What Is the Cost of ADT a Month in 2026? Full Pricing Breakdown

When people ask, "What is the cost of ADT a month?" they’re usually trying to figure out if it’s worth the investment. The answer isn’t simple. ADT doesn’t have one monthly price-it has dozens of combinations depending on what you install, how you install it, and which plan you pick. You could pay as little as $24.99 a month-or over $80-if you go all-in on cameras, smart devices, and professional setup.

ADT’s Three Main Monitoring Plans (2026)

ADT organizes its monitoring services into three core tiers. These are the foundation of your monthly bill. Everything else-cameras, smart locks, installation-gets layered on top.

• ADT Secure: Starts at $24.99/month for DIY setup. This is basic intrusion detection. If you just want to know when someone breaks in, this covers it. No cameras. No smart home control. Just door/window sensors and a siren.
• ADT Smart: $29.99/month DIY. Adds control over smart devices. Think thermostats, garage doors, and door locks. You can turn lights on from your phone, lock up before bed, or check if the kids got home safely.
• ADT Complete: $39.99/month DIY. This is where video monitoring kicks in. You get cloud storage for cameras, motion alerts, and live viewing through the ADT app. If you want to see who’s at your front door-or if your dog is chewing the couch-this is the plan.

These prices are for people who install everything themselves. If you want ADT to send a technician to set everything up, add $10 per month to each plan. That means Secure jumps to $34.99, Smart to $39.99, and Complete to $49.99.

What Happens If You Go Higher? Levels 1 to 8

ADT also uses a level system for more detailed packages. These aren’t separate plans-they’re upgrades within the main three tiers. Think of them like adding extra features to a smartphone.

• ADT Secure Level 1: $49.99/month. Professional installation included. Comes with up to four sensors and one control panel. You get the ADT Control App, but no cameras.
• ADT Secure+ Level 2: $53.99/month. Same as Level 1, but adds one life safety device-like a smoke or carbon monoxide detector. Useful if you have kids, elderly parents, or an older home.
• ADT Smart Level 3: $60.99/month. Includes everything from Secure Plus, plus one smart device of your choice. Pick a smart lock, a thermostat, or a smart plug. You’re not locked into one brand.
• ADT Smart+ Level 4: $63.99/month. Now you get two smart devices. Maybe a lock and a garage opener. Or two smart thermostats for a two-story house.

The higher levels get more complex:

• ADT Complete Level 5: $64.99/month. One camera included (Google Nest or ADT model). Video stored in the cloud. No NAP (Network Access Protocol) access.
• ADT Complete+ Level 6: $71.99/month. Two cameras. Now you get NAP cloud storage-meaning better video quality, longer retention, and more reliable access.
• ADT Complete++ Level 7: $64.99/month. One camera + one smart device. Good if you want to see your porch and control the lights from inside.
• ADT Complete++ Level 8: $71.99/month. One camera, one smart device, and full NAP cloud storage. This is the full package for people who want total control.

Don’t be fooled by the similar prices. Level 7 and Level 8 both cost $64.99 and $71.99, but Level 8 gives you better video storage. That’s the difference between seeing a blurry figure and clearly recognizing your neighbor’s face.

Equipment Costs: What You Pay Up Front

Monthly monitoring isn’t the whole story. You also pay for the hardware. ADT doesn’t give you free equipment. You either buy it upfront or finance it.

Here’s what the most common setups cost:

• Build Your Own (DIY): $269 total. This is the cheapest way in. You get a base control panel, two door/window sensors, and a motion detector. You install it yourself. No professional help.
• Security Starter: $349 total. Includes everything from Build Your Own, plus one indoor camera and a keypad.
• Life Safety: $404 total. Adds smoke and CO detectors to the Security Starter package.
• Video Essentials: $708.98 total. Two outdoor cameras, one indoor camera, and a video doorbell. All with cloud storage.
• Total Safety: $1,593.95 total. The full system: multiple cameras, doorbell, sensors, smart locks, thermostats, and life safety devices.

ADT lets you finance equipment over time. For systems over $599, you can get 0% APR for up to 36 or even 60 months. For example:

• Video Essentials ($708.98) → $19.69/month over 36 months
• Total Safety ($1,593.95) → $26.57/month over 60 months

That means you could be paying $26.57 for equipment + $49.99 for monitoring = $76.56 total per month. It’s not cheap, but it’s spread out.

ADT Cameras: The Big Cost Multiplier

You can’t get video monitoring without the Complete plan. And you can’t get Complete without paying extra for cameras.

ADT cameras range from $99 to $279 each:

• Google Nest Indoor Cam: $99. Plug-in, easy to set up. Good for living rooms or nurseries.
• ADT Outdoor Camera: $199. Weatherproof, with night vision and motion-triggered alerts.
• ADT Floodlight Camera: $279. A camera + bright floodlights + siren. Deters intruders before they even get close.

Each camera requires the $39.99 Complete plan. You can’t add one camera to a lower-tier plan. So if you want two cameras, you’re locked into Complete-and you pay $39.99 once, not twice. That’s a plus.

How ADT Compares to Other Brands

Is ADT expensive? It depends on what you’re comparing it to.

ADT sits right in the middle. It’s cheaper than Ring if you want high-end features. More expensive than SimpliSafe if you just want basic alarms. But ADT’s biggest edge? Professional monitoring. 24/7 live operators who call you, then call the police if something goes wrong. Most competitors just send alerts to your phone.

What You Really Pay Each Month

Let’s say you want a realistic setup:

• You pick ADT Complete (DIY) = $39.99/month
• You buy one Google Nest camera = $99 (paid upfront)
• You install it yourself = $0
• You sign a 3-year contract = locked-in rate

Your monthly cost? $39.99. That’s it. No hidden fees. No surprise charges.

Now, if you go with professional installation:

• ADT Complete + installation = $49.99/month
• Two cameras + one smart lock = $477 upfront
• Financed over 36 months = $13.25/month

Total monthly cost: $49.99 + $13.25 = $63.24

That’s still less than what Vivint or Frontpoint charge for similar setups. And you get ADT’s reputation for reliability.

Hidden Costs and Traps to Avoid

ADT isn’t transparent about everything. Watch out for these:

• Activation fees: $99 or $199, depending on the plan. Often not mentioned until checkout.
• Early termination fees: If you cancel before your 3-year contract ends, you could owe up to 75% of the remaining balance.
• Equipment return fees: If you cancel and don’t return sensors or cameras, they’ll charge you full retail price.
• Price hikes after promo: Some deals lock in $24.99 for 12 months, then jump to $49.99. Always ask: "What’s the rate after the first year?"

Always get everything in writing. If a rep says "it’s free," ask for an email confirmation.

Who Should Choose ADT?

ADT makes sense if:

• You want 24/7 live monitoring with police dispatch
• You’re okay with long-term contracts for lower monthly rates
• You like having one app for alarms, cameras, and smart devices
• You value brand trust over cutting-edge tech

ADT is not for you if:

• You hate contracts and want month-to-month freedom
• You only want a doorbell camera and nothing else
• You’re tech-savvy and want to build your own system with Alexa or Google Home

For those cases, SimpliSafe or Ring might be better.