When it comes to the security of your home, you can never be too safe. That’s why it’s important to do your research if and when you decide to use a security system to protect your loved ones and your home.
Two such security systems are SafeTouch and ADT. While ADT is well-known no matter where you live, SafeTouch is just starting out. However, both offer the features and devices needed to keep your family safe and secure.
Of course, there are factors that can determine which security system works best for you. For example, you might not have the budget for a company like ADT, or you may not live in the Safetouch service area.
Let’s take a closer look at these two home security systems and find which one makes the most sense for you. That way, you can keep your family and home safe while controlling what’s going on in your home, even when you’re away.
The Main Differences Between SafeTouch and ADT
- Location: SafeTouch is only available in Georgia and Florida. By comparison, ADT is available throughout the entire United States
- Sensors: You’ll get various sensors for your home security through both SafeTouch and ADT. SafeTouch offers garage and smart door locks while ADT provides water and smoke sensors to protect in the event of a flood or fire.
- Experience: If you’re looking for a company solidly entrenched in the world of home security, ADT is the way to go. They’ve been in business for over 140 years, while SafeTouch has been around for a few decades.
SafeTouch Home Security System
SafeTouch Security is one of the largest independent security and communications companies in the US. With a MySafeTouch app, a bevy of sensors, and plenty of notifications and alerts, you’ll know that your home has the protection it needs no matter where you are.
By using and implementing the latest and greatest technologies available, SafeTouch ensures that you’re getting high-quality, reliable service. SafeTouch owns their own monitoring systems, which means when you have a problem, you’ll speak to a professionally trained employee, every time.
Monitoring Options
You’ll get a personal touch with SafeTouch, as the monitoring company owns all their own stations. They do not outsource their monitoring to a third-party company, which means you’re getting best-in-class service anytime you have an issue.
There are three monitoring plans available with SafeTouch:
- Secure: Only includes a landline option
- Secure Interactive: Adds broadband support to the Secure package, along with remote arming and mobile app
- Secure Ultimate: All features included with Secure and Secure Interactive packages, plus cellular backup and home automation capabilities
One thing to keep in mind is that SafeTouch does require a three-year commitment that comes with a monthly monitoring rate. Keep that in mind if you don’t want to be tied down to a long-term contract.
Systems
There are two system panels that SafeTouch offers its users. The first is the IQ Panel 2, which offers an intuitive and clean interface. This control panel has a seven-inch edge-to-edge display, which features a 1280×800 resolution.
With the IQ Panel 2, SafeTouch users receive all pertinent information relating to the security of their home. Additionally, users have access to a security camera feed, Bluetooth capability, and Geofencing.
Your second systems panel option is the GC2 Security Panel. This control panel is wireless and has a self-contained alarm notification system. It will support up to 60 zones using various sensors that operate on the 345 MHz frequency.
Also included with the GC2 are two-way voice communication, weather display, an LCD touch screen, and a GSM radio, which allows for cellular connectivity.
Equipment
When it comes to equipment, SafeTouch provides its customers with a wide range of devices. There are security cameras, entry sensors, motion detectors, and glass-break sensors, all available to keep you and your family safe.
Let’s take a look at some of the equipment available with SafeTouch.
Motion Detection Sensor
The SafeTouch motion sensor is one of the best you’ll find in the home security market. You’ll get up to 44 feet of coverage, along with a 90-degree field of view. When you put your SmartTouch motion sensor to use, nothing moves near your home without you knowing about it.
Glass Sensors
With a SafeTouch glass sensor, you’ll be alerted the second a break-in occurs. SafeTouch uses a pattern recognition technology to determine when glass in your home is broken. As a result, you and the SafeTouch monitoring team are notified immediately.
Door/Window Sensor
Door and windows sensors from SafeTouch are easy to set up and will last longer than many other sensors on the market. With long battery life, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you will get notified if a break-in occurs. Additionally, the sensors provided by SafeTouch are compatible with many different types of windows and doors.
Security Cameras
SafeTouch home security has several cameras you can use to protect your home. You can select an indoor camera, which offers high-resolution and covers all the important areas within your house.
Or you can choose a wireless outdoor camera, which provides up to 40 feet of detection. SafeTouch outdoor cameras also include night vision and allow up to ten people to watch at the same time.
You can also get an HD doorbell camera that gives you a wide-angle view so you can see exactly what’s going on outside your front door.
Light Control
Using a SafeTouch smart plug gives you the power to control your lights or any other device via the MySafeTouch mobile application. You can create schedules to have your lights turn on and off even when you’re not at home.
