Compare Bay Alarm vs. ADT Home Security Home Security Systems

So, you are looking for a home security system and both Bay Alarm or ADT have something that catches your eye. It might be that you saw ADTs “secured” blue yard sign in front of a neighbor’s home or Bay Alarm’s agents passing through as part of the company’s Vacation Watch service. In another scenario, you were talking to your friends and someone mentioned ADT’s pet-friendly sensors and expandable à la carte systems or Bay Alarm’s excellent customer support and 24/7 live monitoring.

Whatever the reason, you’re here, and you want to know which company—Bay Alarm vs. ADT—is the best home security system for you. We can help you figure out the pros and cons of ADT vs. Bay Alarm, but you are the only person who knows which system fits you best. If you are considering becoming a customer or either company, it’s crucial that you conduct your research and get quotes from each of them.

ADT is a massive company that has more than 150 years of experience in the home security industry and is known for having solid equipment and good monitoring service (although some customers point out the pricing and customer service departments could use some love.) Bay Alarm also has more than 70 years of experience and is popular among homeowners for their excellent customer support and 24/7 live monitoring.

Overall, Bay Alarm and ADT share lot of the same attributes. Both companies offer high-quality systems and a comprehensive listing of services. While Bay Alarm excels for their customer support and immediate medical response, the company’s downside is that it only caters to California residents and people who happen to live in Phoenix or Seattle. On top of that, Bay Alarm is more expensive concerning start-up fees.

In the battle of Bay Alarm vs. ADT, the latter is the clear winner for renters or homeowners looking for the flexibility of not only state-wide service but also the option of a month to month contract service with 24/7 professional security like the ADT Canopy.

Read on to learn more about our comparison of ADT vs. Bay Alarm based on the pros and cons of each company’s equipment, devices, monitoring, and reputation.

With the high rate of burglary in the United States, many people are looking towards home security systems to keep their properties and families safe. When considering a home security system, the first thing to think about is what your security goals are. If you want to deter burglars, there are some wireless home security systems that you can monitor yourself, but if you want your home to be more protected, a complete home security system does not only monitor the home for burglary activity, but many also offer fire, flood, and carbon monoxide monitoring.

Also, a study conducted by the University of North Carolina in Charlotte found that when selecting a target, most burglars would determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary. In other words, just having a home security system in plain view can prevent a break-in.

Both ADT and Bay Alarm include all the aforementioned features in its home security packages, but ADT offers a lineup of customizable home security monitoring package options that appeal to a more diverse range of people and budgets. Also, you can move freely across the states without worrying about cancellation fees or starting anew with another home security system.

Also, both ADT and Bay Alarm require professional installation and each offer 24/7 monitoring, home automation, doorbell cameras, fire & smoke detection, and medical alarm systems. So, what are the differences?

Besides ADT providing service across the nation, the company also offers more equipment than Bay Alarm and for a lower startup price. Also, Bay Alarm requires a home security in-home review before selling or leasing any equipment, which could annoy some customers. However, Bay Alarm does have some exciting perks such as offering medical discounts to USA, USAA, and AARP members as well as providing extra customer service with its Vacation Watch and Safety Escort programs.

The essential task of motion detectors is to sense an intruder and send an alert to the control panel which alerts the monitoring center. A motion sensor uses one or multiple technologies to detect movement in an area. The type of sensor that a company uses—as well as the number of different placement options—cannot only make a particular company better suited to your needs but also make you safer. On this point, both Bay Alarm and ADT offer motion sensors, environmental sensors, and live surveillance.

ADT’s basic package includes three entryway detection points, 24-hour battery backup, pet-sensitive detection, and ADT signs and decals. All of this comes with 24-hour professional monitoring—the most important feature. One of the best things about ADT is its pet-sensitive sensors. Depending on the size of your pet and the specifics of the motion sensors used, your pets may trigger a standard motion sensor or alarm. However, ADT’s sensors are smart enough to tell the difference between animals and humans, so you don’t have to worry about false alarms.

Bay Alarm’s system starts with a touchscreen control panel or keypad. The company offers multiple control panel options that allow you to control all system functions and can be customized to make the system more interactive. BayGuard sensors—which comprise heat sensors and infrared sensors—are placed in the hallways, bedrooms, stairways, kitchens, and other areas to protect against intruders. Bay Alarm also provides a solid equipment to protect against fires.

Regarding live surveillance, both Bay Alarm and ADT have a wide selection of indoor and outdoor security cameras and video doorbell cameras. With these, you can stream live videos from your smartphone or computer and also record and save video clips.

Having a live surveillance equipment is especially helpful in households where there are children or older adults present. On that note, Bay Alarm goes beyond live surveillance to provide an entire personal emergency response system that includes an automatic fall detection button, wall button, and free monitoring for spouse.

