Editorial note: This is a source-based comparison, not a hands-on installation or monitoring test. ADT and SimpliSafe equipment, setup paths, monitoring, cameras, service terms, promotions, financing, prices, and availability can change by address and package. Get the current cart or proposal and read the written terms before deciding.
Short answer: SimpliSafe is usually the easier starting point for renters and frequent movers because the owner installs, documents, removes, and recommissions the system directly. ADT is the stronger starting point when the household wants professional installation, one provider relationship, and an address-specific monitored package—and accepts the related approval, agreement, service, and moving questions. Compare both against the same rental, move date, openings, cameras, response plan, and three-year ownership period.
ADT vs SimpliSafe for renters and movers at a glance
| Decision | ADT | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|
| Setup ownership | Can involve a quoted provider installation or another current setup route; proposal controls | Direct consumer DIY setup with owner placement and testing |
| Landlord coordination | Get written approval for installation scope, visits, wiring, drilling, and removal | Get written approval for mounts, cameras, door hardware, and any permanent change |
| Monitoring | Address-specific provider plan, communication, verification, contacts, and terms | Selected paid monitoring tier or owner response; current plan controls |
| Move control | Read moving, equipment, service, appointment, and agreement rules before signing | Owner can usually inventory, remove, pack, reinstall, and retest the consumer equipment |
| Camera ecosystem | Current ADT and Google Nest path varies by package | SimpliSafe-branded camera path varies by model and service |
| Best renter fit | Stable tenancy that values provider installation and a managed relationship | Tenant who values DIY control, reversible setup, and a simpler relocation record |
Why renters need a different comparison
A homeowner can judge a system mainly by detection, response, service, and cost. A renter must also answer who may alter the property, who owns the equipment, what the landlord can access, what happens at inspection, and how the system leaves without damage or residual credentials.
A mover adds another layer:
- Does service follow the person or stay with the address?
- Does the equipment move, remain, need return, or have a financing balance?
- Does the new home need another installation visit or different sensors?
- When do monitoring, permits, contacts, and emergency details change?
- How long is the old address protected during the overlap?
- How are old residents, codes, cameras, clips, Wi-Fi, and app access removed?
These questions can outweigh a starter-kit discount.
Start with the same property plan
Do not compare a small SimpliSafe cart with a full ADT proposal. Build one property schedule first, then price both against it.
| Rental job | Required evidence | ADT proposal | SimpliSafe cart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main and secondary doors | Direct opening state, entry route, delay, local warning, app event | Exact contact model, placement, mode, communication, monitoring route | Exact contact quantity, placement, name, mode, and selected response |
| Reachable windows | Opening or other direct signal suited to the lease and window | Device, mount, zone, bypass, removal, and service ownership | Device, adhesive or mount, zone, bypass, removal, and reuse |
| Interior movement | Detection route that accounts for pets, heat, windows, and privacy | Installed motion location and accepted walk test | Owner-selected motion location and accepted walk test |
| Local warning | Siren heard in bedrooms and regular occupied areas | Panel, hub, keypad, siren, and installed sound test | Base station, keypad, siren, and owner sound test |
| Video evidence | Lawful field of view, event, storage, export, viewer, and outage result | Exact camera, power, ADT/Google account, service, and recording state | Exact camera, power, SimpliSafe account, service, and recording state |
| Response | Named contacts, verification, permit, dispatch, cancellation, and safe self-response | Quoted monitoring and address-specific process | Selected monitoring tier or owner response plan |
Landlord and lease gate
Get permission before a salesperson visits or hardware is mounted. A security company cannot override the lease, building rules, shared-corridor restrictions, or local privacy requirements.
Ask the landlord or property manager
- May sensors use adhesive, screws, or recesses on doors and windows?
- May a hub, keypad, siren, camera, or doorbell be mounted?
- May door hardware or a lock be replaced?
- Which halls, entrances, balconies, garages, and outdoor areas are private versus common?
- Who must receive notice before a technician or support worker enters?
- Who restores paint, holes, wires, trim, locks, and doors at move-out?
- Does the landlord need any code or emergency-access method under the lease?
- Who owns equipment paid for through rent, a move-in offer, or the tenant’s account?
Save the written approval with the device schedule. Do not let a verbal sales promise become the only record of what the property allows.
ADT: the managed-provider path
ADT is the better fit when the renter wants a provider to scope the address, supply an approved package, install or otherwise commission the system under the quoted route, connect monitoring, and remain the service contact. Use the current ADT site to request the address-specific proposal. ADT may block automated validation at its edge, so the live quote and signed documents must carry the final claims.
