Monitronics doesn’t exist anymore — and hasn’t since 2019. If you’re searching for “Monitronics vs ADT,” you’re really comparing Brinks Home Security (formerly Monitronics) vs ADT. But here’s the twist: both companies share the same fundamental problems that make modern DIY systems a far better deal.
This guide covers the full Monitronics-to-Brinks transformation, a head-to-head comparison with ADT, and why most people should skip both entirely.
What Happened to Monitronics? (Complete Timeline)
| Year | Event | Impact on Customers |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Monitronics founded in Dallas, TX | Started as a dealer-based alarm monitoring company |
| 2010 | Acquired by Ascent Capital Group for $1.2B | Private equity ownership began — debt-fueled growth strategy |
| 2012 | Acquired Security Networks accounts | Absorbed more dealer contracts |
| 2013 | Acquired LiveWatch Security | LiveWatch brand eventually phased out — customers transitioned to Monitronics service |
| 2017 | Rebranded as “MONI Smart Security” | Attempt to modernize image — customers confused by name change |
| 2019 | Licensed Brinks name, became “Brinks Home” | Paid for brand recognition — no actual connection to Brinks armored trucks |
| 2019 | Acquired NorthStar Alarm Services accounts | Another dealer acquisition — more inherited customers |
| 2019 | Acquired AMP Smart (formerly AMP Security) | Known for aggressive door-to-door sales tactics |
| 2023 | Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy — $1.5B debt | Service continued but customer trust eroded |
| 2024 | Emerged from bankruptcy as Brinks Home Security | Restructured debt but same business model, same dealer problems |
The Brinks brand name is licensed — not owned. Brinks Home has zero connection to Brink’s Company (the armored trucks). They paid for brand recognition because “Monitronics” had poor consumer awareness and reputation issues. The underlying company, management, and business model remained the same.
The Dealer Model Problem (Why Both Companies Struggle)
Before comparing Brinks Home and ADT, you need to understand the business model both rely on:
| Step | What Happens | Impact on You |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dealer sells contract | Independent dealer sells you a 36-60 month monitoring contract | You’re locked in before you know the real costs |
| 2. Dealer installs equipment | Equipment cost is “free” but baked into monthly fees | You pay 2-3x retail price over the contract term |
| 3. Dealer sells contract to provider | Brinks/ADT buys your contract for 30-40x monthly fee | You become an asset on a spreadsheet, not a customer to serve |
| 4. Provider services account | You deal with Brinks/ADT for service, not the dealer who sold you | The person who promised you things is gone |
| 5. Contract auto-renews | Most contracts auto-renew for 12-24 months if you don’t cancel in the narrow window | You’re trapped again without realizing it |
This is why both companies have terrible customer reviews — BBB complaints, Trustpilot 1-2 stars, and endless cancellation horror stories. The business model prioritizes contract acquisition over customer satisfaction.
Brinks Home (Monitronics) vs ADT: Full 2026 Comparison
| Feature | Brinks Home (Monitronics) | ADT Professional | ADT Self Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 (as Monitronics) | 1874 | 2020 (DIY line) |
| Customers | ~1 million | ~6 million | Growing subset |
| Platform | Alarm.com | ADT+ (proprietary) | ADT+ app |
| Installation | Professional only (dealer) | Professional (technician) | DIY |
| Equipment | 2GIG, Qolsys, Honeywell (varies by dealer) | ADT Command panel or Google Nest | Google Nest-based |
| Monitoring plans | $29.99-$44.99/mo | $28.99-$59.99/mo | $24.99/mo |
| Contract | 36-60 months | 36 months | None |
| Early termination fee | 75% of remaining balance | 75% of remaining balance | $0 |
| DIY option | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Smart home | Z-Wave via Alarm.com | Google Home ecosystem | Google Home |
| Cameras | Alarm.com cameras | Google Nest cameras | Google Nest cameras |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cellular backup | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BBB rating | B- (despite A+ accreditation) | A+ (but 1.1★ customer reviews) | Same as ADT |
| Trustpilot | 1.3★ | 1.2★ | Same as ADT |
| Bankruptcy history | Chapter 11 in 2023 | No | No |
Monitoring Plans & Pricing Breakdown
Brinks Home Plans
| Plan | Price | Features | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $29.99/mo | 24/7 monitoring, cellular, app control | 36-60 months |
| Video | $39.99/mo | Standard + video monitoring, clips | 36-60 months |
| Complete | $44.99/mo | Video + AI analytics, unlimited storage | 36-60 months |
ADT Plans
