Xfinity vs ADT Comparison: Which Home Security System Comes Out on Top?

Selecting a home security system from the long list of providers on the US market can be an overwhelming experience—particularly when choosing between two reputable brands.

To help you make well-informed decisions, we'll review two gladiators in the home security industry—ADT Home Security and Xfinity Home Security.

ADT has gained over 145 years in home security. Although Xfinity has spent barely a decade, its parent company, Comcast, is a global leader in internet, TV and streaming, phone, and mobile services—arguably the biggest cable brand in the United States.

With these reputations, you can rest assured of top quality from either of these two brands.

So, which should you invest in?

To help you solve this puzzle and discover the most favorable solution for your unique home security needs, we'll review and compare the offers from these two brands, including:

• Key features
• Surveillance cameras
• Monitoring services
• Pricing
• Key differences

In the end, we'll give you our final verdict and recommendation.

Xfinity vs ADT: Key Features

ADT and Xfinity offer the basic features and state-of-the-art technology expected of modern home security systems.

ADT Features

Home automation: ADT home automation technology allows you to control smart thermostats, smart locks, smart lights, and other smart integrations via the ADT app on your mobile phone from any location.

Common screen touch: You can control your smart security and home automation devices from an easy-to-navigate touchscreen pad.

Remote key fob: This sleek portable device lets you trip off your alarm or reach out for security aid without a code. It easily fits into your pocket, purse, or backpack. While you can get a replacement keyfob, you'll need a professional to program the device. 

Motion sensors: detect and report unusual movements around your home. They can detect movement within 30 feet and cover a 90-degree field of view. 

Entry sensors: are window and door sensors that alert you when someone opens your doors or windows. They include garage door sensors.

Environmental detection: This includes CO sensors that report harmful levels of carbon monoxide in your home and smoke detectors that alert you of smoke. 

Other ADT add-ons include: 

• Glass break protection
• Panic buttons
• Medical alert

Xfinity Features

Smart home system: Xfinity offers smart home integration, including thermostats, lights, door locks, and cameras which you can control from your home TV or your Xfinity App while on the go.

Entry sensors: Xfinity basic package comes with multiple door and window sensors. 

Optional outlet controllers: allow you to control your home lights and plugged-in electronics right from your smartphone. 

You can turn the coffee pot on/off, turn on the lights when the front door opens, or automate which light goes on/off at sunset/sunrise. 

You can easily install these controllers without professional aid.

Touchscreen controls: Xfinity Home station offers an easy-to-navigate touchscreen display that allows you to arm or disarm your system, change automation settings, and view live videos from your cameras. 

Zen thermostat: regulates your home temperature from anywhere, helping you minimize energy consumption.

Motion sensors: alert you to unexpected movements.

Xfinity also provides sensors that detect and report environmental issues, including freezing temperature, fire, flooding, CO, or smoke. 

Xfinity vs ADT Surveillance Cameras

If you need an extra pair of eyes around your home, both Xfinity and ADT offer similar security surveillance cameras, including:

• Outdoor cameras
• Indoor cameras
• Doorbell cameras
• Live Surveillance 
• Pan, Tilt, and Zoom (PTZ) cameras

ADT vs Xfinity Monitoring Services

Both ADT and Xfinity provide round-the-clock professional monitoring, but their approaches differ.

ADT Monitoring

ADT offers ONLY professional monitoring services—no self-monitoring option. 

ADT monitoring options are:

• Essential Monitoring ($45.99)
• Essential Monitoring + Smart Home ($49.99)
• Essential Monitoring + Smart Home + Video ($59.99)

The Essential plan offers the most basic professional monitoring service. 

The Essential + Smart Home plan grants you access to home automation features and the Control App at an additional $4.

ADT offers cloud video storage on its Essential + Smart Home + Video plan, allowing you to stream live footage from your smartphone and playback videos. 

ADT requires a two to three-year contract. This may be a dealbreaker for renters or those moving soon.

Unlike Xfinity, which uses only high-speed internet monitoring, ADT receives signals over landlines, broadband, and cellular.

ADT technicians can send police dispatch, medical personnel, and fire department. They can utilize the two-way communication feature on its control panel to communicate with users during emergencies.

Even more, ADT runs nine monitoring centers, assuring you of the fastest monitoring responses among home security competitors. 

Xfinity Monitoring

Xfinity offers three monitoring services:

• Self Protection—$10 monthly
• Pro Protection—$30 monthly 
• Pro Protection Plus—$40 monthly

Although you’re responsible for your home monitoring under the Self-Protection plan, the monthly fee gives you access to saved video footage from up to six surveillance cameras for up to seven days.

