Overview
Vivint
$29.99
None
Undisclosed
Undisclosed
Professional
Yes
26 Years
ADT-Monitored Security
$45.99
36 Months
180
Undisclosed
Professional
Yes
151 Years
Ratings
Vivint
ADT-Monitored Security
Pros & Cons
Vivint
PROS
- Professional installation
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Lifetime equipment warranty
- Smart home compatibility
- Product financing options
- Vivint mobile app
CONS
- $99 moving fee
- Lengthy contracts
- Prices not listed online
- Fair Credit Reporting Act Violation
ADT-Monitored Security
PROS
- Alarm packages start at $28.99
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- Variety of add-on options
- Landline and cellular monitoring
- Advanced security cameras
- Home automation compatibility
CONS
- 36-month contract requirement
- Installation feeds
- Limited package and pricing information
Reviews
Vivint
Reviews
ADT-Monitored Security
Reviews for Vivint
Helpful Favorable Review
Sachin Rana
July 18th, 2024
DETAILS
Review Source
I like how reliable their security system is , gives me total control over the house. This company Vivint has provided me with advanced features which i absolutely needed like hd cameras , motion sensors that works execellently and also includes smart locks. They also provided detailed guides on how to operate and manage security system easily.
Helpful Critical Review
Erin Sanders
July 16th, 2024
DETAILS
Review Source
Recently I notified Vivint that our panel was smoking. I contacted their customer support through the app and submitted a picture showing the dark soot inside the panel and going up my wall. I was told that I needed to upgrade my panel to the tune of $2000 + dollars. I will be seeking a new security system with a new company.
Reviews for ADT-Monitored Security
Helpful Favorable Review
Trish B Mandes
January 25th, 2023
Alexandria, VA
DETAILS
Review Source
I liked the fact that every door and window on the first floor and basement of our large, country house was secured by an alarm. We also had fire alarms, which assured us that if any of our 5 wood fireplaces caught on fire, we and the fire department would be notified immediately. Installation was quick and efficient. The explanation for using the system was clear. If we needed any help with the system, Customer Service was quick to answer questions on the phone or to send a representative to the house.
Helpful Critical Review
E. Connor
June 4th, 2021
Jacksonville, FL
DETAILS
ADT is absolutely the worst company for customer service. Their supervisors are NEVER available and the customer related complaints are never resolved. I have never encountered such a predatory company as ADT. Their customer service representatives totally ignored my wishes as the customer from the outset. Simply put, it was their way or the highway. I chose the highway. ADT is totally unsatisfactory in its business approach to customer satisfaction.
The Final Word
All of Vivint's security systems come with a lifetime equipment warranty. This means that if any of your Vivint equipment malfunctions or breaks, the company will repair or replace it free of charge.
ADT does not offer a free equipment warranty. Instead, the company has a Quality Service Plan. This plan gives you extended limited warranty protection but for a price. Unlike Vivint who offers equipment protection for free, you have to pay for an equipment warranty with ADT. However, ADT does not list any pricing online or note how long this warranty lasts, so you'll need to talk with a service representative to get more information.
Money-Back Guarantee (Winner: ADT)
Vivint does not mention a risk-free trial on its website, so it is unclear whether or not its security systems include one. However, that is typically something companies make known upfront, so we assume Vivint security does not offer this guarantee.
ADT's monthly monitoring fee starts at $24.99 for SSU and $38.99 for Pro Installation for ADT's Traditional Plans. This includes 24/7 monitoring, basic security equipment, professional installation, and monitored fire, flood, and carbon monoxide detection. For ADT's more advanced packages that includes smart home automation and video surveillance, you'll be paying closer to $50 per month.
Vivint's monthly monitoring cost starts at $39.99 for its basic security package that includes one touchscreen control panel, two sensors (you have your choice between door and window sensors), and one motion sensor. Vivint's basic security package is less robust than ADT's, and Vivint's also costs more.
