ADT vs. Vivint: Which Home Security System Is Best?

ADT and Vivint are two of the most popular home security companies in the country. The two are so similar that it can be difficult to choose between them. However, after a closer look there are important differences. One offers customization and flexibility while the other is more focused on being mobile friendly.

Other important considerations include the length of security contracts, compatibility with third-party devices, and installation costs. In this article, we compare both home security systems and make it easy to choose between them.

Vivint

Vivint, also known as Vivint Smart Home, is a popular brand of smart home products. Established in 1999 as APX Alarm Security Solutions by Keith Nellesen and Todd Pedersen, the company has grown into one of the most widely known smart home brands.

Its flagship product is the Vivint Smart Home App, which allows customers to connect and monitor the entire security system of their homes while away. When at home, customers can use the Vivint Smart Hub, a small tablet that serves the same purpose. However, the Smart Hub also offers two-way sound. Both the Smart Home App and Smart Hub are designed to work with any of the company’s packages, which include motion sensors, smoke detectors and security cameras. Vivint offers indoors, outdoors and doorbell cameras that can be used to protect all areas of the house.

Vivint also markets products from other brands. For example, the company sells the Google Home and Amazon Echo assistant devices, Nest and Element smart thermostats, and Philips Hue personal wireless lighting system. Unlike the proprietary line of products, Vivint sells those third-party devices separately. Customers who are interested must purchase one of the packages and then add third-party devices to their order.

The company currently offers four different packages customers can choose from. The entry-level package is called Home Security and comes with motion sensors and one Smart Hub tablet. Then comes the Smart Home Control package, which also includes centralized controls and full automation. The Video Security package includes access to live video from cameras and unlimited storage. Smart Complete is the most expensive package, as it includes most devices and services. Customers can also create a custom package that best suits the needs of their homes.

Vivint customers can choose to pay the equipment up front or enter into a long-term contract with the company. Usually, monitoring contracts start at 42 months and offer several additional features, such as uninterrupted monitoring. The cheapest contract has a price of $40 per month. More comprehensive plans, such as those including outdoor cameras and cloud storage, can cost as much as $100 per month.

ADT

ADT is a brand of residential and small business security systems. The company was founded in 1874 as American District Telegraph, and currently provides electronic security devices, fire protection systems and alarm devices. ADT has a strong presence in the home security industry. For decades, the company was the largest provider of residential security systems in many states, including New York and Pennsylvania.

ADT’s main security products are usually sold in packages. Traditional security packages include a digital panel, entryway contacts, wireless keychain remotes, motion detectors, a high-decibel alarm, back-up batteries, yard signs and window decals. Control security packages include everything from the Traditional package plus the ability to remotely arm and disarm alarms, smart home controls and customizable alerts, schedules and automations. A third package called Video is also available. It comes with video surveillance, the option to live stream from mobile devices and storage space to record and save video clips from installed security cameras.

ADT also sells some of its products separately. For example, customers can purchase security cameras, fire and life protection devices as they see fit. Security cameras come in indoor, outdoor and doorbell presentations. Outdoor cameras come with weather protection and wireless connection. Fire and life safety products include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flood sensors and medical alert systems. The company also offers an identity theft protection system that costs $10 per month and which provides up to $1 million in reimbursement from financial fraud.

ADT security services come with a monitoring contract that must be signed when purchasing any of their packages. These contracts often last for 36 months and provide additional services, such as uninterrupted monitoring and maintenance. The cheapest contract starts at around $37 per month, while more comprehensive ones can cost up to $70 per month. The price of each package will vary according to what the customer needs. For example, a traditional package that comes with one motion sensor, one high-decibel alarm and digital panel costs around $150. Security cameras are usually sold separately. Outdoor cameras, for example, cost around $250 each. Other installation fees may also apply.

ADT vs. Vivint

Both Vivint and ADT offer comprehensive plans that cover what most homes need. This includes uninterrupted monitoring, access to live video, cloud storage and more. When it comes to pricing, both companies offer similar monthly costs for their subscriptions. The only difference is that Vivint does allow customers to purchase without a contract.

However, despite their similarities, there are some differences that will tilt customers toward one particular company. Vivint, for example, would be the best choice for customers who care about the quality of equipment, since the company builds their own security devices. ADT, in contrast, relies on third parties to manufacture theirs.

Vivint customers do not need to have a landline connection to better enjoy the services. The company makes heavy emphasis on using smartphones and wireless connections to operate their security platforms. Also, customers who already own an enjoy any of the home assistants released by Google and Amazon, or who own standalone products such as the Nest Thermostat, will prefer Vivint because its security systems are designed to be fully compatible with such devices.

ADT’s strength lies in their ability to give customers personalized packages that best protects their homes. Although Vivint and ADT have a similar number of security packages, ADT offers much more customization and flexibility when it comes to adding or removing specific components. Also, customers who prefer setting up their security platform using a landline will choose ADT, as Vivint only works with wireless connections.

Finally, customers who want to save as much money as possible while being under a contract may prefer ADT. The monitoring contracts offered by the company are shorter and the monthly payments slightly lower than Vivint. A customer who purchases the cheapest contract from ADT would pay $900 plus equipment and installation costs, for a total of roughly $1,500. Meanwhile, a customer who purchases the cheapest Vivint contract would pay $1,680 plus equipment and installation costs, totaling around $2,400.

Arlo sells their cameras in packages that can include between one and four units. The price can be as low as $299 for a single Arlo Ultra camera, to as much as $1,000 for a package of four. The Arlo Go mobile camera costs $349 and requires a mobile service contract.  Some packages come with more than one camera type. For example, the Arlo Smart Security System package costs $800 and comes with four Arlo and two Arlo Q cameras.

Nest cameras come with some additional benefits not available in Arlo products. This includes, for example, environmental protection systems and uninterrupted remote monitoring. Nest cameras can be programmed to work in a fully automated mode, following specific orders according to which event takes place. The cameras work even more efficiently when paired with the Nest Thermostat, which monitors indoors and outdoors temperatures, as well as presence of smoke and other hazardous particles like carbon monoxide, gasoline and natural gas.

The Arlo lineup of security cameras can be quite expensive. However, its innovative intrusion protection and alarm services make it optimal for homeowners and renters who are looking for a comprehensive system. In contrast, Nest is best suited for people who are already accustomed to Google’s smart home platform. By using Google’s platform, Nest allows customers to skip the process of setting up and learning how to use another program.

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