Ring Alarm vs ADT Home Security: An Expert Comparison
Today we will be comparing Ring, the do-it-yourself style home security system with the 800-pound gorilla, ADT. Let’s dive right in!
Home security systems can be professionally installed or they can be DIY (do it yourself), which means you will need to set up the equipment yourself. This factor along with monitoring services, types of equipment, contacts versus no-contract service fees, etc. are also important to take into consideration before investing in a home alarm system. In this post we will be comparing Ring Alarm with ADT.
Ring Alarm Control Panel
You have probably heard of the name Ring before due to the reputation they have built with their security cameras. Ring, over the years, has released a variety of other smart home camera, and now security products. Ring offers their Ring Alarm system which work by connecting to your home’s WIFI network. It does include a cellular chip as an optional way for you to use their system without the need of an internet connection. Ring is actually on the second generation of their control panel. Their second-generation control panel is small, compact, and has a square shaped design. The control panel includes the famous ring indicator light that will change colors to show different system statutes. The Ring Alarm control panel is controlled through a separate push-button keypad or through the Ring app. The Ring control panel includes a 24-hour backup up battery. It has a built in Z-Wave protocol which means you can expand it include other branded devices such as smart locks. The Ring system has different chime alerts for different security devices that will alert you will these devices have been triggered. If your Ring system or devices detect an event, the system will sound its built-in internal siren.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option, our home security system at Link Interactive >>
ADT Control Panel
ADT has a few options for you to choose from when it comes to control panels. Both of their control panels allow you to connect and control your security, home automation, and video surveillance devices all from once place. They have a basic panel that works by connecting directly to a landline. It is powered through your home’s power source by being directly plugged in. All of the features for this basic panel can be controlled through the ADT app or on the push-button keypad. The next control panel offered by ADT is their digital keypad. ADT’s digital keypad panel has a full colored touchscreen which displays current time, temperature, and system status. This panel can be wall mounted or placed on a desktop. It is pretty expandable, allowing you to connect 250 total devices including 16 cameras, 32 key fobs, 8 touchscreens or alpha keypads, and up to 224 Z-Wave devices. You can also have up to 99 user codes for this system.
The basic base panel also has the option to upgrade it to include a cellular backup chip for the times that your landline may go down. ADT’s digital keypad panel however works by connecting to your home’s WIFI network, and it includes a cellular backup chip without the need for an upgrade. The 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 you to quickly take care of any emergency. You don’t have to install any equipment yourself because ADT offers professional installation on all of their equipment. This does however add to your startup cost as you would have to pay for installation.
To see an alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option, check out our home security system at Link Interactive >>
Who wins?
The control panel offered with Ring Alarm is pretty similar to ADT’s basic panel. Both of these panels don’t have a lot of bells and whistles, and need to be controlled through a separate keypad. ADT however does offer their digital keypad control panel with a full colored touchscreen with tons of features. Because ADT offers such a superior control panel to that of what Ring has to offer, we are giving them the win for this category.
Ring Alarm Equipment
Ring offers a lot of great basic equipment for you to choose from. To keep the doors and windows of your home protected, Ring offers wireless and battery-operated door/window sensor. Ring also offers wireless and battery-operated motion sensors that are great at detecting motion in large areas in your home. Ring offers secondary keypads you can add to your Ring Secure system. Their keypads have an illuminated push-button keypad and include a rechargeable battery. Ring also offers a battery-operated panic button that will trigger your system, and alert emergency services when it has been pushed. They also offer a battery-operated external siren that will trigger when your Ring Secure system triggers. Ring offers a wireless and battery-operated smoke/CO sensor and a freeze/flood sensor to keep your home safe from the elements. Both these sensors will make an audible alert if rises in smoke, CO gas, rises/drops in temperature, and floods/ leak occur. All equipment offered by Ring is DIY, but they do include a step by step setup guide for a fast and easy installation.
Recommended: An alternative DIY (do-it-yourself) option called Link Interactive >>
Home Automation
Due to the Ring control panel having a Z-Wave protocol, you can really expand it to includes a lot of home automaton devices, and these devices don’t have to be a Ring Brand. Ring offers a ton of home automation and video surveillance equipment for you to choose from. Today we will only be going over some of these, and if you are looking for a more complete list you can visit the Ring website. Ring offers several different brands of smart locks including Schlage. These locks have a push-button keypad, can be remotely controlled, and you can create custom user codes that can be enabled and disabled at any time. You can also use a variety of smart bulbs, smart switches, and light controls you can choose from including brands like Phillips HUE and GE. These particular types of devices are great at cutting down your home’s energy consumption per month due to their ability to have custom timers set and to be controlled remotely.
