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ADT and Vivint are two of the biggest home security companies in the United States. Each running extensive ad and sales campaigns across North America.
Let's take a look at the differences in their most comparable base package offerings and compare their respective advantages and disadvantages. The basic packages offered are:
Two ADT systems have been included since ADT has created a sub brand called ADT Pulse for their systems that are more comparable to Vivint base package.
| Package | Vivint Home Security | ADT Safewatch QuickConnect | ADT Pulse Select |
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| Call for Recent Promotions: | (888) 858-7689 | (888)-631-5009 | (888)-631-5009 |
| Lowest Possible Price: | Click for Lowest Price | Click for Lowest Price | Click for Lowest Price |
| Window/Door Sensors | 3 Wireless Detectors | 2 Wireless Detectors | 2 Wireless Detectors |
| Motion Detectors | 1 Wireless Detector | 1 Wireless Detector | 1 Wireless Detector |
| Key Fob Controller? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular or Landline? | Cellular | Landline | Cellular |
| Remote SMS / Email Alerts | Yes | No | Yes |
| Remote Management via Smartphone | Yes | No | Yes |
| Activation Fee | $99 | $99* | $224* |
| Monthly Fee | $49.99 | $42.99 | |
| Contract Required? | Yes, 42 Months | Yes, 36 Months | Yes, 36 Months |
| Average Monthly Costs: | $52.35 | $45.35 | $54.21 |
| Call for Recent Promotions: | (888) 858-7689 | (888)-631-5009 | (888)-631-5009 |
| Lowest Possible Price: | Click for Lowest Price | Click for Lowest Price | Click for Lowest Price |
ADT offers a 36 month contract, Vivint offers a 42 month contract. Although 6 months does not seem like long, if you ever have to terminate your contract early that extra 6 months will cost well over $275.
Vivint has chose a clear path when it comes to monitoring. They rely on Cellular signal transmissions. The big advantages of a cellular system is that you do not require a landline. For consumers who only use their landline for alarm monitoring this offers a serious cost savings.
ADT Safewatch offers landline and cellular monitoring, but there is an additional cost for cellular monitoring. Upfront costs increase by to at least $198, with increased monitoring costs ranging from $44.99 upwards. You can purchase the ADT Cellguard hardware, and pay the increased monitoring costs. The ADT Pulse system uses Cellular monitoring as part of the base package costs.
Do you put stock in BBB ratings? ADT has an edge on Vivint of B+ vs. B -. These ratings aren't perfect but generally provide good guidance on most companies. The largest source of complaints with monitoring companies are about billing and contract issues.
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| Call Vivint Toll Free: (888) 858-7689 | Call ADT Toll Free: (888)-631-5009 |
| Quote from Vivint | Quote from an ADT Authorized Dealer |
| Our Detailed Vivint Review | Our Detailed ADT Review |