Get these items in writing
- full panel or hub, keypad, siren, sensor, environmental, camera, and doorbell schedule;
- professional installation or other setup route and who performs each task;
- drilling, wiring, adhesive, power, network, camera, and removal work;
- equipment purchase, financing, ownership, replacement, return, and warranty state;
- installation, activation, permit, service, visit, and monitoring charges;
- agreement term, renewal, rate-change, cancellation, and early-exit rules;
- moving, transfer, reinstallation, temporary overlap, and new-address rules;
- monitoring events, communication, verification, contact order, and dispatch process;
- camera account, recording, storage, export, privacy, and post-service state.
A technician can improve placement and reduce setup work. The tenant still needs to accept every zone, user, delay, siren, camera, outage, monitoring, and move record before sign-off.
SimpliSafe: the direct DIY path
SimpliSafe is the better fit when the renter wants to buy, install, expand, remove, and recommission the system directly. Use the current SimpliSafe home-security page to build the cart and confirm the selected equipment and service. DIY saves an appointment but transfers placement, naming, test, documentation, and repair work to the owner.
Record before ordering
- base station, keypad, siren, contact, motion, glass-break, environmental, camera, and doorbell models;
- quantity and intended room or opening for each device;
- adhesive, screw, power, network, and camera placement allowed by the lease;
- selected monitoring, cellular, camera, recording, verification, and app state;
- return window, warranty, equipment payment, service renewal, and cancellation state;
- self-monitoring functions and the exact state after paid service stops;
- battery, replacement, support, move, address-change, and permit procedure;
- household owner, backup admin, alarm contacts, and recovery methods.
Peel-and-stick installation can still damage paint, trim, seals, and fragile surfaces. Test one approved mount location before covering every opening.
Installation control and acceptance
ADT can shift more physical work to the provider. SimpliSafe shifts more control to the renter. Neither path is ready until the home proves it.
Opening tests
- open every protected door and window slowly and quickly;
- confirm the correct zone name, current state, chime, entry delay, alert, and restoration;
- test normal arrivals, departures, deliveries, cleaners, pets, and landlord entry procedures;
- verify alignment after temperature, humidity, cleaning, or door movement;
- check tamper, low-battery, offline, bypass, and trouble state;
- photograph accepted placement for future repair and move-out.
Motion tests
- walk the planned route after the sensor reset period;
- test pets, curtains, heat sources, windows, fans, and direct sunlight where relevant;
- confirm the sensor is active only in the intended modes;
- confirm the event reaches the expected local, app, and monitoring route;
- repair repeated false events rather than training residents to ignore them.
Do not use camera motion as a substitute for direct door or window state. A camera can add evidence, but it does not prove the opening, latch, lock, or alarm mode.
Monitoring and self-response
“Professionally monitored” is not a complete specification. For either provider, record the selected plan, event types, primary and backup communication, verification sequence, contacts, passcodes, permits, dispatch rules, test mode, cancellation, and restoration.
If the renter chooses owner response instead, write:
- primary and backup alert recipients;
- safe verification using direct state and lawful evidence;
- local keyholder or property contact;
- when not to enter the property;
- when and how to contact emergency services;
- what happens when the primary phone is dead, offline, travelling, or in Focus mode;
- how alerts change during a move or address overlap.
Run one provider-approved monitoring test before sign-off and after the address, contact order, permit, communicator, or plan changes.
Cameras in a rental
A camera can record neighbours, building staff, guests, cleaners, or a common corridor. The device may be inside the unit and still cross the property boundary. Start with direct opening state. Add video only when it changes response and the field of view is lawful and proportionate.
Camera acceptance checks
- Confirm landlord approval and the private/shared boundary.
- Check live view, recording, snapshot, notification preview, and export.
- Walk the frame by day and night.
- Exclude doors, windows, yards, and private areas outside the intended property where possible.
- Test audio, status light, privacy setting, and indoor-mode expectations.
- Audit viewers across ADT, Google, SimpliSafe, household, and recovery accounts as applicable.
- Disconnect internet and power; record lost and retained functions.
- Remove a test viewer and prove access ends.
ADT’s current video path and SimpliSafe’s camera path have different accounts and service dependencies. Compare the exact model and package rather than “ADT cameras” against “SimpliSafe cameras” as blanket categories.
