Trying to determine which home security company has the right features at the right price to protect your household can get overwhelming quickly. This guide will provide a detailed, side-by-side examination of offerings from two industry leaders – SimpliSafe and ADT (American District Telegraph). We‘ll uncover the key similarities and differences to equip you with everything needed to select your ideal solution. Whether affordability, smart integrations or professional installation matter most, we‘ve got you covered!
Company Histories and Heritage
To start, some background on SimpliSafe and ADT will be helpful for setting context around their offerings today.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe was founded in 2006 by current CEO Chad Laurans after experiencing a break-in firsthand. Frustrated by the high cost and hassle of traditional home security, Laurans aimed to create an easy yet effective DIY-installed system for the modern household.
Over 15 years, SimpliSafe has served over 4 million subscribers in the US protecting what matters most. They pioneered the radically simple security model removing long contracts and hidden fees.
Despite being exponentially newer to market than ADT, SimpliSafe has won accolades like the CNET Editor‘s Choice Award in 2019 and 2020 plus Wirecutter‘s Best Home Security pick repeatedly. Their focus remains on customizable, wireless protection.
ADT
ADT‘s heritage traces way back to 1874 when it began as American District Telegraph, providing telegram delivery and callbox services. As electricity became widespread, they evolved into fire alarms and security systems, procuring early patents.
Today their monitoring network blankets the US and Canada with smart home and business solutions. With over 145 years of experience and 7 million current customers, ADT prioritizes professional installation and support through their large network of technicians.
Industry associations like the Alarm Industry Communications Committee and Central Station Alarm Association have consistently recognized ADT for cutting edge public safety programs and monitoring infrastructure.
While SimpliSafe streamlined DIY technology, ADT represents robust heritage and human support – two unique value propositions vying for your business.
Pricing Breakdown Across Equipment, Installation, Monitoring
Setting up or upgrading home security represents a significant investment. Comparing the value each company provides across hardware, network connectivity, platform access and monitoring reveals key differences in approach.
| Cost Component | SimpliSafe | ADT |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Packages | $99 to $489 for entry level kits. Larger properties accommodated through custom quotes. | $599+ for basic package. Wide range of sensor, camera, automation addons available. |
| Professional Installation | Optional at $99+ through 3rd parties. Designed for DIY. | Mandatory at $99+ depending on home size, features added. Completed by ADT technicians. |
| Monthly Monitoring | $0 for self-monitoring to $25 for highest tier protection. Scales based on need. | $36.99 to $57.99+ mandatory packages. Multi-year contract required. |
| Cellular Backup | Built-in LTE for system status access anytime. | Available for additional $15 per month per camera. |
| Early Termination Fees | No long term commitments so no termination fees. | 75% of remaining monthly fees if cancelled within contract period. |
Let‘s calculate total monthly costs for a sample setup:
- ADT Video, Control and Automation Package
- Equipment – $849 one-time
- Installation – $149 one-time
- Monthly – $57.99
- Total Over 3 Years – $2503
- SimpliSafe Interactive Monitoring Package
- Equipment – $299 one-time
- Installation – $0 (DIY)
- Monthly – $25
- Total Over 3 Years – $999
With flexible scaling for what you need today and cellular backup included, SimpliSafe provides significant cost savings in most home configurations. But ADT becomes the value option if advanced smart cameras, automation and professional monitoring are must-haves today. Their broad ecosystem requires commitment however.
Contrasting Approaches to Installation
Perhaps the most visible difference between SimpliSafe and ADT manifests in the installation process. As leaders in DIY vs professionally installed systems respectively, the steps for getting setup reflect their diverging philosophies.
SimpliSafe Installation Journey
SimpliSafe equipment arrives in portable boxes with components sticking or latching into place around your home.
- Their sensors use adhesive for surface mounting or slide onto door/window frames
- The hub unit connects directly to your wifi router via ethernet cable
- Control pads can attach to walls using included tape or be placed on flat surfaces
- Optional cameras mount using provided hardware to desired locations and pair wirelessly
Throughout the process, SimpliSafe provides an app-based Virtual Installer guiding you step-by-step to proper sensor placement and connectivity testing. If having questions or wanting professional support, they maintain an online community of experts for $99 assisted install.
Overall the SimpliSafe setup takes less than 30 minutes for basic coverage with approximately three sensors protecting main entry points and rooms. Scaling to every window and door plus cameras and flood/motion detectors takes 1-2 hours. No tools or wiring know-how needed.
A SimpliSafe security system can be installed without tools in under an hour.
ADT Installation Process
In contrast, ADT equipment arrives in the hands of professional installers. They begin by surveying your home to customize a Protection Design Plan matching security cameras, sensors and automation modules to your floorplan.
Actual installation spans multiple hours across two visits:
- Initial installation of control panel, router and backup battery
- Drilling openings to run security system wiring throughout walls
- Mount cameras with foam for heat insulation and waterproofing
- Secure all sensors peripherals and testing for signal strength
- Follow up visit to patch, paint and validate functionality
By directly wiring devices and hiding cabling within walls, ADT kits the home for robust protection and longevity of components. The network design enables both hardwired and wireless peripherals now or in the future. Having indoor cameras, doorbell cams and sensors directly tapped into a central uninterruptible power supply guarantees security visibility even through blackouts.
The tradeoff is higher equipment pricing and need for expert configuration requiring appointments, access and slight damage repair. But for those wanting builtin infrastructure, ADT brings the solution while avoiding the weeks-long DIY hassle.
ADT professional installation involves wiring, mounting equipment and repairing surfaces.
