re: Can Wink, SmartThings, etc be true alternatives to ADT?

What's your goal? Are you wanting a security system with or without monitoring? Do you already have a hub and only want to pay for the sensors?

ADT is a monitoring company that has inflated prices to cover the "free" equipment. They are not a security company. You can get add-on equipment for Honeywell and DSC hardware that allows you to access your security system through the internet and receive email and txt alerts. You can also self-monitor security systems by having the system call your phone instead of a monitoring company.