As home security systems continue to develop and evolve, two systems that stand out from the rest are Bay Alarm and ADT. If you’re in the market for a home security system, these are solid options to keep your home protected and safe.
For example, having ADT’s blue sign in your yard might deter would-be thieves from attempting to break into your home. Or maybe it’s Bay Alarm’s staff checking things out with its Vacation Watch team. Either way, you know your home and your loved ones are safe and sound.
No matter why you’re considering a smart security system, you probably want to know more about each company. When it comes to ADT vs Bay Alarm, which is better for you and your home? That’s why we’re here. We want to help you by pointing out the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision.
Main Differences Between ADT and Bay Alarm
- Service Area – Perhaps the biggest difference between the two security systems is the areas where they offer their services. At this time, Bay Alarm is only available in California, Phoenix, and Seattle. If you’re outside of that area, you can’t use Bay Alarm. ADT, on the other hand, is available anywhere in the United States.
- Monitoring Centers – Bay Alarm has only one monitoring station, located in Northern California. ADT, on the other hand, has one central station in Colorado, with nine others throughout Canada and the United States
- Initial Cost – While Alarm Bay requires that its clients pay for hardware upfront, ADT sends equipment to its customers at no charge. The only charge ADT users pay for is the cost of installation, which varies depending on their package.
Bay Alarm vs. ADT
ADT is one of the most recognizable security companies in the United States. It has more than a century of experience in home security and is well-known for having excellent monitoring and high-quality equipment.
Bay Alarm has over 70 years in the home security market and is popular for its 24-hour live monitoring and fantastic customer support. While these two companies share many of the same features, top of the line security systems, they have their differences as well, which we’ve pointed out for you.
When it comes to home security, many people want to find a way to keep their families and property safe. While some wireless security systems allow you to monitor your home on your own, Bay Alarm and ADT track burglary activity while also keeping an eye out for flood, fire, or carbon monoxide issues.
Both Bay Alarm and ADT include all of these features and then some. However, ADT provides options which will appeal to those that are looking for more budget-friendly choices. Plus, users can move throughout the country without worrying about paying fees for canceling their service.
Additionally, both alarm companies require you use a professional for installation. Both provide 24/7 monitoring, doorbell cameras, home automation, medical alarm systems, and fire and smoke detection.
Device and Sensors
The primary task of motion detectors is to determine when an intruder is nearby and send a notification to the control panel. Then, the control panel alerts the central monitoring station so appropriate responders can be dispatched if necessary.
However, the motion sensor type makes a big difference, as does its placement. Fortunately, both ADT and Bay Alarm offer top of the line motion sensors, live surveillance, and environmental sensors.
ADT
The basic package for ADT comes with three entryway detection sensors, a backup battery which will provide energy for 24-hours, and all your standard ADT decals and signage. Plus, you’ll get ADT’s standard 24-hour professional monitoring services.
A really nice bonus with selecting ADT is the pet sensors included with most packages. Depending on how big or small your pet is, they might set off your motion alarm or sensors. But with ADT’s sensors, they can tell the difference between humans and animals, so you don’t need to worry about alarms going off for no reason.
Bay Alarm
When it comes to Bay Alarm systems, you’ll get a keypad or a touchscreen panel. Users have multiple options form which to choose which give them complete control over their system functionality. Bay Alarms can customize these to make them more interactive.
Bay Alarm also has its share of sensors, which it refers to as BayGuard sensors. These sensors use infrared and heat-sensing technology to protect against intruders. Installation professionals place these sensors in your hallways, kitchen, stairways, bedrooms, and several other areas throughout your home.
Live Surveillance
Both ADT and Bay Alarm offer great outdoor and indoor security cameras for live surveillance feeds. They also offer video doorbell cameras so you can see who is at your door no matter where you are. Using these live streams allows you to save and record a video right from your computer or smartphone.
If you have children or aging parents in your home, live surveillance hardware is especially nice to have. To that point, Bay Alarm provides goes above and beyond by providing a personal response system which also includes a wall button, a fall detection button, and free spousal monitoring for those that need it.
Monitoring Services
Of course, along with the best equipment you can get, you also want to have high-quality monitoring services. These are an essential piece of any home security system. Knowing you have a company with trained professionals monitoring your home helps to keep your mind at ease.
How Do They Work?
So, how, exactly, do monitoring services work? When one of your sensors is tripped, your alarm system goes into action. Depending on your system, it could emit a high-decibel siren or send out a silent alarm. If it’s a silent alarm, a notification is sent to the home security company monitoring your home. At that point, the appropriate emergency response team is dispatched to your home.
Bay Alarm and ADT both offer 24/7 monitoring which is continuously staffed. That means someone is always available to respond and address your emergencies. When a dispatcher is alerted, your company will reach out to determine whether or not the emergency is legitimate.
If the notification was a false alarm, the dispatcher will then cancel it and contact the local authorities. However, if you cannot be reached, the monitoring team will assume the alert is an emergency.
Bay Alarm and ADT both manage and operate their own monitoring stations. Bay Alarm offers one center which resides in Northern California. ADT, on the other hand, has one primary monitoring station in Colorado, with nine other centers located throughout the US and Canada.
With multiple centers, ADT can offer its services to a wide range of areas and locations in the United States. It also serves as a way for the security company to provide its customers with reliable and dependable service.