Users, codes, and roommates
A tenant household needs individual access. Do not share the owner login or one permanent code among residents, guests, cleaners, dog walkers, and landlords.
| Person | Permission | Closeout |
|---|---|---|
| System owner | Account, billing, recovery, device schedule, monitoring contacts | Formal handoff before departure |
| Roommate | Named user, required arming rights, personal code where supported | Remove from app, panel, camera, lock, recovery, and Wi-Fi separately |
| Guest or cleaner | Shortest useful code and clear alarm instructions | Expire and test removal after the visit period |
| Landlord or manager | Only lawful lease-required access and emergency process | Record keys, codes, notice, and tenancy changes |
| Monitoring contact | Verification and response role without unnecessary account control | Update after phone, household, or address change |
Removing someone from the app may not remove panel codes, camera access, Google household access, smart locks, voice assistants, or physical keys. Test every path.
Contracts, equipment, and post-cancellation state
ADT proposals can differ by address, package, installation route, financing, promotion, and service. SimpliSafe’s direct path can make ownership easier to see, but service and financing still need written confirmation.
Ask both providers:
- Who owns each device today, after final payment, and after cancellation?
- Which balances remain if the tenant moves in month 6, 18, or 30?
- Which local alarms, sensors, keypads, cameras, app controls, cellular functions, automations, and clips remain after paid service ends?
- Does the equipment have to return, stay, or be deactivated?
- How does a move affect monitoring, service, price, term, installation, and warranty?
- What written notice and approved cancellation method are required?
- How is final billing confirmed?
Do not rely on a sales chat summary for cancellation or moving terms. Save the signed agreement, equipment schedule, financing record, monitoring plan, and cancellation receipt.
The two-address move problem
Many moves have an overlap: the old rental contains belongings while the new home is being set up. Decide which address is protected, monitored, and permitted on each date.
Move timeline
- Six weeks out: read service, equipment, cancellation, moving, and landlord-restoration terms.
- Four weeks out: map the new property and decide what equipment fits, what stays, and what must be added.
- Three weeks out: schedule any ADT visit or reserve time for SimpliSafe removal and recommissioning.
- Two weeks out: update insurer, permit, monitoring, emergency contacts, and trusted keyholders.
- Move week: label every device by old location, preserve batteries and mounts, and keep one accepted path active at the old address until the agreed cutoff.
- New-home day: install against the new map, not the old labels, then run every zone and response route.
- Old-home closeout: remove devices, adhesives, wiring, codes, users, cameras, clips, and account access; restore property as agreed.
- One week after: confirm billing, monitoring address, permits, contacts, trouble state, and landlord acceptance.
Never move a monitored hub and assume the service automatically knows the new address. Never leave a camera account, panel code, or app user tied to the former rental.
Internet and power failures
A move changes routers, passwords, access points, camera power, cellular conditions, and outlet locations. Test the new home rather than copying the old outage assumption.
| Failure | Check | Pass condition |
|---|---|---|
| Internet disconnected | Direct zones, local siren, app, cameras, monitoring, and backup communication | Losses are documented and offline state is obvious |
| House power removed | Hub/base, router, keypad, siren, cameras, locks, and communicator runtime | Measured runtime supports the written response plan |
| Primary phone off | Alarm, trouble, low-battery, and camera alert routes | Backup recipient receives and understands them |
| Sensor removed for move | Tamper, trouble, bypass, and restoration | No removed zone looks protected |
| New Wi-Fi credentials | Cameras, app, hub, updates, and remote access | Every required device reconnects and reports current state |
| Address overlap | Monitoring record and contact script for both homes | Every alert can be tied to the correct property |
Three-year renter and mover cost worksheet
Price equal protection at the current address and one expected move. Use written figures; do not copy old web prices.
ADT lines
- equipment purchase or financing;
- installation, activation, permit, taxes, service, and monitoring;
- camera, recording, storage, verification, and Google-related package state;
- service visits, replacement, batteries, and network work;
- moving, reinstallation, new equipment, address overlap, and landlord restoration;
- renewal, rate change, cancellation, early exit, equipment balance, and return.
SimpliSafe lines
- base station, keypads, sensors, sirens, environmental devices, cameras, and doorbell;
- shipping, taxes, mounts, spare adhesive, batteries, and replacement equipment;
- monitoring, cellular, camera, recording, verification, and other selected service;
- owner time for placement, setup, testing, support, and false-alarm repair;
- removal, packing, new mounts, added sensors, new network work, and landlord restoration;
- financing, renewal, post-cancellation state, and disposal or resale.