Video Monitoring/Cameras
When it comes to video surveillance equipment, Ring has more of selection than many other security companies. They offer, indoor, outdoor, video doorbell, and flood light cameras. Their video surveillance cameras come in two versions: powered by an AC power source, and a rechargeable battery powered version. Their cameras work by connecting directly to your home’s WIFI network. You will need to check which camera you are interested in specific specifications but generally most Ring cameras includes 2-way audio, night vision, custom motion zones, motion sensors, and the ability to capture video in either 720P or 1080P.
Recommended: See all of our Alarm.com powered video monitoring options at Link Interactive >>
ADT Equipment
ADT offers both wired and wireless versions of the devices that are used to protect your home. 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. These sensors will alert you any time a door or window has been opened or shut. They offer motion sensors that are great at providing protection for large areas of your home. Their motion sensors are pet immune for smaller pets, and will alert you any time motion is detected in the area they are placed. If your home has glass windows, ADT offers glass break sensors to provide protection for these. Their glass break sensor will listen for the sound of breaking glass, and they will trigger your system when this sound is heard. ADT also offers wired and wireless life safety devices. They offer both smoke and CO detectors. Their smoke and CO detectors make an audible alert any time smoke or rises in CO gases have been detected. When any sensor you have connected to your ADT system is triggered it will also trigger your security system.
Click here to read our full ADT product review >>
Home Automation
ADT has a lot of add-on equipment that really let’s you customize your ADT system. First off, ADT offers automated door locks by Kwikset. These locks allow you to create custom user codes which can be enabled or disabled at any time. You can also remotely unlock and lock these locks through the ADT app. ADT also offers their own branded smart thermostats. ADT’s smart thermostats work for most HVAC heating and cooling systems. Their smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature in your home. And ADT’s smart thermostats also allow you to set custom timers for when your heating and cooling system comes on and goes off which can save you money on your energy costs per month. If you have a garage door you can purchase a garage door controller through ADT as well. ADT’s garage door controller will allow you to remotely open and close your garage door, and you will receive push notifications any time your garage door has been opened and shut. ADT also offers a variety of smart plugs and light switches as well. Smart plugs and smart light switches allow you to control lights and small appliances while on the go, and work by connecting wirelessly to your ADT system. You can set timers as well for when these lights and small appliances turn on and turn off which is another great way to cut down on your home’s energy costs per month.
Video Monitoring
ADT has a few different options for video surveillance equipment as well. They offer indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras that are all wireless. Their cameras work by connecting wirelessly to your home’s WIFI network. All their cameras have excellent video resolution, and their doorbell camera even includes a 2-way audio feature that allows you to directly communicate with whomever is in front of your doorbell camera.
Who wins?
ADT has a pretty nice variety of basic equipment that you can use with either of their panels. ADT offers glass break sensors, smoke, CO, and flood sensors which are things that Ring does not offer. Ring however does offer the basic equipment needed to give you a basic security setup. Since ADT has more add-on equipment than that of Ring we are giving the win for this category to them.
Ring and ADT are worlds apart with their Z-Wave add-on equipment we well. ADT offers other branded home automation products that work with their system. But Ring offers more security cameras to choose from. For these reasons we are making it a tie for this category.
Ring Alarm vs ADT App
Ring and ADT both offer self, professional, and video monitoring services. Ring’s and ADT’s self-monitoring is done through their apps which are free to download and works for Apple and Android devices. ADT’s and Ring’s apps allow you to remotely control your security system, security/life safety devices, home automation devices, and video surveillance equipment while on the go. You will also receive instant alerts any time your equipment or system triggers any events. With ADT’s and Ring’s apps you can stream live and recorded video on the go. The difference between the two is that there is a cost associated to use ADT’s app while Ring’s app is free to use. The only charge with the Ring app is if you want storage for recorded video clips. Both ADT’s and Ring’s professional monitoring services work the same way. You will have a professional monitoring station watching over your home 24/7. The difference between the two is that Ring’s pricing is much cheaper than that of ADT’s for this kind of service, and you don’t have to worry about any contracts with Ring.
However, if you want a better way to control your safety, look at our security system here at Link Interactive.
Ring Alarm vs ADT vs Link Interactive
Today we took a look at what ADT and the Ring Alarm Kit have to offer and how they compare. The Ring Alarm Kit and ADT offer a pretty sound security setup that will provide your home or office with some security protection. ADT has a few different options when it comes to control panels and types of security sensors offered. Ring has one control panel, but has a wide variety of video surveillance equipment that can be use with their alarm kit.
Because ADT actually has a better overall value for equipment, we are choosing them as our winner. But, if you’re looking for something even better than ADT or Ring Alarm, check out Link Interactive’s home security system below.
Why you should get Link Interactive instead
Link Interactive and Ring Alarm are pretty 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 both also offer home automation control and cutting-edge video monitoring services. The difference is in the experience. With our Alarm.com security system, you open yourself up to more features and compatibility with various on-market smart devices.
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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