ADT DIY Home Security Review 2026

I’ve had the ADT DIY home security system installed in my house for a while now, and I’ve been using it every day, putting it through the different tests. This is my complete review of the system. I’ll cover the equipment, the self setup process, the Nest cameras, home automation, the ADT+ app, and pricing.

By the end of this review, you’ll know everything you need to know about the ADT DIY system.

Quick Look at the Pros and Cons

Before I get into the details, an overview of the pros and cons of this system.

What Is the ADT DIY System?

ADT has been in the home security business longer than just about anyone. They’re the largest home security provider in the country with six monitoring stations. But for a long time, ADT was strictly a professionally installed system. You’d call in, schedule an appointment, and a technician would come set everything up.

That changed when they launched the self setup option. Now when you call ADT, you have two choices: get the system professionally installed (which is a different system with different pricing, and I’ve reviewed that separately), or order the DIY version and install it yourself.

The DIY system also uses Google Nest cameras, which I think is actually a smart move. Nest makes really solid cameras. The security sensors (door/window, motion, glass break) are ADT’s own hardware and connect through the ADT+ app. The whole system is monitored 24/7 through Wi-Fi with cellular backup, so if your internet goes out, the monitoring stays connected.

What Came in My System

My system came bundled together and included the base station (which has the keypad built into it), door and window sensors, a motion sensor, a glass break sensor, the Nest outdoor camera, and the Nest doorbell camera. I was able to get the two cameras for free as part of a promotion, so I only paid $350 for the whole setup.

That pricing will vary depending on how much equipment you need. My house is about 2,100 square feet and this was enough to cover everything. ADT also sells pre-configured packages starting at $269 for a Build Your Own kit (base station plus one entry sensor), and they go up from there.

> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell + Nest Camera — FREE or call (833) 224-7221

The ADT Self Setup Process

One of the biggest pros of this system is how easy it is to install. The whole thing took me about two hours, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was hard to mess up. If doing a home security system on your own sounds intimidating, don’t worry. This one is genuinely simple.

Here’s how it works: plug in the base station, download the ADT+ app, connect the base station to Wi-Fi, then use the app to sync up all the sensors. The app walks you through every step.

To install the sensors, you literally peel off the adhesive backing and stick them on. Walk up to your door, stick the sensor on. Walk up to the wall where you want your motion sensor, peel off the sticky, press it on. That’s it. No drilling, no tools, no screws. It really does come as advertised.

The ADT Base Station

One thing I appreciate about this system: the base station and keypad are combined into one unit. A lot of DIY systems have a separate keypad and a separate hub that plugs into your router. This one has everything in one box, which keeps things cleaner.

The base station is the brain of the whole system. It connects to your Wi-Fi, communicates with all the sensors, and has a built-in siren. It also has a 24-hour backup battery and cellular backup, so the system stays connected during outages.

I do like the LED ring that changes color based on system status. Blue when it’s online, green when it’s armed. It’s a nice touch.

Now, the con. There’s no touchscreen. The keypad is a push-button style built into the base station, and it does this thing that kind of annoys me. The buttons are completely invisible until you tap the surface to wake it up. Then the buttons light up and you can enter your code. Maybe it’s petty, but I find it annoying that I have to tap it first and wait for the buttons to appear before I can arm or disarm. I’d rather them just be visible all the time.

If you’ve used a Vivint panel or the ADT professionally installed touchscreen, this feels like a step down. But it works. It’s just not as enjoyable to interact with.

> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell + Nest Camera — FREE or call (833) 224-7221

The Nest Cameras

This is where the ADT DIY system gets interesting. Instead of using their own cameras, ADT partnered with Google and uses Nest cameras across the board. My system came with the Nest outdoor camera and the Nest doorbell camera.

Both cameras are high definition with night vision and two-way talk. When there’s activity in front of the camera, it sends an alert to your phone. You can pull up the live feed, watch what’s happening, and talk to whoever’s there through the camera. Both the doorbell and the outdoor camera support this.

Both cameras in my house are wired in, so I don’t have to worry about recharging batteries. But you can run them completely wireless on battery power if you prefer. The cameras record based on activity (motion clips) and store those clips for up to 30 days. The Nest Aware subscription that normally costs extra is bundled into your ADT monitoring plan, so you don’t pay separately for that.

If you want 24/7 continuous recording instead of just motion clips, that’s an extra $10 per month. It’s available if you want it.

Home Automation

This is where the ADT DIY system surprised me. Most DIY systems are pretty weak on home automation. The ADT DIY system has legitimate, robust home automation features that are almost on par with Vivint.

