Xfinity vs ADT – Which Home Security System is Best?

Home security is a broad aspect that includes various aspects such as the protection of your property and loved ones from potential threats as well as keeping a sharp eye on your assets even when you are not present in the vicinity. Home security has become extremely important in this year and age because of the rising crime rates. But, there has been a significant upgrade in the benefits of home security systems recently which is making it a feasible option for the majority of homeowners.

A home security system is basically a combination of various devices and services that help you monitor and respond to any situation that might endanger your home. These systems are either readily available from various suppliers, or you can even create your own security network by combining devices such as entryway sensors, motion sensors, security cameras, video doorbells, etc.

Right now, choosing the perfect security system for your home is easier than ever, thanks to the availability of a lot of options from many different brands. You can now easily find a home security system that suits your budget and needs, whether you are looking for a professionally installed system or a DIY system. You can also compare different services and make a choice based on their benefits and drawbacks. In this guide, we are going to compare Xfinity and ADT based on the same aspects and try to provide a comprehensive review for both options. So, make sure you check out all sections of this guide before you make a choice.

Overview of Xfinity

Unlike most other popular options for home security, Xfinity is a slightly different option since it is a brand that covers a wide range of products and services. Xfinity is primarily a leading telecommunications and media company. It was launched back in 2010 with a wide array of services such as cable television, internet, telephone, and many other wireless services. As of right now, Xfinity is one of the largest cable internet service providers in the country, offering a variety of plans and speeds to suit different needs and budgets.

Apart from that, Xfinity has also gained a lot of popularity recently with its home security system, Xfinity Home. This service offers smart home security as well as automation solutions such as cameras, sensors, alarms, locks, thermostats, and lighting. Xfinity Home customers are capable of monitoring and controlling their home devices remotely via the Xfinity app. Xfinity also supports real-time alerts and notifications for prompt resolution in case of suspicious activity.

Advantages of Xfinity

• A wide variety of plans are available to match different needs and budgets of consumers
  
• Relatively lower prices than most other security services for both equipment and monitoring services
  
• No contract is required for most of the plans
  
• A variety of equipment options are available with a $360 equipment credit included with the Xfinity Home Secure plan
  
• Both cloud and local video storage options are available with low monthly fees
  

Limitations of Xfinity

• A 3-year contract is compulsory if you don’t purchase the equipment at the time of initial investment
  
• DIT installation is not allowed
  

Overview of ADT

ADT is another well-known security company that provides high-end products and services for home and business protection. This is one of the first services in the country that came up with complete security solutions and has been offering these services since 1874. With immense upgrades and the addition of innovative solutions over the years, ADT now offers professional installation and monitoring for its security systems. The system itself consists of many different devices such as entryway sensors, motion sensors, security cameras, video doorbells, smart home devices, and even environmental detectors.

Recently, ADT has also initiated a partnership with Google Nest, allowing them to offer advanced integration with Google Nest home security products, backed by ADT’s backend services. However, the benefits of ADT are also a bit restrictive, especially when it comes to home installations. ADT systems require a background check for existing credit history and decide eligibility based on that. ADT Systems also makes you sign up for at least a 3-year contract before initiating its services.

Advantages of ADT

• It has a long history and reputation in the security industry
  
• Customized security packages are available to better suit your needs
  
• Cloud and local video storage options are available with low monthly fees
  
• Google Nest partnership allows customers to integrate Google Nest products with ADT’s security services
  
• An exclusive ADT SMART Monitoring feature enables faster emergency response
  

Limitations of ADT

• One of the most expensive home security services available right now
  
• It is a contract-based service that requires signing up a 3-year contract
  
• It does not support a self-monitoring feature, meaning you will have to pay for professional monitoring
  
• Buyers have to return all the equipment when the service contract is ended
  

Xfinity vs ADT: Features Comparison

Now that you have had a brief introduction of Xfinity and ADT security systems, you can easily determine which of these services are more suitable for your needs. We have also included a handful of advantages and limitations for both services which can help you identify some of the aspects that will encourage you to get the service as well as some shortcomings that can be a deal-breaker for you. But if you are still not sure, worry not. We are including this comprehensive comparison of Xfinity and ADT based on some of the most important features of any security system such as installation, surveillance quality, monitoring options, equipment, costing, storage options, and much more. Once you go over our comparison, you can easily understand what you can expect from these services regarding each aspect, making it much easier for you to make the decision.