To keep customers happy in the home security business, a company must provide excellent monitoring and quick response times. An automatic and swift response time when there’s an emergency is a necessity, and choosing a company with 24-hour monitoring provides it.
As you make your decision regarding home security, do some digging into what the company offers in the way of monitoring technology. Also, be sure to check out their feedback and service ratings.
Smart Integration
It used to be that when your home was broken into, your security system would go off, sounding a loud alarm in the process. If the system was monitored, your home security company would alert the authorities and tell them there was an intrusion.
Today, these same alarms still go off, however, they are not as easily tricked or messed with as the systems of old. For example, a wireless system will stream live video or send out images of exactly what’s going on in and around your home at any time.
If you have an older adult or children in your home, you have the ability to ensure they’re safe with the live feed feature. These systems will also notify you via text or email to let you know the moment someone unauthorized is near your home.
However, now that smart home automation and smart home security are working together, things are even easier. For example, you can control your equipment remotely to give off the impression that someone is home, even when you’re not.
Both ADT and Bay Alarm provides smart home automation for their customers. When you have these types of features, you have complete control over your thermostat, door locks, lights, and more. It’s total home control at its finest.
Bay Alarm and ADT also offer environmental detectors as part of some of their packages. These help to inform you of events like water leakage, fire, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, with the control of your thermostat, you’re not wasting energy on unnecessary heating or cooling.
Cost
You’ll get similar technologies and features whether you decide to go with Bay Alarm or ADT. However, both also require a three-year contract when you sign up, along with professional installation. This has its advantages and disadvantages.
The drawback, of course, is that you’re locked into the system for three years, which is a long commitment. On the other hand, it’s always nice to have someone come and do the installation for you. That way, you’re not messing with where to install devices and how to install them correctly.
Installation professionals will come and install all your security equipment, along with any additional keypads, detectors, or components.
Prior to installing equipment, Bay Alarm sends out a team member to do a security overview of your home. When that is complete, you’ll get a quote and then purchase your system. Because of this, it’s tough to pin down the actual cost of a Bay Alarm home security system.
However, you will have a monthly fee, along with an installation charge. Your monthly fee will depend largely on which type of system you decide to install. You’ll get a 90-day money-back guarantee when choosing to go with Bay Alarm.
ADT, on the other hand, does things a bit differently. The home security company will send out the equipment for you for free. ADT clients only pay for installation, which varies depending on which package they choose.
Comparison Chart
Here’s a look at how these two companies compare with one another in many different areas of home security.
|
Bay Alarm |
ADT Security |
|
|
Installation |
Professional installer |
Professional installer |
|
Wireless Sensors |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Even Triggered Alarm |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Control Panel |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Intrusion Sensors |
Doors, Windows, Garage Door, Glass Break, Motion, and Recessed Door Sensors |
Doors, Windows, Garage Door, Glass Break, Motion, and Recessed Door Sensors |
|
Surveillance Equipment |
Outdoor Cameras, Indoor Cameras, Doorbell Cameras, Live Surveillance, Tilt & Pan Cameras |
Outdoor Cameras, Indoor Cameras, Doorbell Cameras, Live Surveillance, Tilt & Pan Cameras |
|
Environmental Sensors |
Flood, Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and Temperature Sensors |
Flood, Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and Temperature Sensors |
|
Professional Monitoring |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Monitoring Centers |
1 |
9 |
|
Contract Required |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Contract Length |
Three Years |
Three Years |
|
Google Home |
No |
Yes |
|
Amazon Alexa |
No |
Yes |
|
Z-Wave |
Yes |
No |
|
iOS |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Android |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Alerts |
Email and Text |
Email and Text |
|
Remote Arm and Disarm |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Home Automation |
Yes |
Yes |
Bay Alarm vs. ADT: Which One Works for You?
These two security systems have a lot in common. They both offer smart home integration, excellent monitoring services, and great home security systems. However, you’ll also be roped into a three-year contract no matter which one you choose.
For us here at All Home Robotics, the choice really boils down to convenience. If you live in California, Arizona, or Seattle, then Bay Alarm might be a good choice. But what are you going to do if you have to leave those areas and relocate? You’re left with a three-year contract hanging over your head.
Comparatively, ADT provides service throughout the United States and in Canada. That means if you have to move, your service and all your equipment can go with you. In our opinion, this makes much more sense.
Plus, ADT sends your equipment to you asking for no upfront costs other than paying for installation. That’s why we’re choosing ADT over Bay Alarm when it comes to deciding between these two top of the line home security systems.
Further read:
As someone that previously had ADT, I would never go with them again. The 3-year contact you sign is a unilateral contract. That contract allows them to up their price whenever they want and you are stuck with paying the higher fees. The contract does not lock a price in and when they up the price, you have no recourse and if you want to cancel the contract, you have to pay to cancel it through an early termination fee (ETF).
If someone wants a monitored system, there are plenty of local companies that offer this service. Does a national player really matter? ADT has higher costs by being a larger player and more locations. More locations means higher expenses and more “management” jobs. ADT also outsources the majority of the installs. A local company more likely would have installers on staff and you will deal with less people.
All of the equipment that ADT offers is produced by a company that is in the alarm business. So it is not like ADT is going to have exclusive products.