The system connects to anything that’s Z-Wave compatible. That includes door locks, thermostats, light switches, and garage door openers. You can control all of that remotely from the ADT+ app. Lock and unlock your door, adjust the temperature, turn lights on and off, all from your phone.

What really sets it apart is the rules and automations. You can set up triggers like “when I arm the system, also lock the front door.” But you can get more specific than that. Want it to only lock the door Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 9 PM? You can set that up. Want the lights to turn on when a sensor is tripped between sunset and sunrise? Done.

Vivint is still the best I’ve seen for home automation in terms of how intuitive the setup is and how granular you can get. But ADT’s DIY system is closer to that experience than any other DIY option I’ve tested. If you want smart home features without paying Vivint prices, this is worth a look.

The ADT+ Mobile App

The mobile app is excellent. It’s snappy, well designed, and the user experience is smooth. You use the app as the hub for everything: setting up the system, arming and disarming, viewing cameras, controlling smart home devices, setting up automations. It all lives in one app.

The camera integration is solid. You can pull up live feeds, review recordings, and use two-way talk all from inside the ADT+ app. The only issue (as I mentioned) is that downloading clips requires the Google Home app. Everything else works perfectly from the ADT+ app alone.

I don’t really have complaints about the app. The flow is well thought out, it’s responsive, and it makes managing the system easy. One of the better security apps I’ve used.

ADT DIY Pricing and Monitoring Plans

Equipment Cost

For everything you see in my system, I paid $350. That covers the base station, door/window sensors, motion sensor, glass break sensor, and I got the two Nest cameras for free as part of a deal. If you were to buy those two Nest cameras separately at Walmart or Amazon, they’d run about $330 on their own. So for about $20 more than just the cameras, I got the entire security system included. When you can find a deal like that, the upfront cost is hard to argue with.

ADT’s Build Your Own option starts at $269. Pre-configured packages run from $349 to over $1,500 depending on what you need. They frequently run sales during major shopping periods.

Monthly Monitoring

Plan	Price	What’s Included
Base (no cameras)	$24.99/month	24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup, ADT+ app, text alerts
With Cameras	$39.99/month	Everything in base + Nest Aware video storage, smart home automation, video verification
24/7 Continuous Recording	+$10/month	Continuous recording add-on (instead of motion clips only)

Since this is a DIY system and you pay for equipment upfront, there’s no contract. It’s month-to-month. Cancel whenever you want with no penalty.

For the monitoring itself, there are two main tiers:

My total monthly bill is $39.99. That’s a few dollars more than Cove ($29.99) or Ring ($20), but I’m also getting home automation features that neither of those systems offer.

> > ADT Promo: Nest Doorbell + Nest Camera — FREE or call (833) 224-7221

Is the ADT DIY System Worth It?

I think it is, but it depends on what you’re looking for.

The monthly cost is higher than Cove or Ring. If pure budget is your main concern, those systems will save you a few dollars. But the ADT DIY system gives you things they don’t: real home automation, ADT’s six monitoring stations backing you up, Nest cameras that work independently if you cancel, and an app that manages everything in one place.

The equipment cost, if you can catch a deal, is actually a no-brainer. I paid $350 for a complete system with two cameras that would have cost $330 on their own. That’s $20 difference for a whole home security system.

The cons are real, though. No touchscreen panel. Cameras stop recording after an hour without Wi-Fi. You need two apps to download video clips. And if you run into technical issues, ADT will help you over the phone, but they’re not sending a technician to your house. You’re on your own for troubleshooting.

Who Is the ADT DIY System Best For?

• People who want home automation in a DIY system. ADT has the most robust home automation of any DIY system I’ve tested. If you want smart locks, thermostat control, light switches, and custom automations without paying for a professionally installed system, this is your best option.
• People who value ADT’s monitoring legacy. ADT is the largest and longest-running home security provider. Six monitoring stations. If having that level of backing matters to you, this gets you there at a fraction of the cost of their professionally installed system.
• Existing Nest camera owners. If you already have Nest cameras, they’ll integrate right into this system. Your monthly bill won’t go up for additional cameras.
• DIYers who want quality equipment. Despite being a self setup system, the equipment is high quality. The Nest cameras are excellent, the sensors are solid, and the install process is genuinely easy.

If you want the cheapest possible monthly rate, look at Ring ($20/month) or Cove ($19.99/month). If you want a full touchscreen panel and premium professional installation, look at the ADT professionally installed system or Vivint.

ADT DIY Frequently Asked Questions