ADT vs. Vivint: Which Home Security System Is Right for You?

ADT and Vivint both offer professionally monitored home security systems with cameras, sensors and smart-home features. Guardian Alarm offers many of these same capabilities within its regional service area, giving homeowners another professionally installed and monitored option to consider.

But, ADT and Vivint take somewhat different approaches to how their systems are installed and managed.

ADT gives customers a choice between professional installation and DIY setup. Depending on the system, customers can also choose professional monitoring or self-monitoring. ADT outlines these options on its current DIY system page.

Vivint focuses more heavily on professional installation and monitoring. Its current system is built around the Vivint Smart Hub, which connects security equipment and compatible smart-home devices within one platform. Vivint describes the Smart Hub and its current installation model here.

Guardian Alarm home security packages also center on professional installation and 24/7 monitoring, with security, video and smart-home equipment available depending on the system.

In this guide, we’ll focus primarily on how ADT and Vivint compare, then look at where Guardian Alarm fits for homeowners within its service area.

ADT vs. Vivint at a glance

The most significant difference is the installation and monitoring model. ADT provides more options for customers who want to install or monitor a system themselves, while Vivint’s current offering is primarily designed around professional installation and monitoring.

Installation: ADT offers DIY and professional options

ADT currently sells both professionally installed and DIY security systems.

Its ADT DIY systems are designed for customers to install themselves. ADT says eligible configurations can use either professional monitoring or self-monitoring.

ADT also offers professional installation for customers who would rather have a technician install and configure their system.

Vivint takes a different approach. Vivint says its home security systems include professional installation, rather than offering a comparable mainstream DIY installation option.

For homeowners specifically looking for DIY installation, ADT therefore provides an option Vivint does not currently emphasize.

For homeowners who want a technician to handle installation, both companies offer professional service.

Monitoring: Both offer 24/7 professional monitoring

Both ADT and Vivint provide 24/7 professional alarm monitoring.

ADT Pro Monitoring connects professionally monitored systems to ADT monitoring centers. ADT also allows self-monitoring on qualifying DIY configurations.

Vivint similarly centers its security systems around 24/7 professional monitoring.

This creates another meaningful distinction between the two providers.

If self-monitoring is an important requirement, ADT currently provides the clearer option. If you plan to use professional monitoring either way, both companies offer it.

Equipment and cameras

Both ADT and Vivint offer the core equipment you would expect from a modern home security system.

Depending on the system, that can include door and window sensors, motion detectors and other security devices. Cameras and smart-home products can also be added.

The larger difference is how each company approaches its equipment ecosystem.

ADT uses Google Nest products extensively

Google Nest has become an important part of ADT’s current product offering.

ADT offers Google Nest cameras as part of its security ecosystem, including indoor and outdoor cameras and video doorbells.

Customers can also connect supported Google devices to the ADT+ platform. ADT provides instructions for linking Nest devices with ADT+.

That may be particularly relevant for households that already use Google Nest products.

Vivint develops its own cameras and hub

Vivint takes a more integrated approach to its primary equipment.

The Vivint Smart Hub serves as the central control panel for the system. Customers can use it to manage security devices, view cameras and communicate with Vivint’s monitoring team.

Vivint also offers its own indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras, which integrate with the Vivint system and app.

Neither approach is inherently better.

Someone who already uses Google Nest products may prefer ADT’s ecosystem. Someone who prefers getting much of their security equipment from the same provider may prefer Vivint’s approach.

Smart-home integration

Both systems extend beyond traditional burglar alarms.

ADT allows customers to combine security equipment with compatible connected-home devices. Google Nest products play a significant role in the current ADT ecosystem, and ADT also supports additional compatible devices. ADT provides a current overview of compatible products and integrations.

Vivint’s Smart Hub can connect security and compatible smart-home equipment through a central interface. Customers can also control supported equipment remotely using the Vivint app.

The distinction is largely about ecosystem design.

ADT combines its security platform with products from outside brands, particularly Google Nest. Vivint builds more of the experience around its own hub and equipment while also supporting selected integrations.

ADT vs. Vivint pricing

Comparing ADT and Vivint prices is more complicated than comparing two monthly monitoring rates.

Equipment, installation and monitoring can all affect the total cost. Promotions can also change.

As of August 19, 2026, ADT states that Pro Install monitoring starts at $49.99 per month. ADT also advertises lower-cost monitoring options for certain self-installed systems.

Vivint offers multiple pricing structures as well.

Its published pricing includes a HomeProtect configuration with an upfront equipment cost and monthly professional monitoring. Vivint also offers configurations without a long-term monitoring agreement when qualifying equipment is purchased upfront. Vivint explains its current package and monitoring pricing here.

Because packages and promotions vary, shoppers should compare the complete proposal rather than relying solely on an advertised starting price.

That means looking separately at:

• Equipment costs
• Installation charges
• Monthly monitoring
• Equipment financing
• Contract length
• Cancellation terms

These details can have a significant impact on the total cost of a security system.

Contracts and equipment financing

Contract terms also vary depending on how the system is purchased.

ADT’s DIY systems can be available without a long-term monitoring contract. Certain professionally installed ADT offers, however, involve longer monitoring agreements.

Vivint also offers more than one structure.

Customers who purchase qualifying equipment upfront may be able to use month-to-month monitoring. Customers who finance equipment can have a separate multi-year equipment financing agreement. Vivint says equipment financing is generally available over 36 to 60 months.

This is an important distinction when comparing security systems.

A monitoring agreement and an equipment financing agreement are not necessarily the same thing.

Before choosing either provider, review both the service agreement and any equipment financing terms.

How does Guardian Alarm compare?

Homeowners in Guardian Alarm’s service area have another professionally installed option to consider.

Guardian Alarm’s home security packages include professional installation and 24/7 professional monitoring.

Depending on the system, available equipment can include a touchscreen control panel, door and window contacts, motion or glass-break detection and cameras.

Guardian also offers dedicated home security cameras and smart-home automation, including connected devices that can be managed as part of the home security system.

Like Vivint, Guardian’s residential model centers on professional installation rather than DIY setup.

Guardian differs from both ADT and Vivint in another important way: its geographic footprint.

Guardian Alarm currently serves communities across Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas and Mississippi. Homeowners can use the Guardian Alarm locations page to see whether service is available in their area.

For homeowners within those markets, Guardian provides an additional choice: a professionally installed and monitored system supported by a regional security provider.