Abode vs Cove 2026: Smart Home Security vs Budget Monitored Alarm Abode is a no-contract DIY security system with the broadest smart home support in the industry — HomeKit, Alexa, Google, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter — plus free self-monitoring and optional pro monitoring from $6/month. Cove is a budget-focused DIY alarm system with monitoring from […]

Compare SimpliSafe and ADT across DIY and pro installation, sensors, cameras, monitoring, contracts, ownership, outages, and three-year cost.

Abode costs $199 upfront + $0-6/mo with no contract. ADT costs $99-199 install + $28-46/mo on 36-60 month contracts. 3-year total: Abode $199-415. ADT $1,107-2,359. Abode has HomeKit, Z-Wave, Zigbee, CUE automations, and free self-monitoring. ADT has Google Nest 4K cameras, 150 years of brand recognition, and insurance discounts (5-20% off premiums). Both use professional central stations with sub-60-second dispatch. The question is whether ADT’s brand name and Nest cameras are worth $700-1,900 more over 3 years. For most households: no.