routines.
• Google Nest Hub (2nd gen): Do everything the Nest Mini does plus control your system through the hub's touchscreen.
• Google Nest Hub Max: Everything above plus you can view your camera feeds through the device—handy when you want to see who's at the door but have your hands full or for people without ADT security app access (like babysitters or kids).

The Smart or Complete monitoring plan is required to use smart home devices and voice commands. 

ADT uses Z-Wave​ technology in all its smart security equipment. That means your ADT system can integrate with third-party smart home devices like a smart plug.

And ADT makes it really simple by offering compatible smart home devices along with its security equipment—so you can get all your smart security shopping done at once.

The downside is the price. You can't get home automation with basic ADT home security packages, so you're looking at a base monthly monitoring rate of $59.99 per month.

But when you break it all down, that's about $2 per day for smart home automation and professional monitoring that you control through the Google Home app (replacing the ADT Control and ADT Pulse apps) on your phone.

All ADT alarm systems come with professional installation by an authorized dealer, which means you don't have to worry about the best place to install the control panel, window sensors, and other equipment.

It also means you have to let a stranger into your home and arrange a time to meet them, which could add up to a whole day off work. Last but not least, you'll pay an installation fee to get your ADT system installed—and that has to be paid up front. The installation fee varies based on the equipment you choose.

But we are talking about a high-end alarm system that you're counting on to protect your home and family. When the stakes are that high, the time (and financial) commitment for a pro install is definitely justified.

The real cherry on top with an ADT installation is the comprehensive risk assessment. 

Every installation includes a whole-home risk assessment that identifies the best security solutions for your home.

Security advisers evaluate both the inside and outside of your home so they can make recommendations that address all of your home's security vulnerabilities.

And they're not supposed to recommend extra devices if you don't need them—but they are obligated to point out all potential security risks so you can make the most informed decision.

We suggest being prepared in advance for a bit of a sales presentation along with the risk assessment. Just make sure you know what your budget is and stick to it.

ADT is a bit old-fashioned when it comes to requiring a contract. ADT's standard contract is a 36-month commitment. The company's contract-only approach can make ADT a no-go for renters and others who may need to move within a year.

If you decide to cancel your service with ADT before the term is over, you could be subject to a hefty cancellation fee. Generally, you can expect to shoulder 75% of the remaining contract if you decide to opt out of an ADT contract.

While ADT's equipment and monitoring are high quality, we recommend reading the fine print before signing on with an ADT plan.

Compare ADT's cancellation policies with other major home security companies on our cancellation policy page.

If you like ADT's reputation but aren't sure about a contract, check out ADT Self Setup. This is a DIY option that comes with all the convenience of a boxed security system plus ADT's 147 years of home security experience.

Read our full ADT Self Setup review to learn more.

All of the ADT plans we reviewed (except the Essential plan) come with the Quality Service Plan (QSP) at no extra charge.

This is basically the company's equipment warranty. With the QSP, you don't have to worry about extra costs for service calls or paying to replace broken equipment.

Depending on the ADT authorized dealer where you purchased your ADT equipment, there may be extra monthly fees charged for the QSP.

ADT excels with a long-standing reputation and customer-first guarantees, but those don't always translate to the company's authorized retailers—making customer service hit-or-miss depending on who you're dealing with. 

There's no denying that over 140 years of experience and the trust of more than 6 million customers is a solid endorsement of ADT's home security systems.

But quality equipment and stellar monitoring services can be overshadowed by mishandling from third-party dealers. There are a few things you can count on from ADT's customer service:

• Calls that are answered quickly
• Short hold times
• 24/7 customer service hours
• Same-day installation in most areas for no added cost

For more ADT-specific questions, visit our page devoted to ADT customers' frequently asked questions.

To review of ADT, we dug into the company's history, reputation, pricing, equipment, customer service, and smart home capabilities.

To evaluate each of these areas, our team did the following:

• Conducted hands-on testing
• Met with ADT for demonstrations and to ask questions
• Visited an ADT technician training center
• Talked to current and past ADT customers
• Read hundreds of customer and expert reviews

Learn more about how we review and rank security brands and products in our full methodology.

• The Best Home Security Systems
• ADT Pulse Guide
• ADT Troubleshooting Guide
• ADT Medical Alert Review
• Xfinity (Comcast) Home Security Review

1. ADT, "Our History." Accessed September 15, 2022.