Cove’s very competitive pricing makes it a clear choice here. Its basic monitoring plan starts at $14.99/mo., with an upgrade to Cove Plus only costing $25/mo. Costs vary for its customizable equipment packages. ADT starts its plans at $45.99/mo. and goes up to $57.99/mo. for full features, in addition to the $599 equipment cost over the length of the contract.

If any issues do arise, ADT offers a 6-Month Money-Back Guarantee to refund installation and monitoring fees if there’s a service or system issue they cannot resolve. Cove is contract-free so users can cancel at any time without worry about trial periods or cancellation fees. In these cases, the paid-for equipment stays with you. Cove’s Economy plan allows users a 60-day trial period, but it’s not quite as long as ADT’s guarantee so they win this round.

In addition to selecting a monitoring plan, Cove allows you to select a payment plan that determines your type of contract. Its Value Plan requires upfront payment for equipment but leaves you contract-free after that. The Economy Plan rolls the cost of equipment into the monthly monitoring costs with a 36-month contract, while its Plus Plan offers a lifetime rate lock. ADT has recently expanded its contract options – but still requires a contract. Contract length now starts at 12-months, with the flexibility to choose a longer contract length if preferred. This is a nice addition to the legacy site, but we still prefer the no-contract option here.

Perhaps because it’s a relatively new company, Cove hasn’t branched into home automation yet. Cove Plus does integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control some smart products from there. If this is one of your priorities, however, ADT is a clear choice. It offers plenty of smart home products and an app for full control, though you’ll have to subscribe to an upgraded package.

Both companies offer high-quality equipment, with comparable features such as outdoor and indoor cameras, door and window sensors and carbon monoxide detectors. ADT also offers a video doorbell. Cove provides motion sensors, glass break detectors, and Smash and Grab protection for the main panel. Cove outperforms ADT, however, by offering customizable equipment packages and low-cost add-ons.

If you’re looking for professional installation, ADT is for you. For a fee of at least $99, their technicians will help you position cameras and ensure that all equipment functions properly. If you prefer DIY security, Cove is a better choice. As you sign up, you can even assign names and locations to each piece of equipment so that you’ll know exactly where to place each product it arrives.