When you compare Blue by ADT vs. SimpliSafe, SimpliSafe takes the prize. While we found both home security systems easy to use and affordable, SimpliSafe offered, well, more. It features a bevy of helpful security equipment options, the versatility of pro or DIY installation, and a better return policy than Blue.
Here’s how everything shook out after we tested and compared these two systems.
SimpliSafe vs. Blue by ADT at a glance
SimpliSafe Pros and Cons
No contract required Low monthly cost Large device selection Affordable equipment 60-day money-back guarantee
Not compatible with Z-Wave Basic camerasSimpliSafe is best for people who want great connectivity
If you need a bunch of devices that all work well together, SimpliSafe is a good choice. It has a device for just about everything. From smoke detection to intruder detection, SimpliSafe has you covered.
And its security cameras are affordable, so you can get multiple cameras for your home. This can be particularly helpful if you have a large yard or home that needs a bunch of cameras for full coverage.
Blue by ADT Pros and Cons
No contract required Low monthly cost Compatible with Z-Wave Highly trusted company 60-day money-back guarantee
Expensive cameras No professional installationBlue by ADT is best for those that need a trusted name
Blue by ADT is for people who want a little extra reassurance that everything is going to work. It’s a highly trusted company with decades of experience. ADT has been around for more than 140 years. Though the Blue version of ADT has only been around a few years, it’s still backed by ADT and its nine monitoring centers. These centers have generators and redundancy plans to ensure its customers never go without service.
Plus, Blue by ADT has a lower entry price, making it easier to get started if you’re on a budget.
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Lowest monitoring price
|
Mobile app included w/ base plan
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Smart home compatibility
|
Equipment options
|
Learn more
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SimpliSafe |
$17.99/mo. |
 No |
Alexa, Google, August Smart Lock | Equipment list | View packages |
 Blue by ADT |
$19.99.mo. |
 Yes |
Alexa, Google, IFTTT, Z-Wave | Equipment list | View packages |
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Similarities
We love that both of these companies seem to look out for the customer. Both have no contract and offer inexpensive packages and monitoring.
No contract
Unlike some other big names in the industry (we’re looking at you ADT), neither SimpliSafe nor Blue make you sign a contract. While this means that you need to pay for your equipment up front, you won’t be locked into an agreement or pay a penalty if you decide to try a different security system company.
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Base kit price
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Highest kit price
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Build your own
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Number of kits
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Base kit includes
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Learn more
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SimpliSafe |
$244.96 | $504.86 | Starting at $199.98 | 5 | Base station, Keypad, Entry sensor, Motion sensor | View on SimpliSafe |
|
Blue by ADT |
$179.99 | $449.97 | Starting at $179.99 | 3 | Hub with built-in keypad, Door/window sensors (2), Yard sign, Window stickers | View on Blue by ADT |
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Cost
There isn’t much difference in price. Blue by ADT is slightly cheaper, but SimpliSafe offers more packages to choose from.
SimpliSafe has five home security system packages that range from about $245 to $500 You can DIY yourself a customized package too. Customized packages start around $200.
Blue by ADT has three packages that range from about $180 to $450. Custom packages start around $180.
Differences
While Blue has more pricey professional monitoring, it has the edge overall. SimpliSafe provides the knockout in the equipment, installation, and return policy categories, though.
Professional monitoring
Both SimpliSafe and Blue offer low monthly monitoring-plan fees. What you get for the price is where the brands differ. Let’s take a look at SimpliSafe’s most affordable package and Blue by ADT’s only package. As you can see, you get what you pay for.
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Cost
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Mobile app access
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Video storage
|
Smart home integration
|
Learn more
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SimpliSafe |
$17.99 |
No |
No |
No |
View on SimpliSafe |
|
Blue by ADT |
$19.99 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
View on Blue by ADT |
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
To get all of the features that the Blue by ADT plan offers, you’ll need to upgrade to SimpliSafe’s Interactive Plan for $27.99 per month. Since the premium package is less than $10 more, SimpliSafe and Blue by ADT are on even footing. We just want to make sure you don’t get fooled into thinking SimpliSafe is a bargain by looking at its lowest monthly package rate.
Both also allow you to go without a monitoring package, which we don’t recommend. Without monitoring, you lose too many features that make a security system useful.
