Halstead vs ADT
ADT has been around since 1874 and is the most recognized name in home security. Halstead launched in 2026 with a different model: locally-owned dealers, no 36-month contracts, modern software. Here's how they compare.
Halstead
Halstead is a network of independent, locally-owned dealers operating under a national brand and software platform. Customers get professional installation by a state-licensed local technician, smart software with AI motion classification and vacation mode, and optional 24/7 professional monitoring through a UL-listed central station partner. Pricing is $30 to $75 per month with a 12-month minimum then month-to-month — no 36-month contracts.
ADT
ADT is the largest home security company in the United States, serving roughly 6 million customers. ADT operates through a combination of corporate-owned operations and authorized dealers. The company is known for professional installation, professional monitoring through company-owned central stations, and 36-month service contracts that lock customers in. Pricing typically runs $40 to $60 per month for service, with hardware costs amortized over the contract.
Side by side
| Feature | Halstead | ADT |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $30/month | $40-60/month |
| Contract length | 12 months, then month-to-month | 36 months |
| Professional installation | Local state-licensed technician | Subcontracted technician |
| Local technician contact | ||
| Professional monitoring (UL-listed) | $75/month tier | Standard |
| AI motion classification | Premium tier and above | Limited |
| Cellular backup | Pro Monitoring tier | Add-on |
| Mobile app | ||
| Hardware ownership | You own it | Bundled in contract |
| Move flexibility | Move with you | May trigger early termination |
| Insurance discount auto-submission | ||
| Vacation mode automation | ||
| Visitor pass system | ||
| Brand recognition | New brand | 150+ years of brand recognition |
| Service area | Texas, expanding to 9 states | Nationwide |
| Cancellation flexibility (after year 1) | Cancel anytime, no fees | Early termination fees |
Halstead makes sense if you live in our service area, want professional installation without 36-month lock-in, value modern smart features (AI motion classification, vacation mode, family check-ins, visitor passes), want to support locally-owned businesses, or want hardware financing through Reyna Title at 0% interest. Halstead's pricing is structurally lower and the feature set on the Premium tier matches or exceeds ADT's standard offerings.
ADT makes sense if you live outside Halstead's service area (currently Texas with 9-state expansion in 2026), if brand recognition matters more to you than feature set, or if you specifically want a single national brand with company-owned monitoring infrastructure. ADT also has more decades of operational history, which some buyers value highly.
Halstead's professional monitoring tier uses a UL-listed central station partner with the same operational standards as ADT. The hardware is professional-grade ONVIF-compliant cameras. The installation is performed by state-licensed technicians. Halstead is a newer brand but operates to the same reliability standards as established competitors.
Yes. Most ADT customers can switch when their contract ends or when they move. ADT's 36-month contracts include early termination fees that can run several hundred dollars, so if you're mid-contract, do the math on whether the long-term savings with Halstead exceed the early termination fee. Halstead's local team can help you assess.
ADT equipment is typically proprietary and bundled into the service contract. When you cancel, the equipment usually stays installed but stops working with ADT's monitoring. Halstead replaces it with our own ONVIF-compliant cameras, which you own outright after purchase.
ADT has been around since 1874 and is one of the most recognized names in home security. That brand recognition has real value — many homeowners feel safer with the ADT yard sign visible to potential intruders. Halstead is building its own brand recognition over time. As of 2026, Halstead is a newer name in the market.
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