| Plan | Price | Features | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self Setup | $24.99/mo | DIY install, Nest equipment, cellular | None |
| Smart Home | $28.99/mo | Pro install, smart home basics | 36 months |
| Smart Home + Video | $44.99/mo | Pro install, cameras, video clips | 36 months |
| Complete + Video | $59.99/mo | Pro install, all features, 24/7 video | 36 months |
3-Year True Cost Comparison
The real cost of a security system isn’t the monthly fee — it’s equipment + installation + monitoring + early termination risk over 3 years:
| System | Equipment | Installation | Monthly | 3-Year Total | Contract | ETF Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brinks Standard | $0-$199 (financed) | $99-$199 | $29.99 | $1,178-$1,497 | 36-60 mo | $450-$1,125 |
| Brinks Complete | $0-$199 | $99-$199 | $44.99 | $1,718-$2,037 | 36-60 mo | $675-$1,687 |
| ADT Smart Home | $0-$299 (financed) | $99-$199 | $28.99 | $1,143-$1,942 | 36 mo | $522-$783 |
| ADT Complete + Video | $0-$499 | $99-$199 | $59.99 | $2,258-$2,857 | 36 mo | $1,080-$1,620 |
| ADT Self Setup | $199-$449 | $0 (DIY) | $24.99 | $1,099-$1,349 | None | $0 |
| Abode (self-monitored) | $199 | $0 | $0 | $199 | None | $0 |
| Abode Connect+ | $199 | $0 | $12 | $631 | None | $0 |
| Ring | $199-$329 | $0 | $20 | $919-$1,049 | None | $0 |
| SimpliSafe | $249-$509 | $0 | $17.99 | $897-$1,157 | None | $0 |
The math is brutal for contract systems: Even Brinks’ cheapest plan costs $1,178+ over 3 years with cancellation risk. Abode’s Smart Security Kit gives you the same protection for $199 with no contract, or $631 with professional monitoring — saving $547-$1,406 over 3 years.
Customer Satisfaction: The Numbers Don’t Lie
| Platform | Brinks Home | ADT | Abode | SimpliSafe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBB Rating | B- | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| BBB Customer Reviews | 1.1★ (1,800+ complaints) | 1.1★ (14,000+ complaints) | 4.3★ | 3.8★ |
| Trustpilot | 1.3★ | 1.2★ | 4.1★ | 4.3★ |
| Google Reviews | 2.1★ | 2.3★ | 4.0★ | 3.9★ |
| Top complaints | Cancellation, billing, auto-renewal | Cancellation, ETF, price increases | App updates, connectivity | Price increases, dispatch |
Pattern: Contract-based companies (Brinks, ADT Professional) consistently score 1-2 stars across all review platforms. No-contract DIY companies (Abode, SimpliSafe, Ring) consistently score 3.5-4.5 stars. The business model — not the technology — drives customer satisfaction.
Common Complaint Patterns
| Complaint | Brinks Home | ADT | Root Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Can’t cancel” | Very common | Very common | Long contracts with narrow cancellation windows + auto-renewal |
| “Unexpected charges” | Common | Common | Price increases mid-contract, equipment financing hidden costs |
| “Sales misrepresentation” | Very common (dealer model) | Common (door-to-door) | Independent dealers/salespeople promise things the company won’t honor |
| “Equipment won’t work with new provider” | Common | Common | Proprietary equipment locked to provider |
| “Transferred my contract without consent” | Common (from acquisitions) | Less common | Brinks acquired multiple companies — customers inherited |
| “Price increased after year 1” | Very common | Very common | Promotional pricing expires, real rate kicks in |
What to Do If You’re Currently a Brinks/Monitronics Customer
| Situation | Best Action | How |
|---|---|---|
| Contract ending soon | Cancel before auto-renewal window | Send certified letter 30-60 days before renewal date — call is not enough |
| Mid-contract, want out | Calculate ETF vs remaining payments | If ETF < remaining months × monthly, pay it and switch to Abode |
| Auto-renewed without notice | File BBB complaint + state AG complaint | Many states have consumer protection laws against silent auto-renewal |
| Inherited from acquisition | Check if original contract terms still apply | Acquisitions sometimes void original terms — consult state AG |
| Month-to-month now | Cancel immediately and switch | 30-day notice, then install Abode same day |
| Equipment financed separately | Check if equipment loan is separate from monitoring | You may owe on equipment even after canceling monitoring |
What to Do If You’re Currently an ADT Customer
| Situation | Best Action | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| ADT Professional, contract ending | Don’t renew — switch to DIY | $600-$1,500/year |
| ADT Self Setup | Cancel anytime, but compare to Abode first | $150-$300/year (Abode is cheaper) |
| Within 6-month satisfaction guarantee | Cancel for full refund if unhappy | Full refund |
| Military PCS orders | Request military relocation cancellation | ETF waived |
| Moved to area without ADT service | Request cancellation due to service unavailability | ETF may be waived |
For detailed ADT cancellation steps, see our How to Cancel ADT Contract guide.
