Abode vs ADT Home Security: An Expert Comparison
Today we will be comparing ADT with a new DIY home security system called Abode and see how they match up. Let’s dive right in!
There are so many companies that offer home security systems that can protect your home from home invaders, but are they all made equal? When you are shopping around for home security you want to make sure that the company you are interested in offers the products and services that fit your specific needs, and provide adequate protection. Today’s comparison between ADT and Abode will help you decide which home security offer is best for you. Keep reading to find out!
ADT Control Panel
ADT has a couple of options when it comes to the control panels that they offer. Unlike most other security companies, ADT has two control panels for you to choose from. They have a basic panel that is simplistic in design and doesn’t have a lot of features built into the control this panel, and which works by connecting directly to a landline. It is also powered by being directly wired into your home’s power source. All the features for this basic panel are controlled through a separate push-button keypad or through the ADT app.
The next control panel offered by ADT is their digital keypad. ADT’s digital keypad has a full colored touchscreen. The touchscreen for ADT’s digital keypad displays time, temperature, and your system’s status. ADT’s digital keypad can be wall mounted or you can place it on a desktop, but you don’t have to worry about setting it up yourself because ADT can have a professional installer come out to set up all your equipment for you.
ADT’s digital keypad is pretty expandable, and it allows you to connect up to 250 devices including 16 cameras, 32 key fobs, 8 touchscreens or alpha keypads, and up to 224 Z-Wave devices. You can create custom user codes for this system which can be enabled and disabled at any time.
ADT also gives you the option to upgrade their basic panel to include a cellular chip for backup. ADT’s digital keypad works by connecting to your home’s WIFI network, and it also includes a cellular backup just in case your internet goes down. Their digital keypad is powered through an AC power source, and it includes a backup battery. Both of ADT’s panels offer 2-way communication with ADT’s central monitoring station which allows for quick responses to emergencies.
To see an alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option, check out our home security system at Link Interactive >>
Abode Control Panel
Abode has a really sleek looking control panel that connects all of your devices to one place called the Abode Iota. The Iota is a wireless system which means that all the sensors that you will add to your Iota will connect to it wirelessly. The Abode Iota is an all-in-on security hub that has basic security device features built right into the hub.
The Iota is powered through an AC power source, and it includes a backup battery that will keep your system powered for up to 6 hours. It connects to your home’s WIFI network, and it includes a cellular backup chip that supports LTE data. However, if you are going to use this feature there is a month to month fee.
The Abode Iota also has a built-in camera that allows you to stream video. The camera itself has HD quality with a video resolution of 1080P. The camera is located on the front of the camera, and it has a wide field of the view which allows you to cover a large area in your home. The Iota includes a 2-way audio feature built into the hub which will allow to directly communicate with whomever is around your security system.
The Iota It includes a built-in motion sensor that will alert you to whenever motion is detected around your Abode Iota. To arm and disarm the system you can use an Abode keypad, key fob, or the Abode app. The Abode Iota is super expandable, and it allows you to connect up to a 160 security and smart home devices. It includes Z-wave technology which will allow you to connect other branded smart home devices.
To see our recommended DIY security system instead, check out our home security system at Link Interactive >>
Who wins?
ADT and Abode offers really nice control panels that allow you to easily connect all of your devices to one place. We really like the fact that ADT offers two control panels from you to choose from, and their digital keypad has a lot of great features. The Abode Iota is really cool control hub, and we like the fact it has a built-in camera and built-in motion sensors. Both ADT’s and Abode’s control panels are very expandable and let you use other branded home automation devices with them. For this category we are giving the win to Abode due to all the unique features that are built into the control panel.
ADT Equipment
ADT has a great selection of basic equipment that will give your home total protection. ADT offers both wired and wireless versions of the devices that they offer. Their wireless devices are battery-operated, and they will connect to your security panel wirelessly.
ADT offers door/window sensors used to protect the entryways to your home. They offer motion sensors that are great at providing protection for large areas of your home. If your home has glass windows, ADT offers glass break sensors to provide protection for the glass windows in your home.
ADT also offers wired and wireless life safety devices. They offer both smoke and CO2 detectors. Their smoke and CO2 detectors make an audible alert anyvtime smoke or rises in CO2 gases are detected. All equipment that is connected to your ADT security system will trigger your system when an event is triggered.
Click here to read our full ADT product review >>
ADT additional equipment
ADT has a large selection of add-on equipment so that you can really expanded your system. ADT mainly offers other branded equipment, and today we will be giving some examples of that equipment.
ADT offers Kwikset automated door locks. These locks allow you to create custom user codes that can be enabled and disabled at any time, and you can remotely unlock and lock these locks through the ADT app.
ADT also offers their own branded smart thermostats. ADT’s smart thermostats work for the majority of HVAC heating and cooling systems. Their smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature in your home, and set custom timers for when your heating and cooling system comes on and goes off.
