Compare ADT vs. CPI Security Home Security Systems

As time and technology advances, so do home security systems. Gone are the days when a home security system’s only function was to make a loud sound at the sign of an intruder. The best modern home security systems have so many features that when consumers want to compare two of the best home security companies like ADT vs CPI, they need to consider multiple factors. In our case, when we decided to do the CPI vs ADT comparison, the first factors we took into consideration were: equipment, monitoring, reputation, contract & price, and technology integration. Both ADT and CPI offer professional installation of their equipment, work with wireless sensors, and home automation.

ADT is one of the leading and most popular home security companies in the nation. The company has been servicing consumers for over 140 years, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and offers home automation, environmental protection, and 24/7 professional monitoring.

CPI Security is the largest privately-held security provider in the Southeast. Founded in 1982, The company has been servicing consumers for over 35 years and specializes in home security, web-based video monitoring, home automation, and business security. The company is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, and Florida, and mainly services the Southeast.

We encourage consumers considering either of these companies to do two things: research the company thoroughly (even after reading our detailed comparison) and get quotes from each of the companies in order to get the best price and equipment that best meets your specific needs.

Read on below, to see how both of these companies stacked up against each other in the following categories: equipment, monitoring, reputation, contract and price, and technology integration.

When comparing ADT vs CPI in terms of home security basics, ADT comes out winning. Although both companies offer similar features and equipment, ADT has the upper hand in reliability, customer satisfaction, and coverage. Both companies offer 3 security packages and require professional installation. ADT’s 3 packages include: Traditional (cellular connection, fire, carbon monoxide, and flood monitoring, 24/7 professional monitoring, and 6-month money-back guarantee), Control (Traditional features + remote arm/disarm via mobile app, email & text alerts, and home automation), and Video (all previously mentioned features + remote secure video). Another ADT benefit is that consumers who buy a house or apartment that already has a home security system might be able to install ADT’s services for a low price. ADT uses equipment manufactured by Honeywell, General Electric, DSC, and ITI.

CPI’s 3 packages include: Basic Security (cellular connection, professional installation, 24/7 alarm monitoring, and fire, CO & flood monitoring), InTouch Security + Smart Home (Basic Security features + No false alarm guarantee, real time response, InTouch app, and home automation), and InTouch Security + Smart Home + Video (all previously mentioned features + video verification and video monitoring). It is worth noting that CPI offers free installation on their Basic Security packages.

Home security systems do so much more than they used to. Modern home security systems now allow for home automation, environmental protection, and even live-video-monitoring. Live-video monitoring is especially beneficial for consumers who have children and pets, and who might want to keep an eye on the babysitter, grandparents, etc. Some home security companies, including both companies in this CPI vs ADT comparison, offer doorbell cameras, which let you see who’s at the front door and allow you to communicate with them without being home or having to open the door.

The best home security companies offer a wide range of sensors and placement options. ADT and CPI both offer a great selection of sensors. Both companies offer door & window sensors, garage door sensors, glass break protection, and motion sensors. ADT has the upper hand with its crash & smash protection, which prevents intruders from disrupting communication between the home security system and the monitoring station by smashing the control panel. Even if the control panel is damaged, the system automatically notifies the monitoring stations. ADT also offers a panic button and a medical alert feature. In terms of ADT vs CPI environmental protection, both companies are even. They both offer monitoring services for carbon monoxide, flood, temperature change, and smoke. Finally, both companies offer indoor, outdoor, doorbell, and tilt & pan cameras, as well as live surveillance, and event-triggered surveillance. ADT’s equipment is manufactured by Honeywell, General Electric, DSC, and ITI, while CPI designs, manufactures, and installs its own equipment (meaning, you’d have to replace and repair equipment exclusively through CPI).

ADT owns and operates 6 different monitoring locations scattered around the U.S. and Canada, with the main national monitoring center located in Aurora, Colorado. Having many locations spread out has advantages: this allows ADT to offer monitoring coverage in more locations around the US and it also prevents communication from being disrupted in case of a natural disaster (if one monitoring station is destroyed or goes offline for any reason, their consumers can be monitored from another location). Both of these factors allow for a more reliable, stable, and effective service for consumers. CPI, on the other hand, only counts with 1 monitoring station. The company’s security systems are monitored at CPI’s Southeast headquarters (located in Charlotte North Carolina) 24 hours a day. Its only purpose is to serve CPI customers.