You can learn more in our SimpliSafe monitoring packages guide.
Equipment
When it comes to equipment, SimpliSafe is the clear winner. SimpliSafe security systems offer you more ways to keep your home safe by offering a wider range of devices. Blue doesn’t have glass-break sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, panic buttons, or key fobs. Blue doesn’t have a smart lock either.
SimpliSafe base station, SimpliCam, key fob, entry sensor, keypad, and motion detector. Image: SafeWise
SimpliSafe equipment
- Base station
- Keypad
- Entry sensor
- Motion sensor
- Water sensor
- Glass-break sensor
- Panic button
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide sensor
- Temperature sensor
- Indoor camera
- Outdoor camera
- Key fob
- Extra siren
- Video doorbell
- Smartlock
Learn more about SimpliSafe’s equipment and compatibility here.
Blue by ADT equipment options. Image: ADT
Blue by ADT equipment
- Blue by ADT Smart Home Hub
- Keypad
- Window sensor
- Door sensor
- Motion sensor
- Flood and temperature sensor
- Doorbell camera
- Indoor camera
- Outdoor camera
- Google Nest Mini
- Extender and chime
- Wireless outdoor camera extra battery pack
Learn more about Blue by ADT’s equipment and compatibility here.
Cameras
SimpliSafe and Blue are more evenly matched now that SimpliSafe added an outdoor camera to its lineup. But we're happier with Blue's camera quality.
SimpliSafe has three cameras: the SimpliCam indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and the Doorbell Pro. You can also get a cover that works as a raincoat for SimpliCam to make it an outdoor camera.
Blue by ADT also has three security camera options, including an outdoor camera, an indoor camera, and a doorbell camera. Each offers 1080p video quality, which is the industry standard.
We've found SimpliSafe's cameras to be fairly basic. They'll get the job done, but Blue’s cameras inch above in our rankings with features like two-way talk and a slightly wider field of view.
Okay, so we’ve really talked up the Blue cameras, but they have one big problem. The price. Both Blue indoor and outdoor cameras cost $199.99, while SimpliSafe's outdoor cam costs $3o less. And the indoor SimpliCam comes in at just $99 versus the twice-as-expensive Blue indoor camera.
So how do the doorbell cameras stack up? They’re a little closer in price. The SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro is $169 and the Blue Doorbell Camera is $199.99. The features are similar too. Both have 1080p video, a wide field of view, two-way talk, and motion detection.
Installation
While both Blue by ADT and Simplisafe offer DIY installation, only SimpliSafe also offers professional installation. We like companies that give their customers choices. Some people like to dive in and install everything themselves, and others like to let someone with more experience tackle installing their home security system.
SimpliSafe’s installation fee is $99, which may make you want to try and install the system yourself. Installation is simple with both home security systems, so we don’t think you’ll have a problem. This guide to installing SimpliSafe will get you up and running in no time.
If you can’t decide on DIY vs. professional installation, take a look at our guide about the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Interactive monitoring customers get a lifetime hardware warranty and a 10% discount on all equipment. We think that's a pretty good deal.
Money-back guarantee
What happens if you choose your new home security system and find out you don’t like it? Well, both of these systems give you a window to return your equipment and get your money back.
Blue by ADT gives you just 30 days to get your money back on equipment and services. SimpliSafe gives you a 60-day window, which can give you more time to settle in, work out any bugs, and really get a feel for the equipment.
Winner: SimpliSafe beats Blue by ADT
While SimpliSafe and Blue by ADT are both great security systems, we have to give this one to SimpliSafe. It offers more ways to protect your home with a wide range of devices. Plus, you have the option to choose DIY or professional installation and have more days to return equipment. We love options.
- DIY or professional installation
- Wider selection of security equipment
- More affordable cameras
- Better return policy
- Better cameras
- One full-featured monitoring package
- Lower price for ugraded features
Still undecided? Read our full SimpliSafe and Blue by ADT reviews to learn more. Also, take a look at all our top security system picks.
How we decided: Blue by ADT vs. SimpliSafe
When choosing the best home security system in our SimpliSafe vs. Blue by ADT review, we did hundreds of hours of research and hands-on testing. We combined that with decades of safety and security experience.
To learn more about how Safewise reviews products and services, check out our methodology page.
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