Many or all of the companies featured compensate us. Compensation and research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more
10 Best
Home Security Systems
of 2024

EDITOR'S PICK

See Details

EDITOR'S PICK

See Details

EDITOR'S PICK

See Details
View 10 Best
Home Security Systems 
  1. Home
  2. Home Security Systems
  3. ADT Pulse Review

ADT Pulse Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 3 / 5 (Average)
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
ADT Pulse is a home automation and security service provided by ADT Security Systems, the largest provider of home security services in the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1874, ADT is a leader of home security monitoring for residential and commercial customers alike. With ADT Pulse, customers turn their home into a smart home.
 
View Top 10 List

How is ADT Pulse rated?

Breakdown

3.4/5
Equipment
3.2/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
0.0/5
Value
2.5/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 3 / 5 (Average)

ADT provides many types of security packages that can be tailored for homeowners, renters, and home automation aficionados. In addition to ADT’s high-grade home security, ADT Pulse brings smart home capabilities to any home with internet access. The Pulse app, available to Android and iPhone users, puts light control, temperature adjustment, remote locking and unlocking, and appliance control to the palm of your hand. Users can also arm and disarm their systems remotely. If you are looking for a serious home automation app and equipment that are compatible with multiple devices, ADT is a smart choice.

How does ADT Pulse work?

Equipment - 3.4 / 5

Every ADT system comes with standard equipment that includes a digital battery, entry door sensors, motion detection device, backup battery, and a wireless keychain remote. The equipment is professionally installed. ADT Pulse®, customers get a wireless control panel, three wireless door/window sensors, a pet-friendly wireless motion detector, and a wireless keychain remote. Pulse features CellGuard® through which customers can control their home from the palm of their hand, arm or disarm their system from their Android, iPhone, mobile device, tablet, or computer. ADT Pulse® Video has the same equipment and adds video cameras.
Installation
Professional
Equipment Manufacturer
Honeywell, GE, and 2GIG, DSC
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors
  • Crash & Smash Protection

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Doorbell Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 3.2 / 5

ADT Security has multiple redundant call centers through the U.S. and Canada that provide 24/7 security monitoring. With the ADT Pulse app, customers can use live streaming cameras to check in on their home from any smart device. The ADT Pulse® app features remote security text alerts of events that might happen at home as well as any other events that you request a notification for, such as a child coming home or the arrival of a package. The ADT Pulse® app is compatible with Android, iPhones, and Blackberry phones.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Landline
Number of Monitoring Centers
6
Monitoring Center Type
Owned
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does ADT Pulse cost?

Contract Flexibility - 2.5 / 5

ADT Security requires customers to sign a 36-month agreement for their monitoring plans. ADT Pulse® packages feature 24/7 professional monitoring—including fire, flood, and carbon monoxide monitoring and home automation. Installation is available for $99 for both ADT Pulse® and Pulse® Video plans. If customers add equipment, initial costs increase. For Pulse®, customers can expect to pay $52.99 a month, and Pulse® Video subscribers will pay an extra $6 a month for video surveillance.
Monthly Fee (min)
$52.99
Monthly Fee (max)
$58.99
Number of Available Packages
2
Installation/ Activation Fee
$99.00
Installation Fee
$19.99
Equipment Starting Cost
$0.00
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
36 months
Cancellation Policy
As dictated by federal law, ADT customers (the same applies to other providers) have three business days to change their mind and cancel their home security contract without penalty. If a customer cancels their home security monitoring agreement before the three years is up, they must pay 75% of the remaining contract fees.

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 3.5 / 5

ADT Pulse® and Pulse® Video include CellGuard®, an upgrade for ADT monitored security customers that uses cellular technology as the primary link for communication or in the event of a power outage or another type of interruption in your home phone service, CellGuard® keeps your security system connected by switching to your cell phone connection. ADT Pulse® and Pulse® Video are compatible with Ring® Video Doorbell, Amazon Alexa, Nest Thermostats. Through Z-Wave technology that allows for remote control and automated operation of lighting, door locks, thermostat, and garage door, ADT Pulse customers can control their systems wirelessly with the ADT Pulse app using their Android, iPhone, other compatible mobile devices, or computer.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm
  • Geo-location Services

Home Automation

  • Lighting Control
  • Thermostat Control
  • Appliance Control
  • Electronic Door Locks
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • History Log
  • Unique User Codes