Upfront Fees (Winner: Vivint)
Security Packages (Winner: ADT)
ADT and Vivint are not transparent online with what the companies include in their security packages. They list their offered systems and equipment, but it is unclear what specific equipment is included in what package.
Although we don't know everything that is included in Vivint's packages, ADT is a bit more transparent with the basic features it offers with each package. Both companies require you to request a quote and reach out to a service representative for more information.
Here's what we know about ADT's three main security packages:
Traditional Package
- 24/7 alarm monitoring
- Security monitoring equipment
- Monitored fire, flood, and carbon monoxide detection
- Professional installation'
- Everything included in the Traditional Package
- Remote arm and disarm of security system
- Smart home controls, such as smart locks and smart thermostats
- Customizable alerts and schedules
- Everything included in the Control Package
- Video surveillance
- Live stream from mobile devices
- Recordings and saved video clips from cloud storage
- Smart thermostat — a smart thermostat allows you to control your house temperature remotely as well as set preferred settings that will adjust the temperature when you're home and when you're out of the house to conserve energy.
- Remote garage door — The remote garage door control lets you open and close your garage door whether you're at home or away. Whether you were in a rush and forgot to shut the garage door or if you need to let someone inside while you're not home, the remote garage door control allows you to do so.
- Smart door locks — Smart locks are automatic door locks that are synched with your home security system. They allow you to remotely lock and unlock your doors and to be notified of entry. You can also set daily timers to lock or unlock the door at certain times of the day and night.
- Video doorbell camera — This camera is placed near your doorbell and allows you to monitor who is at the door as well as other things, such as package deliveries. The camera includes two-way audio that lets you communicate with the people at your door. You can access live video of this through ADT's and Vivint's mobile app.
- Indoor camera — Indoor cameras are a way to monitor the inside of your home. Whether you want them primarily for peace of mind in case your home is broken into or just to check on your kids when you're away from home, indoor security cameras make sure you know what's going on in your home. You can also check live video feed as well as access video clips.
- Outdoor camera — Whether you purchase one or multiple outdoor cameras, this allows you to monitor the outside of the home, including your backyard, front yard, and other vulnerable areas. You can tap into live video feed as well as look through saved video clips.
- Mobile app — Vivint and ADT both have their own smart home app that allows you to manage your home security and home automation capabilities in one place. You can arm and disarm your home security, create custom alerts and notifications, check live video feed from your security cameras, talk through your cameras with two-way communication, and more.
- Smart lights/switches/plugs — ADT also offers smart lights, switches, and plugs with its smart home security to help with energy efficiency and to remotely control your home's lighting. Vivint does not offer these home automation capabilities.
However, when comparing Vivint vs ADT, ADT customers give the company a higher star rating than Vivint customers do.
Online Transparency (Winner: Neither)
Both Vivint and ADT have poor transparency on their websites. For either company, you have to request a quote online or over the phone in order to access pricing and other security package details. Even if you request a quote online, you will still not receive further information until a sales representative calls you back. Not having additional information online makes it difficult to research the companies with ease.
Vivint and ADT share similarities in equipment quality and smart home capabilities, but both face challenges with customer satisfaction.
Vivint has a better equipment warranty that you do not have to pay for and a cheaper upfront cost, as the company offers 0$ activation and does not charge for equipment if you sign a long-term contract (up to five years).
ADT has a more reasonable contract of three years, while Vivint's often lasts up to five years. ADT also has a six-month money-back guarantee and a cheaper monthly monitoring cost.
If you're looking for a cheaper monthly fee, a shorter contract, and a money-back guarantee, ADT is the better company for you.
If you're looking for a cheaper upfront cost, a free lifetime equipment warranty, and you don't mind a long-term contract close to five years, Vivint is the best option.
While both companies offer strong security features, they face criticism for limited pricing transparency and customer service concerns. We recommend comparing them to other top-rated home security providers to find the best fit for your needs.
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