Quick Look at ADT
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ADT is one of the best home security companies.
The one word we'd use to describe ADT: reliable.
Founded in 1874, ADT (American District Telegraph) offers professionally installed home security systems in 44 U.S. states. More recently, ADT released Blue by ADT, which is a DIY home security service that many traditional home security companies struggle to compete with.
Monthly monitoring fees start at $36.99 for basic home security, $42.99 to add on SafeWatch CellGuard, and $52.99 to add on ADT Pulse.
ADT offers medical alert techonology as well as ADT alarm services. The ADT medical alert products can be purchased alongside the standard home security package from ADT. Every customer can have the added comfort of fall detectionwith ADT's medical alert system.
Check out ADT's unique home security offer.
ADT Cost
- Monthly Monitoring: $36.99 - $52.99
- Installation Fee: $99 - $199
So How Much Does ADT Cost?
ADT is relatively tightlipped about its pricing, but customers can find pricing information if they know where to look.
As it stands, ADT has higher-than-average monthly monitoring fees, but alternatively, you aren’t required to purchase your equipment upfront (it’s simply an added part of the monitoring fee). The reason we like ADT's price is because you get a high level of service and equipment quality with ADT.
So essentially, you are getting around $800 in free equipment.
The question that potential customers should ask themselves is ‘for how long is the high monthly price with free equipment worth the money?’
Equipment Prices
Additional security camera equipment and smart home devices can be purchased. Prices are undisclosed. However, we do provide estimates based off of industry standards (prices below our estimates are considered fair prices):
- Indoor camera: ≈ $125.00
- Outdoor camera: ≈ $125.00
- Doorbell camera: ≈ $200.00
- Smoke detector: ≈ $60.00
- Carbon monoxide detector: ≈ $100.00
- Flood sensor: ≈ $50.00
- Emergency button: ≈ $20.00
- Automated door locks: ≈ $175.00
- Automated home lighting: ≈ $50.00
- Smart thermostat: ≈ $175.00
- Garage door monitor: ≈ $50.00
- Smart home plugins: ≈ ?
Equipment Bundles
ADT does not offer individual bundles. Instead, equipment is included in each of the three monitoring plans available: Essentials plan, Total Protection plan, and the Premium Protection plan.
ADT Monthly Monitoring Prices
Standard professional monitoring plans for new customers start at $36.99 for their Essentials package and goes up to $52.99 for the Premium Protection plan.
Those interested in the ADT mobile app or an outdoor/indoor camera, will need to pay more for the more comprehensive home security packages.
Depending on the security package you choose, the cost could end up being higher than other leading home security system providers.
Specifically, their lowest plan is considerably higher than other industry-leading providers and their respective lower plans.
ADT has a smart home automation plan option where for $52.99 per month, you get the standard security systems package along with ADT Pulse that includes video surveillance features that you can monitor through the ADT mobile app.
Most home security service providers still do not offer video surveillance as a service. So if this is an important feature to you, you'll want to consider ADT.
Essentials: $36.99/month
- 24-Hour Alarm Monitoring
- Digital control panel
- 3 Door & Window Sensors
- Infrared Motion Detector
- High-Decibel Alarm Siren
- Backup Battery
- Wireless Keychain Remote
- Yard Sign
- Window Decals
Total Protection: $42.99/month
- Everything in the Essentials Package +
- SafeWatch CellGuard
Premium Protection: $52.99/month
- Everything in the Total Protection Package +
- ADT Pulse
ADT’s Installation Process
DIY or Professional Installation
ADT itself offers professional installation services and does not currently have an option for DIY installation. However, Blue by ADT is a new ADT acquisition which does provide customers with DIY installation options.
Installation scheduling for new ADT customers is generally pretty flexible. New customers are encouraged to schedule an installation as soon as they become a customer.
It is not unheard of for ADT installation experts to install a new system the same day the customer purchases it.
Each installation professional is certified and receives specialized electronics training.
These experts will come to your home at your earliest convenience and install a digital keypad, entryway detectors (window sensors and door sensors), and motion detectors, as well as any additional equipment you may need.
Cove’s COVID-19 Measures
ADT is dedicated to requiring quarantine for employees who report being sick and will even offer those employees full compensation for two weeks during their quarantine period.
Call center employees at ADT report having more in-depth conversations with customers in order to reduce the need for sending out technicians to customers homes.
Additionally, all field technicians are issued additional sanitation, cleaning, and protective equipment to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees alike.
All field members also undergo daily personal wellness checks before working.
And perhaps most impressive of all, ADT has temporarily suspended all unsolicited, door-to-door sales practices.
ADT’s Contract Length
ADT’s minimum contract is 36 months — this is one of the higher contract lengths among modern home security companies.
The current trend is to allow for month-to-month contracts, sell DIY security systems with no contracts, or to be flexible with contract locks.