ADT Pulse Reputation

Reputation - 3.1 / 5

ADT has been providing monitoring services for over 140 years, it’s accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is certified by the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL), Factory Mutual (FM), Electronic Security Association, and the New York City Fire Department. In short, the ADT name is a trusted staple in the industry, and it has the most experience. Keep in mind, though, that ADT uses authorized dealers to sell and install its equipment and to offer services; thus, the quality of customer support may vary by area. Hence, it is wise to look into the authorized dealers in your area and choose accordingly.
Trust Pilot Rating
2.2 out of 5
BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
17
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
2
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
291
Date Collected
2018-07-23
Year Founded
1874

Certifications & Associations

  • Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)
  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)
  • Factory Mutual (FM)
  • Electronic Security Association
  • New York City Fire Department

ADT Pulse Summary

In Conclusion

As a pioneer and a leader in the security business, ADT has more than seven million customers throughout the United States and Canada who trust ADT to provide home security monitoring. Now, with ADT Pulse® and Pulse® Video, the company is also a reliable provider of home automation devices. With the addition of the company’s interactive mobile app, customers are able to not only arm and disarm their security system but also control lighting, temperature, lock and unlock doors, and control appliances using a compatible mobile device.

The company’s extensive experience and 24/7 customer support are a great incentive to customers looking for a reliable home security system. The same is true for home automation enthusiasts. Additionally, ADT’s multiple monitoring centers ensure that if one of the centers goes offline, all properties that were monitored by that one center, are automatically routed to the next center. So in addition to their home being professionally monitored, with the ADT Pulse app, customers can keep an eye on their home as well. They can check door and window sensors, activate and deactivate their system, adjust the temperature of their Nest thermostat, and control other smart devices.

ADT Pulse® customers also receive professional installation and the user-friendly monitoring equipment. After ADT’s technicians install the new alarm system, program the devices, they teach homeowners how to use the system. The company’s six-month money back guarantee, theft protection and relocation discount guarantee, and a homeowner’s insurance discount are provided to Pulse® customers as well.

Something to keep in mind when considering ADT Pulse® or Pulse® Video solutions and home automation is the cost. All the technology, devices, and features come at a higher price when compared to similar systems offered by other home security providers. They do not, however, enjoy ADT's experience and reputation.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.adt.com/
Company Phone
(888) 787-0706
Headquarters Address
1 Town Center Rd., Boca Raton, FL, 33486

Our Comments Policy  |  How to Write an Effective Comment

Leave a comment for ADT Pulse Home Security
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
jpastor014
12/13/2020
Pulse system very difficult to use. Mobile app is confusing. Can not get to cameras quickly. Wireless door locks batteries always running out of power. Not good when away from home. the door lock seems to fail and must be reprogrammed. The door lock batteries also corrode with rust forming on the inside case. I like ADT but your pulse system and Pulse mobile app. sucks! Thinking about cancelling pulse.

chaw704352
11/19/2020
Outdated equipment. Very expensive. Long term contract and very poor integrations. Does not work with Ring equipment as advertised. They got rid of that. My first 6 months, the remote keypads would disconnect and set off the alarm. The installers are also very lazy. Mine only installed half the equipment. Left me some cameras in boxes and some control pads in the floor and asked me to sign for the installation. Honestly almost all equipment is better than Pulse at this point. Monitoring goes to nearly 80 a month by your third year. Then you can't cancel without paying 75 percent of your contract. Avoid ADT at all cost.

D
Don
7/26/2019
This system is outdated I have 6 cameras around the house they are always couple of cameras that go off lines during the day and i have to reboot the modem also the fact that when there is a motion they record for 30 seconds but if is something happen after that you will not have a recording because the next recording will happen in 4 minutes and 30 seconds

Frank W
2/8/2019
ADT Pulse is outdated, and only serves to provide you with a false sense of security. The motion-activated video recording with only record a 30 second clip. Once that clip is recorded you can not trigger another recording to start for another 5 minutes! That's 4 minutes and 30 seconds anyone can do anything in direct view of your camera and you will capture none of it. That is NEVER explained to customers when they push that garbage on them. It has all the markings of a of class-action law suit.

Top Rated
Our Partner

Professional Installation + $0 Activation Fee

  • Home security system & smart automation
  • Security cameras systems 
  • 24/7 video monitoring & support
  • Control devices from anywhere on one app 
  • Custom-built for your home
READ FULL REVIEW >
CALL NOW
See Details

Related to Home Security Systems

Top Articles
Suggested Comparisons