1. Installation

The installation process of security determines how easy they are to install as well as maintain when it comes to replacing batteries or relocating the devices. Most of the security services encourage users to prefer professional installation which ensures that the system is properly configured and integrated with the networks. A DIY installation is also possible for some options, which saves considerable time and reduces initial investment. But, there can be problems with DIY installations if proper procedure is not followed such as connectivity issues or blind spots in the coverage area.

Xfinity offers both professional and DIY installation options, depending on the plan and equipment you choose. Professional installation of Xfinity ranges between $99 to $150, while DIY installation is free. You can also get a $15 self-install kit from Xfinity which further simplifies the procedure for you. ADT on the other hand, only offers professional installation which costs between $100 and $200.

2. Camera Quality

The quality of the surveillance cameras used in security systems affects the clarity and resolution of the video footage. Higher quality cameras are capable of capturing more details which can help identify faces more easily. Camera quality also depends on external factors such as surrounding lighting, weather, and distance from the object. Therefore, it is necessary to check the specifications of the camera units included with the service to get an idea about the video surveillance quality. Xfinity and ADT both include high-quality cameras that can capture HD video and audio, as well as support night vision and motion detection features. Xfinity’s cameras have a 109-degree field of view, while ADT’s cameras have a much wider 140-degree field of view.

3. Monitoring Options & Cost

Monitoring options are one of the most crucial aspects of a security system as it determines how the system takes effect in case of an alert. And as you can guess, there are additional costs related to the monitoring features. There are 2 main types of monitoring available with security systems that are professional and self-monitoring. Professional monitoring involves a dedicated team that monitors the system 24/7 and alerts the authorities or the owner in case of an emergency. In contrast, self-monitoring involves the owner of the system and other authorized users who can access the system remotely via a smartphone app. In comparison, professional monitoring provides more security and convenience for the user as you don’t have to check the real-time surveillance frequently. But it also requires hefty fees as well as a contract that binds you to use the service for a dedicated period.

Xfinity offers both professional and self-monitoring options to allow better accessibility for the user. Professional monitoring for Xfinity is around $40 per month, while self-monitoring is around $10 per month for the Xfinity Home Secure plan. In this case, ADT is one of the expensive choices as it offers professional monitoring which costs range between $28.99 to $59.99 based on the equipment and service you are choosing.

4. Equipment & it’s Cost

The equipment of a security system is basically the hardware components of the security system. Generally, the equipment provided with a security service includes cameras, sensors, alarms, control panels, storage devices, and network devices. This equipment may also come at a separate cost apart from the initial installation and subscription cost. This added expense depends on the number and overall quality of the equipment.

Xfinity and ADT both offer a variety of equipment options, such as entryway sensors, motion sensors, security cameras, video doorbells, and smart home devices. Xfinity’s equipment costs between $120 to $480, increasing the cost as you add more advanced choices for the equipment. Xfinity also offers a $360 equipment credit for the Xfinity Home Secure plan which is highly beneficial if you are planning to use the system for a long time. Again, ADT’s equipment is much more expensive and costs between $599 all the way up to $2,100. You can also get a $850 equipment credit if you choose to go with the ADT Command Tier III Video Security plan.

5. Video Storage Options

Checking the available storage options is also important for a security system as it tells you how and where the video footage is stored. There are 3 different options available for video storage that are local, cloud, and hybrid. Local storage involves storing the footage on physical devices, such as hard drives or DVRs that are directly connected to the security system. Cloud storage involves storing the footage on remote servers provided and maintained by the service provider that can be accessed directly via the Internet. Hybrid storage, as you may have guessed, is a combination of the two, allowing you to use local storage for short-term backup and cloud storage for long-term archives of the footage.

Both Xfinity and ADT security services support cloud and local video storage options for ease of accessibility and to avoid the hassle of maintaining a local storage drive. Xfinity’s cloud storage services cost $10 per month for 24/7 video recording, or $5 per month for up to 10 days of video history. Xfinity’s local storage service is completely free and lets you store up to 10 GB of video footage before rewriting the data. ADT’s cloud storage services are also similar in terms of pricing and cost around $10 per month for 30 days of video history. ADT’s local storage option can store up to 8 GB of video clips, which can be a bit short, especially if you are recording with multiple cameras.

6. Continuous Video Recording

Continuous video recording is a special feature available with security systems that enables it to record everything that happens in its field of view, regardless of whether there is any motion or activity. This mode provides more comprehensive and complete coverage of the area as well as collects more information in case of an incident. However, this mode can also consume more storage and power compared to other models such as motion-activated recording. So, it is only preferable for commercial security installations where it is crucial to keep an eye on important assets 24/7.

