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ADT Small Business Security Review
Table of Contents
- ADT has 12 monitoring centers across the country; some cater specifically to business customers, allowing for highly efficient professional monitoring.
- It offers a theft protection guarantee of $500 off the insurance deductible if an event occurs while the security system is armed.
- ADT offers a free, professional consultation to help build a bespoke system suited to your needs.
- ADT is not transparent about its pricing and requires you to request a quote from the sales team before proceeding.
- Although its cameras are highly capable, they are not quite as advanced or well integrated as those from SimpliSafe, which allows agents to look and speak through a camera during an incident.
- ADT’s monitoring service requires a binding contract, which is usually three years but can run longer.
Business security systems provide peace of mind and help to foster business growth. While basic systems provide standard, key features — such as intrusion detection and glass-break alarms — more advanced systems include continuous video playback and environmental controls.
We ultimately chose ADT Business Security as the best security system for small businesses because of its wealth of features, easy-to-use interface and equipment quality. ADT Business Security includes all of the expected security system features a business might need, like intrusion detection, while also featuring advanced smart environment features. These capabilities are backed by ADT’s 150 years of experience in the field and its top-of-the-line range of security appliances.
ADT Editor's Rating:
9.2 / 10
- Equipment
- 9.5/10
- Ease of use
- 9.2/10
- Features and technology
- 9.5/10
- Customer service
- 8.5/10
- Value
- 9.2/10
Why We Chose ADT for Small Business Security
Businesses have no shortage of options for security providers, which also include Vivint, SimpliSafe and Lorex. However, we found that ADT’s solutions, experience and equipment helped to separate it from other security providers. ADT is not the cheapest option, but we believe the value ADT provides is worth the additional cost.
In particular, we loved how ADT does not provide a one-size-fits-all approach to security. Instead, ADT customizes a bespoke security solution to each business based on a range of factors, including their industry, business layout, overall size and location. This level of attention differentiates ADT from some DIY security providers, like SimpliSafe, which, while still offering quality products, does not provide quite the same level of detail.
ADT offers a range of monitoring equipment and mobile applications. Source: ADT
ADT’s bespoke solutions are also backed by its quality of monitoring and response speed. ADT has been in the business for 150 years and has 12 professional monitoring sites across the United States. This geographic dispersal of sites helps ADT maintain incredibly fast response times. We’ve found that ADT can consistently respond to security alerts in under 60 seconds, thus helping to limit the damage of any incident.
This fast response time is particularly helpful as ADT’s higher-tier packages go beyond simple intrusion detection. ADT can provide environmental sensors for triggers such as flood monitoring and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as environmental controls, like lighting and temperature control. These features provide peace of mind that an overnight fire or a broken pipe will be addressed quickly and will not destroy your business, while also making your office more comfortable for your employees.
Ease of Use
We were impressed with how easy ADT’s business security system was to use. The security platform comes equipped with ADT Control, a mobile application that allows remote control of the system. At higher tiers, the ADT app can also allow you to control automations; settings for smart office elements, like lights; alert notifications; a camera monitoring feed; and easy access control elements for sensitive areas.
The ADT Control app also impressed us with how well it, along with ADT security systems, integrates with smart and mobile devices. The app is available on iOS and Android phones, as well as on Apple Watch, iPad, and Android devices running Android 7.0 and up. The app also enables ADT to integrate with a range of third-party smart devices.
We were particularly impressed by how well ADT integrated with smart voice assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Vivint can also do this, but SimpliSafe lacks these integrations. ADT’s integration also allows you to create scenes and schedules across devices, which can then be triggered through voice commands or the mobile app.
ADT’s mobile app makes it straightforward to control all aspects of your security system. Source: ADT
Although we enjoyed the overall power of having this wide breadth of options, the level of customization the system offers can be overwhelming. The documentation in this area could also use some work. However, we did find customer service very helpful, and ADT’s security consultants can help set up the system.
