Why You Can Trust CNET ADT vs. Vivint: Comparing Two Popular -- and Pricey -- Home Security Systems
Both ADT and Vivint have changed a lot in recent years. Here's where they stand now, and what I think is the best security option for you.
ADT's new system and Trusted Neighbor features offer more integration than the brand once had.
When searching for a home security system, you're bound to run into the names ADT and Vivint, widely know for home systems that include sensors, keypads, hubs and cameras. If you like the idea of a well-established brand that offers plenty of professional install options, you may be wondering which kit comes out on top.
Vivint is a relative newcomer, but with emphasis on the word relative -- it's been around for over 20 years now. And yet, when it comes down to deciding which service I'd recommend over the other, the difference between "old school" and "new school" isn't as important as you may think, especially with the advances ADT has made lately. With ADT's recently released ADT Plus app and the accompanying new devices, including more compatibility with Google Nest and the Trusted Neighbor subscription with face recognition, the old dog has certain learned some new tricks.
The final word comes down to costs, contracts and what other smart home devices you've got. I'll explain in a bit, but first let's take a look at each home security company, starting with the (relatively) new kid in town.
If you're looking for the biggest names and biggest brains in smart home automation, Vivint easily fits the bill. The question is, however, does the bill you'll end up getting from Vivint for all these cutting-edge technologies fit you and your budget? If you're an average buyer, it's hard to tell, because Vivint keeps everything behind quotes and questionnaires, but I've tested their systems and dug into the details to learn more.
Vivint offers its own hub, sensors and cameras (many offered with wireless options), including a video doorbell, while accepting no third-party options for these models. It has a smart thermostat, but you can integrate some Nest Thermostats instead, and the system works with both Nest and Amazon Alexa smart speakers. Vivint also offers its own garage controls, lighting, a smart lock through Kwikset and a smoke detector. It's a fairly complete set of options, but it's tightly tied to the Vivint ecosystem and only available through its site.
Vivint says the average installation package costs $2,400 for new customers, and around $500 or so for a basic starter kit. Back-of-the-napkin math says you could get a similar setup for about half that if you installed everything yourself from a more affordable brand. Vivint also offers a professional monitoring service that starts at $40 per month but quickly rises with the addition of smart cameras and other extras.
So, what do you get for all the extra money Vivint charges?
Simple answer: convenience. You don't have to install any of it, you don't have to connect it all to each other, and if something goes haywire, there's a toll-free number you can call and Vivint will send someone out to diagnose and fix the problem. That's nice for hands-off people who don't like messing with smart devices, the elderly who may not have the know-how and those with mobility challenges who can't go around climbing ladders to install the kit themselves.
But now let's talk about a key difference from ADT: contracts. If you purchase everything upfront from Vivint, there's no contract at all, just month-by-month payments. That's a big difference from ADT, which still tends to require multiyear contracts no matter how you buy. But if you get a Vivint system on a payment plan, a contract is required and those can last for up to five years, so financing comes with a lot of strings attached.
ADT has undergone some major changes over the years, trying out a variety of product lines and DIY approaches. In its current iteration, the company offers both professional and DIY installations with a relatively new ADT+ app for controls and a wireless product line updated in 2024. You can get all the same (or similar) gadgets and gizmos with ADT as you can with Vivint or any other brand: smart locks, door and window sensors, keypads and a connected thermostat.
However, the strongest part of ADT's lineup is its deep integration with Google Nest and the Google Home app with Google Assistant. Support extends not only to Nest doorbells and Nest cameras, but to Schlage or Yale smart locks, Alexa and Echo devices, Sonos speakers, Apple Watches and a number of others. Currently, that makes ADT a much better option for third-party smart home devices than Vivint -- I'm as surprised as anyone. Plus, ADT's latest Trusted Neighbor system gives you deeper customization for system access, right down to letting specific people in at specific times, as well as facial recognition.
ADT's pricing is on the high side of competitive. Most of its devices cost about the same or a little more than comparable devices from Vivint; a few cost a little less. Its monthly monitoring service is also quite overpriced, starting at $35 for the basics but rising to $50 or more if you want any smart home compatibility or security cameras (and you probably do). Ultimately they're higher than Vivint without giving much more in return.
ADT used to struggle to offer a cohesive experience across its hub, site and app. While some technical fumbling lingers, ADT+ is a much better attempt than ADT has made in the past, bringing it much closer to Vivint. It may not be perfect harmony, which Vivint's more enclosed ecosystem does better, but it is an improvement over past attempts -- and you have more choices along the way.
While this sore point is being resolved, ADT still falls out of step with modernity with its contracts. You read that right: ADT still requires a contract for service. And the company includes positively punishing terms if ADT customers want to get out early. Even if you pay for all the hardware up front, the contract will still lock you in for 12 to 60 months (depending on the region), and cancellation can cost up to 75% of the remaining balance of the entire contract.
There's no way around this issue: You have to pay a lot more for ADT and it's a big struggle to switch away, but you don't get anything in return compared to more affordable systems. Vivint's no-contract options really help it out for this one.
Conclusion: Vivint wins out, but there are even better options
While it's a much closer match than it's been in past years, Vivint is a winner if you're looking for a professionally installed system. It's less expensive for the same or similar equipment, you don't have to shop around for third-party smart devices and it requires no contract. ADT, meanwhile, has some very promising system updates and more integration than ever with Google Nest devices and other third-party tech, making it a good choice for Google Home users, even as its contracts and pricing linger in the dark ages. But there are a couple of final points I want to make before you decide on either.
First, take a look at our guide to the best systems and best DIY security systems in particular. You'll find you can get full home security systems and add-ons from brands like Ring and SimpliSafe for much less. And these days, unless you have mobility issues or really don't know what kind of home security you want, there's no reason to go for a professional installation when DIY is so easy. You can even find affordable home security systems for renters.
Second, monitoring costs can be problematic, especially if you go for professional monitoring, which both of these brands tend to require. That's around $50 to $70 per month, which is a lot of money to ask for a monitoring center. Other systems can get you many monitoring options for $20 to $30, much lower ongoing fees than either ADT or Vivint.
But if you have the money to spend on a professionally installed security system -- or if other picks aren't readily available in your area -- I think you'll be perfectly happy with home security service from Vivint. However, if you like the idea of incorporating facial recognition technology and Google Nest devices into a single security platform, ADT Plus may pull a bit ahead with the latest changes ADT has made.