Newer home security companies have understood that the contract lock is the main complaint and the subject of most negative home security reviews.
This negative opinion of long contract lengths is one of the main motivators for change within the home security industry.
At Best Home Security Companies, we recommend customers choose a company like Vivint or Cove, who offer month-to-month contract options or require no contract at all.
ADT’s Smart Home Technology
ADT offers most high-tech smart home automation devices found at other top home security companies.
Smart locks, garage controllers, smart plugs to control lighting and appliances, Z-Wave wireless technology for connection to smart devices, and voice control compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant all combine to make ADT a reasonable solution for home automation.
The only thing left to consider is whether the price of home automation from ADT stacks up well against other top home security companies.
ADT also a home security app.
ADT Mobile App
With the ADT app, you can disarm and arm your ADT home security system, receive email and text message alarm notifications, and control your home's smart devices like smart locks and motion sensors.
According to the ADT home security systems website, the ADT app uses innovative Z-Wave technology.
On the apple store, the ADT Control app has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating with over 20,000 customer reviews. One customer review praises the app's simple-to-navigate design and helpful functionality. Another ADT review states that it helped them feel safer with the total home automation access right on their phone.
On the other hand, the ADT Control android app has a 3.5 star rating with only 2,600 customer reviews. Some negative ADT customer reviews for the app include complaints about the alarm system itself malfunctioning and do not reflect the quality of the app itself. However, there are some legitimate concerns on the ADT android app. Some customers relate experiencing problems with the camera in the app and state that the live feature on the app isn't actually live.
ADT’s Company Experience
ADT has over 300 offices across the United States, 9 monitoring centers, and reportedly, the largest network of security professionals in the home security industry.
As one of the oldest home security companies, ADT boasts an over-abundance of home security experience.
Providing both individual and business security solutions, ADT seeks to be the industry’s one-stop shop for home security needs.
Time in Business
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT was founded in 1874 and is one of the oldest home security companies in the world.
Money-Back Guarantee
ADT offers a six-month money-back guarantee on installation and monitoring if you are unhappy with your current home security system. Additionally, according to the company's website, ADT offers a theft protection guarantee.
If your home has a burglary while your ADT system is set, ADT will give you up to $500 towards your insurance deductible.
Visa Rewards Card
Right now, all new customers who choose an Essentials package, Total Protection package, or the Premium Protection package are eligible to receive a $100 Visa Rewards gift card.
ADT Reviews
On Best Company, ADT customers rate the company at 2.7 out of 5, so reviews are almost exactly mixed.
On one hand, customers seem to love the quality of the security system and the helpfulness of the customer service representatives. Of course, being one of the largest home security companies in the world will bring some negative feedback as well.
Common complaints of ADT customers include sales and installation reps failing to show up to scheduled appointments, long wait times, additional charges, and high cancellation fees.
Our Recommendation
ADT offers a video surveillance option, a helpful mobile app, a money-back guarantee, and a theft protection guarantee. Additionally, ADT offers a variety of high-tech products with their monitoring service: digital control panel, cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, motion detectors, and more.
While there have been a good number of negative customer reviews regarding ADT's sales practices and professional installation, there have also been a greater number of more recent positive reviews stating that the company is good for the money.
ADT Monitored Security is a traditional home security company with contract requirements just like any other established home security company.
We highly recommend ADT for customers who want a reliable and traditional home security company, those who want cellular backup, and those who'd prefer to have a professional install their security system.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADT
What Do 2020 ADT Reviews Say About the Company?
ADT customer reviews are almost exactly mixed, but that is to be expected for a company as large and old as ADT.
Most of the larger home security companies have trouble with customer reviews. Whether that is because the company cannot cater to individual customers due to its large customer base or simply because the company does not make efforts to get better reviews, it is a red flag for potential customers.
Negative ADT reviews focus on two negative aspects of the company’s security service:
- Contract Requirements
- High Cancellation Fees
Is ADT a Good Security System?
ADT is definitely a good security system — in fact, the company offers one of the highest quality security systems out there. Paired with the 100+ years of home security expertise, ADT's security system is a great option.
Though customers may take issue with their contract requirements and cancellation fees, these are realities of every traditional home security company.
It is because of ADT's expertise and security system quality that we highly recommend the company to interested customers.
What Is ADT Pulse?
ADT Pulse is the company’s answer to home automation — the service allows customers to connect, manage, and monitor their home devices from pretty much anywhere with the ADT Pulse app.
With ADT Pulse, customers can view live video feed, control the thermostat, turn on/off lights, and use the smart lock to lock/unlock doors when they’re away along with other smart home capabilities.
ADT Pulse is also available for business automation customers.
What Is SafeWatch CellGuard?
SafeWatch Cellguard is essentially a cellular monitoring add-on with ADT. The service allows the customer’s ADT security system to connect and communicate with ADT monitoring centers through cellular networks.
