Vivint Smart Home vs ADT
Best Overall
ADT
9.9
8.9
$29.99
$28.99+
None
36 Months
25 Yrs
150 Yrs
Vivint Smart Home
vs
ADT
9.9
Score
8.9
$29.99
Cost
$28.99+
None
Contract
36 Mo
25 Yrs
Experience
150 Yrs
We understand the frustration that comes with shopping for a home security system. That's why we have taken the liberty to breakdown two of the most searched home security providers.
ADT and Vivint are big-time players in the home security industry. But which home security company is best?
Here's our ADT vs Vivint breakdown:
ADT Overview
Pros
- Great Discounts
- Excellent Service
- Trusted Brand
- Great Customer Service
Score
8.9
Price
$28.99+/mo
Cons
- Above Average Monthly Price
Expert Take
ADT is one of the oldest and most trusted home security companies in the industry. As a more traditional home security company, ADT seeks to emphasize device quality, monitoring coverage and response times, and quality customer service. However, ADT also offers the current smart security trend: DIY home security systems through Blue by ADT.
ADT has one of the largest network of security professionals in the United States, with over 300 offices and 9 monitoring centers across the nation.
The company provides potential customers with either professionally installed, DIY installation, or digital-based smart home devices and home security monitoring.
ADT has an overall score of 8.4 out of 10 on BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com.
Vivint Overview
Pros
- No Contract Option
- No Upfront Fee Option
- Excellent Customer Reviews
Score
9.9
Price
$29.99/mo
Cons
- No DIY Option
Expert Take
Vivint Smart Home is ranked #1 for three very good reasons: excellent customer service, outstanding reviews, and the very convenient option to choose between no upfront fees or no contracts. Vivint provides unparalleled service and security systems that provide peace of mind — it's own customers say so.
Vivint Smart Home is one of the most popular home security companies in the industry, making it the perfect option to compare against ADT.
Vivint joins the ranks of larger monitoring services (like Brinks Home Security, Protect America, & Frontpoint) as a preferred option for U.S. based customers.
Additionally, Vivint Home Security has been rated a 9.7 out of 10 on BestHomeSecurity Companys.com.
Read on for an in-depth look into both ADT's and Vivint's monitoring plans and service offerings.
Vivint Reviews vs. ADT Reviews
What Do Customers Think About Vivint?
Vivint Smart Home has oustanding customer ratings from over 8,300 customers on Best Company. The company has an average star rating of 3.8 out of 5 total.
The company's customer service is the most commonly praised aspect of Vivint's offering, though the security equipment, smart home technology, and peace of mind the company gives are also touted as Vivint's best selling points.
The few dissatisfied customers had problems during the installation and when they tried to cancel their contracts.
However, we feel confident in recommedning Vivint solely because of the customer satisfaction we've seen.
Take a look for yourself:
What Do Customers Think About ADT?
Even though ADT has not received as many reviews as Vivint, the majority of customers have positive experiences with ADT.
ADT has received a star rating of 4 out of 5 from its customers.
Many customers applaud the company's equipment reliability and security system success in the event of breakins. They report quick response times to both true and false alarms.
Because ADT has been a titan in the home security industry for so long, many happy customers have used an ADT system for 20 years (or more)! That's longer than Vivint has even been around.
The few negative reviews complain about cancellation fees and third party contractors.
Take a look at some of the positive stories from ADT customers:
Vivint Upfront Costs vs. ADT Upfront Costs
It all starts with the up-front fee. Normally, the upfront fee for a home security company covers the activation, installation, and equipment costs.
ADT does charge upfront fees, but they offer promotional deals (throughout the year) where they wave those costs.
Vivint offers either month-to-month contracts or no upfront fees, but you can't have both — you have to choose.
Personally, we believe Vivint's month-to-month option to be their most valuable offering, since most customer complaints in the home security industry pertain to a lack of options or extra fees when trying to cancel a service.
Even though this is a great deal, the month-to-month option does mean customers must pay upfront.
To avoid upfront fees, customers can enter into a 42 month contract with Vivint.
Vivint Monthly Payments vs. ADT Monthly Payments
After you pay the upfront fees, there are also going to be monthly monitoring fees if you opt for professional monitoring.
ADT charges anywhere from $36.99-$57.99/month while Vivint charges $29.99-$49.99/month for monitoring.
Generally, home security companies will charge higher monthly fees for better customer service, but it's important to be able to discern whether a company is over-priced or worth the cost.
It's not necessarily cheap, but you can't put a price on your home and family's safety, so get ready to fork it over.
Vivint Contract Length vs. ADT Contract Length
Then there is the contract.
You know, that thing that locks you into payment and forces you to hand over your first-born child if you decide to cancel?
ADT's contract lasts for 36 months, while Vivint's contract length is 42 months, but only if you opt for the 'no upfront fee' option.
In reality, Vivint offers customers a month-to-month contract option if they're willing to pay for all of their security equipment upfront.
With most home security companies, you are usually stuck with a company for at least 3 years.
That's why Vivint's month-to-month contract offer is so enticing — it's practically unheard of in the home security industry.
Vivint Cancellation vs. ADT Cancellation
Now what happens when you try to cancel your contract?
Be prepared to pay an arm and leg.
Vivint requires that their customers pay the balance of the contract.
ADT has their customers pay 75% of the remaining balance.
Cancel the contract and these companies will be raking it in.
Vivint Time in Business vs. ADT Time in Business
Vivint is a new-ish player in home security.
They have been around for almost 15 years. On the other hand, ADT has been in business, well...forever (135+ years).
Monitoring/Response Speeds
In the event that your alarm goes off, it is critical that help arrives promptly.
When an alarm/sensor is triggered, you can rest assured that both Vivint and ADT respond quickly.
SDM Rank
SDM Magazine is THE home security magazine.
Each year, SDM Magazine releases a list of the top 100 companies in the home security industry.
Let's put it this way, if you are in any way involved in the home security business, you want to be on the list (preferably at the top of that list).
ADT is ranked #1 on SDM's list and Vivint is ranked #5.
Considering how many providers there are out there, both rankings are REALLY good.
There you have it, both ADT and Vivint spelled out. The decision is up to you.