Besides having the best sensors and surveillance equipment, a company’s monitoring service is the single most essential part of home security. Knowing that there is a team of trained security professionals watching over your home and ready to respond to any emergency will give you and your family peace of mind.

So, how does the monitoring service work? Your alarm system sounds when one of your sensors is triggered. Depending on how your system is set up, either a high decibel alarm will sound, or a silent alarm will be sent to your home security company’s monitoring station. Then, your monitoring station will be notified, and a dispatcher will be alerted to an emergency at your home.

Both ADT and Bay Alarm’s monitoring stations are staffed 24/7, so there is always someone ready to respond to your alarm. Once a dispatcher is notified, they will contact you to verify if it’s a legitimate emergency or a false alarm. If it’s a false alarm, the dispatcher will cancel the alarm and will not notify your local authorities. If the dispatcher cannot contact you, they will assume there is an emergency.

ADT and Bay Alarm own and manage their monitoring stations. ADT has one main national monitoring center located in Aurora, Colorado and nine other monitoring centers located throughout the United States and Canada. Having multiple monitoring centers allows ADT to offer its home monitoring services in a wide variety of locations throughout the U.S. and also ensures that their customers receive the most reliable service possible. Bay Alarm, on the other hand, has only one monitoring center in Northern California.

The monitoring system and response speed are one of the top drivers of customer satisfaction with a home security company. You want a swift and automatic response in case of an emergency and having a 24/7 monitoring service can provide just that. When shopping for a home security company, make sure to check out the company's monitoring technology as well as its customer service ratings and feedback.

Both Bay Alarm and ADT offer state of the art technology when it comes to monitoring and protecting your home, and both require a 36-month contract and professional installation. This means that an experienced technician will come to your house and install the home security equipment of your choosing. The technician will install components including the digital keypad, entryway detectors, and motion detectors.

Before installing the hardware, Bay Alarm will send someone to perform a home security review. Then you will receive a quote and can purchase the system. For this reason, finding the actual cost of service is difficult without a visit. However, we did find that Bay Alarm's monitoring costs start at $30 per month and it charges an installation fee, which includes a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. This fee will depend on the type of system that you want them to install. A basic installation (control panel, two door/window sensors, and motion sensor) will cost around $300.

ADT does things differently. When you purchase an ADT monitored system, you will receive the equipment for free. The only upfront cost you will have to pay is the customer installation charge. What does the installation cost? Depending on the package, installation fees range from $99 to $199. Also, all packages come with a $100 VISA Reward Card and a standard monitoring system valued at $850. ADT offers a 180-day money back guarantee.

It wasn’t long ago that when an intruder broke into a home, the home security system will sound an alarm. If it were a monitored system, the central station would call the authorities to report the intrusion. Today, home security systems can still sound an alarm, but they are much more difficult to trespass or tamper with.

A wireless system can stream live video or send still images of what’s happening in your home. If you have children at home, or an older adult, you can use the live feed to check up on them. You can even get notifications before the break-in, the moment the surveillance equipment catches someone that is not supposed to be there.

But that’s not all. Home security teamed up with home automation to make it even easier for the homeowner to control the security equipment remotely and even give the appearance that someone is home. Both Bay Alarm and ADT offer home automation features. With these, you have total control of your lights, thermostat, and door locks.

Both companies also provide environmental detectors that inform you of hazards like fire, carbon monoxide levels, and water leakages. You can also use the system to program your home’s temperature, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling your home unnecessarily.

While Bay Alarm has home automation capabilities (and app) and is known for its medical pendants, we prefer ADT’s Pulse App for its added control and convenience. What ADT offers in contrast to Bay Alarm is lifestyle management at your command.

Both ADT and Bay Alarm have been around for decades. ADT is one of the most well-known home security companies in the industry and Bay Alarm has over 70 years of experience. Also, both companies have certified and award-winning monitoring centers. So, what makes ADT stand out?

A company of ADT’s size provides customers with much more resources than a smaller company like Bay Alarm. Also, the fact that it allows for service to the entire nation makes it an excellent choice for renters or people who are planning to move. However, ADT has numerous negative customer reviews regarding their hefty fees and customer service representatives.

With that said, bear in mind that the amount of negative reviews is not necessarily a cause for concern, especially in the case of a company of ADT’s size that caters to more than 6 million customers.

In contrast, Bay Alarm has a solid customer service reputation and excellent customer reviews. The company goes out of its way to make its customers feel safe. Bay Alarm's commitment to the highest levels of customer service shows in being one of the few companies (if not, the only) who includes a Vacation Watch and Safety Escort in their list of services. These initiatives translate to a more reliable, personalized service and customers respond to that.

We recommend that you call ADT and Bay Alarm and schedule an in-home visit or orientation so that you can examine for yourself the two company’s customers service, pricing, and policies.