ADT vs Cove
Last updated July 2026
ADT
Always there, for over 145 years
Advantages
- Largest professional monitoring network with 6 monitoring centers
- Professional installation ensures every sensor is optimally placed
- Google Nest integration for smart home devices and cameras
- 24/7 professional monitoring with police, fire, and medical dispatch
- Longest track record and brand recognition in home security
Drawbacks
- 3-year contract required with early termination fees
- Monthly monitoring costs are significantly higher than SimpliSafe
- Equipment costs are high upfront or rolled into financing
- Installation scheduling adds days or weeks to setup
- Customer complaints about cancellation difficulty are common
Cove
DIY home security with cheaper monitoring and 60-day guarantee
Advantages
- Cheaper monitoring: $17.99/mo Basic, $27.99/mo Plus
- 60-day risk-free trial with full refund
- InstaText and RapidResponse, text confirmations sent before dispatch
- Equipment fully owned by the customer after purchase
- Easy DIY setup, no professional installation required
Drawbacks
- Smaller equipment lineup than SimpliSafe
- Camera options fewer than SimpliSafe or Ring
- Newer brand, fewer public reviews than SimpliSafe
ADT and Cove both play in home security, but they're aimed at different buyers. ADT is built for homeowners who want professional installation, maximum monitoring reliability, and don't mind a long-term contract. Cove is built for homeowners who want cheaper monitoring and are OK with a smaller ecosystem. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ADT | Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring Price | $28-$60/mo depending on package | $17.99/mo Basic; $27.99/mo Plus (video and smart features) |
| Contract Required | 3-year contract with early termination fee | None, month-to-month |
| Equipment Kits | $200-$1,000+ upfront or financed | $150-$400+ starter kits |
| Smart Home Protocols | Google Nest integration, Z-Wave devices | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Cellular Backup | -- | Yes on paid monitoring plans |
| Money-Back Guarantee | -- | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| App Experience | ADT+ app for control and monitoring | Solid iOS/Android app; InstaText for quick response |
| Installation | Professional (included or fee-based) | Not offered, DIY only |
| Monitoring Infrastructure | 6 redundant monitoring centers, 24/7 | -- |
| Camera Options | Indoor, outdoor, doorbell cameras available | -- |
Too Close to Call
ADT and Cove land roughly even overall; the right pick depends on which of their strengths matters more to you.
ADT's standout strength: the largest professional monitoring network with 6 redundant centers, professional installation, and 145 years of track record. Cove's standout strength: cheaper monitoring ($17.99/mo Basic, $27.99/mo Plus), a 60-day risk-free trial, and no contract. Neither dominates across the board. ADT's biggest drawback: 3-year contract with early termination fees. Cove's biggest drawback: smaller equipment lineup than SimpliSafe. Pick ADT for the reliability of a large monitoring network with professional installation; pick Cove for cheaper monitoring with no commitment.
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