ADT vs Ring – Which home security brand is best in 2023?

Check out our ADT vs Ring comparison to determine which brand offers better home security solutions. Take this opportunity to learn everything about DIY home security systems. Whether you want a self-monitoring or professional-monitoring system, you have landed on the right article! 

ADT vs Ring – Quick Comparison

ADT stands for American District Telegraph. Edward Callahan founded the company. The company’s primary focus is home electronic security solutions and fire protection. 

Jamie Siminoff founded Ring. This company produces home security equipment like cameras and sensors.   

At first glance, you might think that one brand prevails over another. While this may be partly true, we recommend that you read the entire article to understand every feature these companies offer to their consumers. 

ADT

ADT

Pros: 

  • Continuous recording supported
  • Profesional monitoring available in all plans
  • Facial recognition technology
  • Fields of view

Cons:

  • Narrow selection of camera models
  • Contract obligation

Ring

Ring

Pros: 

  • Easy installation
  • Vast range of affordable cameras
  • Affordable subscription packages 
  • Storage retention time

Cons: 

  • Continuous recording not supported
  • Fields of view

Ring vs ADT – Key Features

Price and Value

When comparing these two brands you should pay attention to both their products and services. These are two key components of every home security system.  

Each company provides cameras, sensors, and other home security devices. However, you might want to add new functions to your system at some point. In this case, you have to find the right subscription plan.   

Both companies offer a vast range of premium features grouped into different plans. If you want to use ADT’s features, the cheapest option is the Secure Home plan. It costs $45.99 per  month. It includes intrusion detection, fire, CO, and flood monitoring. 

ADT Subscription PlansSecure HomeSmart HomeVideo & Smart Home
Intrusion DetectionYesYesYes
Fire, CO & Flood MonitoringYesYesYes
Touchscreen Control PanelYesYesYes
Voice ControlYesYesYes
Remote Access Mobile AppNoYesYes
Smart Home AutomationNoYesYes
Video SecurityNoNoYes
Stored Video ClipsNoNoYes
Monthly Price$45.99$49.99$57.99

However, if you want to automate your system, the Smart Home package is the right solution for you.  

Finally, the Video & Smart Home package contains all of the remaining services. It costs $57.99 per month. Interestingly, all three ADT subscription plans have the professional monitoring feature, which is a big plus. 

But, that isn’t the case with Ring. The table below shows that only the Ring’s Protect Pro plan contains the professional monitoring feature. However, the prices of their packages are significantly lower compared to ADT’s plans. For instance, the professional feature will cost you only $20 a month. 

Ring Subscription PlansProtect BasicProtect PlusProtect Pro
Video Saving and SharingYesYesYes
Video History60 days60 days60 days
Person DetectionYesYesYes
Rich NotificationsYesYesYes
Extended WarrantyNoYesYes
24/7 Professional MonitoringNoNoYes
Alarm Cellular BackupNoNo Yes
Alexa Guard PlusNoNoYes
Monthly Fee$3.99$10$20

Whichever Ring plan you choose, you can watch the video history for 60 days. You can also download and share video clips with other people. So, if you want to have only the basic functions, the Protect Basic plan might be the perfect solution for you. It costs $3.99 a month.  

To conclude, ADT and Ring offer enticing features. Ring plans are very affordable and offer good value for the price. However, neither of these companies offer a reduced yearly fee, which is a big disadvantage. 

Winner: Ring   

Installation

Many home security solutions on the market are DIY. The main advantage of these systems is easy installation. The only thing you need to do is read the manuals and adjust the system to suit your needs. 

However, if you want to install an ADT home security system, you must consult with the company’s experts. In that case, an ADT professional installation can cost you between $99 and $199.

Ring is a much better solution for those who prefer DIY systems. Watch the step-by-step video guide below and find out how to install the Ring home security system yourself. 

Winner: Ring

Storage

Monthly Cost

ADT monthly storage costs range from $27.99 to $62.99. However, Ring is very transparent when it comes to storage monthly costs. This feature is available in all of their subscription plans. The monthly costs vary between $3 and $20. 

Winner: Ring

Storage Retention Time

ADT stores your video clips for up to 30 days. The system deletes all clips older than 30 days to preserve memory. So, if you want to save some clips on an external SSD, do that before the ADT system deletes them.

However, Ring might be a better solution for you because they store video clips for up to 60 days. In other words, a video clip is available for 60 days from the moment you record it. 

Winner: Ring 

Camera Options

ADT doesn’t have a large offering of home security cameras. Their choice comes down to two models that are quite expensive. 

ADT HD Outdoor Camera
ADT HD Outdoor Camera

Whether you want an ADT indoor or outdoor camera, the price is the same. You need to set aside $199.99. The ADT HD Outdoor camera is an outdoor model which supports full HD resolution. 

Among other perks, the ADT outdoor camera features facial recognition technology. In other words, the camera can distinguish the familiar faces of your loved ones from strangers. If you want this feature as a part of your system, then ADT might be the right choice for you. 

ADT CamerasMSRPIndoor/OutdoorResolutionCurrent Price
ADT HD Outdoor Camera$199.99Outdoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon
ADT HD Indoor Camera$199.99Indoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon

However, Ring has a vast range of different camera models. Firstly, most of their models are cheaper than ADT cameras. Secondly, all Ring cameras can be used indoors or outdoors

Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD Camera
Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD Camera

Last but not least, all cameras support full HD resolution. This resolution is standard on the market because it can display clear and sharp images from your cameras.  

Ring CamerasMSRPIndoor/OutdoorResolutionCurrent Price
Stick Up Cam Elite $199.99Indoor/Outdoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon
Stick Up Cam Solar$139.99Indoor/Outdoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon
Stick Up Cam Battery$99.99Indoor/Outdoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon
Stick Up Cam Plug-In$99.99Indoor/Outdoor1080p HDCheck Price on Amazon

Most importantly, Ring cameras can use batteries, solar energy or energy from a power outlet. Ring offers plenty of choices when it comes to this segment.

