ADT vs Vivint Cost (2026): Monthly Fees, Equipment & Hidden Costs

Last updated: April 4, 2026

Last Updated: April 2026

By the Home Security Ranked editorial team

The sticker price on a home security system is never the full story. ADT advertises plans “starting at $28.99/month” and Vivint leads with “$24.99/month” — but by the time you factor in equipment packages, installation fees, financing terms, and cancellation penalties, the real cost of either system looks dramatically different.

We broke down every cost category for both ADT and Vivint in 2026 to calculate what you’ll actually pay over 3 years. If you’re deciding between these two premium providers, this is the pricing comparison that matters. For a full feature-by-feature breakdown beyond cost, see our ADT vs Vivint head-to-head comparison.

Quick Cost Comparison

ADT Monitoring Plans & Pricing

ADT structures its monitoring into four tiers. The base plan is affordable, but you need to move up at least two tiers to get video monitoring and smart home features — the capabilities most people actually want.

The effective cost for a camera-equipped, smart-home-connected ADT system is $36.99–$45.99/month. The base Secure plan covers alarm monitoring only — no cameras, no video clips, no smart home automation. If you want cameras (and most people do), budget for at least the Smart tier.

ADT also runs frequent promotions that can reduce your first-year cost significantly — waived installation fees, free equipment upgrades, or $100–$200 off equipment packages. These promotions always require the 36-month contract commitment.

Worth noting: ADT’s newer Self Setup line (formerly Blue by ADT) offers monitoring at $19.99–$24.99/month with no contract. It’s a separate product with a different equipment line — see our no-contract comparison for details.

Vivint Monitoring Plans & Pricing

Vivint’s pricing is more straightforward. Smart home control is included at every tier, and the jump between plans is mainly about camera storage and AI features.

Vivint’s base plan at $24.99/month already includes smart home device control — a feature ADT charges an extra $8/month for. The mid-tier Smart Home plan ($34.99) is the sweet spot, offering video monitoring at $2/month less than ADT’s comparable Smart plan ($36.99).

The top-tier Smart Home+ plan ($49.99) includes unlimited cloud storage for all cameras and advanced AI detection (person, vehicle, package, pet recognition). ADT’s comparable Premium plan costs $59.99/month — a $10/month difference that adds up to $360 over three years.

Vivint offers 0% APR financing on equipment over 60 months. If you purchase equipment outright (typically $1,500–$3,000+), you get month-to-month monitoring with no long-term commitment.

Equipment Cost Breakdown

Equipment is where pricing gets complicated. Both companies offer starter packages, but the a-la-carte costs vary significantly depending on how much coverage you need.

Equivalent Starter Setup Comparison

ADT’s approach: Lower equipment cost upfront, bundled into a 36-month contract. ADT frequently subsidizes equipment to get you locked in — $0 upfront equipment deals are common with contract commitment. The trade-off is you’re paying for equipment through higher monthly fees and a multi-year obligation.

Vivint’s approach: Higher equipment cost upfront, financed at 0% APR over 60 months. Equipment quality is generally higher — Vivint designs cameras and panels in-house, while ADT uses rebranded Google Nest and Resideo hardware. You can pay the full equipment cost upfront to avoid financing and get month-to-month monitoring.

Key difference: Vivint’s proprietary equipment cannot be reused with other security providers if you switch. ADT’s Google Nest cameras continue to work independently. For a detailed camera comparison, see our ADT vs Vivint cameras breakdown.

Installation Fees Compared

ADT frequently waives installation fees as part of promotional deals, especially for new contracts. When not waived, installation typically runs $99–$199 depending on system complexity.

Vivint charges $49–$199 for professional installation performed by their in-house Smart Home Pros (not third-party contractors). The fee covers full system setup including camera mounting, smart device configuration, and network optimization. One advantage: Vivint’s install fee is all-inclusive regardless of how many cameras you add, while ADT may charge per-camera installation fees beyond the base setup.

Hidden Costs & Fees

This is where both companies can surprise you. Beyond the advertised monthly rate and equipment cost, there are several fees that rarely appear in marketing materials.

