Home

ADT

The Oldest Home Security Company

7.6

Overall Score

2 days ago

ADT

Review

Rating: 7.6 / 10 (Great)

Founded in 1874, ADT is one of the oldest and largest home security companies in the world. It has a long track record as a security company and almost everyone is familiar with their blue logo.

Their newer equipment has fixed most of the security holes that plagued earlier versions. However, ADT still has room for improvement, as evidenced in numerous online reviews.

Consumers expressed concerns over malfunctioning equipment and how long it takes for ADT customer service to respond to support tickets.

Home

# 2 in Home security

Free Quote See our top 10

How is ADT Rated?

Breakdown
Equipment
5/10
Monitoring
8/10
Reputation
7/10
Contract & Price
4/10
Technology Integration
6/10
Overall Rating: 7.6 / 10 (Great)

ADT is the largest security service provider in the U.S. and Canada, and it has been protecting its customers for over 140 years. The equipment available varies by area and dealer, but customers can choose from Honeywell, General Electric, and ITI manufactured systems. Its plans range from $36.99 to $58.99 with a $99 activation fee, and they require a contract with applicable early cancellation fees.

Pros
  • 6-month Money-back Guarantee
  • ADT Pulse App
  • Cheap Installation
  • Large Company
Cons
  • Slow Customer Service Response Times
  • Free Installation Only For Certain Plans
  • No Month-to-Month Contracts
  • Many Unhappy Customers on Review Sites

HOW DOES ADT WORK?

Equipment - 5 / 10

The equipment that ADT offers with the traditional plan includes a wireless control panel, door sensors, and window sensors. For additional fees, you can add fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide monitoring equipment to any home security system. Security cameras or an additional motion detector may also be purchased separately. ADT scores poorly in this category as they do not offer a self-install option.

Installation Professional
Equipment Manufacturer Honeywell, GE, ITI
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

  • Intrusion Protection
  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Motion Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection
  • Surveillance
  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Doorbell Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance
  • Environmental Protection
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke
  • Life Safety
  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

MONITORING

Monitoring - 8 / 10

The options for the video security plan are more robust. In addition to the standard wireless control panel and door sensors and window sensors, you will also have the option of adding security cameras that you can access through the mobile app. With this, as well as all of ADT’s home security systems, it comes with 24/7 ADT monitoring service.

Monitoring Options Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology Cellular
Broadband
Landline
Number of Monitoring Centers 6
Monitoring Center Type Owned
Professional Monitoring Services 24/7 Professional Monitoring
Fire Department Dispatch
Police Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does ADT cost?

Contract & Price - 4 / 10

ADT is not very transparent about the pricing of the plans or equipment. For example, you are unable to see at a glance the price of motion detectors, additional control panels or carbon monoxide detectors. Potential customers should be aware that there are often additional fees that will raise the total bill when all is said and done. Plus, ADT tends to raise its rates on their customers.

ADT offers some free equipment as part of their packages, typically older or refurbished, that offers fewer features than systems made by other companies.

A new ADT customer will be able to take advantage of its lowest monitoring plan at $28.99 per month, however, this plan does not come with free equipment installation or the extended limited warranty. You will be required to sign a monitoring contract.

Monthly Fee (min) $28.99
Monthly Fee (max) $58.99
Number of Available Packages 4
Installation/ Activation Fee $99.00
Equipment Starting Cost $0.00
Contract Required
Cancellation Policy Early termination by Customer, ADT may charge 75% of the monthly service charges due for the balance of the initial 36-month term.
Warranty 90 Days Limited Warranty

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS

Technology Integration - 6 / 10

ADT offers solid technology integration in comparison to other providers. With features like email and text alerts, live surveillance, and remote arm/disarm, functions you can access through their solid iPhone and Android apps.

  • Mobile Access & Alerts
  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm
  • Geo-location Services

ADT reputation

Reputation - 7 / 10

Many ADT customers have voiced concerns in public reviews that they are generally unhappy with the company and its customer service. Several reviews cited problems with sales reps not showing up for scheduled appointments, and long waiting times on hold with customer service.

Other reviews from ADT customers using its monitoring services have mentioned that they were charged high cancellation fees and expensive rates for installation and service visits.

ADT has been sued in multiple instances for selling unsecured equipment to their customers. The $16M class action settlement in February of 2018 being the most recent.

Trust Pilot Rating 2.2 out of 10
BBB Rating A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews 10
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews 4
Number of BBB Negative Reviews 214
Date Collected 2017-08-17
Year Founded 1874
  • Certifications & Associations
  • Certifications & Associations
  • Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)
  • Factory Mutual (FM)
  • Electronic Security Association
  • New York City Fire Department
Top Rated
Home

Overall Score

  • Excellent reputation for customer service
  • Security camera & mobile app options
  • 100-day free trial, risk-free, money-back guarantee
  • Home automation devices available