Winner: Ring 

Continuous Recording

ADT supports continuous recording. As we said earlier, the company allows you to store video clips for a maximum of 30 days. Depending on the settings, ADT cameras can record video continuously or when triggered by motion.

Remote servers will store your video footage as long as you have an internet connection. If you lose internet connection, the server won’t be able to receive the signal. 

To prevent these situations, find out why your router keeps losing connection. Plus, make sure to use ADT hardwired cameras instead of wireless solutions. 

Unfortunately, Ring doesn’t support continuous recording. However, you can tweak the system to record longer video clips. You have the option to choose between 15 and 90 seconds. But, if you really want the continuous recording feature, ADT is the right choice.     

Winner: ADT

Power and Battery Features

ADT has two simple solutions for this segment. The outdoor model is battery-powered, while the indoor model is wired. 

Camera ModelSource of Power
ADT HD Outdoor CameraBattery
ADT HD Indoor CameraWired
Ring Stick Up Cam EliteWired
Ring Stick Up Cam SolarSolar Panel
Ring Stick Up Cam BatteryBattery
Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-InWired

The Stick Up Cam Elite uses a PoE adapter. Connect your camera to the router with the PoE adapter. This way, you can supply power to your cameras by using ethernet cables

Power Over Ethernet Connection Diagram
Power Over Ethernet Connection Diagram

The Stick Up Solar camera has two power sources, a solar panel and a battery. The solar panel absorbs sunlight to produce energy which is used to charge the battery. So, if you are planning to build a house far from the city, this could be a perfect solution for you. 

Winner: Ring

Subscriptions and Contracts

Unfortunately, you can’t use ADT cameras without a contractual obligation. The standard contract lasts 36 months (24 months in California). If you want to cancel the contract, you have to pay 75% of the remaining monthly amounts.  

However, if you want to set up a home security system without a contract, Ring may be the best choice. Without a subscription, you can get the following features depending on the camera model: 

  • Real-time video
  • Motion detection notifications
  • Two-way audio

Winner: Ring

Trial Period

Instead of a trial period, ADT offers a 3-day buyer’s remorse period (they have to by law). You can test equipment and cancel an ADT contract during this period if you aren’t satisfied. Make sure to cancel the contract within 3 business days. 

Ring offers a 30-day free trial for new consumers. This might be a good chance for you to test all their exciting features. When the trial ends, all your videos will be deleted. 

Therefore, if you are satisfied with their services, make sure to subscribe to one of their packages before the trial ends. Otherwise, download all your videos on an external drive

Winner: Ring

Warranty

ADT offers a 90-day limited warranty on the equipment. After the warranty expires, you can consult with an ADT specialist to get more information about extended warranty options. 

Ring might be a much better solution for you since it offers a one-year limited warranty. Additionally, you get lifetime theft protection

Winner: Ring

Technology Features

Night Vision

If you want complete surveillance of your house or apartment, you might want to pay attention to whether your camera has a night vision function. Today’s home security cameras have either infrared night vision or full-color night vision. 

Infrared cameras are much better at detecting people and objects in low-light conditions. They can also detect heat and convert it into an electronic signal to produce a thermal image.   

The ADT HD Outdoor camera has infrared night vision. On the other hand, many Ring camera models also feature infrared night vision. 

Winner: Draw 

Video Display – Fields of View

The ADT indoor camera has 145 degrees, and the outdoor camera has 130 degrees of field of view. Ring cameras offer similar performance when it comes to this segment. Their field of view ranges from 130 to 140 degrees.

ADT Indoor Camera Footage
ADT Indoor Camera Footage

Winner: ADT 

Person Detection

This feature allows you to set up your camera to detect motions. So, when the camera spots the motion, you will get a notification. In short, it helps you reduce notifications because it can differentiate people’s motion from other everyday object movements. 

Ring Person Detection Notification
Ring Person Detection Notification

It is worth mentioning that both brands have cameras with this feature. This has become the standard in the home video surveillance equipment market. 

Winner: Draw 

Conclusion

Have you decided which brand is better, ADT vs Ring? We are sure you have enough relevant information to choose the right home security system. But, once again, we will point out the most significant facts from the article. 

If you want to record videos continuously, ADT can be the right choice. ADT stores your video footage on remote servers for up to 30 days. 

If you don’t like the idea of self-monitoring, the professional monitoring feature could be the right solution for you. The feature is available in all three ADT subscription packages. It can help protect your home from fire, CO, and flood. 

You can combine this with other premium features such as home automation and remote access via the app. The cheapest option is $45.99 a month. 

However, Ring is a real DIY system. It is easy to install and doesn’t require professional installation. The equipment is also very affordable compared to other similar brands on the market. 

The price of their cameras ranges from $100 to $200. They support full HD resolution and can be used indoors and outdoors.

So, if you are looking for the best value for the price, Ring is the perfect brand for you. Especially if we take into account their subscription plans. The plan prices range from $3 to $20 a month. 

For instance, you can choose the Protect Plus package, which costs $10 a month. The package has many key features such as a 60-days video history, person detection, and extended warranty options.  

Most importantly, you can get Ring equipment without subscriptions. In this case, basic features like video streaming, motion detection, and two-way audio can be available to you without any contract.

But, we do encourage you to take advantage of the Ring’s 30-day free trial and try some of their premium features. You may like some of these and want to have them as part of your system.

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About Melissa

Hey! I'm Mel, I write the occasional article for Spacehop, amongst other things. I love meeting new people and chatting, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

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