SimpliSafe vs ADT Self Setup — DIY Alarm vs the Contract Company's DIY Kit
ADT Self Setup is ADT's answer to SimpliSafe: a DIY kit with Google Nest hardware and no long contract. SimpliSafe still wins for most homes on hardware price, sensor cost, monitoring price and what works without a plan. ADT Self Setup makes sense if you want Nest cameras and the ADT name for dispatch priority. Full comparison below.
ADT spent decades selling three-year contracts, then watched SimpliSafe take the market with a kit in a box. ADT Self Setup is the response, built on Google Nest hardware with no installer visit and no 36-month agreement. The question is whether the ADT name is worth the premium over SimpliSafe, and for most California homes the answer is no, with two exceptions covered below.
Quick Comparison
| Pick | Best For | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | SimpliSafe 8-Piece Wireless Home Security System | $230-$300 |
| Best for Google Homes | ADT Self Setup Starter Kit | $200-$400 |
| Best Doorbell for Either | Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) | $150-$180 |
Our Picks
Head to Head
| SimpliSafe | ADT Self Setup | |
|---|---|---|
| Starter kit | $230-$300 for 8 pieces | $200-$400 for 5-7 pieces |
| Entry sensor | $15 | $25-$30 |
| Monitoring | $22-$32/mo | $25-$35/mo |
| Contract | None | None, month to month |
| No-plan use | Full local alarm and app | Alarm works, app features limited |
| Cameras | SimpliSafe brand | Google Nest, excellent |
| Smart home | Alexa, Google, basic | Google Home native |
| Professional install option | Handyman or SimpliSafe partner | ADT technician available |
Hardware and Sensor Cost
A three-bedroom house needs 10-14 entry sensors. At $15 each on SimpliSafe that is $150-$210; at $25-$30 on ADT Self Setup it is $250-$420. Add the base kit and the ADT system runs $200-$400 more for the same coverage. The ADT hardware is good, and the Nest doorbell and cameras are among the best available, but the sensors are what you buy in bulk and ADT prices them high.
Monitoring and Dispatch
Both are month to month with cellular backup on the plan. ADT's argument is its monitoring centers and its name with police dispatchers; SimpliSafe's Fast Protect plan adds camera-verified alarms that get priority response in cities with verified-alarm policies, which now includes a growing list across California. In practice both dispatch within a similar window. If you want the ADT yard sign, that is a legitimate reason, and the sign alone is a deterrent.
Most California cities require an alarm permit before a monitoring company can dispatch police, typically $25-$50 a year, with false alarm fines that start around $100 after the first or second free one. The permit is the homeowner's job, not the alarm company's. Self-monitored systems that never dispatch do not need one in most cities.
Without a Subscription
SimpliSafe runs as a complete local alarm with app alerts on no plan. ADT Self Setup on no plan keeps the siren and basic arming but strips most app features, and the Nest cameras need their own Nest Aware plan for history. If free self-monitoring is the goal, SimpliSafe is the only one of the two that does it properly.
Smart Home Fit
A Google Home household gets the most from ADT Self Setup: Nest thermostat, Nest cameras, Google speakers and the alarm all in one app. SimpliSafe works with Google Assistant and Alexa for arming but does not integrate deeply. This is the second real reason to pick ADT.
Installation and Verdict
Both kits mount the same way and our install pricing across all of California is the same for either: $149-$249 for sensor mounting and app setup, insured, 4.9 stars, same-day available. ADT also offers its own technician for a fee.
Verdict: SimpliSafe for price, sensor cost and no-plan operation. ADT Self Setup if the house already runs on Google Nest or you want the ADT sign and dispatch history.
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Get a Security Install Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADT Self Setup a contract?
No. It is month to month, which is the whole point of the product. Traditional ADT installs still use 36-month agreements.
Which is cheaper, SimpliSafe or ADT Self Setup?
SimpliSafe, by $200-$400 on hardware for a full house, mostly because its entry sensors cost about half as much.
Does ADT Self Setup work without monitoring?
The alarm works locally, but app features are limited and Nest cameras need a separate Nest Aware plan for history.
Do police respond faster to ADT?
Not meaningfully. Verified-alarm policies in many California cities prioritize video-confirmed alarms, which both SimpliSafe Fast Protect and ADT can provide.
Can you install either one?
Yes. $149-$249 for mounting and setup across all of California.
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