While the Protection Pro Plus plan allows seven days of cloud storage from up to six cameras, the Pro Protection plan has no storage option.

Interestingly, all Xfinity packages are on a monthly basis—no fixed contracts. It's up to you to upgrade or downgrade your package or quit whenever you wish.  

Xfinity transmits monitoring signals through high-speed internet and only offers police dispatch.

Xfinity's flexible monitoring services seem more promising than ADT's since you can choose between professional or self-monitoring without long-term contracts.

Pricing Comparison between ADT and Xfinity

Let’s see the cost implications of these security system providers.

ADT Pricing 

ADT offers you three pricing plans:

• Secure Home—$419.30 ($17.47 monthly installments)
• Smart Home—$594.30 ($24.76 monthly installments)
• Video + Smart Home—$810.60 ($33.77 monthly installments)

This is what each plan offers: 

Secure Home

• ADT touch panel
• 3 entry sensors
• 1 motion sensor

Smart Home

• ADT touch panel
• 3 entry sensors
• 1 motion sensor
• 1 smart door lock

Video and Smart Home

• ADT touch panel
• 3 entry sensors
• 1 motion sensor
• 1 Next doorbell
• 1 Next cam battery

ADT allows subscribers to pay upfront or in installments for 24 months, 36 months, or 60 months.

You can select additional features at extra costs if you desire more than what's in ADT's basic package.

ADT offers professional-only installation, which ranges from $99 to $199.

Xfinity Pricing 

Xfinity offers three pre-packaged equipment bundles:

• Base Home—$360 ($15 monthly installments)
• Complete Home—$480 ($20 monthly installments)
• Ultimate Home—$600 ($25 monthly installments)

See what you get:

Base Home

• 1 motion sensor
• 1 touchscreen controller
• 3 entry sensors

Complete Home

• 1 motion sensor
• 1 keypad
• 1 touchscreen controller
• 5 entry sensors

Ultimate Home

• 1 motion sensor
• 1 keypad
• 1 touchscreen controller
• 2 outdoor/indoor cameras

Xfinity installation ranges from $60 to $99. You can request ADT add-ons at additional costs. 

Comparing Customer Service: ADT vs Xfinity

ADT has built a solid reputation for its excellent customer support. Unfortunately, Xfinity is known for its subpar customer service and low customer satisfaction ratings. 

Although you may find helpful resources and how-to troubleshooting guides on Xfinity Home, every client wants responsive, personalized, and humane solutions as ADT offers—not live chats with robots and piles of self-help manuals and articles. 

Xfinity lags far behind when it comes to customer service.

On a scale of 1 to 10 stars, Safe Home, a reputable home security review company, rates Xfinity at 5.5 stars, while ADT earns 8.6 stars.

Other reputable review sites like Safe Wise, Alarms Review, and Consumer Affairs rate ADT’s customer service well above Xfinity.

Key Differences Between Xfinity and ADT

Monitoring: Xfinity allows you to choose between self-monitoring and professional monitoring. ADT offers only professional monitoring.

Contract: ADT requires at least a compulsory two-year professional monitoring contract. Xfinity allows monthly renewals, which gives you the freedom to opt-out or continue after every month.

Monitoring signals: ADT monitors your home via cellular, broadband, and landlines which are the most reliable. Xfinity works with internet and Wi-Fi connections.

Cost: Xfinity's annual cost ranges between $360 and $600 with as low as $10 monitoring, making it a more practical solution than ADT, which costs between $419.30 and over $800, excluding its compulsory professional monitoring fees. 

However, ADT offers a more flexible long-term payment routine, which makes it a good deal if you're on a budget and ready to sign a long-term contract. 

Customer service: ADT has built a good reputation for its excellent customer service. On the other hand, Xfinity may need to do more to improve its low customer satisfaction ratings.

Xfinity or ADT: Which One is Right For You?

Every home needs a security system that offers:

• The right equipment
• Reliable monitoring
• Professional installation
• Pocket-friendly pricing

Interestingly, both Xfinity and ADT meet these requirements.

Yet, ADT deserves the top spot overall. Why? 

With well over a century in the home security industry, ADT Home Security offers a more comprehensive range of equipment options. It boasts one of the country's most established and widespread monitoring services, offering millions of customers prompt responses across a wide coverage.

ADT might not be ideal if you're on a tight budget or short-term rent. It’s slightly more expensive than Xfinity, and its long-term contract may not suit everyone.

Do you seek more options than ADT and Xfinity? Our list of the best home security systems in the US reviews worthwhile alternatives.