Simplisafe vs ADT: Features Face-to-Face

Now we’re getting to the juicy part. Here, we’re going to compare the features that the two products have in common and announce a winner for each category.

Professional Monitoring

Professional monitoring is essentially a service provided by home security companies to offer more reliable security. If you have professional monitoring, all your sensors are monitored 24/7 by professional security personnel who attend to your house whenever something is detected at your home while you’re away.

These professionals investigate each trigger event to expedite security, and if an intruder is suspected, they dispatch to proper authorities immediately.

Both ADT and SimpliSafe offer professional monitoring. But the two systems cannot be any more different from each other in terms of this feature.

With ADT, the exact nature of the professional monitoring service depends on the options you choose. It’s going to depend on what services you need and how many sensors and cameras you need monitored.

How much you end up paying for the service is also going to vary based on these factors. ADT also has negotiable prices for all their services, so how much you pay also depends on your negotiation skills.

SimpliSafe does not require a monthly subscription service. But if you want professional monitoring, you have the option to subscribe to one of their subscription services.

Simplisafe has two plans: the standard plan and the interactive plan. Both of these plans have 24/7 professional monitoring. Both plans also have a fixed price regardless of how many cameras and sensors you have.

Winner: Simplisafe

Both systems have professional monitoring, but Simplisafe offers professional monitoring at a fixed cost regardless of how many sensors and cameras you have.

Subscription Contract

With ADT, you have to sign a 3-year (2-year if you live in California) contract when you install the system. The contract also says that you’re only leasing the system and that you don’t actually own it. This means that if you move, you’ll have to leave the security system in your current house.

The contract also says that if you move to a different location within the period of the contract, you have to pay some amount to ADT or sign a new contract for your new home and start the cycle all over again.

Simplisafe does not require any such contracts. But, if you do choose to get one of the monthly plans, you have the option to cancel the plan at any time. The payments are monthly, and no long-term contract is required for the service.

Winner: Simplisafe

Unlike ADT, you don’t need to sign any long-term contracts with Simplisafe, even if you choose to avail a subscription plan.

Customer Support

Both ADT and Simplisafe have phone support and email support options. You can also visit the websites and get support from their online help centers.

ADT offers 24/7 customer support, and ADT’s representatives are there to help you even in the middle of the night. ADT also has a live chat on their website, via which you can chat with a representative any time you want. The ADT website also has several video guides for common issues that people face on their website.

Simplisafe also offers live customer support, but only from 9 am to midnight. Simplisafe also has online forums where users can share their issues, and other users and representatives can offer their solutions. But this fails to match the support offered by ADT. (1)

Winner: ADT

ADT offers 24/7 call support, and live chat has video guides available for common issues. Simplisafe offers live support from 9 am to midnight, making ADT the winner in this category.

Mobile Application

The mobile applications for both of these systems are really well-made and offer a smooth experience. (2)

The ADT mobile app has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on the Apple App Store. On the other hand, the Simplisafe app has a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on the Apple App Store.

Both of these apps seem to be loved by most users. I, too, find both of these apps pretty intuitive, especially when compared to other smart home security system apps. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to stream footage and how to use the system.

One feature that the Simplisafe app has and the ADT app doesn’t is self-monitoring. You can monitor your system yourself when you’re away and call authorities if you find something suspicious.

Winner: Simplisafe

Both ADT and Simplisafe apps are pretty intuitive to use. But Simplisafe app also has a self-monitoring feature, making it the winner in this category.

Simplisafe vs ADT: Standout Features

Secret Alarm

The Simplisafe secret alarm feature allows you to set some entry sensors and motion detectors so that when those detectors are triggered, the system doesn’t let the intruder know. No alarm goes off, and instead, you get a notification. This feature is not ideal against intruders as you’d probably much rather they ran off because of the alarm than stayed in your house and got arrested, potentially damaging your property. However, this feature is pretty useful when you want to remotely servile a cupboard. You can hide a door sensor on a door, and you’ll immediately know when someone opens that door.

This feature is only available for the Simplisafe interactive plan. ADT doesn’t have any such feature.

Smart Home Integration

Simplisafe is more focused on adapting to new technologies, whereas ADT still uses its traditional model. The Simplisafe home security system is compatible with smart home devices such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT. The ADT smart home system is not compatible with smart home devices unless you buy a separate ADT hub.

Spectrum of Devices

Simplisafe is still a growing company. While they have launched a lot of products, their product range is not large when compared to ADT. ADT offers a complete spectrum of smart home devices. The ADT smart home system is also much more customizable than Simplisafe, and you have lots of options to choose from both in terms of the devices/sensors you want and the services you need.

Wrapping Up

Simplisafe is the clear winner here. It costs less, has transparent optional monthly subscription fees, and doesn’t require you to sign any contracts. Simplisafe is easily compatible with smart home devices and gives you complete control over the system. ADT may be a better option if you have very specific needs, but in general, I would recommend Simplisafe. I switched to Simplisafe about 7 months ago and did not regret it.

You may want to check below other learning and product guides that might help you in the future. Until our next review!

• How Do Motion Sensors Work
• What to Look for When Buying a Home Security Camera System
• Best Self-Monitored Home Security System
• How to Get-out of a Security System Contract