ADT and Vivint earned recognition on our list of the best home security companies, both offering proven tools and services, as well as smart-home integration. While ADT generally is less expensive, Vivint has slightly more cutting-edge technological offerings.
We examined both ADT and Vivint and compared each company’s plans, costs, and equipment. Here, we break down the differences between the two home security providers to help you determine which one is the right choice for you.
*Requires a 36-month monitoring contract, with a 24-month monitoring contract for residents of California with total fees from $840. Early termination and installation fees apply. New customers only. Reward card issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC. Card terms and expiration apply. Read full terms and conditions.
Our Take
ADT is slightly cheaper than Vivint, and it offers more customization options. Vivint Smart Home, though, provides more updated technology for your house’s security system, including advanced smart-home integration.
Compare ADT vs. Vivint
| Provider | ADT | Vivint |
|---|---|---|
|
Get free quote |
Visit site |
Visit site |
|
Our rating (out of 5) |
4.6 |
4.7 |
|
Trial period |
30 days |
3 days |
|
Contract length |
36 months (24 months in California)* |
None (if equipment is purchased upfront) |
|
Monthly monitoring cost |
$30–$60 |
$37–$60 |
|
Installation |
Professional only |
Professional only |
|
24/7 monitoring |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Motion detection |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Smart home compatibility |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Mobile app access |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Video surveillance |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Video streaming capability |
✔ |
✔ |
*A 36-month monitoring agreement is required for customers, except for California, in which a 24-month term is required, with total fees from $840.
Pro Tip
- Whichever system you choose, cybersecurity matters as much as physical security. As a smart-home expert advised on This Old House, “What you really want to look for is 256 bit encryption. You want to look for two factor authentication and you really want to read the fine print for how these companies deal with your data.” Before committing to ADT or Vivint, review each company’s data-sharing policies carefully.
ADT vs. Vivint Overview
ADT Overview
ADT home security has assisted millions of customers in the last 140 years. With 24/7 customer support and a six-month money-back guarantee (certain restrictions apply), ADT provides home security solutions that suit many budgets.
Here are some benefits to ADT:
- Longevity and a good reputation in the industry
- ADT has the largest nationwide network of monitoring centers
- Six-month money-back guarantee on installation and monitoring fees (certain restrictions apply)
Vivint Overview
Vivint offers home security technology that is fully integrated into your smart home, and it has excellent mobile app integration. With 20 years of experience in home security systems, Vivint emphasizes wireless security and easy do-it-yourself (DIY) installation.
Here are some of the major selling points for Vivint:
- Integrates with third-party smart-home devices like Google Nest, Amazon Echo, etc.
- Highly customizable system that is easy to use and understand
- Great mobile app integration that allows full control of your home
What Do ADT and Vivint Have in Common?
Though both companies have different approaches, ADT and Vivint share some common ground. Here are some ways they are similar:
- Types of security equipment: Both services strive to provide the most up-to-date technology in professional monitoring. Both services are able to secure your home with high-end home security cameras, smoke detectors, water sensors, and much more.
- Mobile app integration: Both feature an easy-to-use mobile app that allows you to monitor your home from your smartphone, as well as receive alerts and stream video.
- No third-party provider: Both companies provide their own monitoring rather than utilizing a third-party provider.
How Do ADT and Vivint Differ?
Though ADT and Vivint have similar equipment and tools, they also have different approaches to home security:
- Monthly monitoring cost: Vivint charges slightly more—a little over $5—than ADT for its monthly monitoring cost.
- Money back guarantee: ADT offers an impressive six-month money-back guarantee, while Vivint has the standard 30-day guarantee.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and accreditation: ADT is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating, as of this writing. Vivint is also accredited with the BBB and has a B+ rating.
Pro Tip
- One critical feature to compare between ADT and Vivint is cellular backup monitoring. As discussed on This Old House, if a burglar cuts your Wi-Fi or the power goes out, your hub is disconnected and you won’t receive alerts. A cellular connection “works regardless” of power to the house, ensuring you get notified no matter what. Both providers offer this, but the monthly costs and plan tiers differ, so be sure to factor that into your comparison.
ADT vs. Vivint Packages
ADT Packages
| Feature | ADT Secure Package | ADT Smart Package | ADT Video Package | ADT Complete Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Keypad panel |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Motion sensor |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Remote key fob |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Panic button |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Wireless door and window sensors |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Mobile app integration |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Indoor camera |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Outdoor camera |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Doorbell camera |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Smart lock |
– |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
|
Smart plug |
– |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
ADT home security features a few different contract options that can cover customer needs. Customers who do not need smart-home integration may enjoy the ADT Secure Package, which features 24/7 alarm monitoring, panic buttons, wireless door and window sensors, and a motion sensor. Other packages, such as the ADT Smart Package and the ADT Complete Package, include more smart devices. Both packages offer specific smart-home integration and professional monitoring capabilities, and the ADT Complete Package builds upon both of them while adding a smart lock and smart plug.
When evaluating packages that include smart-home devices like indoor cameras, keep in mind that newer technology can offer more than basic motion detection. During a This Old House project, security installer Ross highlighted an indoor camera with facial recognition software: “It’s gonna recognize your face and your fiancé’s face. It’s gonna learn the system over time. So it’s only gonna detect you when it sees motion from someone it doesn’t recognize.” Features like these — which layer intelligence on top of standard sensors — can make higher-tier packages worth the investment for homeowners seeking fewer false alerts and smarter notifications.
