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Vivint vs. ADT Home Security in 2025: Cost, Features, Reviews
ADT’s alarm systems can be self-monitored, while Vivint’s professional service earns higher reviews.
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Dalia Ramirez writes about home services for NerdWallet. She has previously written about estate planning, cryptocurrencies, small business software and other personal finance topics. Dalia has a B.A. in bioethics and 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 is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
ADT and Vivint are 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.
Both companies offer equipment packages starting at $199, with professional monitoring starting at $24.99 per month. However, both of these deals come with contract terms and require at least one month of professional monitoring.
Vivint 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.
However, ADT also offers DIY installed and monitored systems, while Vivint’s systems require professional monitoring and installation. ADT is also one of the most well-established home security companies, with over 150 years in business.
Exclusive features and complete professional management.
Hardware cost
$269 and up (list price). ADT also offers a package that’s currently on sale for $199 with one month of professional monitoring.
$199.99 and up with a three-year professional monitoring contract or $550 without a contract.
Video monitoring cost
$24.99 per month for Secure monitoring plan.
$29.99 per month for Smart monitoring plan 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.
$39.99 per month for Complete monitoring plan with video verification and an included Google Nest Aware subscription for video storage and intelligent alerts. This plan is required if you have a system with cameras.
All monitoring plans are $10 more per month with a professionally installed system.
Professional monitoring is required with equipment purchase and starts at $24.99 per month.
Vivint lists packages on the website with monitoring fees up to $57 per month.
Installation cost
Free for self-setup packages.
Pro install packages require a three-year monthly monitoring plan starting at $24.99 (two years in California).
Included, with one exception. If you’re purchasing a HomeProtect bundle (Vivint’s budget package) without a monitoring contract, installation costs $199.99.
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 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
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 3.8 stars out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com.
Where Vivint wins
ADT and Vivint rank neck-in-neck for their professionally installed systems. However, Vivint earns better customer reviews and has a better privacy record.
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. ADT also had additional cybersecurity incidents involving unauthorized access to customer data in August and October 2024.
Vivint also has 3.8 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. 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.
Base kit includes hub, 3 door/window sensors, keypad and a motion sensor. Requires three-year professional monitoring contract.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99 and up
Systems with smart home devices and cameras cost more to monitor, up to $57 per month.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and water sensor.
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.
Cons
Starter package costs about $550, including installation, without a multi-year contract.
Required monthly professional monitoring fee.
No self-monitoring option.
Equipment cost
$199.99
Base kit includes hub, 3 door/window sensors, keypad and a motion sensor. Requires three-year professional monitoring contract.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99 and up
Systems with smart home devices and cameras cost more to monitor, up to $57 per month.
Hazard detection
Add-on smoke/CO detector and water sensor.
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.
Cons
Starter package costs about $550, including installation, without a multi-year contract.
Required monthly professional monitoring fee.
No self-monitoring option.
Why you might want to use ADT instead
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.
ADT’s self-setup systems can be self-monitored for free after the first month.
Nerdy Perspective
ADT and Vivint advertise home security bundles starting at $199.99, which is a competitive price that matches many DIY home security providers. However, these companies offer this discounted pricing with conditions such as multi-year contracts, financing equipment and required monthly monitoring. Before purchasing a discounted system, read the fine print and make sure you know the true cost of your home security system.
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.
Base kit includes one ADT base and one door/window sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99 and up
$39.99 with cameras and $29.99 with other smart home devices. Monitoring costs are $10 more per month with professional installation. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for DIY and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a DIY system for free after the first month.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
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.
Equipment cost
$269.00
Base kit includes one ADT base and one door/window sensor.
Professional monitoring monthly cost
$24.99 and up
$39.99 with cameras and $29.99 with other smart home devices. Monitoring costs are $10 more per month with professional installation. A monitoring plan is required with equipment purchase (1 month minimum for DIY and a several-year contract with professional installation), but you can arm and disarm a DIY system for free after the first month.
Hazard detection
Add-on CO detector, smoke detector and water/temperature sensor.
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.
ADT and Vivint alternatives
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.
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
$22.99
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.
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.
Equipment cost
$250.96
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
$22.99
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.
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.
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.
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.
