ADT vs eufy 2026: Legacy Pro-Install vs Budget Local Storage — Plans, Privacy & Total Costs
ADT is the oldest name in home security — 150+ years of brand recognition backed by professional installation and 24/7 monitoring. eufy (by Anker) is a budget camera brand that promises local storage with no monthly fees. They couldn’t be more different in philosophy, but both are trying to protect your home.
Here’s the full comparison — and why a third option might beat both.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ADT | eufy |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $28.99–$59.99/mo | $0–$9.99/mo |
| Contract | 36 months (most plans) | No contract |
| Equipment | ADT+ / Command panels | eufy HomeBase + cameras |
| Installation | Pro install ($99–$199) or DIY (Self Setup) | DIY only |
| Free Self-Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Professional Monitoring | Yes (all plans) | No |
| Local Storage | No (cloud only) | Yes (HomeBase built-in) |
| Cloud Storage | Required with plan | Optional add-on |
| HomeKit | No | Limited (some cameras) |
| Smart Home | Alexa, Google, Z-Wave | Alexa, Google (limited) |
| Privacy Record | Standard (warrant required) | Controversial (2022 cloud upload scandal) |
| BBB Rating | A+ (1.1★ customer reviews) | N/A |
ADT Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Contract | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADT Self Setup (DIY) | $24.99/mo | No contract | DIY install, 24/7 monitoring, app control |
| ADT Smart Home | $28.99/mo | 36 months | Pro install, monitoring, smart home |
| ADT Smart Home + Video | $33.99/mo | 36 months | + video monitoring, doorbell cam |
| ADT Complete | $59.99/mo | 36 months | + video verification, premium support |
Equipment costs range from $99 (Self Setup kit) to $500+ for pro-installed systems. ADT frequently runs promotions bundling equipment with contract commitments.
eufy Pricing
| Product | Cost | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|
| eufy Indoor Cam S350 | $60 | $0 (local storage) |
| eufy Outdoor Cam E220 | $100 | $0 (local storage) |
| eufy S380 Security Kit (HomeBase + sensors) | $280 | $0 |
| eufy Video Doorbell E340 | $130 | $0 (local storage) |
| eufy Cloud Storage (optional) | — | $2.99–$9.99/mo |
3-Year Total Cost Comparison
| Setup | Equipment | 3-Year Monitoring | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADT Self Setup | $99 | $900 | $999 |
| ADT Smart Home | $199+ | $1,044 | $1,243+ |
| ADT Smart Home + Video | $199+ | $1,224 | $1,423+ |
| ADT Complete | $199+ | $2,160 | $2,359+ |
| eufy Camera-Only (3 cameras) | $260 | $0 | $260 |
| eufy S380 Security Kit | $280 | $0 | $280 |
| eufy + Cloud Storage | $280 | $108–$360 | $388–$640 |
| Abode Connect | $199 | $216 | $415 |
| Abode Pro | $199 | $720 | $919 |
The eufy Privacy Scandal
In November 2022, security researcher Paul Moore discovered that eufy cameras were uploading facial recognition thumbnails to Amazon Web Services cloud servers — despite eufy’s marketing claiming all data was stored locally and never sent to the cloud.
Key findings:
- Face recognition data uploaded to AWS without user consent
- Camera streams could be accessed via VLC media player with a URL (no encryption)
- eufy initially denied the findings before eventually acknowledging the issue
- Company updated firmware and changed marketing language
While eufy addressed the specific issues, the incident damaged trust in their “local only” privacy claims. If privacy is your priority, Abode with HomeKit Secure Video provides verified end-to-end encryption.
Smart Home Integration
| Platform | ADT | eufy | Abode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Home | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit | No | Limited (some cameras) | Full system support |
| Z-Wave | Yes | No | Yes (built-in) |
| Zigbee | No | No | Yes (built-in) |
| IFTTT | No | No | Yes |
| Professional Monitoring | Yes (required) | No | Optional ($20/mo) |
Who Should Choose ADT
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Want someone to install everything | ADT pro-install works — but you’ll pay $1,000+ over 3 years |
| Need the most recognized brand name | ADT’s 150-year brand may help with insurance claims |
| Want guaranteed monitoring response | ADT’s monitoring is reliable — but Abode Pro offers the same for $20/mo with no contract |
| Budget-conscious | Skip ADT — costs 2-5x more than DIY alternatives |
| Renter | Skip ADT — 36-month contracts don’t work for renters |
Who Should Choose eufy
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Camera-only setup (no alarm) | eufy cameras are decent for the price — just know the privacy history |
| Absolute minimum monthly cost | eufy’s $0/month model is genuinely appealing |
| Privacy-focused | Skip eufy — their privacy track record is questionable. Choose Abode + HKSV |
| Want a real security system | Skip eufy — they’re a camera company, not a security system. Choose Abode or even ADT |
| Smart home enthusiast | Skip eufy — no Z-Wave/Zigbee hub, limited integrations |
The Better Alternative: Abode
| Feature | ADT | eufy | Abode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Self-Monitoring | No | Yes (cameras only) | Yes (full system) |
| No Contract | Self Setup only | Yes | Yes (all plans) |
| HomeKit | No | Limited | Full support |
| Z-Wave/Zigbee | Z-Wave only | No | Both built-in |
| Pro Monitoring | Required ($28.99+/mo) | Not available | Optional ($20/mo) |
| Local Video | No | Yes (disputed privacy) | Yes (HKSV encrypted) |
| Equipment from | $99 | $60 | $199 |
| 3-Year Cost | $999–$2,359 | $260–$640 | $199–$919 |
Bottom line: ADT charges premium prices for brand recognition you don’t need. eufy offers cheap cameras but no real security system and a troubled privacy record. Abode gives you a complete security system with genuine privacy (HKSV), optional pro monitoring, and 3-year costs between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel ADT without paying a fee?
Only during the initial 3-day cooling-off period or if you have the no-contract Self Setup plan. Otherwise, expect to pay 75% of remaining months on your contract.
Is eufy really local storage only?
After the 2022 scandal, eufy updated firmware and changed their marketing language. Current products do store primarily locally, but the company’s credibility on privacy claims has been damaged.
Does eufy have professional monitoring?
No. eufy is primarily a camera company. Their S380 “security kit” has sensors and a siren but no connection to a monitoring center. If your alarm goes off and you miss the notification, nobody responds.
Is ADT Self Setup worth it?
At $24.99/mo with no contract, it’s ADT’s most competitive offering. But Abode Pro offers comparable monitoring for $20/mo — also with no contract and better smart home integration.
Which system is best for renters?
eufy or Abode — both are wireless and contract-free. Abode wins if you want a real security system with monitoring options; eufy wins if you just want cameras.
Can I use eufy cameras with a security system?
eufy cameras don’t integrate with most third-party security systems. If you want cameras that work with your alarm system, choose a platform like Abode where cameras and security are unified.
With over 20 years of experience evaluating home security technologies, Andrew is a trusted home security expert. He specializes in DIY home security systems, indoor and outdoor security cameras, doorbell cameras, and safety software such as password managers. Andrew uses in-depth research to provide accurate and actionable insights. His work helps you make better decisions to protect your home.
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