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Vivint vs. ADT Home Security: Features, Pricing
ADT’s alarm systems can be self-monitored, while Vivint’s professional service earns higher reviews.
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Dalia Ramirez Lead Writer | Estate planning, home security
Dalia Ramirez writes about home security for NerdWallet. She has previously written on topics including estate planning, cryptocurrencies, small business software and personal finance. Dalia has a B.A. in science and technology studies and a certificate in critical theory from Wesleyan University. Her work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg and The Associated Press. She is based in Los Angeles.
Tina Orem Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, small business, Social Security and estate planning, home services
Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
ADT and Vivint are both popular home security providers that offer alarm systems with rich features. Both companies offer professional installation and monitoring and sell equipment as packages instead of individual items.
ADT systems can be self-monitored and self-installed, while Vivint requires professional monitoring and installation. ADT is also one of the most well-established home security companies, with almost 150 years in business.
However, ADT requires a multi-year contract for professional monitoring, while Vivint offers month-to-month payments (unless you’re financing the equipment). Vivint also has higher average customer reviews and a cleaner privacy record than ADT, making it a better choice for those looking for a premium home security provider that’s fully installed and monitored by professionals.
Slightly lower monitoring costs and self-monitoring and self-install options.
Exclusive features and complete professional management.
Hardware cost
$269 and up.
$599.99 and up.
Video monitoring cost
$29.99 per month for Secure monitoring plan.
$34.99 per month for Smart monitoring with smart home device control and one-tap alarm verification. This plan is required if you have a system with smart home products such as a Google Nest thermostat or garage door controller.
$44.99 per month for Complete monitoring with video verification and an included Nest Aware subscription for video storage and intelligent alerts. This plan is required if you have a system with cameras.
Professional monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase and starts at $29.99 per month.
Installation cost
Free for self-setup packages.
Pro install packages require a three-year monthly monitoring plan starting at $29.99 (two years in California).
Included.
Contract
36-month minimum (24 months in California) for pro install packages.
Monitoring is month to month unless financing equipment.
Compatibility
Smart-home integration with Alexa and Google.
Smart-home integration with Alexa and Google.
Customer support
Live chat is available 7 a.m. to midnight EST.
Online knowledgebase.
Customer service is rated 1.2 stars out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com.
Phone and live chat are available.
Online knowledgebase.
Customer service is rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com.
Why Vivint is a better choice
ADT and Vivint rank neck-in-neck for their professionally installed systems. However, Vivint’s contracts are more flexible, and the company earns better customer reviews and has an airtight privacy record.
Flexible contract
ADT’s professional monitoring services come with a fairly long contract term—36 months minimum in all states except California, which has a 24-month minimum. Though Vivint doesn’t offer a self-monitoring option, customers can pay for professional monitoring month-to-month and cancel more easily if they purchase equipment upfront.
Better reviews
We could not find any public record of privacy breaches at Vivint, but two class-action lawsuits were filed against ADT in 2020 after a former employee allegedly accessed the security systems of over 200 customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Vivint also has 3.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, a consumer review website, while ADT has just 1.2 out of 5 stars.
Active deterrents
Vivint’s outdoor cameras and doorbells have a theft-deterrent feature that can identify potential “porch pirates” and respond with dramatic lights and sound to let them know they’ve been spotted.
Ease of use, especially for integration
We tried out ADT’s build-your-own self-setup system, a starter kit with just a home base and sensor. We found the setup functional and user-friendly, though integrating the equipment with Nest products involves using several different apps and wasn’t straightforward. ADT doesn’t have its own line of cameras (it only sells Google Nest cameras), so you have to integrate the alarm system with Nest products to record footage.
On the other hand, we found Vivint’s system to be very intuitive and highly customizable, seamlessly integrating with other smart home devices such as smart locks and video doorbells. Keep in mind, though, that we had our Vivint system installed professionally, and that ADT’s professional installation service may help with integration difficulties.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$599.99
Base kit includes Vivint Smart Hub Control Panel,
4 door/window sensors, and 1 motion sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$41
Professional monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase; $46 per month if you have cameras.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and water sensor.
View details
Key facts
Vivint offers best-in-class video and alarm features, including theft deterrent protection, with white-glove service.
Pros
Offers top-tier professional installation and features.
Highly rated for security and privacy with no history of breaches.