Next, ADT offers garage door controllers for those you whom have garage doors. Having a garage door controller will allow you to remotely open and close your garage door. You will also receive push notifications any time your garage door has been opened and shut. Their garage door controllers are wireless, so that means they work by connecting wirelessly to your home’s WIFI network.
ADT also offers a variety of smart plugs and light switches. Smart plugs and smart light switches allow you to control lights and small appliances while on the go. You can set timers as well for when these lights and small appliances turn on and turn off.
ADT has a few different options when it comes to video surveillance equipment. They offer indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras that are wireless. Their cameras work by connecting wirelessly to your home’s WIFI network and all their cameras have excellent video resolution. Their doorbell camera even includes a 2-way audio feature that allows you to directly communicate with whomever is around your doorbell camera.
Abode Security Equipment
Abode has a huge selection of basic equipment. They have several different versions of door/window sensors that are battery operated and wireless, and they are designed to fit various different styles of door/window frames. Abode also offers wireless and battery-operated motion sensors that have a wide detection range. They offer two versions of glass break sensors. One of their glass break sensors listens for the sound of breaking class while the other will detect the vibrations of breaking glass. Abode’s glass break sensors are battery-operated and wireless as well.
Abode also has a nice variety of life safety devices that are meant to keep your home safe from environmental dangers. They offer smoke and flood sensors that are wireless and battery-operated. These sensors will make an audible alert if rises are detected in smoke or water.
Abode offers wireless external indoor and outdoor sirens that are battery-operated. These sirens will make a loud audible alert when your Abode system is triggered. Abode offers external keypads that are push-button. Their keypads allow for fast arming and disarming of your system. Abode also offers keychain remotes and panic buttons as another fast and easy way for you to arm and disarm your system.
All equipment offered by Abode is DIY (do it yourself) which means you will need to set up the equipment yourself, but Abode offers installation guides for all of their products.
Abode additional equipment
Abode doesn’t have a lot of their own branded add-on equipment, but because the Iota has a Z-Wave protocol you can use other branded devices with your Abode system. You can use a variety of smart locks like Yale smart locks. You can also use Nest thermostats with your Abode System. Abode has one particular sensor that we haven’t really seen with other companies which is their occupancy sensor. This sensor can detect light, motion, and humidity in a room which can come in handy in keeping your electronic devices safe. They also offer smart switches that allow you to control small appliances on the go. Abode is in the process of developing video surveillance cameras, but they currently do not offer any. They do however offer a wireless and battery-operated motion camera that will take snap shots when motion is detected.
Who wins?
ADT and Abode both offer an extensive lineup of home security devices. We really like the fact that ADT offers both wired and wireless versions of their sensors. Abode has a huge variety of basic equipment, and we really like the fact that they offer different versions of their door/window sensors. Abode also has some sensors that ADT doesn’t offer, and for that reason we are giving them the win for this category.
ADT and Abode offer a lot of equipment that lets your really expand your system. We really love the variety of video surveillance equipment that ADT offers especially their video doorbell camera. Abode has a pretty unique sensor that we haven’t seen before, and we like that they have a motion camera. ADT however does have a larger selection of add-on equipment for you to choose from, and for this reason we are giving them the win for this category.
Abode vs ADT App
ADT and Abode offer professional, video, and self-monitoring services. Their self-monitoring services are done through their apps. The apps are free to download and work for Apple and Android devices. Both apps allow you to remotely control your system and devices connected to it. You can also customize your devices, view video/images, and receive push notifications for events.
Both companies also offer 24/7 professional monitoring services. They differ when it comes to prices for these services and features. Abode does not charge you anything to use the basics of their self-monitoring services, while with ADT there is a month to month charge for this service. Also, Abode month to month professional monitoring services are much cheaper than that of ADT’s.
However, if you want a better way to control your safety on the ago (with an app that has a tone of more features), look at our security system here at Link Interactive. Our system comes complete with Crash & Smash protection, and all latest bells and whistles of a modern day home security system, powered by none other than the holy grail in home security, Alarm.com.
Abode vs ADT vs Link Interactive
ADT and Abode may have different styles of how your equipment is set up, but they both provide high quality products that are built to last. ADT has a huge selection of add-on equipment that lets really expand your system, and all their equipment is professionally installed. Abode may not offer any video surveillance equipment as of now, but they do offer a huge selection of basic equipment. Abode also has sensors that other security companies don’t have, and their month to month monitoring cost are affordable. Because Abode offers a better overall value, we are choosing them as our winner. But, if you’re interested in purchasing a system that offers the best of both worlds and a lot more in the way of smart home automation and app control, give our Link Interactive security system a look.
Why you should get Link Interactive instead
Link Interactive and ADT are very similar in terms of equipment and monitoring services. At Link we offer the Qolsys control panel, Alarm.com self-monitoring and third-party professional monitoring. We also offer cutting-edge video monitoring services.
We have thousands of 5-star reviews on various reputable third party review sites complimenting our awesome after-sales support! We encourage you take a look at our offer here, get a quote and compare. You can also call us direct at 1-877-826-5443 for further details and speak with a rep!
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