ADT also features a physical touchscreen control panel. We found this panel responsive and easy to navigate. We thought the control panel was visually appealing as well. This was another difference between ADT and SimpliSafe; the latter still features a traditional keypad security system hub.
Features
ADT business security comes with all of the intrusion security features a business should need, but higher tiers and add-ons provide even greater functionality. All of these factors earned ADT a spot on our recommendation list.
Intrusion Detection
Beyond all the glitz and glam, business security systems are useless if they cannot detect and respond to basic security incidents. At the core of each of ADT’s business security offerings is intrusion detection, a holdup alarm that acts as a panic button, and optional temperature and flood monitoring. These offerings are supported by high-end ADT equipment, including motion detection, glass-break detection, and door and window sensors.
Video Surveillance
ADT offers a range of high-quality cameras that impressed us with both their variety and functionality. In particular, we appreciated how cameras came with 24/7 monitoring, with the option for footage to be saved locally or in the cloud. We found this particularly worthwhile, as it helps give a business liability protection for more than just a security incident. For comparison, other security companies, such as SimpliSafe and Lorex, record footage only during triggering events.
However, we did not like that video monitoring was available only at the highest package tier. Additionally, ADT’s cameras are more expensive than those from competitors such as Lorex, making video surveillance a significant investment.
ADT’s app can show live feeds of each camera in your system, which allows for quick and easy monitoring. Source: ADT
Environmental Control
Beyond core security, ADT business security adds the option for smart business automations. For example, through the app, users can remotely manage lighting or automate on/off schedules, automate climate control schedules, and automate elements like doors locking or unlocking.
None of these options are fully necessary, especially not for a small business. However, we appreciated that the functions can help save time and money through energy savings.
Access Control
Most small businesses will not need to invest in dedicated access control. However, for specific businesses that do need to implement another level of security, ADT’s access control add-on package is a standout. It adds two-way video intercoms, programmable key cards and key-card readers, and mobile access to your phone.
We were also impressed with how easy it was to quickly grant or revoke access to employees through the app. This seamless process streamlines access control, which is notoriously difficult to implement and keep up to date. This added layer of security can help businesses comply with regulations like HIPAA, which requires paper and electronic health records to be protected from data breaches.
Smart Device Integration
ADT business security seamlessly integrates with smart device ecosystems, particularly digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home. We also found this feature unnecessary for a security system. However, we did find the pairing of Google or Alexa voice assistants with the security system to be well done. Although it didn’t make us more secure, the ability to toggle automations we’d set up through the app by voice control was a nice time-saver.
ADT Pricing
ADT offers three main tiers for its business security offerings: Secure, Interactive and Complete. Each tier builds upon the previous one by adding security features for a higher monthly cost.
ADT is not transparent about its tiered pricing. Instead, businesses need to reach out for a free security assessment. However, we found this process straightforward and worthwhile; the security specialist examines your workspace and recommends equipment and a plan that fits your industry, space and risks.
Because ADT offers custom packages based on individual needs, there is no standard fee. However, businesses can expect to pay a monthly monitoring fee, as well as fees for equipment, installation and activation. Currently, ADT is offering a 36-month monitoring contract at the Secure tier for $49.99 per month and $99 for installation, which can serve as a benchmark for overall pricing. We recommend that businesses ask for a total, final cost.
Features | Secure | Interactive | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
Intrusion detection | X | X | X |
Holdup alarm monitoring | X | X | X |
High-low temperature monitoring | X | X | X |
Flood detection | X | X | X |
Event history | X | X | |
Alerts and notifications | X | X | |
Customized scheduling | X | X | |
Remote access | X | X | |
Remote arm and disarm | X | X | |
Climate control | X | X | |
Lighting control | X | X | |
Small appliance management | X | X | |
Video | X |
Although we found ADT’s offerings to be worth the cost due to the company’s top-of-the-line equipment and monitoring, we did get frustrated with the lack of clarity on pricing.