That way, if you and your family leave town for a few days, anyone looking for a house to break into won’t have any idea that you’re not there.
Smart Door Lock
The SafeTouch smart door lock is a great option if you’re the type of person who constantly forgets to lock up behind you when you leave. Whether you’re out enjoying dinner or need to let someone in your home, using a smart door lock lets you unlock and lock the door from the convenience of your MySafeTouch mobile app.
SafeTouch Pros and Cons
Pros
- Equipment comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Access security system remotely with SafeTouch mobile app.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Doesn’t require a down payment.
- Supports home automation.
- Various sensors available, including glass, window, door, and garage options.
- Voice-enables command center.
Cons
- Unavailable nationwide (only Florida and Georgia at this time).
- Contract renews automatically.
- Significant installation fee.
SafeTouch Review
The biggest challenge SafeTouch has to overcome is the fact that it’s only available in two states while other home security companies make their services available nationwide. Three-year contracts might seem like a big deal, but they are starting to become an industry-standard rather than an anomaly.
Additionally, the company does not give customers the option to go month-to-month once their contract terms are met. However, the security firm does offer high-quality equipment along with professional monitoring services that respond almost immediately when a problem occurs.
ADT
If you’ve never heard of ADT, then you may have spent much of your life living under a rock. This large home security company has been in business for almost 150 years. Since its inception, ADT has offered great home solutions like security alarms and fire alarms.
ADT is one of the more recognized names in the home security industry for a reason. It offers a wide variety of options for its customers, along with reliable service. The drawback to ADT is that the company uses many third-party retailers who sell ADT.
As a result, you may not be working directly with the company when someone comes to install your system. Additionally, it’s difficult to determine whether or not the person you’re speaking with is an ADT representative, which can cause confusion.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the hardware and equipment you’ll get from ADT. You’ll get a better idea of how the company itself works, which helps determine which system makes the most sense for you and your family.
Monitoring Options
If you still have a landline option in your home, ADT has good news for you. They have a monitoring solution that integrates with your phone. However, if you decide to add more features than just your landline solution, they can quickly get expensive.
However, with additional expenses come more options for monitoring and a more thorough coverage package. As a result, you’re getting the security and protection you want and need for both your home and your family.
No matter which package you choose with ADT, you’ll get a professionally monitored security system. That means you’ll get a quick response no matter what type of alarm is triggered. An ADT agent will immediately notify the proper authorities, so you can rest knowing your home is safe and secure.
You can choose amongst various plans which of course come at different prices depending on which one you select. ADT offers a variety of security systems, some of which work with landlines while others connect directly to a cellular service provider.
Of course, these types of advanced plans and systems come with additional costs. The benefit here is that if you lose power, a system connected to a cellular provider will still be up and running.
Additionally, cellular connections are more secure and they allow you to connect your system to a complete suite of home automation devices and components.
ADT has half a dozen monitoring centers throughout the US, which means if one goes offline, it will simply reroute to another one. No matter what happens, you’ll get the security and monitoring you need when you choose to go with ADT.
Like SafeTouch, you have to sign a three-year contract with ADT. If you’re not a big fan of a long-term contract, you might be out of luck as this is standard for most home security providers.
Systems
Your ADT control panel is straightforward. It has a simple and basic design that many other home security companies have available. No matter which package you select, the ADT control panel will give you as much or little control as you want.
Basic control panels from ADT have physical buttons that give you control over the entire system. If you choose to go with ADT Pulse, the company’s cellular option, you’ll get a touchscreen that has icons that indicate which settings you’re adjusting.
In addition to controlling all your home security features, the ADT Pulse package also gives you the ability to control all your smart home automation components as well, so long as they integrate with the ADT system you choose.
Equipment
One of the most common drawbacks you’ll hear from ADT detractors is the fact that they don’t provide their own equipment. The company relies on third-party manufacturers for all the hardware and equipment they use.
While there is nothing exclusive about the hardware they use, ADT does have a wide range of options from which they can choose. That means you have more options as well.
If all you need is a way to secure your windows and doors, ADT has the equipment to get that done for you. However, if you want something more advanced – like cameras, smoke detectors, flood and water sensors, and smart lights, – ADT has all that equipment as well.
The challenge is that ADT does not show how much its equipment costs, so you never know just how much you’re spending until you have an ADT representative come to your home to speak with you.
Even though it requires a consultation, you’re getting the information you need beforehand. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll spend, along with all the details of your installation and setup before it occurs.
