Ring is a relatively new addition to the home security market, introducing a new generation of products. On the other hand, ADT is a well established and popular choice for many homeowners, with more than 140 years of experience protecting homes and families. ADT also has more advanced products such as video monitoring, environmental protection features, and home automation features, whereas Ring’s main focus is on home security, and, therefore, doesn’t offer any home automation features other than some smart lighting. 

On the plus side, Ring does come with video sharing, cloud storage, and other unique features. ADT requires professional installation and has a one-time installation fee, whereas Ring is a DIY installation; however, it does offer a professional installation option for a fee if you prefer. ADT requires you to sign a 36-month contract or a 24-month contract depending on where you live, while Ring does not require you to sign a contract. 

Below is a side by side comparison table of all the important features across ADT and Ring: 

Ring ADT
Starting Cost $3.00/mo $28.99/mo
Plans 3 monitoring plans, pre-designed security systems, plus cameras and customized plans 3 monitoring plans, plus video surveillance, home automation, life safety, and customized plans
Requirements Month-to-

month

 Typically 36-month contracts
Installation Free (DIY); installation also available  $99
Monitoring Optional 24/7
System Control Included with Interactive monitoring plan Included with Control and Video plans

Pricing: ADT Vs. Ring

ADT offers a full suite of home security and home automation equipment with environmental protection features, video monitoring, 24/7 professional monitoring, and more. The pricing for ADT consists of the following packages:

  • Essentials Package – $36.99 per month
  • Total Protection Package – $42.99 per month
  • Premium Protection Package – $52.99 per month

All the above packages require a 36-month contract (in most cases), a $99-$199 installation fee, and only the Premium Protection Package comes with a cellular connection and ADT Pulse. 

Ring, on the other hand, uses DIY installation without any contract or paid installation requirements. Additionally, with Ring, you have to purchase the equipment upfront. The pricing for Ring’s Protect Plans are as follows: 

  • Free Option (limited access) 
  • Basic – $3 per month or $30 per year
  • Plus – $10 per month or $100 per year

In addition to the above pricing, Ring’s equipment has a wide range of prices as well. Ring also has a wide variety of bundled equipment with varying equipment combinations, so there is something for everyone. 

Features: ADT Vs. Ring 

The features that come with ADT and Ring are very different as they both are set up a little differently.

ADT Alarm System Features

  • 24-hr alarm monitoring
  • Full-suite of home automation options
  • Same-day installation
  • Professional installation
  • Homeowners insurance certificate
  • Theft protection guarantee
  • Mover’s savings package
  • All equipment included in the monthly monitoring price so you don’t have to pay any expensive upfront equipment costs
  • Two-way talk

Ring Alarm System Features

  • 30-second average call response time (upper-tier plan only)
  • Motion-activated notifications
  • Real-time video with Live View
  • Two-way talk
  • Lifetime theft protection
  • Video history for 60 days (on select plans)
  • Video saving and sharing (on select plans)
  • Snapshot capture (on select plans)
  • 24/7 professional monitoring (only on the upper-tier plan)
  • Extended warranties for all devices (on select plans)
  • 10% off select products at Ring.com (on select plans)

Deciding between ADT and Ring isn’t hard because they are structured differently. Therefore, you simply select the one that fits your needs. For example, ADT doesn’t require any expensive upfront equipment costs because the equipment costs are included in the monthly monitoring price. However, Ring has very, very low monthly monitoring costs, but you have to buy the equipment upfront which can get a bit pricey.

Contracts & Warranties: ADT Vs. Ring

As far as the ADT and Ring contracts and warranties go, ADT requires you to sign a 36-month contract, and they do have an extended limited warranty they call their Quality Service Plan that is reported to be about $7 per month. In the case of Ring, it doesn’t have any contract requirements. All Ring equipment comes with a one-year warranty, and if you purchase the Ring Assist Plus option, you’ll receive an additional two-year warranty for a total of three years.

Basic Equipment: ADT Vs. Ring

The ADT basic equipment consists of a digital keypad, entryway contacts, a motion detector, backup battery, a wireless keychain remote, ADT yard signs, and ADT window decals. If you want to know what’s in the Ring starter kit, it comes with a base station, keypad, one contact sensor, one motion detector, and a range extender. However, Ring also has a wide variety of bundled equipment with varying equipment combinations, so there is something for everyone.

Installation

ADT comes with professional installation, so you don’t have to do anything yourself; however, ADT does charge for this service ($99-$150) and it’s not optional. Ring is a DIY installation but does offer a professional installation service for a fee if you so choose. However, Ring does provide access to installation guides for free on its website for every piece of equipment it sells and the Ring equipment truly is extremely easy to install, even for a beginner.

Differences: ADT vs. Ring

ADT is a good choice if you are looking for a sophisticated system with advanced features such as whole-home security with compatible home automation features. Ring, on the other hand, is designed for those who would rather do the work themselves. And even though it only comes with limited home automation features, the equipment it does have is quite advanced and, in most cases, those who have a Ring system are happy with it. So the choice between ADT and Ring will depend on your particular needs and budget.

So while ADT and Ring are similar in many ways, they are very different in others, including the plans, monitoring, and pricing structures of each, as well as what you get for the price. Therefore, choosing between ADT and Ring will greatly depend on your particular situation, what you need, and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions about ADT and Ring

Which cameras are better, Ring or ADT?

  • Both offer a high-quality camera. Ring cameras provide 1080p HD video and motion detection. They also offer night vision. The ADT outdoor cameras offer 720p HD images and work well in the dark.

Which cameras are better, Ring or ADT?

  • Both offer a high-quality camera. Ring cameras provide 1080p HD video and motion detection. They also offer night vision. The ADT outdoor cameras offer 720p HD images and work well in the dark.

Is ADT a DIY system like Ring is?

  • No, ADT security systems require professional installation, unlike Ring security products.

Are the Ring and ADT doorbells weatherproof?

  • Yes, both the Ring and ADT doorbells are designed to be weather resistant. They are not fully waterproof systems, though.