Vivint vs. ADT: Comparing Two Industry Giants Side-by-Side

Vivint and ADT are two of our top home security providers. On the one hand, we have Vivint, which has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies and is constantly pushing the boundaries in home security and smart technology. On the other hand, we have ADT, the largest home security company with more than 100 years in business. Both companies specialize in wireless home security and automation, but there’s plenty of variation between the two. In this article, we’ll point out how ADT and Vivint differ in terms of customer service, contracts, installation, monitoring, pricing, and more.

Key differences between Vivint and ADT

Vivint and ADT use different brands of technology, but they perform about equally. Vivint’s pricing is also much easier to find than ADT’s. This is because ADT uses independent dealers to manage accounts from sale to customer support, so pricing varies by location.

Similar customer service options

ADT has a big reputation and more than 6.5 million customers. When many people think home security, they think of ADT. But name recognition doesn’t always equate to the best home security service. ADT ranked #10 in our best home security systems comparison largely because of its inconsistent customer service reviews. Because ADT operates with local dealers, service quality will vary based on where you live.

ADT sends a security professional to visit your home before you purchase a system. This can be great because it means you can get a professional’s guidance in choosing the equipment you truly need. However, it can also be a stressful situation because the specialist may try to upsell you. We recommend having an idea of what is important to you in a security system and making a list of equipment you want or need. This can help you stand your ground if you are faced with pressure from the salesperson.

ADT offers live chat, phone support, a help center, and guides for customer service, but many customers reported that reps are unhelpful or rude. If you are seriously considering ADT, we recommend speaking with some ADT customers in your area to see if they’re pleased with their service.

Vivint was named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in 2017, a huge step for the security provider. It’s likely Vivint made the list because it’s constantly evolving and staying up to date on the latest technology. It offers customer support in the forms of live chat, phone consultation, FAQs, troubleshooting documents, and how-to guides.

Vivint landed the #2 spot in our home security rankings thanks to its new, customer-centric pricing structure, which we think shows a good-faith effort to listen to consumers and overcome its reputation for aggressive sales tactics.

Flexible or 3-year contracts

Vivint Monthly Cost

Vivint offers a month-to-month option with no long-term contracts as well as 42- and 60-month contract options. To take advantage of the month-to-month contract, you’ll need to pay for all of your equipment up front. If you’d prefer to finance your Vivint equipment interest-free instead of paying for it all at once, you can choose a 42-month or a 60-month contract. It’s important to know that if you end up paying off your equipment before the contract is up, you’re still locked into that contract. The only change will be that your monthly fee will decrease to the price of monitoring only.

The month-to-month plan is a rare option among traditional home security providers, and we think it’s great to see Vivint offering a more flexible package for its users, especially considering that it’s been relatively inflexible in the past.

ADT Monthly Cost Compared to Vivint

ADT offers a 36-month contract (24 months in California), which is the standard in the home security industry. Frontpoint (our #1 pick) and Protect America (our #3 pick) both require 36-month contracts. ADT is in line with what other companies require in terms of contract length, but Vivint has a leg up with its month-to-month option.

Canceling with Vivint and ADT

If you want to cancel your service with ADT or Vivint when you’re in a contract, you have two options: find another qualified candidate to take over your service and pay the remainder of your agreement, or pay 100% of the account balance. Therefore, if you sign a contract with either of these companies you should plan on paying the full contract yourself.

Professional installation

Professional installation has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s nice because it gives you a chance to speak with an expert about your security system and ask any questions you have in person. However, it also comes with some downsides: you’ll often have additional expenses, you have to wait around for the professional to come to your home, and you have to let a stranger inside your home.

Neither ADT nor Vivint offers DIY installation. ADT charges $99 for professional installation when you sign a contract for at least $36.99 per month. Meanwhile, Vivint’s professional installation is a flat fee of $49.99

Monthly monitoring rates

Not all ADT systems are cellularly monitored, while both of Vivint’s systems are. Cellular monitoring is safer because if an intruder cuts your phone or internet line, your security system will keep working. The table below shows the monitoring plans offered from Vivint and ADT.

*Because it is offered primarily through third-party dealers, ADT pricing can vary based on location. Make sure to call to get pricing for your area. 

Equipment pricing comparison

Unfortunately, because of its local dealer model, ADT isn’t as transparent about its pricing as Vivint is. However, we do know that ADT gives you $850 worth of equipment for free if you pay a $99 installation fee and sign up for a 36-month agreement (24 months in California). ADT does not state what equipment is included in this agreement—or in general. For more information on ADT pricing, you’ll have to contact ADT directly.

Vivint requires its customers to purchase a $549 equipment package, which includes one SkyControl panel, four door/window sensors, and one motion sensor. You can add on any equipment you’d like for additional costs. The only restriction is that if you want cameras, you’ll need to purchase the Smart Home Video package. Below is a list of some of Vivint’s equipment and its pricing.

Vivint’s lifetime warranty vs. ADT’s limited warranty

Vivint offers a lifetime equipment warranty, which is not common for the home security industry. If you sign up for the $10-per-month Premium Service, you’ll have no service-call fees or additional taxes when a tech visits your home. Without the Premium Service, you’ll have to pay a service fee any time you need a tech to come to your home, but equipment replacements will still be free. Most home security companies offer a two-year equipment warranty, so the fact that Vivint stands behind its equipment for a lifetime is pretty rare.

ADT’s warranty is a monthly fee called Quality Service Plan (QSP). QSP is an extended limited warranty that is active as long as you pay the monthly fee, which varies based on your dealer and where you live. We don’t love that ADT charges a monthly fee for its full equipment warranty. In comparison, Frontpoint and Protect America offer a lifetime warranty and Link Interactive (our #2 pick) offers a two-year warranty. It’s uncommon to pay a monthly fee for an equipment warranty, so ADT is unique here.

Vivint comes out ahead

We choose Vivint as the winner against ADT because of its flexible payment and contract options, regular updates, and pricing transparency. Vivint is constantly offering newer equipment and more home automation options to keep up with the competition, and its new Flex Pay program is unique in the industry. Don’t mark ADT off your list yet, though. ADT is excellent in certain locations, and it may be worth reaching out to your local authorized dealer and speaking with customers in your area. There’s a reason ADT has been in the home security business for more than 100 years but we feel Vivint and other top rated home security companies have some other advantages.

Which company do you think is better?