ADT Self Setup Review

ADT Self Setup (formerly Blue by ADT) offers a rare combo of free home security self-monitoring with total app access. And if you decide you want the pros to keep an eye on your system for a while, you get to hand the reins to ADT's monitoring centers without signing a contract.

But ADT's Self Setup equipment selection falls short. If you want smart home automation features or environmental sensors, you'll have to find a compatible third-party brand.

We've got the full scoop on what else you can expect with ADT Self Setup.

When it comes to professional monitoring, it doesn’t get much simpler than ADT Self Setup. There’s only one plan, and it’s a straightforward $24.99 per month—or $34.99 if you add security cameras. Here’s a look at what you get.

Our favorite thing about ADT’s Self Setup professional monitoring plan is that you can get it on a month-to-month basis. This is a big game changer for ADT.

Up until now, your only option with any ADT home security system was a three-year commitment that required you to pay 75% of the total contract no matter what. That means you’d still end up paying for the service—even if you cancelled ADT.

We’re glad to see ADT giving consumers another option that provides the reassurance of a well-known security brand without tying you to a long, expensive contract.

To dig into the differences between these two offerings, check out our ADT vs. ADT Self Setup review.

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If you're looking for something ultra simple and affordable but backed by a trustworthy and stable monitoring company, ADT Self Setup is an excellent option.

ADT Self Setup doesn't tend to rank highly in our best-of lists compared to brands like Vivint, SimpliSafe, or Frontpoint. The difference comes down to a lack of features and equipment on ADT Self Setups part. "Bare bones" is the best way to describe this system and the monitoring perks, but its price reflects that. 

ADT's Self Setup professional monitoring price (about $25/mo.) is fairly affordable—especially now that other brands have increased their prices. We've seen incremental price increases from SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Cove, Ring Alarm, Abode, and Wyze Home Monitoring over the last year or two, and ADT Self Setup's price recently increased as well. 

ADT's DIY option is the exact opposite of traditional full-service ADT in nearly every way except the monitoring professionals—they're the same experienced folks who monitor traditional ADT security systems. 

• Whereas ADT requires professional hardwired installation, Self Setup is DIY and wireless.
• Traditional ADT requires contracts, but Self Setup customers pay month-to-month with no cancellation fees.
• Traditional ADT stipulates that you must own your home—Self Setup is renter-friendly. 
• Traditional ADT equipment is virtually useless without a monitoring contract, but Self Setup's equipment can be self-monitored.

Another significant difference is that ADT Self Setup offers fewer equipment options than you'll find in a traditional ADT system—or most of its competitors. For example, there's no smart lock, garage door controller, extra siren, glass break sensor, CO detector, or smart home devices like smart thermostats or smart plugs. But thanks to Self Setup's Z-Wave compatibility, you can purchase third-party products that integrate with the system. It's just a little more of a hassle and a gamble versus getting everything from the same company.

ADT Self Setup doesn’t offer anything too fancy when it comes to equipment, but we like the multiple camera options and the fact that everyone gets full access to the ADT+ app—whether you opt for the monitoring plan or not.

The wireless DIY setup also makes ADT a useful home security system option for renters or others who may move before the end of a 36-month contract.

Take a look at the ADT Self Setup equipment that’s included in most system packages. 

You can also buy some Google Nest products at the same time, like the Nest Mini or the Nest Hub. Because ADT allows you to disarm your system with a voice command and PIN code, it's one of our favorite Google-compatible home security systems.

One of the coolest things about ADT Self Setup is its native support for Google Nest cameras. ADT is the only company with this functionality, which is a powerful addition to an already stellar DIY security system.

Using Google Nest cameras with your system requires a Nest Aware plan in addition to professional monitoring ($35/mo.), at least if you buy your cameras from ADT. However, we're not sure how this works for folks who already own Nest cameras when signing up.

Get full control over your ADT Self Setup security system and cameras with this free mobile app that’s available to every ADT Self Setup customer. The ADT+ app is where you can add and remove smart home devices and control your connected gadgets.