ADT also offers add-ons such as access control and video verification, both for an extra cost.
ADT’s access control add-on works well through remote devices, but it is likely unnecessary for most small businesses. Source: ADT
Implementation and Onboarding
Implementation and onboarding were straightforward with ADT. Every installation begins with a free security assessment. We filled out a form on ADT’s website, asking for a callback at the end of the business day, and we received a call first thing the next morning. During the assessment, you answer questions about your location, type of business, and general business size. Then, ADT schedules an appointment for a security specialist to come for an onsite consultation within the next day or two.
We were particularly impressed with the speed and thoroughness of the consultation. ADT’s professional security specialist took stock of our location, business needs and overall security posture to create a bespoke security system. Then, she gave us a list of suggestions for necessary equipment and recommended a monitoring plan.
Although the specialist’s overall specifications made sense, we were not locked into her recommendations; you can purchase as much or as little of the equipment as the security specialist recommends. ADT also offers DIY installation and purchasing, but we recommend sticking to the professional recommendations to ensure the system protects you as fully as possible.
If you’re happy with the consultation, the next step is to formalize the agreement and sign the related paperwork. ADT offers discounts for installation and accessories, but it typically requires a multiyear contract. Once the paperwork is filed, a professional ADT installer comes and finishes installing and setting up the system. All in all, we found the process straightforward and informative.
Customer Support
ADT appears to take customer support seriously; the company features a robust online business security FAQ page, coupled with live phone support and an option to chat with an agent on the company’s website. However, in our experience, some of the customer support options were lacking.
For example, when we called ADT’s phone support system, we noticed that some of the number options on the automatic switchboard did not work. We could still get through to an agent, but we could not reach the department we wanted directly. Additionally, we found the Chat with an Agent button on the FAQ site to be unresponsive in the Firefox browser (although it worked when we used Safari and Chrome).
These annoyances aside, we found ADT’s customer support very helpful when we managed to reach someone. Once answered, our calls were routed efficiently, and we never had a long hold time. The agents were informative and professional, and they took their time while answering our questions.
Overall, ADT’s customer support is good, but it could be better. We’ve found that although we could typically find the answer to our questions easily, competitors such as Vivint and SimpliSafe were more directly accessible for support.
Limitations
One of our biggest gripes with ADT is the opaque pricing structure. The lack of any expected baseline cost or estimated range for businesses makes it difficult for a small business to know if ADT is financially feasible for them. While ADT is not the priciest security option around, especially compared with some of the offerings from Vivint, it is still expensive. That lack of clarity could deter small businesses that may be tempted to go with a reliably priced, DIY competitor, like Lorex or SimpliSafe.
Additionally, we found that ADT’s video monitoring lacks some nice-to-have features, especially compared with the more affordable SimpliSafe. Although ADT’s storage of all video it films is fantastic, we saw a lot of value in SimpliSafe’s Active Guard Outdoor Protection and Smart Alarm features. These allow agents to take control of cameras and speak to potential intruders through them, so the system goes beyond detecting crime to actively deterring it.
Methodology
We researched and analyzed leading business security systems to find the best systems overall. We analyzed online reviews and company websites, and we spoke with vendors’ customer service teams. We also posed as customers who were requesting a system to better understand the process of acquiring the system and the next steps involved. To help inform our decision-making, we gave particular weight to industry experience and response times, the affordability of the system compared against its overall quality, the breadth of features measured against the ease of use, and the overall customer support.
FAQs
Bottom Line
We recommend ADT business security for …
- Small businesses that are willing to spend a little more for enhanced security.
- Businesses that need enhanced security options, like video verification services or access control.
- Businesses that are looking for custom, professional security services.
We don’t recommend ADT business security for …
- Businesses with a very limited security budget.
- Businesses that are looking for minimal security offerings, like simple entry sensors.