Home Security Radar

SimpliSafe vs ADT: DIY Pricing Transparency vs the Pro-Install Giant

SimpliSafe publishes every monitoring price and sells DIY systems with no contract; its cheapest full monitoring plan, Core, is $32.99 a month ($1.10 a day) as of October 2026. ADT publishes starting points: its plans page lists pro-install monitoring from $49.99 a month on a 36-month contract (24 in California) with a 75% early termination clause, with the rate for your tier set by quote, and its DIY line, ADT Blu, charges $24.99 a month for professional monitoring ($34.99 with video), month to month. Of the two, by published pricing, SimpliSafe is cheaper and far more transparent; ADT offers professional installation and what it describes as the largest company-operated monitoring network in the industry.

Figures researched 2026-08-19, page updated 2026-10-29; each source below carries its access date. Prices change; treat any price here as "as of" its date.

What each company actually publishes

This comparison is asymmetric. SimpliSafe puts its full plan menu online; ADT publishes starting prices and sells mainly through phone quotes and in-home consultations. All figures below are as of October 2026 from official pages.

ItemSimpliSafeADT
Entry pro monitoringStandard $22.99/mo (76 cents/day)ADT Blu Pro-Protect $24.99/mo, $34.99 with video (DIY only)
Full-featured monitoringCore $32.99/mo ($1.10/day)Pro install from $49.99/mo on ADT's plans page; per-tier prices not published
Top plansPro $49.99/mo ($1.66/day), Pro Plus $79.99/mo ($2.66/day) (outdoor live-agent protection)Complete tier (adds live video verification, Nest Aware, Trusted Neighbor); price not published
ContractNone, cancel any time, no cancellation feesPro install 36-month monitoring contract (24 in California) with a 75% early termination clause; ADT Blu month to month
InstallDIY (pro install optional)Professional install, or the DIY ADT Blu line

On the ADT numbers: ADT's monitoring plans page lists Pro Monitoring from $49.99 per month for Pro Install and does not publish per-tier prices for its Secure, Smart, and Complete plans; the rate for your tier comes from a quote. ADT's offer terms quote other starting rates for specific offers, $44.99 per month for the Essentials Kit offer and $45.99 for Secure Monitoring on a reactivation, so $49.99 is not the lowest rate ADT publishes. The same terms set a 36-month contract (24 months in California) and state that early termination may cost 75% of the remaining monthly charges. ADT Blu, ADT's DIY line, is month to month: Pro-Protect is $24.99 per month, or $34.99 with video (adding cameras costs $10 a month), Self-Protect is $14.99 and Video Connect (cameras only) is $9.99, but only Pro-Protect includes ADT's 24/7 professional monitoring; the other two send alerts to you only.

SimpliSafe's plans are flat and national, with day rates on its plans page and monthly prices on its support page: Standard $22.99 per month (76 cents/day), Core $32.99 ($1.10/day), Pro $49.99 ($1.66/day), Pro Plus $79.99 ($2.66/day), plus a $9.99 (33 cents/day) self-monitoring tier with camera recordings. No contract and no cancellation fees on any plan.

If you want a real apples-to-apples number for your own home, published starting prices will not get you there for ADT. Our quote funnel can fetch actual quotes from professional monitoring providers through a short questionnaire.

For two DIY systems priced side by side, one on a contract and one without, see Frontpoint vs SimpliSafe. Cove's no-contract DIY plans start below ADT's starting rates, while its upper tiers land inside ADT's range; see Cove vs ADT for the side-by-side. Brinks publishes more of its price than ADT, but both lean on multi-year contracts; Brinks vs ADT compares the published prices and cancellation terms.

Monitoring quality and guarantees

Both companies stake their pitch on the monitoring center.

ADT operates six company-owned US monitoring centers, which it describes as the largest company-operated monitoring network in the industry, backed by 150 years in the business. Its Alarm Messenger text-verification system lets you confirm or cancel alarms by text, and ADT reports over a 50% reduction in false alarm events versus sites not enrolled in Alarm Messenger. The Complete plan adds live video verification through Google Nest cameras with 30 days of stored clips via Nest Aware. ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee pays up to $500 of your homeowner's insurance deductible if a burglary occurs while the system is armed, subject to its contract terms.

SimpliSafe offers 24/7 professional dispatch on all monitored plans, video verification on select plans (which SimpliSafe says brings faster police response versus its own non-verified alarms), and on Pro and Pro Plus, live agents who can see, speak through, and trigger sirens on its Video Doorbell or Outdoor Camera (Series 2, up to 3 in any mix) before a break-in happens. SimpliSafe's Anti-Theft Guarantee similarly covers up to $500 of your insurance deductible, on plans with Active Guard Outdoor Protection. On Core, Pro and Pro Plus, equipment carries a lifetime warranty while a monitoring subscription is active.