Xfinity and ADT both support continuous video recording options. Xfinity’s CVR option is $10 per month per camera, and it allows customers to record and view 24/7 live video from their cameras. ADT’s CVR is relatively expensive and costs $19.99 per month, for each included camera. So on top of increased subscription cost, you also have to factor in the added cost for each camera in your setup.

7. Smart Home Integration

Smart home integration refers to the ability of the system to communicate and interact with other smart devices in your home. This integration enhances the functionality efficiency of the security system, as well as the overall smart home experience for the user. For example, the security system can automatically adjust the lighting and temperature based on the occupancy and activity in the home. But, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to smart home integration. For instance, you have to consider the compatible smart home ecosystems for the security system or the smart features that are introduced in the system.

Xfinity and ADT both offer a wide range of smart home integration options. Xfinity’s smart home integration works with the majority of popular platforms and devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and many more. ADT’s smart home integration works with also popular platforms and devices such as Google Nest, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, etc along with the addition of options like Z-Wave and Zigbee.

8. Contract length

A lot of security systems are bound by a contract that defines a particular duration of the agreement between the owner and the service provider. It basically makes it compulsory for you to use the security system for a designated time period. So, a longer contract length can be problematic at times, especially if you wish to discontinue the service or replace it with a better alternative. However, there are also some benefits of signing up for a contract. First of all, you get to choose a plan which seems affordable to you and it will be the same without any changes in the expense until the end of the contract period.

Xfinity and ADT both require contracts for most of their plans. Xfinity’s contract length is 12 months for the Xfinity Home Secure plan, or no contract if you are going with the Xfinity Home Plus plan. In this case, ADT is a lot more restrictive as it makes you sign up for at least 36 months. Considering the fact that ADT services are more expensive, it can be a hassle to keep up with its subscription plans and running costs for such a long time.

9. Mobile Access and Alerts

Mobile access and alerts refer to the features that allow security system owners to access the security system remotely via their mobile devices. With that, users can receive notifications and alerts from the system directly. This feature can provide increased security and peace of mind for the user as they can monitor the system from anywhere. Most systems also allow users to remotely update the system’s parameters to suit their requirements.

You will get access to remote control and alerts with Xfinity as well as ADT. Xfinity’s mobile access and alerts are available through the Xfinity mobile app or the web portal that you can use on any system with a web browser. It has a lot of features such as viewing live and recorded video, arming and disarming the system, controlling smart home devices, and receiving real-time notifications. ADT’s mobile access and alerts are also available through the ADT app and its web portal will have similar accessibility and monitoring features.

10. Connectivity

Lastly, you need to check the available connectivity options for the system as it is how the system will communicate and interact with other devices and its backend services. A reliable connectivity option ensures that the security system can function consistently without any interruptions. Most security systems also offer multiple connectivity options that work as backup options in case of power or internet outages, such as cellular or battery backup.

Xfinity and ADT both offer cellular and broadband connectivity options. Xfinity’s connectivity is based on WiFi which provides reliable and fast internet service with your personal wireless network. Xfinity also offers cellular backup for an additional fee of $5 per month for the Xfinity Home Secure plan. ADT’s connectivity is based on the ADT network which is relatively faster and more reliable in comparison. ADT also offers cellular backup for no additional cost for most of its plans.

Xfinity vs ADT: Which is Best Home Security?

Considering all of the aspects that we have discussed so far, it would be much simpler to decide which of these services is better suited for your needs. If you are looking for a reliable home security network that covers all the essential features needed for basic home security, you should go with Xfinity. As we mentioned before, Xfinity offers benefits in many different sectors such as installation, contract length, continuous video recording, and monitoring options, allowing you to personalize these features to suit your budget and requirements. ADT on the other hand, has more strict rules in most aspects. For example, it has a security background check to ensure eligibility and also has a longer contract length. But, the reliability and the QOS offered by ADT are unmatched in the industry, making it an ideal choice if you are planning to invest in a security system for a long time.

Xfinity vs ADT – FAQs

Conclusion

We hope that you are now completely familiar with both ADT and Xfinity home security service providers and capable of choosing the option that offers you the best benefits. Both Xfinity and ADT offer comprehensive home security solutions with their own set of advantages and limitations. Therefore, the final choice between the two ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget considerations. To make it easier to understand, we have included a features comparison section where you can check out the most essential aspects of a security system in general, and see what Xfinity and ADT have to offer in that regard. This way, you can easily find the differences between the 2 options and prefer the one which is best suited for your needs. If you are looking for any more info regarding this comparison, you can reach us directly via the comment section.