Vivint Packages
| Feature | Vivint Smart Hub Starter Kit Package | Home Security System Package | Smart Home Control Package | Video Security Package | Smart Complete Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SkyControl Panel |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Smart entry sensors (2) |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Voice control |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Motion sensor |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Smart smoke detector |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
|
Element thermostat |
– |
– |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
|
Smart lock |
– |
– |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
|
Smart garage door opener |
– |
– |
✔ |
– |
✔ |
|
Doorbell camera |
– |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Outdoor camera |
– |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Ping indoor camera |
– |
– |
– |
✔ |
✔ |
Vivint offers five different equipment bundles to build your smart home security system from the ground up. The base-level equipment package, the Smart Hub Starter Kit, provides a touch-screen command center for the security system. It also includes one water sensor, one motion sensor, two smart-entry sensors, and $100 toward additional sensors. The Smart Complete package is the most comprehensive, with outdoor cameras and a doorbell camera.
Pro Tip
- During a This Old House security installation, installer Greg explained that modern monitoring systems send signals to a central facility via both Internet and telephone lines, providing redundant communication paths. “We’re actually sending signals to a central monitoring facility which will monitor the alarms both by Internet and telephone lines,” he told Kevin O’Connor. This dual-path approach means that even if one connection fails, the other can still relay an alarm—an important consideration when comparing monitoring packages.
ADT vs. Vivint Pricing
ADT Pricing
| Pricing | ADT Basic Package | ADT Smart Package | ADT Complete Package | ADT Complete Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Weekly cost |
$7.50 |
$9 |
$12 |
$15 |
|
Monthly cost |
$30 |
$35 |
$45 |
$60 |
For base package installation, ADT costs $99 for qualified customers. Keep in mind that upgraded packages will require additional installation fees, and additional fees may apply for customers requiring a cellular hookup. Monthly monitoring prices range between $30 and $46, and you can pay for it with either a credit card or automatic bank withdrawal.
Vivint Pricing
| Pricing | SkyControl Starter Kit Package | Home Security System” Package | Smart Home Control Package | Video Security Package | Smart Complete Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Equipment cost |
$599 |
$710 |
$1,050 |
$1,380 |
$1,790 |
|
Optional monthly financing cost |
$10 |
$12 |
$18 |
$23 |
$30 |
You have the option to purchase your Vivint equipment with a single, up-front payment or to finance it all. If you pay up front, your monitoring services will be billed on a month-to-month basis. If you choose to finance Vivint’s equipment, the costs are bundled with monitoring services in a five-year contract with monthly payments.
Vivint’s professional monitoring contracts and prices are:
- Smart Security Plan: $30 per month
- Smart Home Plan: $40 per month
- Smart Home Video Plan: $45 per month
ADT vs. Vivint: How It Works
How Does ADT Work?
After you have purchased a plan with ADT, a professional will come to your house to install your new ADT system. They will set it up and test it for you, and after it is running properly, you can control everything from the control panel provided by ADT and from the mobile app.
When there is an alert to your sensors, ADT will attempt to contact you to confirm whether or not an emergency is happening. Then, one of ADT’s monitoring centers will notify the proper authorities and dispatch them.
How Does Vivint Work?
Vivint offers free home installation for its security equipment.
When your Vivint sensors are triggered, a representative from Vivint will contact you to confirm that an emergency is occurring. If you are in trouble or the representative cannot reach you, the police will be notified and dispatched immediately to your home.
Our Conclusion
Both ADT and Vivint provide security and safety to millions of customers throughout the United States through excellent customer service and great equipment. In fact, our team has named both to our list of best home security companies. If you are looking for the most comprehensive, adaptable, and extensive home security service provider, ADT can meet your needs. Vivint, on the other hand, is perfect for anyone looking for smart-home integration and the most cutting-edge technology in the home security industry.
If you still feel unsure whether ADT or Vivint is right for you, compare both to other top-rated security providers in the industry below.
Compare Top-Rated Home Security Providers
| Provider | Abode | SimpliSafe | Frontpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Get a free quote |
Visit site |
Visit site |
Visit site |
|
Monitoring prices |
$6–$20 per month |
$15–$25 per month |
$45–$50 per month |
|
Contract required |
No |
Month-to-month |
No |
|
24/7 monitoring |
Available |
Available |
Available |
|
Professional installation |
$99+ |
$79 |
Not available |
|
DIY installation |
Available |
Available |
Available |
|
Mobile app access |
Yes |
Yes, with interactive monitoring |
Yes |
|
Motion detection |
Yes |
Yes |
Available |
|
Smart home compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Video surveillance |
Yes |
Available, with Simplicam |
Available |
|
Video streaming capability |
Yes |
Available, with Simplicam |
Available |
FAQs About ADT vs. Vivint
Can you negotiate with Vivint Smart Home?
Yes, you can negotiate with your Vivint sales representative when you set up a contract with Vivint. You might negotiate about your options to purchase all your equipment up front in one payment or determine monthly finance options.
Do wireless cameras work without the Internet?
With any wireless security camera network, Vivint or ADT, your options become limited without Internet access. You can still record video, but you will not be able to access a live video stream, and you will not be able to receive security alerts from your system without the internet.
Can ADT be easily hacked?
ADT does not have any current red flags for hacking risks. There have been previous reports of ADT cameras being hacked, but they were limited to a specific model of digital video recorders.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 5 stars.