The honest framing: both publish a $500 deductible guarantee, both offer video-verified dispatch on upper tiers, and both run 24/7 US-based centers. ADT's scale is real; so is SimpliSafe's price transparency. Neither company's guarantee replaces insurance, and monitored dispatch on any system still depends on local emergency services response. For whether the monthly fee is worth paying at all, see is professional monitoring worth it.

Which one to pick

Of the two, by published pricing as of October 2026:

  • Pick SimpliSafe if you want known costs, no contract, and DIY installation. At $32.99 per month for Core you get full monitoring with camera recordings, and you can walk away any month. Renters and first-time buyers fit here; see also home security for renters.
  • Pick ADT if you want professional installation, a hardwired-feeling full-service relationship, and deep Google Nest integration, and you are comfortable with a 36-month commitment, a 75% early termination clause, and quote-based pricing. ADT Blu, its DIY line (Pro-Protect monitoring at $24.99 per month, $34.99 with video, month to month), is its answer to SimpliSafe, and is worth pricing against SimpliSafe directly if you like the ADT name without the contract.

Cost math over a contract term matters, and the following is our arithmetic on published rates: at the $49.99 per month on ADT's plans page, 36 months of pro-install monitoring is $1,799.64 before equipment ($1,619.64 at the $44.99 Essentials Kit offer rate), while 36 months of SimpliSafe Core at $32.99 per month is $1,187.64, with no obligation to stay. That gap is the price of professional installation and ADT's service model; whether it is worth it depends on how much you value not doing it yourself. Our cost breakdown at home security cost per month puts these numbers in market context, and the quote funnel can get you ADT-tier quotes to compare against SimpliSafe's list prices.

SimpliSafe and Vivint trade places on three-year cost depending on whether cameras are included; SimpliSafe vs Vivint runs both totals. Within ADT itself there is a second choice to make, between the DIY ADT Blu line, month to month, and Pro Install on a 36-month contract; see ADT Blu vs Pro Install.

Frequently asked questions

Is ADT more expensive than SimpliSafe?
By published prices as of October 2026, yes for pro install: ADT's plans page lists pro-install monitoring from $49.99 per month (its offer terms quote $44.99 and $45.99 for specific offers) versus $32.99 per month for SimpliSafe Core. ADT Blu, ADT's DIY line, charges $24.99 per month for professional monitoring ($34.99 with video), close to SimpliSafe Standard at $22.99. ADT's pro-install tier pricing is quote-based, so your actual number may differ.
Does ADT require a contract and SimpliSafe not?
Broadly yes. ADT's residential terms set a 36-month monitoring contract for professionally installed systems (24 months in California) and state that early termination may cost 75% of the remaining monthly charges, while ADT Blu, its DIY line, is month to month with a one-month minimum. SimpliSafe has no contract on any plan, no cancellation fees, and states you can cancel any time.
Do both offer a theft guarantee?
Both publish a guarantee of up to $500 toward your homeowner's insurance deductible after a burglary while armed. ADT's applies per its Residential Services Contract terms (with limited availability for customers of its DIY line); SimpliSafe's requires a monitoring plan with Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
Can I install ADT myself?
Yes. ADT sells a DIY line, ADT Blu, on month-to-month plans as of October 2026: Pro-Protect with 24/7 professional monitoring at $24.99 per month ($34.99 with video), plus Self-Protect ($14.99) and Video Connect ($9.99), which send alerts to you only. ADT does not install Blu systems; its professionally installed line is separate. SimpliSafe is DIY by default with optional professional installation.
Which has better video monitoring?
Different models. ADT's Complete plan uses Google Nest cameras with live video verification by agents and 30 days of clip storage through Nest Aware. SimpliSafe's Pro and Pro Plus plans add live agents on its Video Doorbell or Outdoor Camera (Series 2) who can intervene before entry, plus 30-day cloud storage for up to 10 cameras. Neither is clearly superior on paper; they prioritize different moments of a break-in.