Alarm Company Acquisition Graveyard
Monitronics/Brinks Home acquired multiple companies over the years — if you were a customer of any of these, you may now be a Brinks customer:
| Original Company | Acquired By | Year | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiveWatch Security | Monitronics | 2013 | Brand dissolved — accounts moved to Brinks |
| Security Networks | Monitronics | 2012 | Absorbed into Monitronics |
| NorthStar Alarm | Brinks Home | 2019 | Accounts transferred to Brinks |
| AMP Smart (AMP Security) | Brinks Home | 2019 | Known for aggressive door-to-door — absorbed |
| Protect America | N/A (bankrupt) | 2023 | Shut down entirely — customers stranded |
| ASG Security | Guardian | 2018 | Acquired by Guardian Protection |
The lesson: When you sign a contract with any alarm company, you may end up as a customer of a completely different company through acquisition. This is why no-contract systems are safer — you can leave anytime.
Better Alternative: Modern DIY Security Systems
If you’re comparing Monitronics/Brinks vs ADT, you should also know what modern DIY systems offer:
| Feature | Abode | Ring | SimpliSafe | Brinks Home | ADT Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment cost | $199 | $199-$329 | $249-$509 | $0-$199 (financed) | $0-$499 (financed) |
| Monthly (monitored) | $12/mo | $20/mo | $17.99/mo | $29.99-$44.99 | $28.99-$59.99 |
| Free self-monitoring | ✅ | Limited | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contract | None | None | None | 36-60 months | 36 months |
| Installation | DIY (15 min) | DIY (15 min) | DIY (30 min) | Professional | Professional |
| HomeKit | ✅ Native | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Z-Wave + Zigbee | ✅ Both | Z-Wave only | ❌ | Z-Wave (Alarm.com) | Limited |
| Cellular backup | ✅ ($6/mo+) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cameras included | Cam 2 ($35) | Ring cameras | SimpliCam | Alarm.com cameras | Nest cameras |
| 3-year cost (monitored) | $631 | $919-$1,049 | $897-$1,157 | $1,178-$2,037 | $1,143-$2,857 |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.1★ Trustpilot | 3.8★ | 4.3★ | 1.3★ | 1.2★ |
The Verdict: Who Should Choose What
| Choose This | If You… |
|---|---|
| Abode | Want the best value, smart home integration (HomeKit/Z-Wave/Zigbee), no contract, free self-monitoring option |
| Ring | Already in the Amazon/Alexa ecosystem, want cameras + security together |
| SimpliSafe | Want simplicity above all else, don’t care about smart home |
| ADT Self Setup | Specifically want the ADT brand name (for insurance or peace of mind), want no contract |
| ADT Professional | Want someone to install everything, don’t mind paying premium + 36-month contract |
| Brinks Home | Honestly — we can’t recommend Brinks. Post-bankruptcy, poor reviews, long contracts, dealer model problems. There’s no scenario where Brinks is the best choice. |
Monitronics vs ADT FAQ
Is Monitronics still in business?
No — Monitronics rebranded as Brinks Home in 2019 (using a licensed brand name from Brink’s Company). The same company operates under the Brinks Home Security name after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024.
Is Brinks Home the same as Brinks armored trucks?
No. Brinks Home Security licenses the “Brinks” name from Brink’s Company (the armored truck/vault company). They are completely separate businesses. Monitronics pays for the brand recognition — the armored truck company has nothing to do with home security.
Can I cancel my Brinks/Monitronics contract?
Yes, but expect an early termination fee of 75% of remaining contract value. Send cancellation via certified mail — phone calls alone are often “lost.” Check if your contract auto-renewed without proper notice, as this may be grounds for complaint to your state attorney general. See our cancellation guide.
Did Brinks Home go bankrupt?
Yes. Brinks Home filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 with approximately $1.5 billion in debt. They emerged from bankruptcy in 2024 after restructuring. Service continued during bankruptcy, but customer trust was further damaged.
Is ADT better than Brinks Home?
ADT is a larger, more stable company (no bankruptcy), and ADT Self Setup offers a no-contract option. However, ADT Professional shares many of the same problems as Brinks — long contracts, difficult cancellation, and poor customer reviews (1.2★ Trustpilot). For most people, a DIY system like Abode is better than both.
What’s the cheapest way to replace Monitronics/Brinks or ADT?
Abode Smart Security Kit ($199) with free self-monitoring gives you the same sensors, siren, and app control as Brinks or ADT — for a one-time payment with no monthly fees. Add professional monitoring for $12/month with no contract if you want a monitoring center to call police on your behalf.
Growing up with Law and Order and CSI shows taught Isabelle Landau one thing: if people back then had high-quality home security systems, those series would have been way shorter. In our modern world, technology helps us keep burglars away easily, and this is what Izzy studies and writes about: alarm systems, home security, protection systems, and more.
Daniel Vargas says
Good to know the differences, thanks!
Precious says
8 million people can’t be doing it wrongly. ADT makes a more convincing argument in this comparison. maybe I am being biased cause I use ADT.
Theresa Hazeltine says
I am so happy with my ADT system. I absolutely feel more secure after having in Installed. Love most of the features. Highly recommended from me!
Naomi Perks says
Theresa, we both are in the same boat on this topic. I recently renewed my ADT contract for another three years. I strongly feel they are a better choice to most of the other security systems available.