Cameras
Just like with SafeTouch, ADT offers cameras for indoor and outdoor use, as well as a doorbell camera. While the design of these cameras won’t blow you away, they get the job done. They’ll record video in 720p, which means you can clearly see exactly what’s going on.
Unfortunately, these cameras don’t support two-way audio, however, the thing to keep in mind is that ADT designs their systems to keep an eye on your home, not talk to it.
Your indoor and outdoor cameras will work with your wireless network. That means you can place them anywhere you need to and not have to worry about a bunch of cords tangling up or being in the way. Even if they don’t make their own cameras, at least ADT tries to choose ones that work best for their customers.
With the addition of a doorbell camera to its portfolio, ADT joins the modern era of smart home automation and security. A smart doorbell was the missing piece for ADT, and having this piece of equipment adds two-way audio to your security package, along with live streaming and HD recording.
Door and Window Contacts
Instead of sensors, ADT refers to its window and door devices as ‘contacts’. While this might bother some people, it doesn’t really matter as they behave the exact same way. If someone tries to force their way into your home you’ll know it when these contacts alert ADT.
Motion Detectors
You can put your ADT motion detectors wherever you need them and you’ll receive alerts when it senses movement. These devices are pet-friendly, which means you aren’t going to get false notifications whenever something small is moving around your home or your front porch.
Wireless Keychain Remote
Something fun that you’ll get when you sign up with ADT is its wireless keychain remote. With this remote, you can disarm or arm your security system as you leave your home. That way you aren’t hurrying to get out of your home before the system arms itself.
You can pull out your wireless keychain remote while sitting in your car and know that your home is secure. Or you can disarm it as you pull into the driveway, so you don’t have to scramble to turn it off before a notification is sent that there’s an intruder.
The device will work up to around 75 feet from your control panel. However, if it’s something you’ll use regularly, it’s definitely nice to have.
Home Automation
ADT has no shortage of home automation choices. Through ADT’s components, you can control your thermostat, garage door, smart lights, locks, and outlets. If you have other smart gadgets in your home you want to connect, there’s a good chance ADT will work with them.
You do have to use ADT’s Pulse selection if you want to integrate your smart home devices, which will cost a bit more money. However, you’ll get much more control over your home security and other smart features.
Having this type of functionality allows you to plug the gaps in areas where ADT may not quite be up to snuff. Or you can upgrade your equipment with smarter cameras, door sensors, or locks.
One nice benefit of ADT’s home automation is that it is fully integrated with Amazon Alexa. As a result, you can tell your home security system to do what you need done without messing with the ADT mobile app or getting up and messing with your control panel.
Mobile App
If you sign up for the ADT Pulse monitoring system, you can download the ADT mobile app so you can control your home security no matter where you are. Through the app, you can control your thermostat, arm or disarm your system, and view live streaming from your cameras.
Installation
If you choose to go with ADT for your home security needs, a professional contractor comes to your home and performs the installation for you. The only thing you have to do is choose which equipment you want to have and where in your home you want it.
ADT will perform the set up as well if you don’t want to mess with that. The installation team will hardwire your home, go over all your hardware with you, then place the well-known ADT sign in your yard.
The contractor may also make suggestions and recommendations if they think you could benefit from any additional hardware. Of course, it’s up to you whether you choose to add it or not. The drawback to all of this is that you’ll pay for installation when you choose ADT.
ADT Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage with six monitoring centers across the US.
- Wireless plans offer full home automation.
- Control your gadgets with voice control through Amazon Alexa.
- Mobile app available to control your home security when you’re not there.
- Various monitoring options gives you the best selection for your home.
Cons:
- Equipment prices are not available online.
- The company uses third-party provider for installation.
- Installation can be pricey.
ADT Review
If you choose to go with ADT for your home security needs, it won’t be cheap. There are a lot of options with the home security provider, including integrating many of your already existing smart home devices and gadgets.
However, monitoring and installation are thorough, comprehensive, and professional. Even though their customer service is hit or miss, you can rest easy knowing you only have to control one system.
The Verdict
When it comes to comparing these two home security systems, perhaps the biggest drawback to using SafeTouch is its service area. Only providing service for two states is a significant checkmark against the company. However, it’s important that it has only been in business for a fraction of the time that ADT has been around.
You’ll get plenty of options with both companies, but if you want a reliable and recognizable name, then ADT is the way to go. Whether you’re just starting out with home security or deep in the weeds with controlling your home, ADT can provide the hardware and equipment you want and need.
Choosing between the two for me is easy since I don’t live in Florida or Georgia. But if you do, then you should take some time to consider which of these solid home security systems will work best for you and your home.
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