The Bottom Line
If you want the best smart home integration with cameras included from day one, Vivint is the better system. If you want brand trust, flexibility, or a budget DIY option, ADT (especially Blue by ADT) is the smarter pick.
Both systems offer professional 24/7 monitoring, cellular backup, and work with Alexa and Google Home. You can't go wrong with either — but the right choice depends on what you prioritize.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Vivint | ADT |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Monitoring | From $29.99/mo | From $28.99/mo |
| Contract Length | 42-60 months | 36 months typical |
| Installation | Professional only | Professional or DIY (Blue by ADT) |
| Equipment Cost | Quote-based (financed) | Quote-based; Blue from ~$99 |
| Smart Home | Google Home, Alexa, Vivint app | Google Home, Alexa, Z-Wave |
| Cameras Included | Yes (outdoor + doorbell) | Add-on (not standard) |
| Medical Alert | No | Yes (add-on) |
| Cellular Backup | Yes | Yes |
| Monitoring Centers | 2 US centers | 6 US centers |
| Brand History | Founded 1999 (27 years) | Founded 1874 (152 years) |
Pricing Breakdown
Vivint Pricing
Vivint doesn't publish equipment prices online — you get a custom quote based on your home size and the components you choose. Most homeowners finance the equipment over 42-60 months, which adds to the monthly cost on top of the monitoring fee.
What you'll typically pay:- Monitoring: $29.99-$44.99/month depending on plan tier
- Equipment: $0 upfront (financed), or purchase outright to reduce monthly cost
- Installation: Included with professional setup
- Total monthly: $40-$70/month is typical for most homeowners
The upside: Vivint includes cameras (outdoor + doorbell) in most packages. With ADT, cameras are add-ons that increase the price.
ADT Pricing
ADT offers two distinct product lines:
ADT Traditional (professionally installed):- Monitoring from $28.99/month
- Equipment quote-based (similar financing to Vivint)
- 36-month contract typical
- Professional installation fee (~$99-$199)
- Equipment from ~$99 (buy upfront, own it)
- Self-monitoring: Free with the app
- Professional monitoring: $19.99/month
- No contract required
Blue by ADT is the standout budget option. You buy the hardware, install it yourself, and can cancel monitoring anytime.
Equipment and Hardware
Vivint Equipment
Vivint manufactures most of its own hardware, which means tight integration between devices. The Smart Hub is the centerpiece — a 7-inch touchscreen panel that controls everything: cameras, locks, lights, sensors, and the alarm system.
Standard components in most packages:- Smart Hub touchscreen panel
- Outdoor Camera Pro (with person/vehicle detection)
- Doorbell Camera Pro
- Motion sensors
- Door/window sensors
- Smart lock
- Key fob for arming/disarming
The hardware feels premium. Vivint's cameras, in particular, are competitive with standalone brands. The Outdoor Camera Pro has a built-in spotlight, 4K HDR sensor, and can distinguish between people, vehicles, and animals.
ADT Equipment
ADT's traditional system uses third-party hardware (primarily from Honeywell/Resideo and DSC). The quality is solid but the ecosystem feels less unified than Vivint's.
Blue by ADT uses ADT-branded hardware designed for DIY installation:- Base station (siren + cellular radio)
- Motion detector
- Door/window sensors
- Optional: indoor/outdoor cameras, doorbell camera, smart plugs
The Blue hardware is compact and modern-looking. Installation takes 15-30 minutes for most people — peel-and-stick sensors, plug in the base station, connect via the app.
Monitoring and Response
Both companies provide UL-Listed professional monitoring — meaning trained operators watch your system 24/7 and dispatch emergency services when an alarm is triggered.
Vivint operates 2 monitoring centers in the US. Response protocols are fast: when an alarm triggers, Vivint attempts to contact you. If you don't respond within 30 seconds, they dispatch police or fire automatically. ADT operates 6 monitoring centers — the most of any provider. This redundancy means if one center goes down (natural disaster, power outage), others pick up immediately. ADT has been doing this since 1874, and their monitoring infrastructure is the most battle-tested in the industry. Cellular backup is standard with both. If your internet goes down, the system stays connected via cellular radio. This is critical — a burglar cutting your internet cable won't disable the alarm.For most homeowners, the monitoring experience is nearly identical. ADT's edge is redundancy (more centers). Vivint's edge is the app experience and faster smart home automation triggers.
Smart Home Integration
Vivint Smart Home
Vivint treats security as one piece of a full smart home system. From the Vivint app, you can:
- Lock/unlock doors remotely
- Adjust thermostats (Vivint sells its own)
- Control lights via Z-Wave smart switches
- View cameras live from anywhere
- Set automation rules (e.g., "when I arm the system, lock all doors and turn off lights")
Vivint also integrates with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, so you can arm/disarm with voice commands.
