Blue by ADT lets you self-monitor your home with no monthly fees for the mobile app’s home automation features. What we love most is that you can turn on professional monitoring as a monthly subscription for only $19.99 per month. Link Interactive’s monitoring plans start at $30.99 and go up to $44.99.

Blue by ADT’s month-to-month professional monitoring option is free of contracts, giving you the flexibility to re-install your equipment at any new property or turn the service off and on later. Link Interactive lets you choose between a one-year, two-year, and three-year contract, locking you into your monthly payments for its duration.

Blue by ADT’s intelligent cameras can capture and send video to your phone when motion is detected in pre-customized zones within their 130-degree field of view. They feature night vision at 1080p HD resolution, two-way talk and built-in fire and carbon monoxide sensors. Link Interactive’s cameras feature 1080p HD resolution and two-way talk but, unlike Blue by ADT’s cameras, they require an AC outlet and have no battery if power is lost in your home.

Link Interactive gives you the option to pay $30.99 per month, $39.99 per month or $44.99 per month to lease one of its equipment sets for the length of your contract. For an extra $331, you can get a more advanced touch screen control panel with 24-hour backup battery, touchless disarming and other features. Blue by ADT’s equipment must be purchased up front, with equipment packages ranging from $109.19 to $349.99.

Neither provider offers professional installation, but their equipment is designed for DIY installation and can be set up through the instructions provided. We like the peel-and-stick design on entry sensors from both companies. The cameras simply plug into wall outlets, while doorbell cameras install in your existing wiring.

Blue by ADT doesn’t sell smart devices, but it’s compatible with any smart devices that have Zigbee and Z-wave connectivity. On the other hand, Link Interactive has smart light bulbs, thermostats and garage door controllers in the equipment packages it offers. Plus, the Link Interactive system is compatible with third-party Z-wave devices.