Blue by ADT Review

Blue by ADT offers a rare combo of free home security self-monitoring with total app access and 24-hour video storage. And if you decide you want the pros to keep an eye on your system for a while, you get to hand the reins to ADT's monitoring centers without signing a contract.

But Blue's equipment selection falls short. If you want smart home automation features or environmental sensors, you'll have to find a compatible third-party brand.

We've got the full scoop on what else you can expect with Blue by ADT.

When it comes to professional monitoring, it doesn’t get much simpler than Blue by ADT. There’s only one plan, and it’s a straightforward $19.99 per month. Here’s a look at what that $20 gets you.

Call 1-833-905-0711

Our favorite thing about Blue by ADT’s professional monitoring plan is that you can get it on a month-to-month basis. This is a big game changer for ADT.

Up until now, your only option with any ADT home security system was a three-year commitment that required you to pay 75% of the total contract no matter what. That means you’d still end up paying for the service—even if you cancelled ADT.

We’re glad to see ADT giving consumers another option that provides the reassurance of a well-known security brand without tying you to a long, expensive contract.

To dig into the differences between these two offerings, check out our ADT vs. Blue by ADT review.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.

If you're looking for something ultra simple and affordable but backed by a trustworthy and stable monitoring company, Blue by ADT's an excellent option.

Blue by ADT doesn't tend to rank highly in our best-of lists compared to brands like Vivint, SimpliSafe, or Frontpoint. The difference comes down to a lack of features and equipment on Blue's part. "Bare bones" is the best way to describe this system and the monitoring perks, but its price reflects that. 

Blue's professional monitoring price (about $20/mo.) is one of the most affordable in the industry—especially now that other brands have increased their prices. We've seen incremental price increases from SimpliSafe, Frontpoint, Cove, Ring Alarm, Abode, and Wyze Home Monitoring over the last year or two, but Blue's remained steady. 

Blue by ADT is the exact opposite of ADT in every way except the monitoring professionals—they're the same experienced folks who monitor traditional ADT security systems. 

• Whereas ADT requires professional hardwired installation, Blue is DIY and wireless.
• ADT requires contracts, but Blue customers pay month-to-month with no cancellation fees.
• ADT stipulates that you must own your home—Blue is renter-friendly. 
• ADT equipment is virtually useless without a monitoring contract, but Blue's equipment can be self-monitored.

Another significant difference is Blue offers less equipment than a traditional ADT system or most of its competitors. For example, there's no smart lock, garage door controller, extra siren, glass break sensor, CO detector, or smart home devices like smart thermostats or smart plugs. But thanks to Blue's Z-Wave and IFTTT compatibility, you can purchase third-party products that integrate with the system. It's just a little more of a hassle and a gamble versus getting everything from the same company.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.

Blue by ADT doesn’t offer anything too fancy when it comes to equipment, but we like the multiple camera options and the fact that everyone gets full access to the Blue by ADT app—whether you opt for the monitoring plan or not.

The wireless DIY setup also makes ADT a useful home security system option for renters or others who may move before the end of a 36-month contract.

Take a look at the Blue by ADT equipment that’s included in most system packages. 

One of the coolest things that Blue offers is the option to buy its security cameras without a full security system.

I especially love this option because, depending on the size of your home or your primary security concerns, one solid security camera may be all you need to feel safe.

My tiny apartment doesn’t need more than an indoor security camera to keep an eye on everything that matters to me. And a lone camera is perfect to greet the kids when they get home from school or chat with the delivery folks when they drop off a package.

If you like the idea of extra security but don’t think you need a full-blown system, Blue by ADT’s stand-alone camera options are an ideal solution. But first, a warning: Blue’s cameras aren’t the cheapest ones out there (or the cutest), but they do come with the added heft of ADT’s name and reputation.

Get full control over your Blue by ADT security system and cameras with this free mobile app that’s available to every ADT Blue customer. The Blue by ADT app is where you can add and remove smart home devices and control your connected gadgets.

