ADT Self Setup Review and Cost

ADT Self Setup vs. Blue by ADT

Because Self Setup is a relatively new line of products from ADT, it is helpful to look at a cautionary tale in the form of Blue by ADT, a line of products that was acquired by the company and then discontinued.

Acquired by ADT in 2019, we found that the Blue line of products was of a lower quality than ADT’s classic line of products. The range of options for Blue was also relatively limited compared to ADT’s own product line. The result was a class of products we felt were clearly less of a priority than the main product line. ADT eventually dropped Blue and replaced it with Self Setup. Not looking to make the same mistake, ADT has taken strides to ensure that Self Setup is on par with its professionally installed equipment by rolling in products from Google Nest.

ADT recently launched its ADT Plus smart security system as a way to control different product lines within the same home security system. The company also redesigned its base station and sensors so they could be used for both a DIY setup and professional installation. While these two channels were once considered in different silos, they are now quite similar. This is a smart move because it puts Self Setup on par with the classic lineup and makes the entire ecosystem more streamlined.

ADT Self Setup: How’s The Setup Process?

ADT Self Setup made our list of the best DIY security systems of 2025. We found it easier to set up than systems like SimpliSafe, Cove, and Frontpoint since it only requires the ADT+ app. SimpliSafe’s installation involves a physical keypad, and Cove uses a tablet-like controller. Meanwhile, the Frontpoint camera required Ethernet cables.

>> Compare: ADT Vs. Frontpoint

It also took us a shorter time to install ADT than to install SimpliSafe and Cove, but that was mainly because we installed fewer pieces of equipment.

The first component we set up was the hub. We paired it to our ADT+ app and then connected it to Wi-Fi. That took about two minutes, including the time we waited as it booted up for the first time. After that, we paired each sensor to the hub by taking off their battery tabs.

Installing the sensors was just as quick and easy. They came with a peel-and-stick adhesive backing so there’s no drilling required, making ADT Self Setup a solid security system for renters. Just make sure to clean the surface before sticking the sensors so they don’t easily fall off. All in all, sensor installation took us less than five minutes.

>> Related reading: ADT Self Setup vs. Vivint

Next, we set up our Google Nest Cams. The old ADT security cameras are no longer available, which is a good thing. We’ve reviewed the Nest Cams and find that they perform better than ADT’s models. Plus, we were able to pair the cameras with the ADT+ app to watch live and recorded footage straight from the very app we use to monitor our security system.

Each camera took about five minutes to set up, except the Google Nest Cam with Floodlights. It had to be hardwired to a junction box. If that sounds too tricky, you can always hire a licensed electrician to handle the installation. But you won’t need any help to set up the plug-in indoor Nest Cam, battery-powered indoor/outdoor camera, or battery-powered doorbell.

>> Read more: The Security Systems With The Best Apps

ADT Self Setup Equipment: A Closer Look

The ADT Self Setup security system offers a robust selection of equipment, slightly more than the ADT Control system we reviewed in the past. There are a few pieces that are missing from the new system – like glass break sensors, for example – but overall, we liked the selection. It covers good ground. Here’s a look at some of the components we received.

The Base Station

The base station for our Self Setup system connected to our Wi-Fi. Because it acts as a hub for all of your devices, including the Google Nest cams, we recommend placing it right next to your router. The last thing you want is an unreliable connection during an emergency.

When you install a security system, it becomes a part of your home. Aesthetics are important and we think the base station looks impressive. The soft, color-changing glow around the keypad gives it a modern look and brings the base station in line with others that function as a comforting night light. If you already have modern decor, it’ll fit right in.

More importantly, it still has the functionalities we loved from the old ADT Self Setup base station. It has a 24-hour battery backup, a 4G/LTE cellular chip for cellular backup, and a built-in siren. We wish ADT improved the siren though. It’s plenty loud at 85 decibels, but we can barely hear it from the second floor or when in the bedroom or shower.

The Door/Window Sensors

Like most systems, the Self Setup entryway window sensors pull double duty; able to cover either a door or a window. We placed sensors on the doors and windows on our ground floor, which is where intruders are most likely to enter.1 We liked that the sensors are very discreet, even smaller than the ones from the Ring Alarm system we reviewed. After they were installed, we could monitor and manage them with the ADT+ app.

According to ADT, the battery in the door sensors have a life expectancy of up to two years which is a bit short for a door sensor. Most sensors have a five-year battery life. It’s also worth noting that ADT offers premium door/window sensors at double the price ($40) of the ones we tested ($20). It has one extra function, which is to detect strong or sudden vibrations caused by knocking or someone trying to kick a door down.

