When choosing a security system for the small business, you have two main options: you can self-install a wireless network or hire a professional to install a hardwired one.

Inside this guide, we’ll compare the two choices using SimpliSafe and ADT as examples of — two trusted brands which best represent the two options, respectively. SimpliSafe is one of the most common do-it-yourself small business security suppliers while ADT is the largest supplier of professionally installed programs.

Best Business Security System: SimpliSafe

We advocate SimpliSafe as the very best security system for smaller companies because it provides a solid level of security for a far lower cost than ADT and without a long-term contract dedication.

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SimpliSafe vs. ADT Replies Table

	SimpliSafe	ADT
Original Hardware Price Learn More	From $185	From $400
Installation Price	None	$399
Monthly Service Cost	From $15	From $57.99
24/7 Tracking Know More	✔	✔
Video Surveillance	✔	✔
Minimum Contract Commitment	None	Three years
Early Cancellation Fee	None	90% of remaining balance
Setup	Can it yourself	Installed by ADT technicians
Hardware Warranty	Three decades	90 days
Customer Support Learn More	Online knowledge base, email, and telephone assistance from 6:00am to 12:00am, Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday to Sunday EST	Online knowledge base, email, live chat, and telephone support available 24/7
Site	www.SimpliSafe.com	www.ADT.com

Best Total Safety System for Small Firms: SimpliSafe

Most small companies have similar needs in their security system: detect intruders via sensors and sound an alarm that notifies authorities when triggered. SimpliSafe provides this system for a fraction of the price of ADT and the majority of other competitors.

As a self-installed program, SimpliSafe mails you gear with instructions to install it on your own. Even though this might sound intimidating, the installation procedure is extremely user-friendly. Customers overwhelmingly reported that it was simple and simple to set up. Some, but did notice that it took a few trial and error to fine tune the machine to their particular needs.

Besides having lower costs, SimpliSafe is exceptional because they do not expect a contract because of their tracking service. This makes it a much more flexible solution — it is possible to cancel, upgrade or downgrade your service at any given moment. Additionally, it is simple and cheap to relocate your ceremony, should your business change places.

In the previous version of this manual, we noted that among the advantages that ADT has over SimpliSafe is they provide video surveillance. Nevertheless, in this time, SimpliSafe has included video surveillance, closing the feature gap between them and ADT even further.

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Best Security System with Advanced Features for Small Firms: ADT

If your small business needs more innovative features in its own security program, then ADT could possibly be worth the extra cost over SimpliSafe. Some of these added conveniences include fob key entry and remote office control, like the capability to lock/unlock doorways or fix lighting remotely by a smartphone program.

ADT’s equipment is also generally more dependable with a few clients noting that it is more sensitive and more powerful compared to SimpliSafe’s. At the same time, ADT’s hardwired installation procedure means it doesn’t have to rely on battery power. For the majority of small companies, the marginal gains in security from ADT won’t justify the extra cost. However, for companies in more high-risk businesses, ADT may be an essential choice.

The main drawback to ADT is its high cost ($58/month vs. $15/mo for SimpliSafe). Additionally, as a more established security company, ADT has more of an”old school” business strategy: all equipment needs to be serviced and installed by ADT technicians, clients are required to sign a three-year contract with high early cancellation fees, and their pricing structure is not publically accessible. These caveats have caused difficulties for some customers who want more flexibility and flexibility in their own service providers.

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In-Depth Comparison: SimpliSafe vs. ADT

Ease of Setup & Use

This is only one of the major differences between SimpliSafe and ADT. SimpliSafe is self-installed, meaning that you will mount the sensors and cameras and connect them to your base station and keypad your self, while ADT can simply be set up by an ADT technician.

SimpliSafe: SimpliSafe is a do it yourself security system, so your sensors, base station, and keypad have to be set up by you. The gear is wireless and usually mounted with an adhesive pad, so the setup work is fairly mild. SimpliSafe also provides telephone support to help walk you through the process. Based on customer reviews, the setup procedure is relatively straightforward and you can expect it to take approximately 30 minutes to finish.

ADT: ADT finishes all the hardware installation themselves and charges $399 for your service. ADT also requires any repairs or upgrades be completed by their own technicians as well, which is an additional cost based on what’s required. This makes the setup process as simple as possible for you, but adds to ADT’s already expensive price.

Characteristics

Here are some of the primary attributes that both SimpliSafe and ADT include:

Control panel to arm and disarm the system
Motion sensors that detect any motion Once the system is equipped and sound an alarm when triggered
Door detectors that detect the doors opening when the system is armed and sound an alarm when triggered
Glass break sensors that detect broken windows Once the system is equipped and sound an alarm when triggered
Emergency switch to manually set off an alarm Once the system is unarmed

Both systems also offer you optional add-ons, such as water and freeze sensors. If triggered, these will seem your alarm and contact the dispatching service just the same as a break-in. There’s also optional accessories that you can buy, for example keychain remotes to arm/disarm the system, extra sirens, and lawn signs to warn potential intruders.

SimpliSafe: SimpliSafe and ADT equally provide the simple security features you need to help protect your business. Including sensors that are triggered by break-ins along with a 24/7 tracking service that connects you and your local authorities.

ADT: ADT also offers some innovative security features that SimpliSafe does not, including:

Fob keychain entrance so that employees can unlock and enter your business and you are provided with a log of that entered your business and if

Price

There are three costs you’ll incur with any security system: hardware, setup, and monthly monitoring. SimpliSafe’s hardware begins at $185, there are no installation costs because it’s a do-it-yourself system, and yearly monitoring begins at $14.99. ADT is more expensive. Their hardware starts at about $400, installation is $399, and yearly monitoring starts at $57.99.

SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe’s offers many hardware packages, ranging from $185 to $540, based upon your business’ size and needs. For extra savings, refurbished hardware can be sometimes available for purchase.

For ongoing monitoring, SimpliSafe includes two monthly pricing plans:

	Standard	Interactive
Monthly Cost	$14.99	$24.99
Features	24/7 monitoring Contact one and the Regional authorities on security violation Cellular link	Typical features, plus: Remote system control via smartphone app Text and email alarms

1 important note about SimpliSafe is that, unlike ADT, they don’t require you to devote to any contract length. Their monthly monitoring service continues on a month-to-month basis. In comparison, ADT requires you to dedicate to some three-year contract.

ADT

ADT doesn’t make their pricing available on their site. Instead, they need that one of their sales representatives see your business to supply a quote for monitoring and hardware.

According to our study, you can expect to pay a minimum of around $400 to your hardware, but this cost can quickly grow based upon the size of your company that requires sealing. As well, the fine print on ADT’s site claims that installment is $399 and that their monthly monitoring fee is a minimum of $57.99 with a three-year contract commitment and also a 90% early cancellation fee.

Customer Support

SimpliSafe: SimipliSafe makes customer service available through an internet knowledge base, email, and telephone support from 6:00am to 12:00am, Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday to Sunday EST..

Customer testimonials indicate a positive encounter with SimpliSafe overall, but notice some lengthy hold times on the telephone and difficulty getting answers to more technical questions.

ADT: along with an online knowledge base, ADT is available for customer support via email, live chat, and phone 24/7. However, customer reviews indicate a largely negative view of ADT’s support because of unexpected fees, such as service and repair fees, moving fees, and expensive early cancellation fees (90 percent of your remaining contract).

Bottom Line: Best Business Security System

While ADT is the leader in business safety, we urge SimpliSafe in almost all cases. They offer you a more economical solution, from the initial hardware and installation to the ongoing monthly monitoring charges, in addition to the flexibility of no permanent contracts and greater customer experiences overall.