Sources

  1. SimpliSafe plans page as of October 2026: Self Monitoring with Camera Recordings 33 cents/day (unlimited recordings, 30-day cloud storage); Standard Monitoring 76 cents/day (requests police dispatch without camera recording or video verification); Core $1.10/day, Pro $1.66/day, Pro Plus $2.66/day; free trial, no contract, cancel any time; plans billed monthly; no contracts and no cancellation fees: https://simplisafe.com/features-alarm-monitoring (accessed 2026-10-29)
  2. SimpliSafe support article monthly plan prices as of October 2026: Pro Plus $79.99/month, Pro $49.99/month, Core $32.99/month, Standard $22.99/month, Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings $9.99/month: https://support.simplisafe.com/articles/alarm-event-monitoring/what-are-the-service-plan-options (accessed 2026-10-29)
  3. Core: agents request dispatch 24/7 for break-in, fire or medical emergency; video verification and priority dispatch, faster police response vs non-verified SimpliSafe alarms; unlimited camera recordings and 30-day cloud storage for up to 10 cameras; Core, Pro and Pro Plus comparison lists lifetime equipment warranty while a monitoring subscription is active, Wi-Fi with built-in network backup and up to 24-hour battery; monitoring plans available whether self installed or Pro Install: https://simplisafe.com/features-alarm-monitoring (accessed 2026-10-29)
  4. Active Guard Outdoor Protection: Pro 8pm to 6am local, Pro Plus 24/7; agents use two-way audio, siren and Outdoor Camera spotlight while armed during plan hours; works with Video Doorbell (Series 2) and Outdoor Camera (Series 2), up to 3 cameras total in any combination; Outdoor Camera must stay plugged in with included power cable; Anti-Theft Guarantee up to $500 toward insurance deductible: https://simplisafe.com/features-alarm-monitoring (accessed 2026-10-29)
  5. ADT Pro Monitoring starts at $49.99 for Pro Install; Secure/Smart/Complete tier structure; six company-operated US monitoring centers, largest company-operated network claim; 150 years; Alarm Messenger over 50% false-alarm reduction vs non-enrolled sites; Complete includes Nest Aware 30-day clips and Trusted Neighbor: https://www.adt.com/monitoring-plans-security-services (accessed 2026-08-19)
  6. Pro Monitoring starts at $49.99 for Pro Install; Secure (no smart home devices or cameras), Smart (smart home devices, no cameras) and Complete (cameras) tiers with no per-tier prices; Complete includes live video monitoring and 30 days of stored clips with Nest Aware; Trusted Neighbor requires Complete and compatible devices; MySafety on all tiers; six company-operated 24/7 monitoring centers, all US-based and not outsourced, largest company-operated network claim; 2x more customers than next closest competitor; Alarm Messenger over 50% reduction in false alarm events vs sites not enrolled and over 10 million prevented false dispatches per ADT monitoring data; verified alarms sent for faster response vs unverified; cellular alarm event backup; 24-hour battery backup: https://www.adt.com/monitoring-plans-security-services (accessed 2026-10-29)
  7. Essentials Kit offer: 40% off, requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $44.99/mo (banner on the same page says $49.99/mo), $599 standard price, minimum purchase $359.40 after discount, includes 1 ADT Base, 3 door/window sensors, 1 motion sensor; 36-month contract (24 months in California); ADT AutoPay; must call; add-ons eligible for 40% discount up to total max discount of $550; expires 12/14/2026; early termination may cost 75% of monthly service charges for the balance of the initial term; $8/mo guard response fee where required; permit cost plus one-time $8 processing fee; free virtual reactivation $99 off, requires 36-month monitoring contract for Secure Monitoring service starting at $45.99/mo; professionally installed system remains property of ADT; money-back guarantee conditions (attempted resolution within six months, continual QSP and monitoring payments, equipment return); Theft Protection Guarantee up to $500 of homeowner's deductible, requires continual monitoring and a request within 60 days; some insurers offer homeowner's discounts; 40% off Select ADT Blu Kits with Pro-Protect plan (Build My System $99, Video Essentials $199, Outdoor Video $229, Total Safety $419), additional products eligible for 40% off up to a total max discount of $550 per order, offer expires 11/18/2026; Security Starter Kit $249 with 1 Base, 3 door/window sensors, 1 motion sensor; Life Safety Kit $279; Blu month-to-month plans, one month minimum; professional installation not available for Blu; Blu devices only compatible with Blu systems; Self-Protect and Video Connect deliver alerts only to the user: https://www.adt.com/about-adt/legal/residential-terms-and-conditions (accessed 2026-10-29)
  8. ADT Blu monitoring plans, no long-term contracts: Video Connect $9.99/mo (cameras only), Self-Protect $14.99/mo, Pro-Protect $24.99/mo without cameras and $34.99/mo with video; only Pro-Protect includes ADT 24/7 Pro Monitoring; adding cameras to a system costs an additional $10/mo; life safety professional monitoring +$3/mo; Google Nest Cams not compatible with ADT Blu; Blu described as protection you can take with you when you move: https://www.adt.com/blu/monitoring (accessed 2026-10-29)
  9. Professionally installed system equipment can be financed for up to 60 months and Self Setup system equipment for up to 36 months (residential customers); Affirm pay-over-time rates from 0 to 36% APR subject to eligibility; Theft Protection Guarantee available to pro-installed customers in all ADT markets but to Self Setup customers only in limited markets; Theft Protection Guarantee: if a burglary occurs while the ADT system is armed, ADT will pay up to $500 of the insurance deductible, subject to the Residential Services Contract: https://www.adt.com/own-vs-rent-security/self-setup (accessed 2026-10-29)

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