Other security systems (including ADT’s professionally installed systems) force you to upgrade if you want remote access to your system via an app. We were delighted to see ADT Self Setup throw out that practice.

Whether or not you add 24/7 monitoring to your Self Setup security system, you can take full advantage of everything the mobile app has to offer.

• Remote arm and disarm
• Live video watching
• Saved media archive
• Push notifications
• Two-way talk (with compatible equipment)
• Smart home controls
• Area crime map

But, as with any new venture, users have reported a slew of glitches and bugs in the app.

Some folks keep getting logged out of the app, so every time they want to check in on their house or get an alert, they’re required to log in. Those few seconds can make a difference when you’re talking about the security of your home.

Other issues include lots of freezing and a buggy user interface that covers up the buttons you need to use the app. Updates have been released that aim to address a lot of these issues.

We definitely like the claims about what you can do in the app. The next step will be more positive reports that those features actually work consistently.

ADT Self Setup is fully IFTTT compatible and works with Google Assistant^† and Amazon Alexa.

Until now, smart home limitations have been a consistent disappointment with ADT’s professionally installed security systems. To get home automation, you had to upgrade to the more expensive (now defunct) ADT Pulse plan.

We’re happy to see a new ADT option with built-in smart home compatibility at an entry-level price.

Thanks to Z-Wave Plus and IFTTT compatibility, you can connect your Blue security system to everything from the porch light to the smart thermostat. That’s especially convenient if you’ve been controlling your smart home gadgets in a number of different apps.

Having one place for home automation to live makes it easier to set up routines and maximize your household (and lifestyle) convenience and efficiency. The only caveat is waiting for the app to be more reliable.

In addition to IFTTT and Z-Wave Plus compatibility, Self Setup is compatible with many home automation brands.

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant and Nest
• Philips Hue
• Lutron
• Sonos
• iRobot

Because we haven’t finished our in-home test of ADT's DIY option, we don’t have a full report about how it's performing when it comes to taking care of customers. But here are a few important things we’ve discovered so far.

To get ADT Self Setup, all you have to do is pick the equipment you want, add it to your cart, and click "Buy Now." This is a stark contrast from ADT’s traditional sales process that requires both a phone call and an in-home security consultation. (Though the company's improving on this front as well.)

If you like to shop with as little human interaction as possible (I feel you), now you can—no need to make a new best friend in the process (woot!).

ADT Self Setup has an impressive collection of help articles and videos that walk you through installation, troubleshooting, and commonly asked questions. In addition, there’s a separate support portal that offers even more options for help.

If the online resources just don’t cut it for you, you can contact ADT for personal assistance:

• Call 1-877-464-7437

There's even an online chat option in the ADT Support Center. We like the option to do a quick chat with a tech or customer service representative (instead of waiting on an email or getting involved in a phone call).

ADT Self Setup is a breath of fresh air from security stalwart ADT. If you’ve wanted ADT home security but the long contracts and expensive monitoring made you gunshy, this DIY offering is your solution. Here’s a recap of our favorite perks:

• No contracts
• Self-monitoring option
• Excellent security cameras
• ADT Monitoring for just $24.99 per month
• Free mobile app
• Human-free purchase process

Here’s where we’d like to see Self Setup continue to improve:

• Address mobile app bugs
• Work on smart camera pricing
• Implement Apple HomeKit compatibility

If you don't see your question below, check out our full ADT Self Setup FAQ page.

On top of online research and conversations with ADT representatives, we got to check out all of ADT's offerings at CES in Las Vegas. We lined up what we know about this DIY offering from ADT against all the other systems we’ve tested to give you a comprehensive overview.

The key factors we compared include:

• Price
• Overall value
• Reputation
• Smart home compatibility
• Quality
• Features

• SimpliSafe vs. ADT Self Setup
• Home Security Alternatives to ADT
• Best Home Security Systems
• Security System Installation: Professional vs. DIY
• Best Wireless Security Cameras