Vivint’s home security packages are high-end, and the company doesn’t offer a self-setup option or enable self-monitoring. If you want a DIY option, ADT may be a better fit.
Cost
Vivint’s equipment packages also start at a higher price than ADT’s, though Vivint’s base kit includes more products.
Vivint’s professionally installed and monitored base kit, at $599.99, includes a control hub, four door/window sensors and one motion sensor.
ADT’s self-installed base kit, at $269, includes a smart home hub and a door/window sensor and app.
ADT’s self-monitoring is free, and Vivint doesn’t offer self-monitoring.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$269.00
Base kit comes with 1 ADT Smart Home Hub and 1 ADT Door/Window Sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$29.99 and up
$44.99 with cameras and $34.99 with other smart home devices. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for self setup and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a self-setup system for free after the first month.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
View details
Key facts
ADT is the most established home security provider, with well-reviewed professional monitoring services.
Pros
Owns 6 U.S.-based professional monitoring centers.
Integrates with Google Nest cameras.
Has been operating for over 150 years.
Cons
Has had a security breach.
Required monthly monitoring fees for all plans, ranging from one month to 3-5 years. Monitoring fees are high compared to other providers.
For homeowners and renters who want a more DIY option at a lower cost, a security system or individual items from providers such as SimpliSafe or Arlo may be a better fit.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$249.96
Base kit includes one base station, one keypad, one entry sensor and one motion sensor. Sometimes you can get a free Smart Alarm wireless indoor security camera and a free trial of professional monitoring if they're running a promotion.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$21.99
Self monitoring available for $9.99 per month. You can also access basic features with no plan.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector, water and temperature sensor.
View details
Key facts
SimpliSafe offers comprehensive packages at affordable prices with both self- and pro-monitoring subscription options.
Pros
Offers affordable packages with add-ons and a build-your-own-system option.
No record of security breaches.
Can be self-monitored for free.
Cons
Only integrates with Alexa, Google and Apple Watch, while other providers have more extensive smart home integration.
Smart home automation and scheduled arming require a paid monthly plan.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$199.99
Base kit includes one keypad sensor hub, two sensors, and a free three-month pro monitoring trial.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99
Some sensor features not available without subscription. Self monitoring for cameras starts at $7.99 per month.
Hazard detection
Sensors can detect water and temperature and alert you when a smoke/CO detector goes off.
No actual smoke/CO detector, and you'll need a paid monthly plan to use the sensor's alarm listening feature.
View details
Key facts
Arlo provides a flexible system for a variety of safety needs with 8-in-1 sensors.
Pros
Customizable system with versatile sensors.
No record of security breaches.
Integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT.
Cons
Cellular and battery backup requires an extra device and a paid monthly monitoring plan.
Cameras differentiate between people and other motion only if you buy a monitoring subscription starting at $7.99 for a single camera.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$244.95
Base kit includes alarm base station, keypad, door/window contact sensor, motion detector, alarm range extender and free 30-day trial of Ring Protect professional monitoring. Pro starter kit comes with a Wifi router.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$20
Other features/self monitoring available with plans starting at $4.99 per month. You'll need at least the basic plan to arm and disarm your system remotely.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and listener, flood and freeze sensor.
View details
Key facts
Ring offers affordable professional monitoring and a DIY system with high-quality cameras.
Pros
Lowest-priced professional monitoring service among competitors.
Offers a self-monitoring option with rich video features.
Pro system includes a Wi-Fi router that can replace or extend your existing coverage
Cons
Has had a security breach.
Can only integrate with Alexa, not Google, unless you use a third-party app.
Requires a paid monthly subscription starting at $4.99 if you want to arm and disarm the alarm system from your phone.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers the type of home security system being reviewed, as well as pricing, offerings, video features, privacy and customer reviews.
Equipment cost
$159.99
Base kit includes security hub, key fob and mini sensor for door/window.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99
Self monitoring with extra features is $7.99 per month, but you can also use basic features for free.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke alarm monitor and leak detector.
No actual smoke/CO detector.
View details
Key facts
Abode's security system is compatible with the widest range of smart home products including Amazon Echo, Google Home and Nest.
Pros
Can be self-monitored for free.
No record of security breaches.
The alarm system can be connected directly to an ethernet cable or work wirelessly with your Wi-Fi network.
Cons
Smart detection requires a paid subscription starting at $6.99 per month.
Doesn’t offer an actual smoke alarm, just a smoke alarm monitor.