Other security systems (including ADT’s professionally installed systems) force you to upgrade if you want remote access to your system via an app. We were delighted to see Blue by ADT throw out that practice.

Whether or not you add 24/7 monitoring to your Blue security system, you can take full advantage of everything the mobile app has to offer.

• Remote arm and disarm
• Live video watching
• Saved media archive
• Push notifications
• Two-way talk (with compatible equipment)
• Smart home controls
• Area crime map

But, as with any new venture, users have reported a slew of glitches and bugs in the app.

Some folks keep getting logged out of the app, so every time they want to check in on their house or get an alert, they’re required to log in. Those few seconds can make a difference when you’re talking about the security of your home.

Other issues include lots of freezing and a buggy user interface that covers up the buttons you need to use the app. An update was released on April 6 that aims to address a lot of these issues.

We definitely like the claims about what you can do in the app. The next step will be more positive reports that those features actually work consistently.

Blue by ADT is fully IFTTT compatible and works with Google Assistant^† and Amazon Alexa.

Until now, smart home limitations have been a consistent disappointment with ADT’s professionally installed security systems. To get home automation, you had to upgrade to the more expensive ADT Pulse plan.

We’re happy to see a new ADT option with built-in smart home compatibility at an entry-level price.

Thanks to Z-Wave Plus and IFTTT compatibility, you can connect your Blue security system to everything from the porch light to the smart thermostat. That’s especially convenient if you’ve been controlling your smart home gadgets in a number of different apps.

Having one place for home automation to live makes it easier to set up routines and maximize your household (and lifestyle) convenience and efficiency. The only caveat is waiting for Blue’s app to be more reliable.

In addition to IFTTT and Z-Wave Plus compatibility, Blue by ADT is compatible with many home automation brands.

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant and Nest
• Philips Hue
• Lutron
• Sonos
• iRobot

Blue reports that Apple HomeKit compatibility is in the works for Blue security cameras.

Because we haven’t finished our in-home test of Blue by ADT, we don’t have a full report about how Blue is performing when it comes to taking care of customers. But here are a few important things we’ve discovered so far.

To get Blue by ADT, all you have to do is pick the equipment you want, add it to your cart, and click "Buy Now." This is a stark contrast from ADT’s traditional sales process that requires both a phone call and an in-home security consultation.

If you like to shop with as little human interaction as possible (I feel you), now you can—no need to make a new best friend in the process (woot!).

Blue by ADT has an impressive collection of help articles and videos that walk you through installation, troubleshooting, and commonly asked questions. In addition, there’s a separate support portal that offers even more options for help.

If the online resources just don’t cut it for you, you can contact Blue by ADT for personal assistance:

• Call 1-877-464-7437
• Email support@bluebyadt.com

There's even an online chat option in the Blue by ADT Support Center. We like the option to do a quick chat with a tech or customer service representative (instead of waiting on an email or getting involved in a phone call).

Blue by ADT is a breath of fresh air from security stalwart ADT. If you’ve wanted ADT home security but the long contracts and expensive monitoring made you gunshy, Blue is your solution. Here’s a recap of our favorite perks:

• No contracts
• Self-monitoring option
• Stand-alone security cameras
• ADT Monitoring for just $19.99 per month
• Free mobile app
• Human-free purchase process

Here’s where we’d like to see Blue continue to improve:

• Address mobile app bugs
• Work on smart camera pricing
• Implement Apple HomeKit compatibility

If you don't see your question below, check out our full Blue by ADT FAQ page.

On top of online research and conversations with ADT representatives, we got to check out Blue by ADT at CES in Las Vegas. We lined up what we know about this DIY offering from ADT against all the other systems we’ve tested to give you a comprehensive overview.

The key factors we compared include:

• Price
• Overall value
• Reputation
• Smart home compatibility
• Quality
• Features

• SimpliSafe vs. Blue by ADT
• Home Security Alternatives to ADT
• Best Home Security Systems
• Security System Installation: Professional vs. DIY
• Best Wireless Security Cameras