Reviews Report
- ADT home monitoring plans are more expensive than plans offered by Brinks.
- ADT offers the option for wired connections, while Brinks only offers wireless and cellular.
- Brinks provides options for DIY or professional installation, while ADT requires professional installation for a fee.
With Americans spending more time at home now than ever before, it is a good time to update your home security to keep your whole family safe. However, with so many emerging technologies, it’s hard to know which are the best home security systems to use.
ADT and Brinks are two names that consistently stand out from the rest, but which is better? We dove deep on Brinks vs. ADT to compare the price, service, and ratings for each home security company in 2021.
Compare ADT vs. Brinks
| Reviews.com Score | Starting Price | Installation | Equipment Available | |
| ADT | 1.4 | $28.99/mo. | Professional | Digital panelDoor and window sensorsMotion detectorBackup batteryYard signs & window decalsHigh-decibel alarm |
| Brinks | 2.6 | $29/mo. | DIY or professional | Wireless touchscreen systemWireless motion sensorWireless door sensorsVideo doorbell |
Information accurate as of April 2021
ADT
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- 24/7 monitoring
- $500 theft protection guarantee
- Environmental monitoring
Cons
- More expensive than competitors
- Six-month return policy
- Charges extra for wireless, cellular-based systems
Equipment Available
- Flood, fire, and leak sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Indoor/outdoor cameras
- Video cam doorbell
- Additional add-on devices
Contract Plans & Pricing
- ADT Secure: $45.99/month
- ADT Smart: $49.99/month
- ADT Complete: $59.99/month
Brinks
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Affordable security
- 24/7 monitoring
- Fully wireless systems
- Home automation
Cons
- 30-day return policy
- Video monitoring not available in all packages
- Limited features compared to ADT
Equipment Available
- Additional sensors
- HD indoor cameras with night vision
- Smoke detector
- Video doorbell
- Over 100 add-on smart home devices
Contract Plans & Pricing
- Brinks Essential: $29/month
- Brinks Complete: $39/month
- Brinks Ultimate: $39/month
*J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Compare ADT and Brinks Home Security Plans
| Basic Plan | Mid-Tier | Top-Tier | |
| ADT | Secure: $45.99/mo. | Smart: $49.99/mo. | Complete: $59.99/mo. |
| Brinks | Essential: $39/mo. | Complete: $39/mo. | Ultimate: $39/mo. |
Information accurate as of April 2021
ADT vs. Brinks: Emergency Connections
One of the main differences when it comes to Brinks vs. ADT has to do with how the two companies handle their operating systems. Both companies are great choices for the best monitoring systems because they both offer 24/7 monitoring centers. However, they communicate much, much differently.
ADT defaults to wired connections, using your landline to power the system. You have the option of Wi-Fi or cellular connections, but you will have to upgrade, and it will cost you more. Brinks skips landlines altogether, instead sticking strictly to Wi-Fi or cellular connections for its home security monitoring.
Customers who live in rural areas may prefer ADT’s wired connection because stable internet service is often so spotty in these areas. However, people in metropolitan and suburban areas may prefer a wireless connection since many households don’t even subscribe to landlines anymore. When it comes to Brinks vs. ADT for emergency monitoring, ADT is your pick if you need wired service. Otherwise, Brinks offers the best wireless systems with the Wi-Fi and cellular-based options that most households need to set up and maintain their home security systems.
ADT vs. Brinks: Installation
There are also significant differences between the two providers when it comes to installation. When trying to decide between Brinks vs. ADT, installation can be a major factor for busy households or frequent travelers who shudder at the thought of yet another appointment to coordinate.
Brinks is among the best DIY home security systems because it gives the option for your security installation, offering either free DIY installation or professional installation for an extra fee. The DIY installation is a process that is surprisingly easy, holding up to Brinks’ promise of just 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish. This is mainly because its systems arrive pre-configured, taking out the more complicated tech stuff for more novice users. There’s also support if you run into any issues during installation.
ADT doesn’t offer DIY installation for its systems, instead requiring that all users schedule an appointment for professional installation. If you prefer not to handle the set up, this can be a great benefit for you, but be aware that it does come at an extra cost which is added to your bill.
ADT vs. Brinks: Monitoring Plans
When it comes to home security monitoring plans, there are a few things to consider in the battle of Brinks vs. ADT. They both offer multiple plans, but ADT is noticeably higher in cost.
With Brinks, you have the option of adding video monitoring to your plan for an extra $10 a month. Brinks partners with Moni and Livewatch for its 24/7 professional security monitoring so your home is never unprotected. If anything were to ever happen, there are trained professionals who can act quickly and summon the right kind of help.
ADT’s plans also include the option of video or no video, but there are other options, as well. The base plan only offers wired connections, requiring an immediate upgrade for using a cellular or wireless connection.
ADT vs. Brinks: Smart Home Automation
Smart home automation has become the gold standard amongst homeowners today, so it is a feature that many users look for in a home security provider.
Both ADT and Brinks deliver here, but you’ll find that the price tag is significantly different between the two. Brinks integrate with well over 115 security and smart home devices that all work with its systems, including smart door locks, home lighting, and garage doors. It comes standard with Brinks home monitoring plans, costing nothing to automate your home. ADT also offers these integrations, but plan upgrades are required if you want to take advantage of them in your home.
When it comes to Brinks vs. ADT for smart home automation, Brinks is the more affordable choice.
ADT vs. Brinks FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated ADT and Brinks home security systems based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation and customer satisfaction to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best home security reviews. To compare home security companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Monthly Price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric.
- Equipment Cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower prices on equipment.
- Contracts: Reviews.com reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score.
- Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.
- Installation: Just like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies that have flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
About the Authors
Lena Borrelli is a freelance writer for Reviews.com. Over the last year, she has covered insurance, finance, and more. She has been featured in TIME with NextAdvisor, Bankrate, The Simple Dollar, MYMOVE, Million Mile Secrets, Coverage.com and more. My favorite article is “How to Invest in Real Estate During COVID?” on Reviews.com.
