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ADT vs. Protect America
Published on December 22, 2020
3 min read
Last Updated: several months ago
Protect America has stopped selling home security for the foreseeable future. Our recommendation still stands, it's just . . . moot.
We recommend only two security companies with a landline option: ADT and Protect America. How do they compare to each other? And which is the better option?
Let’s find out.
ADT vs. Protect America package comparison
Data effective 12/22/2020. Offers subject to change.
Professional monitoring
Although Protect America has DIY installation, it, like ADT, offers professional monitoring services.
What we like about ADT
We talk about this every time ADT comes up, but we’ll say it again: the name. The brand. The reputation. It offers a level of protection that a lesser-known company can’t conjure. ADT looms behind you like a bigger and older sibling on the playground, ready to safeguard against anyone foolish enough to mess with you.
But if you get ADT and decide, “Hey, this isn’t for me,” then you can cancel and get your money back. Not at any time—the offer’s good only during the first six months of your contract. Still, it’s a fabulous safety net in case things don’t work out.
Lastly, if you ever have an issue, you can call ADT at literally any time. Its agents are available 24/7, which is incredibly reassuring when your safety’s on the line.
Lastly, if you ever have an issue, you can call ADT at literally any time. Its agents are available 24/7, which is incredibly reassuring when your safety’s on the line.
What we like about Protect America
$19.99 a month is an absolute steal. Sure, it’s for landline service, but that’s close to half of what ADT charges for the same thing.
Even if you choose to pay the more exorbitant sum of $41.99 a month for cellular service with Protect America, you get some major benefits for the price. The biggest one is Protect America’s equipment warranty. You break it; the company buys a replacement. Easy peasy.
Also, because Protect America is a DIY system, it’s not hard to take down and set back up. That makes it a good call for renters or anyone else who’s nervous about signing a three-year contract due to an unpredictable living situation.
ADT vs. Protect America security systems equipment
With either ADT or Protect America, you’ll get a system that revolves around a control panel. Both brands offer door and window sensors, security cameras, and home automation through a mobile app. ADT’s selection is larger though; with SafeStreets (the ADT authorized dealer we recommend), you can also get devices like glass break sensors, door locks, and doorbell cameras.
ADT and Protect America pros comparison
What we don’t like about ADT
ADT’s lowest monthly price is $27.99 for landline. For some companies, that’s the max cellular price. So basically, compared to the rest of the market, ADT is hecka expensive when it comes to monthly fees.
Landline vs. cellular
Landline-based alarm systems use your landline to connect to a monitoring center, while cellular-based systems use cell data. These are the two most popular ways to connect an alarm system by far. Landline systems are cheaper since they’re hardwired. They’re more reliable because they’re hardwired, but they’re easier to sabotage. Cellular systems are more expensive, partly because they’re close to impossible for an intruder to disable.
It’s harder for us to judge ADT’s equipment prices because, well, we don’t know what they are. ADT won’t tell us. The reps won’t tell you, either, until you start pursuing a contract with the company. Boo.
What we don’t like about Protect America
Consumer reviews indicate that Protect America’s cancellation process is a mystical experience. You have to talk on the phone and sign a cancellation form. But you might not be able to get ahold of someone on the phone. Even if you do, the form may or may not make it to you.
Even if you’re not trying to cancel, you can’t get to Protect America phone reps at all hours of the day. You’re limited to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. So when your alarm system starts blinking rapidly at 4:30 a.m. on a Sunday, you’ll have to wait four and a half hours for troubleshooting help.
Worse than that, Protect America’s pretty cagey about what time zone its customer service operates in. So it’s hard to even know if the hours on the website will work where you live.
You could try contacting Protect America through its live chat, but there are no guarantees you’ll get the help you need.
ADT and Protect America cons comparison
Which one should you choose?
There’s a reason we call Protect America “the best landline option.”
If you’re looking for landline-based security, we wholeheartedly recommend Protect America. Its landline price makes way more sense than ADT’s.
But if you’re just looking for the best security possible, we recommend ADT over Protect America. ADT has its issues, but its name recognition goes far.
Want to learn more?
If you’re still waffling, we’d love to give you a hand. Here are a few other resources to help you decide:
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