The Motion Sensors

We found ADT’s motion sensor’s sensitivity was on point, thanks to it being a PIR motion sensor. It detects anything with a body heat that moves – even small children and pets. But if you’re a pet owner, it makes sense to adjust the sensitivity so that you don’t get as many false alarms. There’s a toggle switch on the back of the sensor that lets you adjust the sensitivity. At the lowest setting, it can ignore pets up to 85 pounds (about the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever). Note that we recently named ADT one of the best security systems for pet owners largely because of its motion sensor with adjustable sensitivity.

We also recommend placing the sensor strategically to further reduce false alarms. Keep it away from direct sunlight and appliances that emit heat (like microwave ovens). And if possible, place it at least six feet off the ground, angled slightly downwards to maximize its field of view.

The Smoke Detector

Besides guarding your home from intrusion, ADT Self Setup offers a couple of sensors for life and home safety. The first one is the battery-powered smoke detector. It sounds a loud alarm when it detects smoke or a rapid rise in temperature.

It’s more than just an alarm, though. The smoke detector can also trigger home automations. For instance, it can turn on your lights (provided that you have smart lights compatible with ADT+) to make it easier for you and family members to find your way out in case of fire.

The Flood & Temperature Sensor

The other home safety sensor from ADT Self Setup is the flood & temperature sensor, which protects your home from water leaks and frozen pipes. It’s also wireless and battery-powered, so you can place it in hard-to-reach places like under your sink or in flood prone areas in your basement.

The Google Nest Cam (battery)

We reviewed the Nest Cam (battery) as a standalone security camera, so head over there for a more detailed look at its features and specs. To summarize, it’s a battery-powered weatherproof camera that has a 1080p resolution with HDR, impressive night vision, person detection, and facial recognition (a.k.a. Familiar Face alerts).

When paired with ADT Self Setup, though, it unlocks a new feature: video verification. ADT’s professional monitoring service can use Nest Cam footage to review alerts and verify them with emergency responders. For instance, if your Nest Cam footage shows that there really is an unwanted guest in your house, you’re far more likely to get a priority response from the police.

The Google Nest Cam (wired)

For indoor video monitoring, ADT Self Setup offers the more affordable Google Nest Cam. It shares almost the same specs as the battery-powered version, but it’s a plug-in camera that is for indoor use only. It’s sleek, discreet, and powerful. It also has a wide diagonal field of view (135-degrees), so if the security camera is well-placed, it can monitor an entire room by itself.

The Nest Cam (wired) can also record up to one hour of backup footage in case your Wi-Fi goes out, ensuring that you’re always covered.

The Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

For front door security, ADT Self Setup offers the Google Nest Doorbell (battery) we reviewed here. Since it doesn’t require wiring, it goes with the theme of ADT Self Setup’s easy-to-install DIY equipment. It takes only a few minutes to install, and it comes with all the mounting accessories you’ll need.

Feature-wise, the Google Nest Doorbell is a knockout. It has HDR night vision for crisp, clear videos at night, a tall viewing angle that offers a head-to-toe view of guests, and it can differentiate between people, animals, vehicles, and packages.

Like all the other Google Nest cameras offered by ADT Self Setup, footage from the Google Nest Doorbell can be used for video verification.

ADT Self Setup and Home Automation

The partnership between ADT and Google Nest goes beyond product sharing. You can also tap into home automation products and features. For starters, you get voice control through the Google Nest smart speakers and displays. Some models available on ADT’s website include:

• Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Hub Max

With those devices, you can control your home with your voice. And we’re not just talking about ADT Self Setup equipment. You can control pretty much anything that works with Google Assistant, whether or not they are compatible with ADT Self Setup. Let’s say you have smart locks that are not ADT-compatible. While you won’t be able to lock and unlock it using the ADT+ app, you can ask Google Assistant with your voice. Integrations like that deepens ADT Self Setup’s reach into the smart home.

Next, ADT Self Setup offers the Google Nest Thermostat, the OG smart thermostat that put Nest on the map. It controls your home’s temperature and offers energy-saving features. Since it’s a direct integration, you can control your Nest Thermostat from the ADT+ app.

Lastly, to power your Wi-Fi connected smart devices, ADT Self Setup offers Google Nest Wifi router and point, which is a mesh-type router system with a decent range and bandwidth. Plus, Nest Wifi points have built-in smart speakers, so you can access Google Assistant through them as well.

ADT Self Setup also works with Z-Wave devices, and ADT plans to further expand its smart home capabilities in the near future, with Matter integration on the roadmap. Matter is a widely-used, open-source smart home standard. And once the integration is implemented, ADT Self Setup will be able to connect with, control, and automate a wide range of smart home products.

The ADT+ App

Of course, ADT Self Setup needs a capable app to tie the system together. That’s where the ADT+ app comes in.

The ADT+ offers native controls of Google Nest equipment. You probably won’t even need the Nest app on your phone, as you can view your cameras, review recordings, control your thermostat, and more using just the ADT+ app.

