Protect America vs. ADT

The set-up costs for Protect America and ADT are one of the biggest differences between the two services. Protect America offers free equipment and installation on all of its packages. The company does not send someone to your home to evaluate your needs and try to sell you on the highest package. With ADT, you must pay for your equipment, as well as the installation. In most cases, ADT sends someone to your home who may try to sell you additional products. Sometimes, the company does offer rebates on the installation and equipment fees to help bring your cost down.

Although Protect America and ADT offer many of the same services, the monthly cost for each company varies, as well as the cost of each level of service. As of 2011, Protect America packages begin at $30 per month for monitoring. ADT, on the other hand, charges $36 per month for monitoring, and the price of monthly monitoring does not change depending on your package. ADT often includes additional monitoring, such as fire alerts.

The equipment included with each service varies, depending on the package that best suits your needs. The cheapest package for both services includes three door sensors, a motion sensor and a command station. The higher packages include additional door and window sensors, as well as the option for a garage door sensor. With each service, you can add additional sensors and motion detectors for the price of the equipment. As of 2011, Protect America charges $40 for door and window sensors and $99 for a motion detector. ADT charges $75 for door and window sensors and $165 for motion detectors.

Both Protect America and ADT require users to sign a three-year contract for service. This is an important factor since the differences in the monitoring fees add up over the length of the contract. This means you are not able to change your mind and switch providers before your contract is up. During that time, you can upgrade your system if you find that you require more coverage. In many cases, you cannot downgrade your service during your contract.

When using electronic equipment to monitor the safety of your home, it is important to feel assured that it works and, if not, that it will be fixed. A warranty can give you that security. Protect America includes a free warranty with its service. ADT, however, requires homeowners to pay for a warranty. As of 2011, ADT charges homeowners $6 per month for the warranty. The warranty, however, is optional so users who do not feel it is necessary can opt out.