Best Home Security · head-to-head
ADT vs SimpliSafe
A sourced, side-by-side comparison for home security. SimpliSafe has the lower entry price. Every figure links to the vendor's own page and the date we captured it.
At a glance
- Price: ADT $19.99/mo vs SimpliSafe $0/mo — SimpliSafe is cheaper to start.
- Free tier: ADT No; SimpliSafe Yes.
- HIPAA: ADT —; SimpliSafe —.
Side by side
| ADT | SimpliSafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $19.99/mo (Self Setup) | $0/mo (Self-Monitoring (No Video)) |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| HIPAA (BAA) | — | — |
| SOC 2 | — | — |
| GDPR | — | — |
| Best for | Homeowners who want a nationally recognized brand with decades of monitoring history | Renters and homeowners wanting no long-term contracts |
Sources — ADT: safewise.com (verified 2026-06-14). SimpliSafe: safewise.com (verified 2026-06-14).
Key features
ADT: Six redundant ADT-owned monitoring centers across North America — 24/7 coverage; Exclusive Google Nest ecosystem integration (cameras, thermostats, doorbells); SMART Monitoring: simultaneous alerts to up to 10 contacts; Trusted Neighbor feature — grant controlled access to helpers via smart locks and cameras; Touchscreen control panel with 12-hour battery backup and two-way voice communication; Six-month money-back guarantee on professionally installed systems; ADT Self Setup DIY tier available with no contract at $19.99/mo
SimpliSafe: No long-term contract on any plan — cancel anytime; 24/7 professional monitoring with cellular backup (Standard and above); Active Guard: live security agents proactively monitor cameras and contact police; DIY wireless setup — no professional installation required; Battery backup and cellular failover keep system online during outages; Door/window sensors, motion detectors, glass break, smoke, CO, water, and temperature sensors available