If you have other home automation devices paired with ADT Self Setup, you can control them too using the app. You can set up home automation with rules, schedules, and scenes. Turn up your HVAC when someone comes home, or turn on your perimeter lights when someone trespasses.

We also liked the more advanced security and personalization the app provides, like the Auto Stay feature that showed us how thoughtfully designed the app was. Let’s say it’s late at night. You’re half asleep and on the way to bed, so you arm ADT Self Setup. But instead of Arm Stay, which leaves the motion sensors disarmed, you accidentally set it to Arm Away. That means if anyone gets up in the middle of night, they’ll set off the motion sensors, trigger an alarm, and cause panic in the house.

With Auto Stay, ADT Self Setup automatically switches to Arm Stay if none of the door and window sensors are opened after the system is armed to Away mode. It’s a simple feature really, but it highlights how much thought ADT put into the app. It’s also one of the many advanced settings you can customize.

Trusted Neighbor

One of ADT’s new features is called Trusted Neighbor. It was designed to let trusted people into your house automatically by using facial recognition and other signals to verify their identity. For example, if you have a dog walker that comes daily to pick up your pets, you can make ADT open the door and disarm the system to let them in without hassle.

Trusted Neighbor requires several key components, namely, a Nest Cam placed outdoors to identify people’s faces, a compatible smart lock to open the door automatically, the ADT+ app installed on the guest’s phone, and an indoor Nest Cam to record their activity inside your house.

Here’s how it works:

1. Introduce your trusted neighbor to your Nest Cam by letting the Nest Cam see their face and tagging them.
2. Set up your Trusted Neighbor rules i.e. “When this person is seen between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., activate Trusted Neighbor.”
3. Have your trusted neighbor install the ADT+ app. They need it to unlock the door and disarm the system during their visits.

When we tried this feature out, we were able to set up different rules. For example, we could set time-based and event-based triggers for activating Trusted Neighbor. We used the latter so that we can ask a friend of ours who lives nearby to get our pets out of the house in case one of our smoke alarms sounds. We’ve yet to conduct more long-term tests, but Trusted Neighbor worked the few times we tried to trigger the rules we set.

ADT Self Setup: How Much Does It All Cost?

How much is it going to cost to set up an ADT Self Setup system? There are two factors here: The equipment cost and the monitoring cost.

ADT Self Setup Equipment Cost

For the equipment, expect to spend at least $269 to get started. That’s for the Build Your Own system, which includes just the base station and a regular door/window sensor. From there, you’re going to purchase additional components that suit your security needs.

Another option is to buy a premade package. ADT offers three packages: Security Starter, Video Essentials, and Front Door Protection. The MSRPs range from $349 to $719, but those prices are often discounted. Furthermore, buying at least one month of the ADT Secure Monitoring plan ($24.99) is compulsory with the purchase for a Security Starter package, and one month of the ADT Complete Monitoring plan ($39.99) is mandatory with the Video Essentials and Front Door protection packages.

ADT Self Setup Professional Monitoring Cost

Now, after spending more than $300 on equipment, how much will ADT Self Setup cost you per month?

At $24.99 per month, the Secure Monitoring plan is designed to support systems without video cameras. It includes 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup, access to the ADT+ app, text alerts, and voice control. This plan doesn’t include smart home automation or video verification from monitoring agents.

At $39.99, the Complete Monitoring plan is meant for systems with video cameras. It adds on smart home automations, video verifications, and 24/7 live video monitoring. For an extra $7 per month, you can add 10 days of continuous video recording and 60-day event-based video history for your Nest cameras.

The Verdict: Does ADT Self Setup Have Any Downsides?

As far as DIY security systems go, ADT Self Setup is one of the top options right now. We especially like that it has ADT’s backing, which means it can offer high-quality service similar to that of professionally installed security systems.

The selection of equipment is great: ADT Self Setup uses hardware from ADT and Google Nest, two smart home and home security powerhouses. And the ADT+ app? It’s simply the cherry on top.

That said, it does have a few downsides. One is its limited equipment options. We didn’t see more nuanced security sensors from ADT Self Setup, such as glass break sensors, garage door sensors (otherwise known as tilt sensors), or even a carbon monoxide detector. Those types of sensors are usually available from professionally installed security systems.

Additionally, its monitoring prices are on the higher end for a DIY security system. For comparison, SimpliSafe professional monitoring costs start from $21.99 per month. But considering that ADT provides the monitoring service, and that the higher-tier plan includes a Nest Aware subscription, ADT Self Setup’s pricing is still pretty attractive.

Overall, it’s a great security system, but if the downsides we mentioned are deal-breakers for you, take a look at our top-rated SimpliSafe DIY security system review. SimpliSafe has been around for over a decade, it offers more equipment options in terms of sensors, and it has more affordable monitoring plans.