The key advantage: everything is managed through one app, one account, one support team. No juggling multiple smart home apps.
ADT Smart Home
ADT supports smart home features through its ADT+ platform and partnerships:
- Google Home integration (ADT has a partnership with Google)
- Alexa compatibility
- Z-Wave devices (locks, lights, thermostats)
- Smart plugs and switches
ADT's traditional system works well with third-party devices but doesn't feel as tightly integrated as Vivint. You may end up using the ADT app for security and separate apps for other devices.
Blue by ADT keeps it simpler: the Blue app handles security, and you use Google Home or Alexa for broader smart home control.Contracts and Cancellation
This is where the two companies differ significantly.
Vivint requires a 42-60 month contract for financed equipment. If you cancel early, you owe the remaining balance on the equipment. There's no way around this — Vivint's business model is based on long-term monitoring subscriptions. ADT Traditional typically requires a 36-month contract. Early termination fee is usually 75% of the remaining contract value. Shorter than Vivint, but still a significant commitment. Blue by ADT has no contract. You can cancel professional monitoring anytime and still use the hardware for self-monitoring via the app. This is the most flexible option from either company. Our take: If contracts make you nervous, Blue by ADT is the clear winner. If you're committed to professional monitoring for the long haul, the contract length matters less — you'll be paying monthly regardless.Customer Service and Support
Vivint provides 24/7 phone and chat support. As a direct-to-consumer company, Vivint handles everything: sales, installation, monitoring, and support. This means one number to call for any issue.Common complaints about Vivint center on the sales process (high-pressure door-to-door sales) and contract terms. Once installed, customer satisfaction is generally high — the hardware works well and the app is responsive.
ADT also provides 24/7 support, but the experience can vary. ADT uses a network of authorized dealers for installation and sales, which means your experience may differ depending on your local dealer. The monitoring and support is handled centrally by ADT.Blue by ADT sidesteps the dealer issue entirely — you buy direct and install yourself. Support is handled through the app and ADT's central team.
Insurance Discounts
Both Vivint and ADT systems can qualify you for homeowners insurance discounts of 5-20%, depending on your insurer. ADT's brand recognition gives it a slight edge here — more insurance companies recognize the ADT name and may offer larger discounts.
Typical annual savings: $100-$400/year depending on your home value and insurer. Over the life of a 3-5 year contract, this can offset a significant portion of the monitoring cost.
Tip: Call your insurance company before purchasing either system and ask what discount they offer for professionally-monitored security with cellular backup. Get the specific requirements in writing.Who Should Choose Vivint?
Vivint is the better choice if you:
- Want cameras included in the base system (not add-ons)
- Are building a complete smart home ecosystem
- Prefer one app to control security, cameras, locks, lights, and thermostat
- Don't mind a longer contract for better equipment financing
- Want the best mobile app experience
- Live in a larger home that benefits from professional installation
Who Should Choose ADT?
ADT is the better choice if you:
- Value brand recognition (matters for insurance and resale value)
- Want the option of DIY installation (Blue by ADT)
- Need medical alert monitoring (available as add-on)
- Prefer a shorter contract (36 months vs 42-60)
- Want no contract at all (Blue by ADT with self-monitoring)
- Are on a tighter budget (Blue starts at ~$99 for equipment)
The Verdict
There's no universally "better" system — it depends on what matters to you.
Choose Vivint if you want the best smart home experience with cameras included from day one. You'll pay more (longer contract, financed equipment), but you get a premium, tightly-integrated system that's hard to beat for home automation. Choose ADT if you want brand trust, insurance savings, and flexibility. ADT Traditional gives you professionally-monitored security with a shorter commitment. Blue by ADT gives you the ultimate flexibility: buy the equipment, monitor yourself for free, and add professional monitoring only when you want it.Either way, you're making a solid choice. Both systems have professional monitoring, cellular backup, and smart home integration. The monthly cost difference is minimal. Pick the one that fits your lifestyle.
Looking at More Options?
Vivint and ADT are two of the top four home security brands. If you're also considering Ring Alarm Pro or SimpliSafe, see our full Best Home Security Systems 2026 comparison covering all four systems.
SmartShelf earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you. We earn equally from Vivint and ADT. Our recommendations are based on thorough research, not commission rates.
Want the Complete Home Security Buyer's Guide?
The Vivint vs ADT comparison is one piece of the puzzle. If you want the full picture — including Ring Alarm Pro, SimpliSafe, DIY vs pro installation, cost breakdowns, and smart home integration — our Complete Home Security Buyer's Guide covers everything in one place.
$29 · Instant PDF · 30-day money-back guarantee Get the Full Buyer's Guide →