Another important factor when considering CPI vs ADT monitoring is their contract options, lengths, and fees. ADT monitoring contracts are for three years, but consumers can cancel within the first 6 months. CPI on the other hand offers monitoring contracts that are five years long and do not offer the option to cancel. With both companies, monthly monitoring rates depend on which package consumers choose. ADT’s pricing ranges from $28.99 a month to $53 a month, but consumers don’t have to pay upfront for their equipment. With CPI, consumers have to pay upfront for their equipment ($99-$300) plus the monthly monitoring fee, which can be between $39.99 and $64.99 a month.

Consumers who move into a home that already has a wired system might be able to install ADT’s monitoring services (depending on the equipment and compatibility) for around $19.99 a month.

Some home security companies offer their services on a month to month basis and do not require contracts. These are usually companies that focus on do-it-yourself installation and monitoring and which usually require consumers buy their equipment upfront. This type of setup is usually ideal for renters or people who move around a lot. Other companies require multi-year contracts which usually come with hefty cancelation fees. The benefit of multi-year contracts for monitoring services and equipment is that usually these companies don’t require consumers pay upfront for their equipment, instead, they pay a tad more on their monthly fee which includes the cost of the equipment. Although this is the case with ADT (consumers don’t have to pay upfront for equipment), it is not the case for CPI Security.

Both companies require consumers sign a multi-year contract. ADT offers a 3-year contract, with a six-month, money-back guarantee, while CPI requires consumers sign a 5-year contract without a money-back guarantee. As mentioned in the monitoring section of this comparison, ADT's prices can range from $28.99 a month to over $50 a month. Consumers who move into a home with a previously installed home security system might be able to install ADT’s monitoring services for $19.99, but this depends on the equipment’s compatibility. With CPI, apart from the upfront cost of equipment, consumers can expect to pay something between $39.99 and $64.99 a month.

The best modern home security systems are able to connect to consumers’ phones, computers, and other mobile devices in order to allow consumers to control their home security systems from any location with internet access. Some of the technology integration features consumers should look for include the ability to connect to mobile devices, live-monitoring features via apps, arming/disarming the systems, and home automation. These technology integration features not only make consumers feel safer and more in control but help make their live easier and also help with energy efficiency. These features can also help prevent false alarms.

ADT vs CPI in terms of technology integration is quite balanced. Both ADT and CPI offer iPhone and Android apps, email & text alerts, live surveillance feed, and remote arming/disarming features. ADT’s app also lets consumers control the lights, locks, smart thermostats and appliances remotely. ADT also offers smart locks (keyless entry, mobile access, and live alerts), smart lights, smart thermostats (set schedules, control remotely, and set custom alerts), garage door security, video doorbell (two-way audio and motion activated), and smart switches & plugs, all of which interact with ADT’s app. CPI also offers their own doorbell camera, smart locks, and garage control. Both CPI and ADT offer systems that are compatible with Amazon’s digital assistant, Alexa, and with Z-wave technology.

ADT immediately stands out in the reputation department. The company has been around for over 140 years. Although having over a hundred years of experience doesn’t necessarily mean a company is the best there is or the company with the highest financial strength, it could still grant some consumers peace of mind to have their security in the hands of a household name. ADT is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with an A+ rating, and is certified by the Underwriter's Laboratory, Factory Mutual, Electronic Security Association and the New York City Fire Department. ADT has over 135 customer reviews on their BBB profile and takes the time to respond to customer complaints in the BBB profile (over 1,000 complaints closed in the last 12 months).

CPI Security is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and also boasts an A+ rating with them. CPI has 8 customer reviews on their BBB profile and has closed 4 complaints in the last 12 months. Although the company is much younger than ADT, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since younger companies are more likely to adapt to new technology and allow for more flexibility with their consumers. Most of CPI’s complaints on the BBB are categorized as “Problems with Product/Service.”