ADT Hidden Costs

• Early termination fee: 75% of remaining contract balance. Cancel at month 12 of a $36.99/month plan? That’s 24 months × $36.99 × 0.75 = $665.82
• Rate increases: ADT reserves the right to increase monitoring rates after the first year, typically 3–5% annually
• Permit fees: Many municipalities require an alarm permit ($25–$100 annually), not included in ADT pricing
• Service calls: $25–$75 for technician visits after the initial installation period
• Relocation fee: If you move, transferring your ADT system to a new address may incur $99–$199 reinstallation fees

Vivint Hidden Costs

• Equipment payoff: Canceling with financed equipment means paying the remaining balance immediately (could be $500–$2,000+)
• Rate increases: Vivint can also increase monitoring rates, though historically increases have been modest (2–3%)
• Permit fees: Same municipal alarm permits apply ($25–$100 annually)
• Service calls: $49 per technician visit after the warranty period
• Reinstallation: Moving to a new home costs $49–$199 for professional reinstallation (equipment is yours, labor isn’t)

Bottom line: Neither company is fully transparent about total costs. ADT’s biggest hidden cost is the early termination fee that can run into hundreds of dollars. Vivint’s biggest hidden cost is the equipment payoff obligation if you financed rather than purchased outright.

3-Year Total Cost Scenarios

To give you a realistic picture, we calculated total costs across three scenarios: budget, mid-range, and premium setups over 36 months.

Scenario A: Budget Setup (Basic Monitoring, Minimal Equipment)

Budget winner: ADT — by roughly $500 over 3 years, thanks to subsidized equipment and promotional installation. But you’re locked into a 36-month contract.

Scenario B: Mid-Range (Video Monitoring, 2 Cameras, Smart Lock)

Mid-range winner: ADT — by about $477. ADT’s equipment subsidies and slightly lower mid-tier monitoring rate give it the edge. Vivint’s higher equipment cost is the main differentiator.

Scenario C: Premium (Full Automation, 4+ Cameras, All Sensors)

Premium winner: ADT — by roughly $643. At the premium tier, Vivint’s higher equipment costs and top-tier monitoring price push total costs significantly higher. However, Vivint’s premium equipment (4K cameras, AI detection, proprietary Smart Hub) is objectively superior hardware.

Which Is the Better Value?

Cost and value aren’t the same thing. ADT wins on raw price in every scenario, but Vivint delivers better technology for the premium.

ADT Is the Better Value If You:

• Want the lowest total cost over 3 years
• Prioritize basic professional monitoring over smart home features
• Are comfortable with a 36-month contract commitment
• Don’t need premium camera quality (1080p third-party cameras are sufficient)
• Want access to ADT’s 6 monitoring centers and nationwide dealer network

Vivint Is the Better Value If You:

• Want premium equipment — 4K cameras, AI detection, proprietary smart home panel
• Prefer no long-term contract (buy equipment outright for month-to-month)
• Prioritize smart home integration and automation depth
• Plan to stay in your home 5+ years (equipment financing amortizes over 60 months)
• Value a polished app experience and in-house customer support

Consider an Alternative If You:

• Want a direct ADT vs. SimpliSafe comparison — see our SimpliSafe vs ADT breakdown
• Want the lowest possible monthly cost — SimpliSafe starts at $17.99/month
• Need no-contract flexibility at a lower price point — Ring Alarm starts at $20/month
• Live in an apartment — see our best home security for apartments guide for renter-friendly, budget-conscious picks
• Want to understand all your options — see our home security cost guide

The Verdict on Cost

ADT is the cheaper option on paper and in practice across all three cost scenarios we modeled. Over 3 years, you’ll save $400–$650 with ADT compared to Vivint for equivalent setups.

But “cheaper” comes with strings attached. ADT requires a 36-month contract with steep early termination penalties. Vivint lets you buy equipment outright and go month-to-month — a flexibility that has real value if your plans might change.

The right choice depends on your priorities: if cost is king, ADT wins. If flexibility and technology matter more than saving $15/month, Vivint earns its premium.

For a full feature comparison beyond pricing, read our complete ADT vs Vivint comparison. To explore how each system handles smart home integration, check out our ADT vs Vivint smart home comparison.