But with that popularity and experience comes a massive price tag. Is it worth it? After scouring through ADT’s offerings and customer reviews, we think it can be if you value its benefits enough. In this ADT review, we’ll talk about why we recommend ADT for users who want tried-and-true home security but not for users who want to save money. In February 2023, the new ADT+ app will be available to customers and will offer a self-setup DIY option and seamless integrations with Google Nest products, including the Google Nest Doorbell, Google Nest Cams, and smart thermostats. 1 But if home automation is a deal-breaker for you and you have money to spare, we recommend going for the highest plan. With the Complete plan, you’ll gain video storage with your monitoring service. (That includes 24/7 video recording, which is arguably ADT’s best feature.) With Complete, you’ll get mobile access, video storage, and home automation. That means you can add smart devices to your ADT security devices. But the company also has a money-back guarantee for cancellations made 6 months after purchase, which is a thumbs up. However, they can only provide a money-back guarantee if the system or equipment issue cannot be solved by ADT.** Without any systemic issues, you have to pay 75% of your remaining contract as a cancellation fee.** That’s a pretty standard industry cancellation policy, but it’s still a huge barrier if you need to get out of your contract (especially if you’re canceling for financial reasons).
Control panel Doorbell camera Indoor camera Outdoor camera Siren Glass break sensor Shock sensor Motion sensor Carbon monoxide detector Smoke detector Smoke/carbon monoxide detector combo Smart lock Remote smart light module Remote smart thermostat Garage door controller Smart LED light bulb
Your ADT equipment isn’t proprietary. It’s made by a third party, like Alarm.com or Honeywell. On the one hand, it’s annoying to pay so much for generic pieces. But on the other hand, you may be able to reuse them with another monitoring company after your ADT contract ends. The shock sensor detects shock waves a.k.a. any impact against your window or door. If someone tries to break glass or use a battering ram, you’ll know. If you’re wondering, “How does that differ from a glass break or window sensor?” the answer is: it doesn’t really. It gets pretty much the same results, but with a different approach.
Sends you notifications Calls the ADT monitoring team Sounds a siren Shines lights
It’s also tamper protected and works in a large range of temperatures and humidity. Things don’t get much safer than that. ADT offers indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. With a camera and one of the two ADT Security plans, you can enjoy remote viewing, cloud storage, and 24/7 professional video recording. And if you’re a fan of Nest indoor, outdoor, or doorbell cameras, ADT is now promoting Nest equipment. ADT’s compatible with Alexa, Google, and the Z-Wave protocol, so it will connect with most smart home devices. Speaking of the app … Therefore, in our opinion, it’s better to have the app. But, also in our opinion, it’s not cool that you have to pay at least $50 a month to use it. That’s right, folks. You can’t use the ADT Command app without at least a Smart plan. And that plan, in case you forgot, costs $49.99. It’s not typical to charge for app access in the home security industry, and to be honest, we find it offputting. App access seems like something that should be included with all packages. ADT systems are all professionally installed. (ADT Self Setup which is self-installed, is a whole other service.) You don’t have to lift a finger during the actual installation process, but you do have to block out a time to be home when the techs arrive (and pay the installation fees). Don’t get us wrong. A lot of ADT customers are happy with their service. But like with any company, there are some things ADT could do better. According to Consumer Affairs and the BBB, one of the biggest roadblocks of using an ADT dealer is the business model. ADT doesn’t work like McDonald’s franchises. ADT dealers don’t always have strong, centralized leadership to keep things consistent. Instead, they use fragmented approaches to selling, equipment packages, and installation. That makes the customer experience far from consistent, and therein lies a lot of potential for frustration.
Unexplained fees Unexpected charges Misrepresented services
We don’t love that the same types of complaints pop up repeatedly. It’s not a good look for any security company. But ADT also has a longstanding reputation that makes its prices worth it for those who want a guaranteed security brand. ADT is familiar to people. It’s synonymous with home security. And if you don’t need all the bells and whistles, or if you don’t mind paying extra to access them, then you’re going to be satisfied with ADT. Let’s walk through what you can expect with ADT one more time.
Pricing: ADT’s prices are sky high if you want anything other than a landline system. Equipment: ADT equipment is fairly generic and might be reusable for another monitoring company. Home automation: The ADT system is compatible with most major smart home devices. You just have to pay extra for app use and full automation. Installation: Sit back and relax while the professionals do all the installation work. Customer experience: Your customer experience will largely depend on the dealer you use (if you choose not to go with ADT corporate).
But if you’re tired of paying a ton of money for home security, or if you want a DIY system, or if you’re just looking for something different, ADT isn’t the end-all-be-all. Check out our best home security recommendations for plenty of other options. For this particular review, we also heavily considered installation type and video storage. We also lived with an ADT security system for a few weeks to get a more detailed experience. Based on the customer feedback we’ve seen, there’s a very real possibility that ADT will raise your prices at some point. Before signing up, you may want to ask about a price lock policy. Otherwise, you could find yourself unexpectedly paying even more in the future. Just as a reminder, video recording and video storage are separate from the standard professional system monitoring. It’s only included in ADT’s top-tier packages. ADT’s long-term contracts and more permanent installation methods make it a bad fit for most renters. But hey, there are lots of other security systems designed for you. And don’t forget about ADT’s DIY security system option: ADT Self Setup. With no term contracts, ADT Self Setup is a convenient (and cheaper) option for renters. You’ll also get unique equipment over the more generic items that ADT uses. Plus there’s something to be said for moving away from the giant monolith of historic security systems and trying a smaller service. Of course, there are some drawbacks to picking the smaller, self-monitored service. You won’t have as many features or access to some equipment, like the ADT medical alert. SimpliSafe is great if you’re on a budget, and looking for a good DIY option. If you’re looking for a professional to install and monitor your system, ADT is a better option.