Monitoring Services for Real-Time Alerts and Emergency Response
The brains behind any home security setup is the monitoring platform which dispatches emergency personnel when an intrusion or hazard is detected. Both SimpliSafe and ADT provide advanced signal processing but through vastly different 24/7 infrastructures.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe packages options for either self-monitoring or professional monitoring with priority signal response.
For self-monitoring, SimpliSafe‘s app sends instant alerts to your phone from any triggered sensors or cameras. You can then sound a loud onboard siren or even two-way talk through cameras to scare off intruders. If unavailable or in distress, it‘s still best to have a friend or neighbor follow up rather than engaging an intruder directly.
Upgrading to professional monitoring gets you premium features like:
- Signal verification under 30 seconds for 95% of sensor events to avoid false alarms
- Direct integration with emergency dispatch centers for fastest possible police/EMT dispatch
- Agents attempt to contact you first but will request emergency backup immediately if danger detected
- Higher cellular network priority and less congestion during outages (70%+ uptime)
- Extended warranty and equipment replacement guarantee
So SimpliSafe matches capabilities to needs and budget either way. But priority response requires paying at minimum $15 per month for monitoring agent support.
ADT
In contrast, ADT builds monitoring directly into all packages as their core competency honed over generations. As soon as a sensor trips, their Protection Command Center receives and verifies signals within an average of 16 seconds as per third party CSAA Five Diamond certification.
You‘ll receive SMS and push notification alerts immediately. Then ADT coordinators attempt to contact you via push-to-talk on the mobile app, SMS or by phone. If danger is confirmed through shouted safe words or lack of response, police get dispatched directly through ADT‘s private radio network.
Given massive investment into redundant monitoring infrastructure and priority public safety relationships, ADT achieves emergency response times under 10 minutes on average. However you pay a premium for that infrastructure baked into monthly costs and multi-year commitments.
Smart Home Automation and Device Support
With smart speakers, lights, thermostats, doorbells and appliances gaining popularity, having your security platform integrate everything together becomes a key purchasing consideration nowadays.
Let‘s examine how SimpliSafe and ADT compare when it comes to compatibility across major IoT platforms:
| Smart Home Platform | SimpliSafe | ADT
|-|-|-|——————
| Amazon Alexa | Direct voice control for arming, alerts and status. Higher monitoring plan unlocks more capabilities. | Complete command, automation and integration support.
| Google Assistant | Basic voice control and visibility into system status. More functionality via higher monitoring plan. | Full featured integration mirroring Alexa capability.
| Apple HomeKit | Currently no support for Homekit integration. | Native HomeKit integration brings Siri voice commands for security controls.
Apple Watch | Status visibility and basic controls but no robust integration. | Fully featured Apple Watch app for monitoring, alerts and emergency triggers.
| Ring | No current integration or device support in SimpliSafe ecosystem. | ADT and Ring partnership allows control/monitoring through either platform.
| Z-Wave Devices | No native Z-Wave support although MONI monitoring plan enables some integration. | Complete Z-Wave controller built-in to sync lights, locks, sensors, water valve shutoffs etc.
| SmartThings | No direct support although MONI plan enables syncing routines and rules. | Native SmartThings Action integration for automation triggers.
While SimpliSafe connects security alerts and basics to leading voice assistants, ADT offers significantly more flexibility tying various smart systems together. If having a unified dashboard to control home actions based on security events is valuable, ADT delivers on that promise today whereas SimpliSafe remains still catching up.
SimpliSafe Advantages and Limitations
Key SimpliSafe Strengths
- No long term contracts so you can cancel or adjust anytime
- Low equipment pricing starting at $99
- Fast self-installed maximizing convenience
- Entry-level professional monitoring for only $15 monthly
- Packages scale flexibly as your needs evolve
Potential SimpliSafe Drawbacks
- No 24/7 professional monitoring without paying add-on fees
- Limited smart home and automation capability
- Support from 8am to midnight Eastern time only
- Weak cellular network usage hampers rural or basement setups
ADT Advantages and Considerations
Where ADT Excels
- 145 years unbeaten experience and heritage
- True smart home integration potential
- Rigorous professional design and installation
- Fastest possible emergency response time
- Z-Wave flexibility supporting vast device ecosystems
- Apple Watch, Keypad and Control integration
Factors to Weigh with ADT
- Lengthy and restrictive multi-year contracts
- Very expensive to cancel service early
- Monthly service fees significantly higher
- Upfront equipment and installation costs
- Limited self-service postsales support
Recommendation: Best Solution Based on Your Priorities
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If flexibility, ease of setup and low cost of entry are most vital, SimpliSafe brings phenomenal value. Their contract-free DIY kits can protect homes temporarily or permanently without risk. Scalable self or pro monitoring fits any budget.
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For those wanting automation capabilities, premium response time, or full IT integration, ADT justifies the higher expense through virtually unlimited expansion potential. You pay for generational monitoring reliability and smart home versatility basically forever.
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Evaluate what matters most today vs years from now. Both SimpliSafe and ADT enable effective home protection so choosing the right fit depends on your personal tech proficiency, living dynamics and financial flexibility.
I‘m confident this comprehensive side-by-side comparison clarifies similarities and differences between SimpliSafe and ADT heading into your buying decision. Please don‘t hesitate to reach out with any additional questions around ideal security packages for your living situation. I‘m happy to provide free additional consultation to ensure total confidence selecting the perfect system. Stay safe and secure!
Jeremy
Independent Technology Advisor
555-555-5555
[email protected]