For a direct third path with current Apple Home support on selected hubs, compare the Abode Smart Security Kit and current Abode plans. Keep the same property map, move assumption, and response scope.
When ADT is the better renter choice
- The tenancy is stable enough for the written service and equipment terms.
- The landlord approves the exact installation and removal scope.
- The household wants professional installation and one provider contact.
- The address-specific monitoring, communication, camera, service, and move process are in writing.
- The household accepts the cost and exit obligations after comparing the full term.
When SimpliSafe is the better renter choice
- The tenant expects to move and wants direct control of removal and recommissioning.
- The property allows reversible DIY mounts and current camera placement.
- The household can place, name, test, maintain, and document each device.
- The selected monitoring or self-response plan is clear.
- The post-service and move-out state meets the household’s needs.
For adjacent ownership decisions, see ADT vs Ring, SimpliSafe vs Ring, and the home-security system buyer guide.
60-minute ADT vs SimpliSafe renter acceptance test
Run this after installation, after a move, and after major service, account, camera, router, or household changes. Put professional monitoring into the provider-approved test state before generating alarm events.
- 0–6 minutes — documents: confirm landlord approval, equipment owner, property address, service plan, agreement, monitoring contacts, permit, recovery owner, and move record.
- 6–16 minutes — perimeter: open every protected door and window slowly and quickly. Confirm name, state, mode, delay, local indication, app event, and restoration.
- 16–23 minutes — interior: walk motion routes after reset, test obvious pet and heat conditions, and check any glass-break or environmental path using the approved method.
- 23–30 minutes — people: test each resident user and code, remove a test user, verify the old method fails, and confirm owner recovery belongs to the current tenant.
- 30–37 minutes — cameras: walk day/night framing, inspect privacy, trigger one useful event, retrieve a clip where included, export it, and remove a test viewer.
- 37–44 minutes — monitoring: create one approved event, confirm siren, communication, receipt, verification, contact order, abort or cancellation, and return to normal.
- 44–50 minutes — internet: disconnect the normal network and check direct zones, local sound, cellular or other backup, app, cameras, and visible offline state.
- 50–55 minutes — power: run a safe short test of hub/base, router, keypad, siren, camera, communicator, and warning behavior.
- 55–60 minutes — move proof: label devices, save accepted placement photos, confirm removal and restoration tools, clear bypass/trouble state, exit test mode, and schedule the next test.
Reject or repair the choice if
- the lease or landlord does not approve the installation;
- equipment, financing, service, monitoring, moving, or cancellation state is unclear;
- a removed sensor still looks protected;
- a former resident retains app, code, camera, or account access;
- a direct opening is mislabeled, intermittent, or dependent only on camera motion;
- internet or power loss looks like a normal secure state;
- the monitoring address, contacts, permit, or verification process is wrong;
- the move-out plan depends on an unavailable technician, owner, account, or tool.
Verdict
For most renters and frequent movers, SimpliSafe starts with the cleaner control model: direct purchase, DIY placement, reversible ownership, and owner-led relocation. That advantage disappears if the renter skips placement, privacy, outage, monitoring, and move tests. ADT is the better fit for a stable tenancy that values provider installation and service enough to accept the written package and exit process. The winner is the system that the lease allows, the household can operate, the response path proves, and the move-out plan can close without damage or leftover access.
Frequently asked questions
Is ADT or SimpliSafe easier to move?
SimpliSafe’s direct DIY equipment is usually easier for the owner to inventory, remove, pack, and reinstall. ADT buyers should use the written moving, service, equipment, appointment, agreement, and new-address process.
Can a renter install ADT?
A renter needs property approval for the exact quoted installation route, mounting, wiring, cameras, locks, visits, and restoration. The current ADT proposal and lease control the answer.
Can a renter use SimpliSafe without landlord approval?
Do not assume so. Adhesives, screws, cameras, doorbells, locks, common-area views, and removal can affect the property or privacy. Get written approval for the planned setup.
Which is better without paid monitoring?
Compare the exact permanent state after paid service ends: local alarms, sensors, keypads, app control, cellular, cameras, recordings, automations, users, and alerts. Do not infer that state from a plan name.
What should happen to the alarm when a roommate moves out?
Remove that person from app, panel, codes, cameras, smart locks, voice assistants, recovery, Wi-Fi, monitoring contacts, and billing as applicable, then test that old access fails.
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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